Intentions.
I should laugh at that. I know he cares, and it does seem genuine, but I guess I can’t get my head out of the past. I know I wounded his ego pretty bad back in the day. A part of me has always suspected that, in the beginning at least, his sudden need to land Lottie Lemon as his one and only had something to do with the fact she was my one and only. And who knows? Maybe along the way he fell head over heels. It’s not hard to do when Lottie is involved. He’d be an idiot if he didn’t. And if Everett is anything, he’s no idiot. That seems to be my department.
“What’s going on?” I nod as I come upon them.
Fiona takes a breath and offers up one of her bloodthirsty smiles. Her dark hair is pulled back into a tight bun, her features are sharp, her cosmetics are caustic, and she’s head to toe in black. Fiona Dagmeyer has always reminded me of a classic cartoon villain. And to be honest? She seems much more Everett’s speed in general than Lottie.
Everett takes a moment to glare at me. It’s been his go-to greeting with me for as far back as I can remember.
“Fiona’s not interested in taking on Carlotta,” he says. “This is where you come in. Go over there and make this go away.”
“It will go away because she didn’t do it.” I offer Fiona a short-lived smile. “Not to worry. Your services won’t be needed as far as Carlotta is concerned. This is just routine, a few questions and she’ll be out of here. I’ll drive her home myself. What’s going on with this goon’s trial? Are you ready?”
She pumps out a light laugh. “I’m not worried about Essex’s trial. The defense you dreamed up was brilliant. So much so that I think I should hire you on as a consultant.” She offers a quick wink my way. “So I hear there was no resolution as far as the paternity goes.” Her crimson lips purse. “How in the world that girl wrangled you both, I will never know. But I suppose one of you gets to walk free soon enough.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Everett flickers the hint of a smile my way, and I have no doubt he’s mocking me in every way.
“I’m immoveable,” I tell him.
“Really?” He inches back with an amused look on his face. “Because I’m pretty sure Lemon removed you almost a year ago.”
Fiona chuckles. “No wonder she keeps the two of you around. You’re ceaseless entertainment for her. Who wouldn’t want a warring set of brothers? And don’t tell me you’re not—I’m painting you that way for the trial. Feuding old stepbrothers who work tirelessly to get under one another’s skin.” Her eyes narrow over mine. “The entire defense strategy relies on this, Noah. Let’s hope that stunt the two of you just pulled was viewed by more than one potential juror. Arguing? A spontaneous fistfight? Keep up the good work. The more public feuds the better. Once the jury sees how volatile your relationship is, how desperate Essex is to hang onto his wife—the fact that this war of yours had seeped into his subconscious, it will be all that much more believable.” She glances his way. “I’ll stop by that bakery your wife runs and we’ll talk again. I’ll admit, the woman knows how to make a mean dessert. And apparently, a cute baby.” She blinks a smile at me. “Essex showed me pictures. I suppose congratulations are in order for one of you. When you unravel the genetic mystery, let me know. I’m curious as to what the outcome will be for the three of you. You’re a runaway train at best. I’ve seen enough of the world to know this is going to get messy.” Her lips twitch toward Everett. “Does he know?” she asks lower than a whisper, and Everett shakes his head just enough.
She says goodbye and whisks off, leaving a thick trail of strong perfume in her wake.
“Do I know what?”
Everett gives a dark look in her direction. No doubt regretting she ever brought it up.
“Nothing. I’ll see you back in Honey Hollow with Carlotta.”
He starts to take off and I hold out an arm to block his path.
“What the hell is going on?”
He sighs as if he was considering his options. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
“It’s about that hit the Canellis put out on you, isn’t it?”
Let’s just say the Canellis didn’t take too kindly to the fact Everett moved Florenza’s body. She was their blood, and dead or alive you don’t mess with them.
Everett glances down before his eyes do a survey of the room.
“I’m right,” I say. “So tell me, what’s new? Did they make you dance again by way of bullets? Another car bomb? It’s me, Everett. You don’t need to keep this a secret. If you’re worried I’ll tell Lottie, I won’t. I’m in the business of protecting her, not making her worry within an inch of her life. I can help.”
“You can’t help,” he seethes. “You’re the reason I’m in this position to begin with. And I’m not looking for an apology, so you can save it. Just know that Lemon trusted you. She walked into a fire because you led the way. I had no choice but to step in. And you should thank your lucky stars I did. If I remember correctly, you sleep like the dead. That little quirk I had as a kid? Here’s hoping it’ll work in my favor.”
I shake my head at him, trying my hardest to read between the lines, read his cold expression.
“No. You’re holding back. Something happened, Everett. Do I need to head to Red Satin and talk to Jimmy Canelli myself?”
“Only if you want to get yourself killed.” He gives a long blink. “Look, Noah, I’m not looking to land you underground. You might have generated my problems, but now they are mine alone. Stay out of it. Don’t even breathe Jimmy Canelli’s name. I’ve got this handled. No one is going to be shooting bullets at me anytime soon.”
Everett’s got this handled?
I blink back. What the heck does he know about handling the mob?
Ivy and Carlotta head this way, and it looks like I’ll have to hold off on the inquisition until later.
“How about this?” Ivy pulls her lips back as she looks to the two of us. “If it isn’t a family reunion.”
“That’s right.” Carlotta quickly wraps an arm around both my shoulder and Everett’s. “Now get me back to the ranch, boys. Ivy untangled the knot, and I’m good to go.”
Ivy gives a curt nod in her direction. “We’ve fingerprinted and questioned Ms. Sawyer.” She tips her head toward Carlotta’s. “No leaving the state, no funny business. I know where to find you.” She looks to Everett. “I hear your trial is at hand.” Ivy studies him a moment. “I don’t know what happened that night. I don’t want to. But what I do know is the defense you’re batting around just might work. I’m looking forward to having you exonerated of the charges soon.” Her eyes flit my way. “Just a heads-up, the Morettis are in Vermont again. Something is happening.”
“You think they want to finish what they started?” My adrenaline spikes without warning. They almost finished me off a few months back. The Morettis are a New Jersey-based crime family and, for whatever reason, they’re picking a fight with the crime families we have right here in Vermont, the Canellis and the Lazzaris.