Red Velvet Vengeance Read online

  “What’s going on?” I demand. “Why do I get the feeling this has to do with Noah and me?”

  “Oh, it’s definitely just you,” Naomi assures. “Essex says they passed him up because of his questionable dalliances.”

  My heart sinks right into my stomach as I look to Everett. “What? Is this because of the investigations?”

  “No,” Everett says it loud like a reprimand. “In fact, it has nothing to do with that, nor did I allude to it.” He scowls at Naomi, and she prickles to life as if it were a flirtatious gesture. In truth, the more rough around the edges both Noah and Everett become, the more women seem to magnetize to them—me included. “I didn’t put my hat in the ring. Simple as that.”

  “Because of the investigations.” Naomi shrugs. “You did say you weren’t enthused to have anyone pry into your private life.”

  Hook nods. “You did say that.” He lifts his drink as if toasting him.

  The waitress comes by, and we put in our orders while Hook engages Noah in a brisk conversation about stock options, puts and calls, and a myriad of other things that I’m only pretending to be interested in.

  I take the opportunity to lean toward Everett. “If I cost you a promotion, I will never forgive myself.”

  A dark grumble of laughter comes from his chest. “Carry on, Lemon. I have no desire to move to Burlington. I’m quite content where I am.” He offers a quick pat to my knee, along with a brief reassuring smile, but something in me still feels responsible for the fact he was looked over.

  I glare over at Keelie’s sister as she hangs onto his arm as if he were about to float away.

  “Naomi, rumor has it, you’re seeing a life coach. Lord knows I need me some coaching. Where can I find this godsend?”

  Noah gives my other knee a squeeze, far more intimate, warm and lingering, with the hint of lewd promise, and I wholeheartedly approve.

  Naomi’s face turns pink in an instant.

  “What’s this?” Keelie pipes up, clearly affronted. “Naomi, are you seeing someone behind my back? You do realize I demand to be in the know.”

  Naomi glowers my way. “We’re not official. In fact, you might say I’m more his protégé than I am anything else at the moment.” She gives Everett a sly wink that assures him a good time can still be had by all tonight. “But it’s all sort of secretive.” She glares at me once again. “Nothing vanilla someone like you might be interested in.”

  I suck in a quick breath. “Try me. What’s his name?”

  She shakes her head firmly, cutting Noah a shifty look, and something tells me this life coach guru is on the wrong side of the law.

  “I’m still taking his courses,” Naomi offers. “They’re quite expensive but worth every red cent. He’s a big believer in freeing your inner self.”

  “Huh”—I make a face at Keelie—“well, if you feel like sharing, I’d love to get in on it. My inner self has felt a bit imprisoned lately.”

  A dark rumbling laugh comes from both Noah and Everett, and I take the opportunity to stomp on both their toes.

  Dinner comes and goes with polite conversation and more ogling of Keelie’s ring.

  “So, when’s the big day?” I can’t help but ask. The way Hook has had his arm slung around her all night, the sweet nothings they’ve been whispering into one another’s ears all night, you’d think Keelie were destined to be Mrs. Hook Redwood sooner than later.

  “A year or so.” Keelie pats Hook’s hand. “We’re in no hurry, and I have lots of planning to do.”

  Naomi preens my way. “Lainey booked the Evergreen for July.”

  “What?” How dare Naomi be privy to sensitive wedding details that I know nothing about. “That’s great, I guess. Wow, July is just a few months away.”

  “They’re so in love.” Naomi shrugs as if she didn’t understand it herself. “Once you realize you’re with the person you want to be with forever, I don’t see why you should wait.”

  “Oh, I agree.” I bite down on a smile as I look to Noah. There’s still a question lingering between us that he’s been threatening to ask, and I’m secretly hoping tonight is the night.

  The check comes, and Everett insists on picking up the tab as a gift to the newly engaged couple. The entire lot of us bundles up once again as we head out into the snow. I give both Keelie and Hook a quick embrace as they take off while Naomi whispers something blasphemous into Everett’s ear, I’m sure. She takes off without so much as waving a finger at us.

  “Goodnight.” Everett bows slightly our way.

  Noah takes a breath. “Everett, I hope you take this as friendly advice, but think about your future before you land yourself in unsavory situations. Things could really come back to bite you in the rear.”

  Every muscle in my body freezes solid. Noah might as well have been speaking to me, and he was. I’m the reason Everett has landed in more than his fair share of unsavory situations, and I feel terrible about it.

  Everett’s chest bucks with a silent laugh. “Since we’re doling out advice, I don’t mind slinging a little your way. Check your intentions before you move forward. Make sure you clean up your mess before you create an even bigger one that you can’t mop up.” His marine blue eyes move over mine. “Night, Lemon.” He takes off, and I’m left speechless by the bizarre exchange.

  “What was that about?”

  Noah’s gaze is still set on Everett as he pulls away in his car. “Lottie Lemon”—he steps in close and lands his evergreen eyes over mine—“I love you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, and you’re the only one for me. I need you to know that.” There’s an urgency in his voice, a plea locked in there that I’ve never heard from him before.

  “I love you, too, Noah.” My heart detonates over his chest in anticipation of what’s to come. They say bad luck comes in threes. I’m willing to say good luck comes in threes as well. Lainey and Keelie are engaged. It sounds to me as if there’s room for one more.

  Noah and I head back to his place where he quickly builds a fire and lands me in his arms once again, his forest green eyes penetrating mine.

  “Lottie, there’s something I have to ask you.”

  “Anything.” A breath hitches in my throat, and I can hardly contain my excitement. He’s not dropping down on one knee, but he’s probably just nervous. Of course, I won’t hold it against him. God knows I’m nervous enough for the both of us.

  “I know why you were probing Naomi tonight.”

  My body goes rigid. “You do?”

  “Yes. And I’m going to give you all the answers you crave, right here and now, but only under one circumstance.”

  My mouth opens a moment. “Let me guess. You want me to stay out of your investigation.”

  “Lottie, this isn’t like the others. This isn’t even in the same league. This involves dangerous people with a lot to lose, and they won’t mind taking other people out in order to keep them quiet.”

  “Do you think these same dangerous people killed Greer?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but there’s a good chance. Nevertheless, I’m putting my foot down, Lot. You cannot get yourself tangled up in this one. Not even a little bit.” His arms warm my back.

  “You’re putting your foot down?” My brows arch in amusement without meaning to.

  “Lottie, I’m serious. I love you more than any other being on this planet. This is a boiling cauldron of oil, and I don’t want you to get burned.”

  “Fair enough. What do you know?”

  “Naomi Turner…” He grimaces. “Greer belonged to the Elite Entourage. It turns out, they have some very powerful clientele who would do anything to keep their names out of the spotlight and especially out of a murder investigation.”

  “Elite Entourage? That’s the same escort service Valerie Vernon and Daphne Hollister belong to.” Both Valerie and Daphne were suspects in Eve Hollister’s murder but were eventually cleared. Even so, that unsavory dating app they’re connected to made it clear they
were walking a thin line with the law.

  “Promise me you won’t investigate the Elite Entourage.”

  I swallow hard because for some reason making this promise feels unnatural to me. “I promise I won’t investigate the Elite Entourage.”

  He blows out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

  “So, you think a woman killed Greer? I mean, that silver earring lying over her dress was the clincher, right? Greer had on a different set, so it must have fallen from the killer.”

  His features smooth out as his expression grows cold as stone. “What silver earring?”

  “The hoop earring that was on her back. I saw it glinting in the light. I’m sure you have it in evidence.”

  He ticks his head to the side. “Lottie, did you touch anything by chance? I’ve gone over forensics with a fine-tooth comb. There’s no sign of a silver earring.”

  My lips part as I play the scene back in my head. “But it was there. I saw it. Maybe when the firemen came they dislodged it as they were checking her out?”

  “Maybe.” He closes his eyes a moment. “I’ll have another sweep done of the van and her clothing. I’d like to think we wouldn’t miss anything as vital as that.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find it.” My cheeks heat as hot as the sun just gazing in his eyes. “You have a knack for being very, very thorough.”

  “You have no idea the very, very thorough things I plan on doing to you tonight.”

  “Sounds perfectly sinful.”

  “It will be.” His lips curl upright with dangerous intent.

  “Then I suggest you get started, Detective Fox. In fact, I think I’ll let you call the shots tonight.”

  His lids hood precariously low, and that smile dissipates to nothing.

  “Clothes off, princess. I’m taking you to bed.”

  I’m quick to follow orders, and Noah is quick to make my every wish come true time and sultry time again—quick, achingly slow, on the bed, off, against the wall, in the kitchen until we land right back in front of that fire, panting with exhaustion.

  But he doesn’t pop the question, and it does leave me wondering if he’s simply forgotten, or if there ever was a question to begin with. It makes me wonder if Everett’s not-so friendly advice had anything to do with it.

  Could Noah be thinking about his future before he lands himself in an unsavory situation—with yours truly?

  It looks like it’s me that things are biting in the rear, and I might just have Everett to thank for it.

  Chapter 6

  After a full day at the bakery, I speed over to the Evergreen Manor, a Gothic looking structure that serves as Honey Hollow’s only official inn. My mother’s B&B usually gets its overflow, and oddly enough, the tables have turned as far as that goes. Now it’s the Evergreen Manor that’s getting my mother’s overflow. Word has gotten out that my mother’s B&B is haunted no thanks to that spooktacular lively bear that made a reprisal last month and moved furniture and books alike around seemingly unwarranted. Both my mother and I thought a haunted reputation would be the proverbial nail in the casket for the B&B, but it’s proven otherwise. And not only did my mother get far more business than she knows what to do with out of it, but my ex, Bear, who happens to be a contractor, is doing my mother’s kitchen remodel for half the price in addition to the conservatory he’s building for her.

  Dutch bounds up the steps and into the foyer of the Evergreen Manor with me, his ruby red eyes giving the interior a rosy appeal. I refuse to believe he’s capable of causing an iota of bad luck in my life. In fact, he’s proven to be a dream to have around. I never need to feed him because he can’t eat, thus I never need to clean up after him, and yet he’s playful, loyal, and all around fun to have in my life. Dare I say he’s the world’s perfect pet? I cringe a little at the thought. Pancake and Waffles are pretty great, too, and I don’t mind one bit the feeding or the cleaning up. Okay, so the cleaning up part can get a bit routine, but they’re worth the stinky sacrifice.

  The Manor itself is an impressive building that was once a colonial era home to a rich earl who was determined to be a Yankee. It truly has a haunted aura about it if you ask me, with its massive white pillars and gorgeous ironwork scrolling around the balcony. Inside, the walls are paneled with rich mahogany, and the floors are laden with a lush emerald carpet. But it’s downright cavernous inside, and elegant to a fault, so I can’t blame Lainey a bit for wanting to lock this venue down for her impending wedding. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about Lainey marrying Forest Donovan, the love of her life. And to think I too might be engaged by the time her wedding rolls around.

  Dutch dances happily in front of me, and I can’t help but think he’s not bad luck at all. He’s great luck. My life hasn’t been better.

  I find Naomi seated behind the elongated counter, staring vacantly into her phone, bored and less than friendly. Naomi is the manager at the Evergreen, so I knew she’d be easy to track down.

  A tense knot builds in my stomach because I know for a fact if I don’t pull this off, if I’m wrong about the hunch I have, then I’m back to square one with my investigation. Yes, Noah made me promise not to investigate the Elite Entourage, but he said nothing about Naomi Turner.

  From the corner of my eye I see Mom and that woman staying at the B&B, Nicole Brand, headed into the spa, and I hold back until they’re safely out of sight. My mother isn’t shy to make a fast friend out of anyone. And I’m glad about it, too. I can’t imagine being in the poor woman’s shoes, with a daughter who wants nothing to do with her. Carlotta comes to mind, and I quickly shove her right back out.

  Naomi blinks over at me without an ounce of enthusiasm.

  “Hey, cousin.” I give a cheeky wink, and that expression of hers goes from bored to sour in a single bound. Dutch entertains himself by running through the furniture, and it’s an unnerving sight so I keep my focus tight on the malfeasance in front of me.

  “Don’t expect a gift at Christmas.” She lands her phone on the counter. “What do you want?”

  “The name of that guru.”

  “No.” She bites the air between us as if she were rabid. Her long glossy locks trap the light and make each follicle sing with glassy goodness. Naomi has always been unfairly beautiful, which makes what I’m about to accuse her of make very little sense.

  “Tell me the name of that life coach and where I can find him tonight, or I’ll tell Keelie and your mother that you’re working with the Elite Entourage.”

  She sucks in a quick breath. Knew it. Last night, Noah’s bizarre slip-up had me thinking. Why would he invoke Naomi’s name just before mentioning Greer’s connection to the Elite Entourage unless Naomi had a connection there, too? That sleazy dating app has already sucked in Valerie and Daphne, both just as beautiful as Naomi. I don’t see why she would be immune to the lure of fancy dates and mega paydays.

  “Don’t you dare breathe a word, or I will hunt you down and kill you.” She bares her fangs, assuring me she means business.

  “Oh my God, it’s true? Naomi, what are you thinking?”

  Dutch gives a hearty bark from down the hall as if agreeing with me.

  “Please, Ms. I’ve-Got-Two-Men-on-a-Leash. You’re one to look down on me. Besides, I like going on luxurious dates and meeting wealthy men. It’s not a bad gig.” Her blue eyes narrow in on mine. “And I meant what I said. You do not breathe a word of this to anyone.”

  “I won’t.” I swallow hard, suddenly unsure of how safe her secret is with me. Keelie is like a sister to me. How can I possibly keep something so big from her? “Cough up his name and you’ll live to date another day.”

  She rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “Jackson Jarvis. He goes by Tiger.”

  “Tiger?” My entire body jerks when she says it. The last time I heard that name was from Greer Giles’ very own mouth! I vaguely recall what she was screaming at poor Tinsley about, but I remember her being surprised by the fact that Tiger was there. That means he was at the com
munity center—which means he’s officially on my suspect list. “Wasn’t he dating Greer Giles?” I pretend to be in the know. Although, I’m pretty sure we’re both well aware of the fact I’m not, even though Nikki alluded to as much.

  Her eyes squint into half-moons of hatred at me. “Was being the operative word.” She scowls past my shoulder as if lost in thought. “They were business partners.”

  “Keep speaking if you want my lips to remain sealed.”

  A growl rips from her throat, and Dutch appears from nowhere and growls right back. He’s so sweetly protective of me it tickles me from the inside out.

  “Fine.” She closes her eyes a moment. “Tiger runs something known as the Fun House. It’s the rental he lives in out in Fallbrook somewhere.”

  “Fallbrook?” That’s where Everett grew up. In fact, his mother still lives there in a mega mansion that could double as a national museum. Everett took me to his sister’s dirty thirty birthday party last month and had me pretend to be his fiancée. It was twisted.

  “Yup. Anyway, Greer brought in some of the couples she worked with, and that’s where their business talents collided.” She wrinkles her nose.

  “So, it’s a couples’ retreat?”

  Her mouth opens, and her brow arches as if she were both amused and at a loss for words. “It’s exactly that. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  “I want to go.”

  A dull laugh bounces in her throat. “Oh, you should go. But you’ll have to drag one of your boyfriends along with you.”

  “Not a problem. Do you have the address? Do I just show up?”

  “It’s invite only, but I can score you one if you really want it.” She leans in, studying me intently with that wicked gleam in her eyes. “But if you go, you have to participate. They frown heavily on deadbeats.”

  “Oh, we will. We’re a very social couple.”

  “Are you sure?” She elongates that last word.

  “Positive.”

  She picks up her phone and starts texting away. “Okay, but remember you asked for it. And remember, you do not tell my family what I choose to do in my free time.”