Sharpest Sting: An Elemental Assassin Book

by Jennifer Estep

  My brother stared at the photos, hurt, anger, and disgust twisting his handsome features into a grim, horrified mask. A few tears slipped down his cheeks, but he angrily slapped them away. Bria put her arm around his shoulders. A muscle ticked in Finn’s jaw, but he slowly leaned into her.

  Jo-Jo delicately cleared her throat and looked at Finn, then at me. “I know you don’t want to hear this right now, darlings, but don’t judge Fletcher too harshly. Sometimes when we’re faced with a tough choice, we don’t always make the right decision.”

  Part of me wanted to scream that this was about far more than just making a bad choice and that Fletcher had betrayed everything I thought I knew about him. But once again, I shoved down my anger. My emotions didn’t matter right now—only answers did.

  “Did Fletcher ever tell you anything about Mason?” I asked. “About working for the Circle?”

  Jo-Jo shook her head. “Not a word. I knew Fletcher had a regular client he did jobs for from time to time, but he never told Sophia or me anything about Mason or who he really was. If I’d known, I would have told you, Gin. Trust me on that.”

  A harsh, bitter laugh escaped from my lips. “That’s the problem. I put my trust in Fletcher, and look how well that has worked out.”

  Jo-Jo gave me a sympathetic look, but she didn’t defend Fletcher any more. She knew this had shattered my whole world, and Bria’s and Finn’s too.

  “What are we going to do?” Bria asked. “Xavier and I could round up the other cops we trust. We could go to the mansion and arrest Mason.”

  “He’s probably already left by now,” Xavier pointed out. “Besides, you, Gin, and Lorelei aren’t kidnapped anymore. Mason could have Tucker, Emery Slater, and those giants say that he was with them the whole time and that he didn’t do anything wrong. It would be your word against his, and it seems like Mason has more than enough juice to win that fight.”

  Frustration filled Bria’s face, but she jerked her head, ceding his point.

  Even if Bria and Xavier could have arrested Mason, I wouldn’t have wanted them to. No, I wanted Mason dead, even if I still didn’t know how to make that happen.

  “There is another option,” a low voice said.

  We all looked over at Liam Carter, who was leaning against the doorway, hovering on the fringes of our group. His shoulder was on the far side of the doorjamb, and his feet were planted behind the threshold, as though he didn’t dare step into the salon, as though he didn’t belong here, as though he wasn’t truly one of us. Then again, he was largely a stranger, despite the fat check I’d given him. Money and promises didn’t make true friends—actions did—and it remained to be seen what actions Liam would take, either to protect us or to hurt us.

  “And what option is that?” Silvio snapped in an annoyed tone.

  Liam shrugged. “You all leave town and never return. That would be the easiest, safest thing to do.”

  Mallory and Mosley immediately started shaking their heads. The two dwarves were sitting on a love seat, holding hands.

  “No,” Mosley growled. “No way. Ashland has been my home for decades. I’m not leaving it just because this Mason fella has made some threats.”

  “Not just threats,” Lorelei said. “Mason pretty much promised to kill all of us. Every single person in this room. And he has enough elemental magic to do it. He could wave his hand and easily open up a sinkhole big enough to swallow this whole house.”

  She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Lorelei didn’t scare easily, and seeing her dread only increased my own guilt. I was the reason we were in this mess.

  Me and Fletcher fucking Lane.

  “Forget about leaving,” Jo-Jo said. “That’s not a viable option. Not unless we want to go into hiding and look over our shoulders for the rest of our lives, and no one wants to do that.”

  Everyone nodded, agreeing with her. Ashland was our home, and we all had lives, jobs, friends, and families that we couldn’t—wouldn’t—leave behind.

  “So what are our options?” Roslyn asked. “I can’t leave, and I can’t close my club either. My employees count on me for a steady paycheck, not to mention how it would impact my own finances.”

  Worry rippled through Roslyn’s voice, and concern darkened her lovely features. The others murmured similar sentiments. Mosley and Finn couldn’t shut down First Trust bank, I couldn’t leave the Pork Pit, and Jo-Jo couldn’t abandon her house and beauty salon. Not to mention Owen’s and Lorelei’s businesses and Xavier’s and Bria’s jobs as cops. Like it or not, we were all stuck in Mason’s web, and I could see only one way out of it.

  “We have to give Mason what he wants,” I said.

  Mallory frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “We have to find the black ledger and return it to Mason. That’s the only way any of us will stay safe.”

  Maybe not even then, since Mason could still kill us after he got the ledger, although I didn’t voice that troubling thought. Right now, the best I could hope for was to buy myself enough time to figure out how to take him down.

  Silence descended over the salon as everyone absorbed my words. I could almost see the wheels spinning in their minds, particularly Finn’s, as my friends tried to think of another way out of this. But they all slowly realized that we didn’t have another choice. I could tell by the way their eyes dimmed, their shoulders dropped, and their bodies slumped back into their chairs, as if they suddenly needed something to support them.

  Finn stared at me, his green gaze full of the same turbulent emotions that were still painfully throbbing in my own heart. “Do you have any idea where Dad hid this ledger? I don’t remember seeing him with any black book, and he certainly never mentioned it to me.”

  I shook my head. “No. I have no idea where he might have hidden it.”

  Bria looked at Mosley. “What about First Trust bank? Maybe Fletcher put the ledger in a safety-deposit box, like he did those photos of the Circle members that Gin and Finn found a few months ago.”

  Mosley tapped his right foot on the floor, thinking about it. After several seconds, his foot stilled. “No. I know who owns every single safety-deposit box. There’s no way Fletcher had another box I didn’t know about, even if he put it under a different name. I’ll double-check just to make sure, but I’m almost certain the ledger isn’t at the bank.”

  I hadn’t thought it was there, but it was still good to have confirmation. Fletcher probably hadn’t wanted to risk Mason storming into the bank and murdering Mosley, Finn, and the other employees to try to find it. An arrow of disgust shot through my heart. The old man had protected those innocent people, even as he had betrayed me.

  “If it’s not at the bank, then where is it?” Mallory asked. “Gin, do you think Fletcher hid it in his house?”

  “That’s the most obvious spot. I’ll start searching for it tonight.”

  I didn’t tell her that I doubted it was in Fletcher’s house. Ever since the old man had died, I had slowly been cleaning out the various rooms, nooks, and crannies and going through the furniture, knickknacks, and odds and ends he had accumulated. In all my months of cleaning, I hadn’t come across any ledger.

  Everyone fell silent again, wondering where Fletcher might have hidden the book, but no one had any answers, not even Finn, who still looked pale, shocked, and sick to his stomach. Finding out the truth about his father had hit Finn just as hard as it had hit me.

  “There’s something else we need to discuss.” I looked at Mallory and Mosley, who were still holding hands. “I hate to even suggest this, but I think you guys should consider canceling your wedding.”

  That stunned silence dropped over the salon again. Mallory and Mosley stared at each other, having a silent conversation. Then, together, in unison, they both shook their heads.

  “No,” Mallory said.

  “Absolutely not,” Mosley chimed in.

  I opened my mouth to argue, but Mallory stabbed her finger at me, making the diamond engagement r
ing on her hand flash like a firecracker. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the gemstone practically glowed, as if each and every one of its many facets was suddenly as angry as its owner was.

  “No,” Mallory repeated in a louder, stronger voice. “I am not canceling our wedding just because some arrogant jackass has threatened us. I was part of Ashland before Mason was even a twinkle in his granddaddy’s eye, and I will be here long after he’s gone. So, no, I am not canceling our wedding for Mason Mitchell or anyone else. Isn’t that right, Stuey?”

  Mosley smiled at his bride-to-be and patted her hand. “That’s right, doll. We’re getting married on Saturday no matter what.”

  Once again, I opened my mouth to protest, but Lorelei beat me to it.

  “Gin’s right,” she said. “Going through with the wedding is a big risk. Mason knew about the dress fitting today, and I’m guessing he knows all about the wedding too, especially since you guys announced it in the newspaper last week. Mason could easily crash the event, along with Emery Slater and those giants.”

  Mallory and Mosley looked at each other again, then glanced around at everyone else. Mallory’s gaze snagged on Liam Carter, who was still leaning in the doorway, not quite a part of our group but not completely separate from it either. Mallory’s blue eyes narrowed, and I could almost see the proverbial light bulb click on over her head. Uh-oh.

  “Mr. Carter,” Mallory called out. “What are you doing on Saturday?”

  “Nothing as of right now,” he replied. “What did you have in mind?”

  A sly smile creased Mallory’s face. “Hiring you and your people to protect our wedding.”

  Liam stared at me and raised his eyebrows in a silent question. This was not what we had agreed to, and it certainly hadn’t been part of my plan, but I shrugged back at him. I might have engaged his services, but I didn’t have an exclusive right to them. Of course, I still had my doubts about whether I could actually trust Liam, but I didn’t voice them. Now was not the time to second-guess myself or add to my friends’ worries.

  Besides, Mallory was right. Having Liam and his bodyguards watch over the wedding was a smart idea, and it might make Mason think twice about attacking us there.

  “It makes sense,” Mallory continued. “You’re already looking out for Gin at the Pork Pit. You might as well come to our wedding too, especially since Gin is one of the bridesmaids. Think of it as an opportunity to double your money for roughly the same amount of work.” She paused. “Perhaps triple your money, if everything goes smoothly.”

  Mallory didn’t bother with the stick. She didn’t need to when dangling such a juicy, lucrative carrot. Even I would have been tempted to say yes for triple the money, especially given how much I was already paying Liam.

  Still, he’d given me his word, and Liam stared at me again, silently asking for permission. I shrugged for a second time. It was his ass and his people on the line, so the decision was ultimately his, although I hoped he would agree. We could use all the help we could get.

  Liam nodded at Mallory. “All right, Ms. Parker. I will provide protection services for your wedding at double my usual rate, triple if the ceremony and the reception go off without a hitch. Do we have a deal?”

  He stepped into the salon, walked over, leaned down, and stuck out his hand. Mallory gave it a strong shake that made Liam wince.

  “Deal,” she said.

  Liam started asking Mallory questions about the venue, the number of guests, and more. Mosley chimed in, as did Lorelei. While the four of them worked on securing the wedding, the rest of my friends started talking among themselves, throwing out ideas about how we could take precautions until this situation with Mason was resolved.

  This wasn’t our first rodeo when it came to being in danger, and everyone had good, solid ideas. My friends were all strong, capable individuals who could take care of themselves, but the longer they talked, the more concerned I became.

  I couldn’t help but feel that no matter what we did to protect ourselves, Mason was going to come for us anyway—and kill everyone I loved.

  Chapter Ten

  While my friends continued their plotting, Jo-Jo made me lie back in one of the salon chairs so she could heal my face, along with the other bumps and bruises I’d gotten while being kidnapped.

  The dwarf raised her hand and reached for her magic. A milky-white glow coated her palm, while wispy clouds of power floated through her clear eyes. “Emery Slater busted up your face pretty good,” Jo-Jo murmured. “This might hurt more than usual. Sorry, darling.”

  She leaned forward and moved her hand back and forth in front of my bruised cheek. As an Air elemental, Jo-Jo could grab hold of oxygen and all the other natural gases in the atmosphere and use them to fade out bruises, pull skin back together, and repair broken bones.

  Unlike my own cold, hard Ice and Stone magic, Jo-Jo’s Air power felt like hundreds of tiny electric needles pricking my skin, as though I was getting stitches and being static-shocked over and over again at the same time. The uncomfortable sensation usually made me want to snarl. Air was the opposite element of Stone, and Jo-Jo’s magic almost always felt wrong to me, just like my own Ice magic would rub a Fire elemental the wrong way.

  Not today.

  No, today Jo-Jo’s power didn’t bother me at all, and I didn’t so much as wince as she undid the damage that had been done to me. The electric pricking feel of her magic was nothing compared to the dull, relentless ache in my heart. My entire body felt like a popped balloon, flat, ragged, and devoid of the helium that had given it shape, structure, and purpose. Only it wasn’t something as simple as air that Mason had squeezed out of me with his harsh truths—it was my faith in Fletcher.

  Jo-Jo finished with me, then checked out Bria and Lorelei, but they were fine and didn’t require any healing.

  We stayed at the salon another hour, making plans. From now on, everyone was teaming up, and no one was going anywhere alone unless absolutely necessary. Bria decided to room with Finn in his apartment in the city, while Owen would stay with me at Fletcher’s house. Mosley agreed to move in with Mallory and Lorelei at their mansion, while Xavier and Roslyn would stick together. And of course, Jo-Jo and Sophia already shared a home.

  “You could bunk with me if you like,” Liam murmured to Silvio as we were getting ready to go our separate ways.

  Silvio sniffed at the other man’s suggestive tone. “Now is not the time for flirting. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in a bit of a crisis.”

  A teasing grin spread across Liam’s face. “And I say that makes it an excellent time for flirting. Live for today and all that.”

  Silvio tried to give him a stern look, but the corners of his lips twitched up, and he had to hold back a smile.

  “Come on,” Liam said, a wheedling note creeping into his voice. “It’ll be fun. A chance for us to really get to know each other.”

  “And what if I don’t want to get to know you?” Silvio countered.

  Liam shrugged. “Then that’s your loss, because I am fantastic.”

  He obviously liked Silvio, and I could tell that my assistant liked him right back. Silvio studied the other man, considering the proposition, but my assistant was just as guarded with his heart as I was with mine, and he shook his head.

  “I’ll stay at Fletcher’s house. That way, I can help search for the ledger. Is that okay with you, Gin?” Silvio asked, a silent plea flickering across his face. He wanted me to say yes so that he wouldn’t have to make a decision about Liam.

  I understood his hesitation to open up to someone, and I still had my own doubts about Liam, so I obliged my friend. “That would be great. Thank you, Silvio.”

  He turned back to Liam. “I’m afraid you’ll have to bunk alone tonight.”

  Instead of responding, Liam leaned forward and plucked Silvio’s phone out of his hand. Silvio started to protest, but Liam held up his index finger, and the vampire actually fell silent. Liam Carter was a brave, brave man. No o
ne, not even me, touched Silvio’s precious electronics without his permission.

  Liam swiped through a couple of screens, then punched some buttons and held out the phone. “There. Now you have my number. Just in case you get lonely and want to talk.”

  Silvio eyed the phone warily, like it was a scorpion about to sting him, but he reached out and took it.

  Everyone else was busy making a few final plans, so I jerked my head at Liam, and he followed me out of the salon. I opened the front door, and we stepped out onto the porch. I shut the door behind us so we could speak privately.

  “Did you notice anything unusual at the Pork Pit earlier?” I asked. “Did it look like anyone was following Bria and me when we left?”

  Liam shook his head. “Nope. My folks were posted on the side streets around the restaurant, but no one paid any attention to you and your sister. Emery Slater must have been planning to snatch Bria from the Posh boutique all along.”

  That was my thought too, especially since Bria had gotten a text from Sykes, that corrupt cop, luring her out of the store.

  Lorelei was right. Given Mallory and Mosley’s recent newspaper announcement, it would have been easy for Mason to get details about the dwarves’ upcoming wedding, including the fact that Bria and I were in the ceremony.

  Emery could have trailed Mallory and Lorelei to the boutique and then waited for Bria to show up. Or the giant could have bribed one of the Posh clerks to text her when we arrived.

  Or Liam could have tipped her off.

  I eyed my supposed partner in crime, but Liam’s blue gaze remained steady on my gray one. He didn’t look guilty, like a man who had betrayed me. Then again, neither had Fletcher.

  Those hungry sharks swimming in the watery tank of my worry and paranoia bumped up against the sides of my stomach again, but I ignored the phantom jolts. No matter how she had received the information, Emery had gotten the drop on us, and I couldn’t afford to let that happen again. Next time, Mason wouldn’t want to just talk. No, next time, he would hurt my friends.