Chapter 10 #2
“Honey, you wouldn’t begin to believe some of the stuff this organization has seen over the years.
” The corners of Trill’s eyes crinkled. “We are also extremely good at detecting bullshit, and not a thing you said was a belief we couldn’t or wouldn’t believe.
Can I ask you a question? If you don’t want to answer it, that’s perfectly okay, though. No pressure.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“How does a young woman from a generations-old family in New Orleans, especially one with roots in voodoo, find themselves in Whimsy, Florida, of all places? I can’t imagine something like that made your kin all that happy, especially given your incredible abilities.”
Neeta burst out laughing as she looked at everyone, then rolled her eyes.
“Isn’t that the truth? I thank my lucky stars every day I wasn’t cursed.
” The team laughed. “Toward the end of high school, I just felt the need to go to art school in a place where people didn’t know me or my family.
I don’t know how much you understand about Louisiana culture, but that can be incredibly difficult, as much as you might love your kinfolk.
“Common understanding in Louisiana holds that Cajuns are white and Creoles are Black or mixed race; Creoles are from New Orleans, while Cajuns populate the rural parts of South Louisiana.” She smiled and gently touched the beautiful café au lait color of her cheek.
“Marie Laveau, the famous voodoo queen of New Orleans, was actually a distant relation of the Pourciau family. I needed an escape from all that for a while, to go somewhere I could be just Neeta the art student for a while, if that makes any sense at all.”
Piper’s voice was soft. “I’m hearing your roots calling you home, though, friend.”
Her eyes brightening with tears, Neeta nodded.
“The Loa, the voodoo spirits, have been indulgent.
As long as I used my gifts to help others when I could while I was here, they were willing to let me take a breather for a few years to have this learning opportunity.
I upheld my end of the bargain, they upheld theirs, but my time here is drawing to a close.
“When I am finished with school, I will go back home and resume my path there, grateful and thankful for the friends I made in Tampa Bay and the chance to experience life outside of New Orleans for a while.” She smiled at a tearful Alyssa.
“I’ll be back to visit occasionally, Lys. You’re not that easily rid of me.”
“I’m thinking a congratulations and goodbye get-together at Seashells right before you go is on the schedule then.
” Alyssa wiped her eyes. “We also have a spare bedroom in our ‘playhouse’ apartment right across the street where you can stay when you come to visit. You aren’t that easily rid of us either, girl. You’ll always be welcome here.”
After Neeta had left with Alyssa, Brooke, Kelly, and Piper, Blake said, “To recap then, Drew and her associates will keep shaking the trees in Purgatory—discreetly—to see what pops out. See what kind of intel they can dig out about Reflex’s current scam, in which all indications point to a con that goes far beyond simple embezzlement.
Thank Christ my woman doesn’t have to go back to Cask Blake herself had a U.S.
Coast Guard Captain’s license. “The break will be good for her,” Blake told them as they moved toward the conference room door.
“While I’m quite aware she is heads-down on the label art for Cask & Canvas, she doesn’t need to get sick because she’s pushing herself too hard.
One afternoon relaxing on the water isn’t going to put her behind schedule, not if I know my woman. ”
“Look at you, being all nurturing and shit.” Drew snickered along with the rest of the team as Blake flipped her off. “Seibert, we have waited for years to give you the same aggravation you’ve always subjected us to. The fuck we’re not going to enjoy every single minute of this.”
Blake rolled her eyes as they reached the door. “Says the asshole who is going to get it right between the eyes one of these days. You mark my words, Hollister. Bet me because I can see it coming now.”
“Yeah? I don’t think so. As much as I love femmes, I can’t even fathom a single woman existing out there who could be everything I needed for the rest of my life. Just ain’t happenin’.”
“Famous last words, cuz.” Blake smirked as she hit Drew’s shoulder with her own before going out the door. “Because when you go down, my friend? They’ll hear the crash on Mars. Guaran-damn-teed.”