9. Everett

EVERETT

I already knew what Lemon was going to say before she said it.

What Lemon doesn’t know is that ever since that maniac left a body on the hood of Suze’s car, I hired two armed walls of muscles to follow Lemon wherever she goes. Of course, I let Noah in on the fact, lest the bodyguards I hired end up in the back of a squad car for the wrong reasons. Noah more than approved. And he assured me that he’s on this case and won’t sleep until his family is out of danger.

But what Noah doesn’t realize is that I’m not relying on his sleuthing skills to pull anyone out of anything. If history is a teacher, then we already know he’s not capable of it.

I’m sorry, Noah, but this is all above your pay grade.

Much like Evie, I’m not due on the bench until one.

In fact, I’ve laid out my entire month that way. I haven’t been heading to the courthouse first thing when I leave the house in the morning.

Instead, I head to the fitness gym in Ashford and train with one of the best boxers around. Then afterward, I head to the shooting range to let off a little more steam—and sharpen my acumen when it comes to ballistics.

Once I finish up with both, I head to my truck and sit there as all of the events that have unfolded these last few weeks flit through my mind, from the first body on Christmas to that poor woman who lost her life yesterday.

Noah thinks that the hit was meant for Suze.

Suze is far too close proximity to Lemon at all times. Suze, in fact, is family.

Noah can’t handle whatever is coming at us.

And if I’m truthful, all of the boxing lessons in the world and every bullet I can hold aren’t probably going to do a whole lot either.

Whoever is out there needs to be stopped, and they need to be stopped today.

Noah needs help.

I need help.

And I know just who to ask.

I head to the courthouse, to my chambers, pull back the painting that sits behind my desk, and open up my wall safe. I pull out every stack of one hundred dollar bills and shove them into my briefcase. It’s enough cash to buy a house outright. But is it enough cash to catch a killer?

I send a text to two of the most unlikely comrades in arms in hopes they’ll agree to meet with me.

My phone pings back with a message from both of them and I tell them when and where.

I head back out into the snowy morning, hop into my truck, and drive to Leeds, to the Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club. I stride in and head down to the illegal casino they have in the back.

I hightail it all the way to the head honcho’s office and walk in to see both Jimmy Canelli and Luke Lazzari already comfortable in their chairs, both smoking a stogie that fogs up the tiny room and makes this all feel like a bad dream. And it is.

Jimmy and Luke are both a couple of sixty-something mob bosses from opposing mob families.

Jimmy has a wreath of gray hair, a paunch belly, and the marksmanship of a sniper.

Luke is bald with icy blue eyes and a knack for breaking bones.

Yes, they war it out with one another to the point of death when it comes to their turf, but deep down they’re friends of sorts, and they’ve been known to come together on occasion when the mood strikes. And I’m hoping the mood is about to strike indeed.

I pop open my briefcase and stack the cash in front of them.

“Someone is threatening my family,” I say, slamming my briefcase shut once again. “I want to find the bastard and nail them to a wall. And I want all hands on deck.”

Jimmy takes a breath. “The money is a good start.”

Luke nods. “How about you sweeten the pot?”

I gird myself for what comes next.

Lemon, the twins, Lyla Nell, Suze, they’re all in active danger. My hands are tied.

“Jimmy, I’ve got two of your men awaiting sentencing, and Luke, I’ve got three of yours, and one is your nephew. Expect to see time served and a whole lot of community service attached. They’re not getting off the hook on that one.” I’ll flatten them where I can.

The two old hoodlums exchange a glance and shrug.

Luke takes a slow drag off his cigar. “Who are we looking for and how fast do you want them?”

“A ghost. And I want it done yesterday.”