by Liliana Hart
“I hate to chat and run, but I’ve got work to do,” I said, taking a step backward.
“But what about the wedding?” my mother asked. “Where is it going to be? What about your dress? The catering and reception? It’s going to take an army to put this together on such short notice.”
Her spelling things out like that weren’t exactly helping my heart issues. All I cared about was being Mrs. Nick Dempsey.
“Maybe we should elope,” I said, and then immediately regretted it when everyone gasped. I had to admit, this was a lot of drama for a Monday morning. Even for me.
“I don’t think so,” my mother said, looking much too sober for my liking. “There’s already been too much publicity. They put out a special edition Sunday Gazette yesterday. It’s not every day someone from Whiskey Bayou marries a senator’s grandson.”
“Yes, that’s exactly how I describe Nick when I tell people about him. Not that he’s out working a triple homicide right now and trying to make the streets safer.”
Savage whistled. “He must’ve caught the Hayward case. You’ll be lucky to see him three weeks from now, much less Friday. From everything I’ve read, that’s a messy one.”
“Then get out there and help him,” I said, smacking Savage on the shoulder. “Because I’m getting married Friday. I don’t care who’s there or if there are hors d’oeuvres and champagne or Keystone and cake pops. Oh, and by the way, I’ve secured the Methodist church for the ceremony, and Pastor Charles said we can have the reception there too.”
“Is that why he was here this morning?” Kate asked, zeroing in on me. “I was wondering.”
It’s like Kate had these super mind powers when it came to the agency, and I could practically feel her compelling me to tell her that I’d taken a side job for Pastor Charles.
“Yep,” I said, a little too cheerfully. “He said he saw an open invitation in the newspaper this morning, and that the Korbels had cancelled their sixtieth anniversary party to go to Jamaica, so the church was free.”
Technically, I hadn’t lied. I just left out the part about the threats.
“Their poor family,” my mother said, clucking her tongue. “Their family has been looking forward to that party for months, and then they go off on their own and don’t let everyone be a part of the celebration. Those people wouldn’t even be there if the Korbels hadn’t gotten horizontal back in the day. Maybe they should’ve thought about that.” She gave a soft hiccup and picked at the rest of her cinnamon roll.
“Gross,” Phoebe said. “Nobody wants to think about that.”
“Are you having an open bar?” Scarlet asked. “Because I don’t go to weddings that don’t have an open bar. That’s just rude. Bad enough I’ve got to buy you a gift when you’ll probably end up getting divorced or one of you dying soon.”
Rosemarie came to her feet and slammed her giant binder on the table. She looked scared to death, and while I admired her guts, she had every right to be scared. She was putting herself in the middle of a Holmes family feud. People had died for less.
“Listen up, people,” she said. “I took off school today to be here, and I don’t want to hear another word about whores, seven-month babies, or micro-penises. We have five days to put on the most spectacular wedding you’ve ever seen. As friends and family of the bride, it’s our job to make sure it goes off without a hitch. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
“I’ve got everything itemized in this binder, along with a full itinerary. God didn’t make Nick rich for no reason, so we’re going to use his resources and pull this off. Addison, you’ve got cases to solve. Go solve them. Savage, you make sure the groom is at the church on time. Whatever you have to do. We’ve got this.”
“Umm,” I said.
I’d never seen Rosemarie like this, but she’d just given me my escape and I’d be stupid not to take it.
“Sorry, Kate,” I said. “Looks like I’ve got to run. Have fun.”
“I feel like I deserve this somehow,” she said.
“Karma’s a bitch.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than sixty titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.
Since publishing in June 2011, Liliana has sold more than six-million books. All three of her series have made multiple appearances on the New York Times list.
Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, hauling five kids to various activities, or spending time with her husband. She calls Texas home.
If you enjoyed reading this, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too.
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ALSO BY LILIANA HART
JJ Graves Mystery Series
Dirty Little Secrets
A Dirty Shame
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Down and Dirty
Dirty Deeds
Dirty Laundry
Dirty Money
A Dirty Job
* * *
The MacKenzies of Montana
Dane’s Return
Thomas’s Vow
Riley’s Sanctuary
Cooper’s Promise
Grant’s Christmas Wish
The MacKenzies Boxset
* * *
MacKenzie Security Series
Seduction and Sapphires
Shadows and Silk
Secrets and Satin
Sins and Scarlet Lace
Sizzle
Crave
Scorch
MacKenzie Security Omnibus 1
MacKenzie Security Omnibus 2
* * *
Lawmen of Surrender (MacKenzies-1001 Dark Nights)
1001 Dark Nights: Captured in Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: The Promise of Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: Sweet Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: Dawn of Surrender
* * *
The MacKenzie World (read in any order)
Trouble Maker
Bullet Proof
Deep Trouble
Delta Rescue
Desire and Ice
Rush
Spies and Stilettos
Wicked Hot
Hot Witness
Avenged
Never Surrender
* * *
Addison Holmes Mystery Series
Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey For Breakfast
Whiskey, You’re The Devil
Whiskey on the Rocks
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Whiskey and Gunpowder
* * *
The Gravediggers
The Darkest Corner
Gone to Dust
Say No More
* * *
Stand Alone Titles
Breath of Fire
Kill Shot
Catch Me If You Can
All About Eve
Paradise Disguised
Island Home
The Witching Hour
* * *
Books by Liliana Hart and Scott Silverii
The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series
The Farmer’s Slaughter
A Tisket a Casket
I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus
Get Your Murder Running
Deceased and Desist
Malice In Wonderland
Tequila Mockingbird
Gone With the Sin
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Contents
C
opyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
A Dirty Job
Other Books
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
WHISKEY AND GUNPOWDER EXCERPT
About the Author
Also by Liliana Hart
