Page 80 of We Are All Sinners

It’s not something Liam wants either of them to know that we know. This is one secret everyone involved in has vowed to take to our grave.

I watch Evie as she puts Jinx into his cage in the backseat, while he meows at a higher pitch, not sounding very happy with her.

My girl looks cool, calm, and collected. Too calm! I’m waiting for her to combust with everything we have learned the last couple of days of our trip.

Our week here in our own paradise, taking a break from the rest of the world for a while, flew by. I need more time with her, away from all the bullshit.

We need more time!

“You okay babes?” Evie asks, her melodic voice pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yeah, just finishing up. Did you grab your makeup bag from the bathroom?” I ask, not remembering if I put it in the back or not, as I look at the overstuffed trunk.

“Yup!” She bounces up on her toes, excited to go home.

We went shopping and Evie went nuts buying beachy things to put in our place. We agreed that we would keep her grans house and let Liam and Emily have the one I bought next to hers.

Liam has already started drawing up plans for a remodel inside and out, including creating Emilys perfect back yard. He has also hired a contractor to surprise her with a library fit for her favorite Disney princess, Belle.

I finish loading up the car and check the house one more time before leaving. I look back at my escape and sigh, knowing it will be a little while, before I get to come back.

I get in the car just as Evie sets her phone down in her lap and Stevie Nicks voice fills the silence singing her favorite song, “New Orleans.” I watch as my girl closes her eyes, leaning herhead back as she belts out the lyrics, making me smile a genuine smile. I love seeing her so happy to go home. To our home.

I put the car in drive and sing along with her, obviously taking her by surprise when she sits up abruptly smiling from ear to ear, singing louder, and dancing like she would back home in the street. It’s normal there. Where she is most at peace.

I can give her that peace. For as long as she will let me, I will give whatever her heart desires for as long as I live.

We dance and sing for most of the ride home, only stopping to use the restroom and get snacks. No matter how short the trip is, Evie needs all of the things. Snacks, electronics, playlists, at least two different kinds of drinks in case she gets tired of one. She still doesn’t like to talk in the car, because in her mind, it ruins her music.

I can’t help but chuckle at the fact that she has always been this way. Always will be. I can’t imagine her any other way if I’m being honest.

“So, would you like to go out to dinner, maybe look at all the Mardi Gras decorations? It’s about to be in full swing.” I look over to my beautiful fiancée as we hit Orleans parish speaking only in between songs.

“Is there a particular reason that you want to go out our first night back home?” she asks, cocking a brow.

“You said that you wanted to stalk the Devereaux’s. I have a source telling me that tonight they are having a big dinner, in celebration of a wedding, that we just so happened to get an invite to. Thought it might be fun to start stalking together. We are a team after all.” I lace my fingers through hers on the middle console, giving her hand a slight squeeze.

She stops singing the lyrics to “If It Makes You Happy,” by Cheryl Crow, “Can we get Chinese takeout, beignets, and coffee to eat in the car, and dress in all black?” she picks up with the lyrics again, still dancing in her seat, looking at me for a response.

“If that’s what you want.” I can’t help but chuckle at my perfect little witch, as she turns the music up louder belting out every lyric.

“It’s much more fun than it sounds, I promise.” She says when the song ends.

“Eves, you know I have had a stakeout before, right?” I side eye her knowing she has to be joking.

“I didn’t realize you stalked people all the time, my bad.”

“I guess I should have realized that stalking your prey is second nature to you.” I give it back to her a bit, knowing how she operates.

“Mua!” she puts a hand up to her chest, gasping and looking appalled at the accusation, making me laugh.

My girl is meticulous to a fault. She studied plants for years for fuck’s sake. She is good at the long game. Now that it’s time to play the short game, I’m not so sure she is ready for what could come for us.

Darius believes it’s a few of the families who do not agree that times are changing. They are the ruthless fuckers who knew about the sex trafficking. According to Alec, the trafficking of not just women and little girls, but babies as well. Babies who bare a mark that we all have, without knowing it.

Lily bares the mark as well. We all do, even Emily, which after the meeting with the Delamere brothers doesn’t surprise me. Lily though. We had no idea.

Noah took her home late last night, back to NOLA.

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