Sasha and Declan are bickering as soon as they enter the house, something about quiz answers. I would worry about them, if I didn’t already know from Joey that Declan is close to proposing. Plus, I’m fairly certain Declan is goading her on purpose.
Ava and Zander appear back to normal, though we all know appearances can be deceiving. I think knowing this whole mess has been exposed, and is definitely over and done with, will help them. Plus, there most likely has been a healthy amount of groveling from Zander. He appears to dote on her all night, and she doesn’t openly reject him.
Jensen is a little terror all night, jumping from person to person, even throwing himself at Gemma at one point. Van is disappointed when I tell him I don’t own any sort of game console. Since then, he’s had his face glued to his phone.
Joey is sitting with Grayson and Harvey, and from what I gathered before I abandoned them, they are talking about baseball.
Joey kept his word and hassled Harvey until he agreed to go out with him a few times. I know this mainly because Harvey chose me to complain to about my “overzealous boyfriend.”
Overall, since the drama came to a head, everything has settled into a new normal, which still includes me having Joey in my life, as well as this crazy group of friends.
I have also had to field constant phone calls from all my brothers, and Mom already flew down for a week to make sure I was okay with her own eyes.
She was allowed to sleep in my spare room, much to Grayson’s annoyance. He would have obviously given the room up for her, but instead, he wasn’t allowed near it while it stayed empty.
She loved Joey, basically told him she was adopting him, and the whole week went surprisingly well.
I kept expecting Joey to freak out, but he never did. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I would think things like having my family stay with us has happened many times before. It was all so … easy.
“I need to cut out early,” Gemma says, gaining my wandering attention.
My mind has constantly been drifting away on me over the past few weeks. Sometimes to good places, but more often than not, it shifts to bad memories or bad “what if” scenarios.
“Okay, thank you for coming.”
“I’ve been meaning to …” She trails off, looking out of place before she shores her back up straight and looks me in the eye. “I want to thank you. You helped break this case, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
I nod, not sure how to take her thanks. “How is your sister?”
“She’s not good. She doesn’t talk much. That’s the reason I need to get back; I don’t like leaving her alone for too long.”
“Are you coming back to work soon?” I ask, mostly because she doesn’t immediately leave my side when she’s usually out the door before you realize she was even near you in the first place.
“I’m not sure. I want to, but my sister comes first. Zander said he would hold a position open for me for whenever I’m ready.”
“That’s nice of him.”
“Yeah …” She glances around at everyone. I get the feeling she wants to talk about something, but doesn’t know how.
“They’re nice people,” I finally say, gesturing to the table at our side.
“They are. I’ve been … I’ve had this crusade for so long that I … I’m not sure how to … change,” she finally says, looking like pulling those words out were as painful as pulling teeth.
“I’ve found that change only comes when you truly want it. Embrace how you feel and things tend to work out.”
She nods, her gaze distant for a moment before she focuses back on me. “Thank you for inviting me today.”
“Anytime. And if you ever need to talk …” I drift off, finishing with a small smile that I hope she sees is genuine.
“Thanks.”
She doesn’t bother saying goodbye to the others, just gives Zander a nod before she walks down my hallway and out the front door.
I almost call out to tell her to make sure she shuts it properly, otherwise Karma will escape over to Ms. Asher’s house, but I just catch myself in time.
Karma didn’t even live with me for long, yet trying to adjust to not having her here is tough.
“You okay?” Joey asks, shifting his arm around me and pulling me close.
“I miss her.”
I’m looking in the direction Gemma left, but Joey knows who I mean.
“I miss her, too.”
We stay like this for a few moments longer before Joey leads me back over to the table and sits me down beside Harvey.
“Friends,” Joey calls out, remaining standing.
As everyone quiets, I glance up at him, wondering what this is about.
“We’ve had a rough few weeks, and if I’m honest, a rough few years. We all know how unfair life can be, but we also need to take stock and appreciate when we get through that shit. We have been through hell, but we are all here today. We have each other, and I am forever grateful to everyone here at this table.”
After murmurs of reciprocation, Joey remains standing.
“Karma was the sweetest, most energetic dog I’ve ever met. She made our office hairier, louder, and more fun than it ever was before.”
“I don’t know,” Sasha cuts in. “Did you see the mess Declan made after he shaved in the office bathroom once?”
There are a few chuckles, while Declan wraps his arm around Sasha’s shoulders and drags her against his side. She pokes him to let her go.
“This is true,” Joey agrees, but then his small smile disappears as he continues. “But Karma was also my dog, my friend, my constant companion, someone who always got me in trouble, and maybe, just as importantly, she was my way in with Teagan.”
I roll my eyes at his cheesy words, even if I have thought them more than once.
I try to ignore the shine from my unshed tears, hoping to get through this without crying.
“I know we all thought she was named Karma because she seemed to give us all something we needed, something we deserved. We can’t keep an office undestroyed, and when we got Karma, she was determined to destroy it from the inside out. She always knew when clients were assholes and when they weren’t.”
“Remember when she charged that bastard, Axel Ainsley? I’ve never heard a man scream so shrilly before,” Cynthia pipes up.
“Hey, we almost got sued for that,” Zander grumbles.
“He quickly disappeared when Sasha mentioned Karma was a drug sniffer dog,” Declan points out, earning more chuckles.
“My point is,” Joey continues, “that she brought us a lot of happiness, because I truly believe that’s what she thought we deserved. And I fully intend to live a full, happy life and appreciate the fuck out of every second.” He is looking at me as he says these last words, and I smile as a few stray tears make their way down my face.
“Here, here!” Grayson yells out, and everyone grabs their drinks and clinks their glasses together.
Joey then sits back down, and regular conversations start back up.
It isn’t until a short while later that we hear a commotion outside.
Joey and I stand, gazing out the front window to see patrol cars swarming the street in front of my house.
“What the hell is going on?” I whisper, listening as a few more chairs scrape along the tiles as more people come over to see what has our attention.
“That’s Switch,” Zander says from over my shoulder.
“You still on friendly terms with him?” Joey asks, as if Switch could be a person. Who names a person Switch?
“Yeah, give me a second.” Zander leaves the house, moving over to an older man who looks to be hanging back while younger offices, many geared up like they expect to be transported into a warzone, barge into Ms. Asher’s house.
“They must have the wrong address,” I murmur, automatically glancing at Hart’s house.
I’m told police have already been there and torn the place apart, looking for more evidence a
gainst him. I’m not sure if they found anything, but I assume it will be on the market soon. I’m not a hundred percent certain how it works when someone is locked up for life, but I assume his house won’t be his for much longer.
Hart took a deal for life in prison, giving up more names with the promise that he will be kept in solidary and away from the many people who will be put away from the blackmail evidence he was keeping on them.
It costs the prison a little more to house him since he is now a quadriplegic, but they think the deal they made is worth it, given all the arrests they made over these past few weeks.
Part of me wants to move just so I don’t have to see that house and think of him, but I doubt anywhere I live will prevent me from thinking about what happened.
No, if I move, it will be because I want to, not because I feel forced into it.
“Are they bringing Ms. Asher out in cuffs?” I gasp, watching as she screams and struggles against the two officers escorting her out of the house.
“Shit. What the hell?” Joey mutters, leaning closer to the window.
We watch as Zander chats for a short while with the person called Switch before finally shaking his hand. He laughs about something then moves back over toward us.
We turn as we wait for him to enter the living room, and when he does, I bite my lip to stop myself from demanding an immediate answer.
“What’s happening?” Joey asks calmly.
“It appears your neighbor is a suspected drug trafficker.”
“What?” I gape at him, unable to even understand how they managed to connect Ms. Asher to that claim. She’s a strange, seventy-year-old lady who rarely leaves her house.
“Yep, she apparently has some kind of lab in her house. She leaves the drugs tucked behind her potted plant at the front door, and a faux delivery driver arrives with a payment tucked away in what looks like a delivery box. Then he takes the drugs with him.”
I’m gaping like an idiot now. I recall seeing several delivery trucks parked outside her house, but I just assumed she had an online shopping addiction like the rest of us.
But drug trafficking?
“Well, that explains why Karma was so interested in that damn potted plant. She never cared about any others when I walked her,” Joey says thoughtfully.
I can’t help bursting into laughter. Karma really was the smartest one out of all of us. She not only brought me and Joey together, but she also brought me and Harvey together. And all along, she was giving us clues about Ms. Asher.
My laughter soon turns to tears, and then I’m quickly wrapped up in Joey’s arms.
“Why are you crying?”
Instead of answering him, another thought occurs to me as I bring myself back under control.
“I’m never going to get my money back on this house. Accidental arson next door, a drug trafficker across the street, and a monster next to her? I’m going to be here for life.”
Joey chuckles, tightening his arms around me. “Good thing it’s going to take a while to rebuild my house, then. Hopefully, by the time it’s finished, news of this will have blown over, and when I sell it, it will be worth something again.”
“You’re going to sell it?” I ask, my voice hitching at the thought that Joey and I might not be neighbors soon.
“Yeah, unless you want to move next door.”
“Me?”
“Sure. Wherever you go, I go.”
My fear melts away as a grin breaks out over my lips.
Not long ago, Joey probably would have broken out in a rash if you mentioned anything long-term. Now he’s taken to it like he’s been doing it all his life.
“Can I suggest then, a three-bedroom house? That way, after you two unnecessarily take up two bedrooms, I can have the third when I stay with you?” Grayson interrupts.
“Stop ruining the moment!” I snap at him, smiling back at Joey when he just laughs.
“Maybe we can move and just not tell your brother where we are?” he suggests, which gets a humph in response from Grayson.
“Yes, let’s go with that.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side and moving us back over to the table, where the others have gone back to chatting, drinking, and laughing.
Overall, the day has been a complete success, and once I’m seated again, a new glass of wine poured for me, I gaze happily over at everyone.
Just a couple months ago, almost everyone in this room was a stranger to me. Now I feel as though I have a second family.
Most importantly, I have Joey.
Apparently, I was due for some good karma in my life, and just as Joey said, I’m going to appreciate the fuck out of every second.
Epilogue
Fifteen Months Later…
“Harvey? What are you doing here?” I ask, looking at him with concern after I park my car in the driveway.
Harvey has been a little distant lately, and after the drama last night, which involved a drive-by shooting at the work Christmas party, I’m surprised he isn’t busy chasing that down. Joey was rather vague on what was going on, but he assured me he was safe. Given it looked like Harvey was the target, I wasn’t reassured.
“You have a second to talk?” he asks, rubbing his hands together as his breath fogs up the air.
“Of course. Come inside and I’ll get us a drink.”
“Actually, can we take a walk?” he suggests.
“Um, sure.” I dump my things back in my car then lock it up, placing my keys in my pocket.
Harvey and I haven’t gone for a walk since Karma died, so this feels a little bittersweet. And in the dead of winter, a little crazy. At least it isn’t snowing. I’m not thrilled to try out any icy sidewalks.
“You and Joey doing okay after last night?” he asks, shoving his hands inside his jacket.
I still have my mittens, beanie, and scarf on, so I’m doing okay for warmth for now.
“Yeah, we’re fine. Joey got me home after the police did their questioning, and then he was out late doing whatever it is you guys do.”
Harvey nods absentmindedly. “Yeah, we managed to track down the guys who did it, but not the motive.” He sounds distracted, making me fear what he isn’t telling me.
“You’d tell me if you were in trouble, wouldn’t you?” I don’t bother to hide my worry.
“Of course I would,” he rushes to say. “That’s sort of why I’m here.”
“Oh shit, what’s wrong? What have you gotten yourself mixed up in?” I brace myself, preparing for the worst.
“Nothing. At least … nothing yet.”
“Harvey? You’re worrying me,” I snap, pulling on his arm to force him to stop moving and face me.
He doesn’t immediately respond, and with every passing second, I know whatever it is must be weighing heavily on his mind.
“I’m not sure if you noticed last night, but I was talking to someone. A guy,” he finally says.
I snort. “Honestly, last night is a bit of a blur now.”
It isn’t every day you are having fun at a party one second, then being thrown to the ground in the next as bullets pepper the building.
“Right, well, there was this guy there and … I don’t know,” he rushes out, looking like he’s about to close down on me.
“Did something happen?” I ask, not sure what he is leading to.
“No, not quite. The shooting sort of made sure of that. But …” He drifts off. He’s either got a strange twitch happening, or he might be trying to prevent me from seeing a smile.
“But …?” I push.
“I don’t know. He’s been on my mind,” he finally admits.
“On your mind,” I deadpan, still slow to figure out what he means.
He shrugs, moving forward and forcing us to start walking again. “Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about him.”
And then it finally clicks.
Holy shit, Harvey likes someone!
Harvey. Likes. Someone.
&
nbsp; Is the apocalypse happening? Did Hell freeze over?
Who is this man walking next to me?
“You like him?” I finally sputter out.
“It’s too early to tell. I mean, we only spoke a little before …” He gives me a small shrug. “But, yeah, I’ve been thinking about him.”
“What’s his name? Why was he at the party? Is he a client? Tell me everything!” I shriek, almost falling on my ass in my enthusiasm when we hit an icy patch.
Harvey chuckles, which is unusual in itself.
Harvey chuckles now?
“He’s a client’s son. Actually, his mother has been trying to set me up with him for a couple months. I was resistant, and she didn’t push. Then she invited him to the party last night.”
“Damn, I wish I could remember him.” I think back to the party, but I don’t recall any of the new faces. I didn’t think I needed to remember any of them. “Did you guys make plans to see each other again?”
“No, after all the commotion, I didn’t talk to him again. His mother called me earlier; said she was leaving until everything dies down. She asked me to keep an eye on him.”
“Then I guess you better keep an eye on him! I have two eyes if you need a hand,” I offer eagerly. I have been dreaming this day would come, so there is no way I’m not having a front row seat.
He laughs again, his nerves a little more obvious now. “I’m not sure I want to do that. I mean, I can keep an eye on him without him even knowing it.”
“But where is the fun in that? Come on, Harvey; you’re never interested in guys, not like this. I mean, this is the first man you’re bringing up to me!” I whine.
“I know. I just … I don’t like feeling this way. It sucks.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “You pushed me to keep going with Joey, so now I think you know what my reaction to this new guy is going to be. Go see him, make plans for a date, and see what happens. If it doesn’t work out, then you can just watch like a creeper from afar. No big deal.”
He rolls his eyes, but I see a spark there I haven’t seen before.
I Burned Down His House (Love at First Crime Book 3) Page 27
