Wicked Whoopie Pies Addison Moore (the false prince series TXT) 📖

the stage and the three of them jump over Everett and Noah, and it’s a free-for-all.

Charlie pulls the mic back to her lips and finishes out her throaty rendition of “Making Whoopee,” and when she hits that crescendo in the end, she gives my bottom—and my entire body by proxy—a good shake right along with her, and just like that, I have a much-needed letdown as milk spills every which way.

“Lottie!” Charlie puts me down just as the regular girls take the stage and the bodies in front of us struggle to untangle themselves. “Are your boobs leaking again?”

“Yes, I’m leaking,” I say, yanking her off stage with me. “Are you being insane again?”

Her mouth rounds out. “If you lived my life, you would be, too.”

Carlotta runs up and Charlie growls at her. “I’m glad you didn’t leave me at the Honey Hollow Fire Department. Because if you did, I might be twice the spoiled brat that she is.” She stomps off, and I close my eyes a moment.

“Charlie, wait!” I call out, but she’s already lost in the crowd.

Everett tosses his jacket over me and everyone in our group—poltergeists included—makes our way to the front of the establishment.

“Lottie”—Noah steers me out of Everett’s arms and into his own—“what were you doing down here?”

“How did you know where to find me?” I ask as Everett steps in close.

“Miranda told us,” Everett says. “Believe me, it wasn’t easy getting it out of her.”

My lips twitch. “I may have told her that should she keep quiet there would be a few more babysitting stints in her future. She really does love Lyla Nell.”

Noah blinks hard. “Did you talk to a suspect, or did you come down here to perform?”

“Noah.” I swat him on the arm. “I’ll have you know, I not only spoke to one suspect, I spoke to two. Nelson Stalwart and Sergio Sorrentino.”

Everett sighs hard. “All right. How about we get home and you can tell us all about it in the morning? It’s late. And you’ve been running on empty all week. We should get some shut-eye.”

“Agree,” Noah says sternly before softening. “Lottie Lemon, you are an unstoppable force of nature.”

“Thank you,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “I’m not sure it was a compliment.” He dots a kiss to my nose and Everett pulls me close.

“Watch your hands and your lips, Fox,” Everett growls. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Everett and I say goodnight to everyone and make our way back to Honey Hollow.

And as much as we’re holding out hope of making a little whoopee ourselves, Everett and I have a feeling there’s a pint-sized princess who will do whatever it takes to put a stop to that.

Just like I’ll do whatever it takes to catch a killer.

It’s safe to say she gets her determination and perhaps ill-timing from me.

Noah

I watch as Everett and Lottie leave Red Satin and breathe a sigh of relief. As much as I love Lottie, I fear her. Fear her in the sense she’s going to walk right into a vat of trouble one day that she won’t be able to get herself out of.

What if she needs help and Everett and I aren’t there to give it? And now we have Lyla Nell. I get what they mean when they say having a child is like having a piece of your heart walking around in the world. I’d do anything to protect them, and no thanks to that handshake with the devil, I’m doing just that.

I wave goodnight to Meg and turn to take off when a deep voice calls out my name from behind.

I turn around and—speak of the devil.

“Detective Fox.” Jimmy Canelli’s thick hair gleams like pewter, and his eyes spark with a hint of wickedness. “That was quite a show you put on. Got a nice shiner going just above the eye.” He frowns. “I like to see my men on the winning end of any fight. Toughen up, would you?”

His men.

Is that what he thinks I’ve become?

Is that what I’ve become?

A breath expels from me. “You should see his face.” I hike my brows. “I’m on the winning end of every fight. My apologies for the ruckus. Goodnight, Jimmy.”

“Not so fast.” He takes a few steps my way. “That deal we made this afternoon, I need to be reassured you’re really on my side. That this isn’t some setup by the force to trap me.”

“A trap by the force?” I ask, almost amused. “I came to you to shut down the hit on my father and those I love.” Namely Lottie’s family. “I can assure you this is no trap. I think we agreed the hit’s off now that you and I are in this thing together.” Whatever the heck this thing may be.

“Our thing hasn’t officially started yet.” He stares me down. “I just need you to do me one tiny favor. A friend of mine left his briefcase in my office this afternoon. I need you to deliver it to him for me.”

I stare at him a moment too long as the hair on the back of my neck stands up. “I’m sorry, it’s late and I’m headed straight home.”

“Anytime this weekend works for me. Pull around back and I’ll have my men put it in your car—or no deal.” He lands his heavy mitt over my shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. Goodnight, Detective.” He takes off and I step out into the warm night air.

A few expletives leave my lips as I jump into my truck and pull around back.

In less than a few seconds, one of Jimmy’s goons lands a briefcase in the seat behind me before ducking back into the building. I peel off and park about a block away before pulling on a pair of gloves and yanking that briefcase to the front.

It’s solid.

Heavy.

My hands start to sweat as I think about what might be in here—what might happen to me if I see it.

It could be a