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  “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.

  Recommend it. Please help other readers find this book by recommending it to friends, readers’ groups and discussion boards.

  Review it. Please tell other readers why you liked this book by reviewing.

  Connect with me online:

  www.lilianahart.com

  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

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  Paradise Disguised

  Island Home

  The Witching Hour

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  Books by Liliana Hart and Scott Silverii

  The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series

  The Farmer’s Slaughter

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  I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus

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  Deceased and Desist

  Malice In Wonderland

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  Also by Liliana Hart

  Addison Holmes

  Whiskey Rebellion

  Whiskey Sour

  Whiskey for Breakfast

  Whiskey, You're the Devil

  Whiskey on the Rocks (Novella)

  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

  Whiskey and Gunpowder

  A JJ Graves Mystery

  Dirty Money (Coming Soon)

  A MacKenzie Security Novel

  Seduction and Sapphires

  Shadows and Silk

  Secrets and Satin

  Sins and Scarlet Lace

  Sizzle

  Crave

  Scorch

  A MacKenzie Security Omnibus 1

  A MacKenzie Security Omnibus 2

  JJ Graves

  Dirty Little Secrets

  A Dirty Shame

  Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

  Down and Dirty

  Dirty Deeds (Novella)

  Dirty Laundry

  MacKenzie Security

  Cooper: Vol 2

  MacKenzies of Montana

  Dane: Vol 1

  Thomas: Vol 1

  Riley: Vol 1

  Cooper: Vol 1

  A MacKenzie Christmas

  Dane: Vol 2

  Thomas: Vol 2

  Riley: Vol 2

  The MacKenzies: Happily Ever After

  The MacKenzies Omnibus

  Standalone

  Kill Shot

  Watch for more at Liliana Hart’s site.

  About the Author

  Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly Bestselling Author of more than 50 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 of 2011, Liliana has appeared at #1 on lists all over the world, and all three of her series have appeared on the New York Times list. Liliana is a sought after speaker, and she's given keynote speeches and publishing workshops to standing-room-only crowds from California to New York to London. Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, or hanging out with her own real-life hero, her husband, Scott Silverii. They have five children and call Texas home. Find out more about Liliana at www.lilianahart.com

  Read more at Liliana Hart’s site.