by D. A. Young
The trio slunk down and avoided her eyes.
“Maaaa! Wuweeee!” Baby Jack screamed ecstatically. “Dadadadaa!”
“We were only looking out for you!” Darby finally protested. “What’s so wrong with that?”
“I would not recommend that you double-dutch yourself into this conversation,” Avery demurred, sitting next to him, working on D.J.’s costume for the school’s upcoming Christmas play. “Handling the kind of honesty your baby sister tends to unleash is not exactly a Sullivan forte.”
“Here’s all you need to know about my current situation.” Kat held up three fingers and ticked them off as she counted them off. “One, it’s my business. Two, it’s Holt’s business. Three, it ain’t none of anyone else’s business.”
“All I heard was ‘I got dirt and dare y’all to come for it’,” Sidra instigated as she settled into Casey’s lap with a bowl of grapes, munching away with relish. “Any takers?”
Guy considered it, eyeing Kat speculatively. “Think I’m good. It’s only half the fun when the big guy isn’t around to get riled up. Kitty Kat can handle her own.”
“Pip!” The brothers shouted and Guy chuckled, shooting her a wink before returning his attention to the puzzle.
“Now that we’ve covered that and with children in the room too, who wants dessert?” Noelle inquired.
With a chorus of “I do’s”, the subject was officially closed.
“Sis, relax. Guy and I got this,” Kat said, tapping him on the shoulder as she headed into the kitchen. “Help me out, please.”
“Thank you, guys! Don’t forget about the spiced whipped cream in the fridge.
He grabbed some plates and silverware and joined her at the counter, watching as she lifted the glass dome lid from the cake stand and carefully cut into the sticky toffee pudding cake.
“What’s up with you and Pearl?” Kat asked under her breath. “Just a heads up, I don’t think she’s taking the break up well.”
Guy held the plate as she placed a slice on it. “Tuck paid me a visit.”
“I wasn’t snooping. Autumn and I entered her premises, and I placed Pearl on her living room sofa. She had a blanket in a rocking chair, and I grabbed it and placed it over her. Her eyes popped open for a moment, and she said, and I quote, ‘I’m going to make him pay. Believe that’, unquote. Then she asked me for water.”
“How do you know she was talking about me?” Guy asked defensively.
“I’d say the eleven by fourteen picture of your face with push pins through your eyes on her bulletin board was a strong clue. It’s in the kitchen next to her fridge. I retrieved the water bottle, handed it to her then me and Autumn bailed.”
“I know for a fact that she’s not takin’ it well. I ended things with Pearl months before Fern and I finally got together. There was never any interlopin’ time periods. Ever.” Guy stroked his Fu Man Chu pensively. “I’m not tryin’ to be a douchebag, but if she’s that mad and bunny-boilin’ bitter, I don’t know what to tell her. I’d like to talk to Pearl, but I don’t want to make things worse and trigger her. What would I even say that hasn’t been said already?”
“What did you even do to that poor woman?”
Guy angled his head and regarded Kat, wicked black eyes shooting embers and lips quirking sensually. Now that she had firsthand experience under her belt, Kat got the drift, remembering the warning a slightly inebriated Avery had recited at her bachelorette party that Darby used to put her on notice at Hooligans, her first night in town.
“Darlin’, that man is from ‘The Row’. We aim to please, go the distance, and don’t disappoint.”
“Believe me; it wasn’t nothin’ that she hollered and protested about. I’d give you details but Thor would put me through the fuckin’ floor, brat.”
“No, thanks. I don’t need my ears bleeding, and you don’t need your spine ripped out.”
“That seems like a win-win situation,” Guy laughed. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“Anytime.”
***
“Long time, no see, ladies! What are we drinkin’ tonight?” Ginger greeted Autumn and Kat with her warm southern twang as they slid into a corner booth at Hooligans.
“Hey, girl! I’ll take a Grandma’s Christmas Punch with the smallest drop of alcohol, please.” Kat removed her coat and scarf while Autumn scowled at her.
“I thought we were drinking drinking!” she protested. “Mama had a hard day! I had to tattoo a face on some guy’s ass today!”
“We were but you live down the street, and I’m driving further, and it’s snowing. You know I’m a lightweight! I gather it wasn’t a nice ass?”
“No, it wasn’t!” Autumn removed her glasses with a cringe, running her fingers through her tapered ‘fro. “The face he wanted to be done was his mother-in-law’s! Now, she’s permanently kissing his ass, and he’s tickled pink about it. He also went on this long-ass diatribe about how much he and this woman hate each other while inking his wrinkly, hairy butt.”
Ginger clucked her tongue sympathetically. “Was your client Jimmy Rivers?”
“How’d you know?” Autumn bemoaned.
“I listen to that same ol’ spiel every Saturday night. No doubt she hates him. He’s always runnin’ around on Claire.”
“Who is running around with this fool? The man’s face looks like a boiled asshole! I demand these desperate wenches reveal themselves!”
Ginger and Kat exploded with laughter. The co-owner rapped the table and winked at them. “Drinks are on the house tonight. Virgin or not.”
“Thank you! Tuck can you drive you home, Kat,” Autumn offered
“Nope. He’s already tailing me everywhere as it is. Sometimes, I think he forgets that he trained me.”
“Tuck is so terrified of anything happening to you, and I think it’s super sweet,” her best friend confided. “You know he idolizes Darby, and He-Man’s approval rating is going up also. He’s convinced there’s more to Holt than meets the eye.”
“Like what?” Kat asked casually as their drinks arrived.
“He says he moves differently than the other dudes tryin’ to spit game. We both know Tuck isn’t easily impressed either. For him to express an opinion says a lot.”
“I can absolutely respect that, and I wholeheartedly agree. A real man won’t ever have to tell you what he’s going to do. They simply get shit done. They’ll match your energy a thousand percent and love you so right that any other man’s look will feel like a violation against your mind, body, and spirit.”
“Hear! Hear!” Autumn raised her glass, and they clinked them together. “I think about the two losers I dated before Tuck and say a nightly prayer that a demon crisis was averted. I still can’t believe I ignored him so thoroughly because he wasn’t the image of my ideal dream man, but he sure does check off all the boxes on my list.”
“He’s loved you from the jump and for who you are, babe. You think your mama n’ them will come around?”
Autumn fingered her wedding ring with a despondent look. “I hope so. Tuck has nothing to do with what happened to my daddy. I know she doesn’t feel that way about all white people, but I can understand where she’s coming from, too, especially given his background.”
She looked so defeated that Kat reached out and covered her hand with hers, linking their fingers.
“Can’t think like that, girly. Whenever it seems impossible, I want you to remember that your husband and I planned this ring together. Tuck came to me and showed me what he wanted for you. In hindsight, I can confidently say that I would have designed it exactly the same, Autumn. That man knows you like no one else! Tuck wouldn’t have entrusted you with his heart if he didn’t think you weren’t strong enough to protect it.”
Kat smiled when Autumn sat up with determination. “Which I will. Now, enough about us! You’re the recently engaged one! Your mama has already contacted me for a dress fitting. It’s this Saturday, and the implied threat was, ‘I better be a
t your house, or she’ll be sending your daddy’s dogs after me’.”
“I got the same threat, and I’m the bride-to-be! Let’s see. I arrived at my parents’ home, and Mama arranged for wedding dresses to be sent for me to try on. She also invited Holt’s mother to discuss wedding colors and the guest list. Mr. Winters from Just Desserts brought cake samples over in all the flavors he offers, but I insisted that we wait for Holt on that. I know he couldn’t care less, but I want him to have a say in something.”
Autumn raised an expectant eyebrow. “But you ate the samples, right?”
“Duh! Tomorrow, we’re meeting with Noelle and Avery to go over wedding themes.” Kat propped her chin on her palm and grinned. “I can’t believe how fast it’s all going. It feels surreal to know that we’re finally going to be married.”
“You’ve always been gorgeous, but this glow-up is fucking ridiculous!” Autumn praised, clapping loudly for emphasis. “When are you going to start popping out them Viking babies? I know you want some.”
“I’d like to enjoy the honeymoon stage for as long as we can. Business is going very well, and I’m considering opening up a showroom here.” Kat leaned forward and murmured confidentially, “Guess who received a phone call from Madam Lalita a couple of days ago?”
Autumn’s mouth dropped open, and her drink landed on the table with a plunk, spilling a little in the process. “Shut the front door! I would sell one of your organs to get my hands on that flamenco-style black ballgown circa 1999 from the cover of Vogue. Remember? The one she dressed Naomi Campbell in?”
“How do you remember that stuff?” Kat sucked her teeth. “And bish! Why’s it gotta be my organs?”
“My mother was obsessed with Grace Jones and Naomi Campbell. You know she had aspirations to be a model before she got preggers with me. And your organs over mine because I’ve been known to drink like a fish on a certain occasion. My liver’s most likely not worth a damn.”
The occasion being the anniversary of her father’s death which took place in spring and dragged Autumn into a complete funk all season.
“Oh, Autumn…”
“Nope! Not doing this tonight, Kat,” Autumn insisted obstinately. “Tell me what she wanted. The suspense is killing me!”
A shadow fell over their table. The surprised best friends raised eyebrows to discover Dixie Gervais standing next to their booth, her mouth fixed in a scowl. The older woman was now married with two small kids. She’d finally given up chasing Holt and found someone to settle down and procreate with. Occasionally, Dixie’s path crossed with Kat’s. She tended to ignore the woman’s hostile stares for the sake of the children in tow. Tonight, there were no children, and Dixie had made a conscious choice to approach their table. Autumn frowned back at her while Kat cocked her head, perusing her head-to-toe.
“Did you need something, Dixie?”
“I had to see with my own eyes if the rumors were true.” The blonde stared enviously at Kat’s finger. With her pageboy cut and hazel eyes, she was still an attractive woman despite the bitterness coating her face like cheap makeup.
“Mmmkay! Go on ahead and look your fill, but don’t stare too hard because that motherfucker is blinding!” Autumn snickered.
“How’d you do it?” Dixie snarled at Kat, unable to take her eyes off the fabulous ring.
“Excuse me?”
“How’d you get him to propose? Did he tell you that we used to have crazy hot sex? That he couldn’t get enough of me?!” Dixie boasted with false bravado. “It’s true, you know! Ask him!”
Kat and Autumn exchanged an astonished look and laughed, much to Dixie’s consternation. “Did this flagrantly fouled-out heffa really try to come off the bench?” Kat asked her best friend.
“It wants its precious,” Autumn hissed at her friend, eyes squinting evilly. She hunched her shoulders while her fingers inched toward Kat’s hand. She jerked back when Kat plucked them, screeching, “Aaah! Give me my precious!”
“First of all, you’re a whole damn fool, and we’ll laugh later because this shit feels exactly like that “Lord of The Rings” scene.”
To Dixie, in a voice tinged with disbelief, she added, “And secondly, do you seriously think my man and I have ever discussed you? Why? Have I ever given you any indication that we have? Every time I see you, no matter how ignorant you act, even with your kids looking on when have I ever said anything or stooped to your level?”
Red-faced and aware of their growing audience, Dixie muttered, “Never.”
“She looks confused,” Autumn observed gleefully. “You should probably tell her why Kat. Our drinks are waiting.”
“Because I don’t dabble in ho business, Dixie,” she sweetly explained. “You’re not worth me coming out of this booth and beating your petty ass for trying to show out. My dirty, draining bathwater holds more relevance to me than you ever could. Do yourself a favor. Get out of my face and crawl back to whatever meth attic you slunk out of.”
Dixie ran off, heading straight for the ladies’ room.
“I think she’s crying.”
“I hope she drowns herself in the river she’s crying, too. Maybe she’ll think twice about instigating in the future.” Kat raised her hand and caught the waitress’ attention. “May I please have another—with the alcohol?”
Autumn raised her brows. “Thought you weren’t drinking?”
“I absolutely despise drama, and I won’t ever engage in it, especially over a man. Don’t be a fucking insecure clown. If we’ve never even exchanged words, let alone names, your fight’s not with me. It’s with the idiot who didn’t tie up his loose ends. I refuse to indulge in such foolery.”
“Let the church say amen.”
***
The remainder of the evening passed without further incident until it was time to leave. Kat was exiting the ladies’ room and coming down the hallway when she turned the corner and collided with a man.
“Excuse you, asshole!” she exclaimed loudly, stumbling against the wall when he kept going with his head down and exited the bar.
There was something familiar about him.
It wasn’t until he passed under the lamplight and she got a glimpse of his side profile that Kat realized he was the stranger from the bait shop.
“Everything cool?” Autumn joined her, pulling on her parka. “Like always, Ginger refused payment, and I stuck it in the donation jar.”
“That guy…I’ve seen him before,” Kat told her. “He was at the bait shop earlier, dressed as a fisherman. I’ve never seen him before, and now, I see him twice in one day? That can’t be a coincidence.”
“Think he’s just new in town and exploring?”
Kat shook her head decisively. “No, let’s get out of here. I want to talk to Tuck.”
She reached into her pocket for her car keys and froze when her hand connected with something solid. Hesitantly, Kat pulled it out and held it up to Autumn with a grim face. It was a compact video recorder that didn’t belong to her.
“Coincidence, girl? I think not.”
“I’m going to have him meet us here. We don’t know where that freak went.” Autumn made the call while Kat played with the video recorder.
“You miss me already, darlin’?”
“Always, hon. You think you can come get us? We’re at Hooligans and…” she filled him in while keeping Kat in sight. Autumn knew the exact moment things took a turn for the worse when her best friend went white as the falling snow and her eyes sizzled with fury.
“Shit! I’m on my way.”
Autumn could hear him getting his stuff together. “Hey, Tuck?”
“Yeah?”
“Hurry.”
Chapter Twenty
Stockholm, Sweden
“Did he even like this bitch?” Blaise muttered callously, casting a critical eye over the sparsely furnished flat. “What a fucking dump! The pussy must have been trash. I still can’t believe this fiasco.”
“Get your head in the gam
e. Put the gloves and booties on and let’s get to work.” Holt had gotten them from a nurse when he arrived at the hospital early this morning.
The unit was on the first floor and was small and clean. That was the most attractive thing about it. There was a brown, nondescript sofa, a two-seater dinette set, toaster, coffee maker, and fridge. Inside of the fridge were water bottles, yogurt, deli meat, cheese, milk, and orange juice. On top of it was a box of cereal and a bag of granola. A half-loaf of multi-grain bread was next to the toaster. Inside the cabinet and drawers, there were enough plain white dishes and cups for two settings.
Holt opened the trash can and frowned at the high-end clothing inside. Two bra and panty sets from La Perla, three dresses from BCBG, and a pair of black stilettos.
Interesting.
Thanks to Thea’s quick thinking, the place had been preserved. She and Xander arranged for Matty’s discreet transportation and had taken the girl’s body to the morgue. The bodyguard had arranged three more men to watch the place until Holt arrived. They’d been the ones to let him and Blaise in before leaving. When the cousins were done, the men would return and scrub the place clean once and for all.
According to the office manager’s paperwork, Matty rented the place three weeks ago and was alone when he filled out the paperwork. The manager had seen the man a time or two, but never a woman.
Holt walked to the closed door on the left. Briefly, he hesitated, knowing that it was the scene of the crime, and his cousin joined him.
“Is this it?” Blaise swallowed hard and Holt nodded shortly.
“You don’t have to do this, kid. I can go in by myself.”
“No. He’s my brother. Matty deserves that this is done right. Four eyes are better than two.”
“Exactly.” Holt opened the door and winced as the stench of death and decay hit him. It was stifling and filled him with unbridled rage.
The walls and right side of the carpet were splattered with dried blood and fragments that Holt knew to be the girl’s face and brain. The rumpled, bloodied sheets on the queen size bed hadn’t been changed. Aside from a dresser nightstand with a lamp, the room contained no other furniture. The dresser drawers were all opened, revealing modest cotton undergarments. The nightstand was toppled over, the lamp was broken glass, and there were cosmetics scattered on the floor and a rosary.
