New York Cheesecake Chaos (MURDER IN THE MIX Book 8) Read online

  He looks to Everett. “You’re defending her. You know what’s happening.” He squeezes his eyes shut tight. “It’s that thing, isn’t it? The secret you shared with Everett and not with me.” He’s gone from heavily concerned to heavily resigned to the fact he will never be apprised of my deep, dark secret.

  “Yes, but Everett only knows because he happened to blackmail it out of me.” I shoot a look to the extorting judge. It’s true, but it wasn’t at all as bad as it sounds.

  Noah straightens. His eyes are wild with rage as he looks to Everett. “Well then, let me blackmail it out of you, because unlike him, I really want to help.”

  “Would you stop?” My voice hikes to match with his own. “You are not blackmailing anything out of me. And Everett helps. It helps that he knows.”

  “Then why can’t I know?” Noah’s voice elevates to just this side of shouting.

  “Because you told me you’d love me even if I never told you!” My entire body shakes as I shout the words right back into his face.

  Noah sags, defeated by his own words. “I’m afraid, Lottie.” His voice breaks as his Adam’s apple rides up and down. “I’m scared for you.” He glances to Everett. “And I don’t know how Everett is helping, but if he’s not doing anything to heal the situation, then he’s not helping in any good way. Let me in, Lottie. You have my whole heart. You’ve had it from the moment we met. I would push the sun and stars right out of the solar system for you. Let me help you with this.”

  “What did Britney tell you last month?” My breathing is ragged, and all I want to do is run the heck out of here.

  “That you were a witch.”

  “Let’s go with that.”

  Noah’s chest pumps. “If we’re going with it, that means it’s not real.”

  “It could be for all I know.” I glance to Carlotta, and she shakes her head frenetically as if asking me not to say another word. “Everett, I’d like to leave,” I say, walking briskly toward his car.

  “Lottie”—Noah stalks alongside me—“I’m asking you to trust me with this. I can’t sleep at night knowing there’s something wrong and I don’t even have a fighting chance to help fix things for you.”

  I pause just as Everett opens the passenger’s side door for me. “Noah”—I take a breath as I look into his watery green eyes—“this is not fixable. There is no doctor on the planet, no medication, no amount of sleep, yoga, fruit smoothies, or sage that can rectify the situation. I’m not even sure I’m broken. This is just me. It’s who I am.”

  He gives a solemn nod. “Just know this. Everett has accepted you for who you are, and he’s accepted whatever this situation may be. I will, too. There will be no judgment. Not one move will be made that will make you uncomfortable.”

  Like an incarceration in a locked psychiatric unit, I want to add but don’t.

  Noah sighs hard. I’ve worn him down, and he’s ready to throw in the towel. “At least let me know why you won’t tell me—outside of the fact that we’re no longer together. You have to know my love for you remains.”

  My heart breaks just hearing it. “Because once you know, you won’t look at me the same ever again.”

  His eyes quickly flit to Everett. “How about you?” His voice is gruff as he looks to his former stepbrother. “Do you look at her differently?”

  Everett’s chest expands, and it’s a menacing sight. “No, I don’t. In fact, I admire her on an entirely different level.” He gets into the car and starts up the engine.

  Noah nods as he looks to me, that sober expression of his never leaving him. It’s clear the not knowing is killing him.

  I look back to Carlotta, and she shakes her head emphatically again. Sadly, I think she might be the voice of reason.

  “Goodnight, Noah. Please don’t be afraid for me. There’s nothing to fear here.”

  Everett speeds us back to my place, and I make that fire and we watch a game while wrapped in one another’s arms. It’s nice like this with Everett. It feels safe even though he knows every part of who I am.

  Then why can’t I see myself feeling safe if I tell Noah?

  Noah may not have anything to fear, but maybe I do.

  Chapter 8

  It’s strange how love works. Yes, I still very much love Noah, but my heart is still healing from that not-so-little breach of trust otherwise known as his wife. I’ve been hurt before, and it’s going to take a little time to build that trust up again, to heal those wounds.

  Last night at Rhonda’s really shook me to my core. It’s bad enough he thought I was a witch, so how much worse would I feel if he knew I was supersensual? The natural world doesn’t even have a classification for the transmundane community—heck, let’s be honest, even those who share my supernatural abilities don’t have a total grasp on what it means. But there is something instinctual inside of me that demands I keep my little secret close to the supersensual vest.

  Once I tell Noah, there is no going back. He’ll know and he’ll know forever. It’s not the kind of thing you forget. In fact, it’s the kind of thing that has the power to define someone. And when you get down to brass tacks, that is exactly what I’m afraid of. I’m not so hot on the idea of shouting my status from the rooftops, nor do I wish to whisper it to Noah in passing. Things will change between us once he knows the truth—far more than they already have.

  It’s late. The bakery closed an hour ago, but Everett says he scored some information on the Seekers of the Light, that organization Rags Bojangles is tied up in, so he picks me up and we’re on our way to Leeds where historically only good things happen. And when I say good, I mean bawdy, illegal, and borderline horrific.

  “So, how exactly did you find out where this cult is hiding? I scoured the internet and couldn’t find a clue. Do you know how hard it is not to leave a cyber footprint these days? It’s like they’re virtual ghosts.”

  “Easy.” Everett leans back in his seat. His gaze is steady on the road, but somehow he’s still managing to bedroom eye me. It’s a neat trick only Everett can pull off. “I remembered a case I presided over a few years back that involved one of their members. Legally, they had to provide an address and a phone number. I tracked it down, called, and expressed an interest in their higher learning program, and they were quick to invite us to a recruitment meeting tonight.”

  “Wow, that’s great! See? You and I together by far outshine the Ashford Homicide Division.”

  He winces. “That might be so, but I put in a call to Noah this afternoon. He and Detective Fairbanks will be there as well.”

  “What did you do that for?” My adrenaline spikes at the thought of seeing Noah again so soon after that tug-of-war for my supersensual standing. “And Ivy? We for sure did not need her.”

  “The woman I spoke to said they were very eager to bring in more couples. I thought that might get him through the door a little easier. Besides, that’s two guns we’ll have on our side if things go sideways. If it’s one thing that I remember about the Seekers, it’s that they’re dangerous. These cult members are heavily indoctrinated to thinking that their way of life is not only best, but it’s the only way.”

  “What kinds of things do I have to look forward to? What are they going to do—thrust a user’s manual at us? Make us watch endless hours of infomercials? What do they stand for? What’s their MO?”

  Everett lifts a brow as he gets off the highway and coasts right into Leeds’ city limits. Leeds is home to just about every strip club, underground sex club, gambling casino, and probably an entire plethora of illegal things I’m not even privy to.

  “First off, they have a very charismatic leader. Her name is Twila Omega. And she’s been known to win over even the most hardened of hearts. Some even speculate she puts some sort of spell on people to pull them in. The Seekers believe they have the one and only true teaching on just about everything. They’re big on opening your mind, your wallet, and, excuse my crudeness, but your legs as well. Not only do they believe staun
chly in social isolation from others that are not a part of their establishment, but they believe in sharing everything with other members right down to their bodies. It’s abusive and manipulative, any way you slice it.”

  I shudder just thinking about it. “Suddenly, I’m glad we’re coming in with a little firepower. Hey? Do you think Noah and Ivy can break up this cult and free their members while we’re at it?”

  Everett grunts at the idea of Noah saving the day. “It’s unlikely we’ll be let near any of their brainwashed victims. Tonight, we’re meeting the elite who know how to handle the naysayers—and, believe me, there will still be a decent crowd present. And just to be clear, they’re efficient at showing anyone the door who doesn’t want to play along. They’re going to feel us out, and if they think we’re malleable enough for them to manipulate, we’ll slowly be ushered into their inner circle.”

  “Well, I hope we see Rags Bojangles.”

  “We might. Regardless, we’ll get somewhere. We always do.”

  The Seekers of the Light reside on a compound that stretches out just past Leeds’ borders, but for the sake of our asinine assessment by the higher-ups, we’ve been instructed to meet at their church, a small brick building with tiny triangular windows. With the dark sky behind it, the barren fields, it looks like a church straight out of a horror movie.

  I spot Noah’s truck in the lot, and as much as I hate to admit it, I feel a twinge better knowing he and his weapon are somewhere on the grounds. I glance to Macon sitting in the back seat. I’ve already filled Everett in on everything regarding our feathered friend last night. “Tonight’s your night to shine, Macon. We’re not only going to get the dirt on Rags, but we’re going to get the lowdown on these cultish kooks, too.”

  We head out toward the church, and the sound of voices chattering, bursts of laughter emitting from inside takes me by surprise.

  “It sounds like they’re having a party in there.” My nerves hit hard. I’ve never been one to voluntarily gravitate toward a social gathering.

  Everett takes up my hand, and all of my nerves fly away like bats out of the armpit of hell. I look up at this vexingly handsome man by my side, those steely blue eyes piercing through the darkness as his lips curve slightly with a smile he’s far too stubborn to give.

  “You really do make me feel better, Everett, you know that?”

  His lids hood a notch. “Cupcake, I can make you feel things you’ve never dreamed possible. For sure nothing any of your exes ever made you feel. Now, let’s crash this party, get what we came for, and if you’re up for it, I wouldn’t mind giving you a demonstration on those new feelings in you I’m ready and willing to invoke.”

  Every last part of me tingles as we head on in. The foyer is filled with people, shoulder to shoulder, as they chatter away, absorbed in what appears to be riveting, joyous conversation. Laughter abounds, and it’s clear a good time is being had by all. The lighting is low, dare I say, dim, and the sound of music plays softly above the chatter.

  Macon flutters near my left. “They’re naked! They’re naked!”

  I suck in a quick breath, and just as suddenly I’m relieved to see that they’re not naked at all. Each one is wearing a white linen robe cinched with a golden sash.

  “Good evening!” A female voice startles me to attention, and I jump a little toward Everett when I see her.

  Standing before us is an unusually tall woman, and by tall, I’m talking six eight conservatively. She, too, is wrapped in a white linen robe, gold sash to match. Her hair is gloriously long and wavy—a strange combination of blonde and pink—and her skin is unearthly pale. She’s beautiful, stunning in fact, with large clear blue eyes, the color of the spring sky. Her bright white teeth each glitter like stars, but her skin—she’s outright glowing, and I don’t mean in the flushed sexual sense. This woman is actually pulling off a luminescent feat formerly reserved for heavenly bodies and light bulbs.

  What gives? I wince just taking her in.

  “My name is Twila.” She picks up both my hand and Everett’s, and, honest to God, I think I just felt an electrical jolt run through me. “Welcome to the nest. We are so very happy to have you join us. And you’ve joined us on a perfect night. We’re having a renewal cleansing later this evening. It’s a way for us to give back to nature to thank her for a perfect spring.”

  Huh. Okay, whatever.

  “Come.” She takes off ahead and waves us along. “We have a briefing going on at the altar. There will be a few other couples joining us this evening. And after the briefing, I encourage you to stay on and observe the festivities. Once you see how freeing it is to live in the light, you’ll never want to go back into the darkness.”

  I take up Everett’s hand and lean in. “Funny, I’m sort of craving a little light right about now.” The deeper into the sanctuary we’re led, the darker it seems to get, but again it’s wall-to-wall people. Hey? I bet there’s a chance Dirty Bojangles is here after all.

  Macon flashes with red and blue sparkles going off in this disastrously low lighting, and he’s a thing of beauty all on his own. I pause for moment and nod him over.

  “Do me a favor and listen for the name Rags Bojangles. He’s the man we came to talk to, and he might just be your precious Rhonda’s killer!” I hiss it all out lower than a whisper, and Macon takes off with a dramatic flap of the wings.

  Everett waits patiently until I’m done instructing Macon, and we make our way to the front where I spot Noah observing me with that same worried look he had last night when he saw me chatting away to that rosebush. Odds are good he just saw a repeat performance sans a bush to blame. I’m sure he’s not too impressed that I’m flaunting my crazy all over the place.

  Twila herds a small group of people up the stairs to the altar just beyond the podium and motions for us to sit down on the floor. She folds her legs and places her hands on her lap, so the entire lot of us follow suit. I can’t help but feel a little brainwashed already.

  Noah scoots in close as he gives a nod of acknowledgment to Everett and me. Ivy has her crimson locks up in a bun, she’s donned jeans and a sweatshirt, and yet she still looks every bit as uptight as usual. I’m guessing she’s gone undercover as a suburbanite soccer mom. Ivy’s go-to accouterments are usually a fitted pantsuit and sky-high heels. She might be wrangling criminals, but, by God, she’s going to do it in style.

  “Welcome to the Seekers of the Light!” Twila booms, and a small murmur echoes through the crowd around us as if the entire congregation was welcoming us as well. I’m not actually sure if they’re a congregation, or if this is a real church. I mean, it’s something, but there’s no cross hung in sight, and come to think of it, there’s not a pew, couch, or folding chair in sight either. Maybe they all sit on the floor to take in her quack quackery?

  “It’s important for me to state that this is a safe place, a stress-free zone, a place where you can be comforted—where you can comfort others.” She looks beyond us and lifts a hand, and soon enough there’s a person in yet another white robe kneeling behind each of us. “They’re going to touch you now.”

  She lifts her other hand, and just like that, we’re each getting a shoulder rub of a lifetime. Just about every person in this herd of newbies is moaning and groaning at how amazing it feels—and it doesn’t escape me at how sexual it feels either.

  But my God, does it ever feel amazing! I’m talking ah-mazing. As in does this person with the magic hands manhandling my backside realize they have weapons of wonder attached to their wrists? I would pay big money to have this done on a daily basis. That is, if I had big money.

  A moan rips from me as I lean my head to the side, and I get a look at the bearded man working his magic fingers over my back.

  “I’ve got a kink to the left a little”—I tap my hand, orienting him to the trouble spot, and he hits it just right—“oh, that’s perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I moan the loudest of them all—but hey, this guy really deserves some high
praise.

  I glance around and spot women massaging the men and vice versa.

  Huh. That seems rather unnecessary. But I am getting a freebie out of the deal, so I’ll be the last person to complain about the quasi-sexual setup.

  Noah looks my way with his brows pinching in the middle before he takes a moment to glower at the man doling out the best massage of my life. Fine, best massage of the night. Noah had been known to dole out quite the spectacular massages and, believe you me, every part of my body misses his strong, prone to wander fingers.

  Twila starts up again like a windup doll, droning on and on about the open skyways and byways of our beautiful underutilized mind.

  “The outside world is corrosive to the state of your well-being. The Seekers’ lifestyle is able to foster and satiate your every emotional desire.” She pulls her hands to her chest dramatically, and a roar rips from her as if it were unavoidable. And—my God, I swear on all that is holy, her skin just brightened a notch or two. How in the world is she doing that?

  She lifts her hands before continuing. “If selected, you will have the opportunity to live on the grounds at our five-star luxury resort equipped with two indoor swimming pools—heated, of course—four spas, and a steam room in every dormitory. There is a commons kitchen where you’re free to indulge your flesh with rich, nourishing meals made fresh with organic vegetables grown in our very own working garden. There are master chefs on hand to whip up delicious meals three times daily, and the kitchen is open to one and all twenty-four hours a day. There is every accommodation of home, but you can have all of this with no bills to pay, no debt to enslave yourselves to. Everything we have is yours once you commit to the Seekers’ lifestyle.”

  A woman near the end of our newbie ring raises her hand, and Twila motions for her to put it down. “There will be plenty of time for questions once our five-part orientation has come to a close. This is the time to eschew the places of doubt your worldly mind insists upon and free your every inhibition as you become who you were intended to be all along. Rise”—she seemingly floats to her feet, and we follow suit—“take your places among your new family as we begin the dedication of our mind to this precious time of renewal. What better way to understand the Seekers’ lifestyle than to embrace it fully on this beautiful night?”