Derailed Read Free Page A

pertains to me.”
    “What?” Ashton responded with a gruff voice.
    “Why me?”
    “The obvious answer being you’re an estate attorney. Additionally, it seems you have an aversion to the area.”
    “That’s a point in my favor?”
    “It is. You’re removed from the gossip and local societal fraternizing. I can’t tolerate southern small-town politics. I can only assume you share my sentiment given the distance you keep.”
    Ashton’s green gaze burned into Everett, demanding a reply. “Yeah, I almost got sucked into the vortex of Baton Rouge high society. Until I realized, in this day and age, who gives a shit? I left to escape the clutches of Clarissa Girouard’s father.”
    “The advertising guru?” Ashton’s raised brow awaited reply.
    “Yeah, I was being pushed to join the family business—in which I had zero interest—just because I’d been having sex with his daughter. The family was starting to make demands: marriage, children, advertising internship. Suddenly I saw my entire life flash before my eyes and I had no control over it. As soon as I graduated I enrolled in Harvard Law and took off without saying goodbye because I was afraid her family would talk me into staying.”
    Deep laughter filled the airwaves. The bastard was laughing at Everett’s most sincere confession. “Your laughter is not appreciated.”
    “Oh yes, it is. I haven’t laughed in years. You better hope you don’t run into any Girouards while you’re in town.”
    Everett hadn’t thought of Clarissa since undergrad. Surely she would have found a respectable and affluent southern Louisiana family to partner with by now. He shivered at the thought of how his life could have turned out.
    “Where’s your sister?” Ashton’s grim demeanor was back.
    “She went to get water.”
    Everett followed Ashton to the kitchen where the refrigerator was open and various frozen food boxes and meats littered the countertop. The kitchen was old and dated but large enough to accommodate a small Viking clan.
    Suddenly Courtney’s body emerged from the freezer where she’d been hidden by the large metal doors. Her arms cradled even more food.
    “What the hell are you doing?
    “Oh, there you are. I’ve been yelling for you for over five minutes.”
    Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose and grimaced. “What are you doing?”
    “Temperature is already up to fifty-five. Your compressor has conked out on you. Wanna keep this food in our deep freeze?”
    “I do not.”
    Courtney frowned. “Well it’s all going to spoil.”
    “I’ll take care of it. Please leave.”
    “Look here, Ashton”—Courtney placed her hand on her hip and aimed her dreaded pointer finger at him—”You’re a David and Davids don’t conduct themselves like animals.”
    “Courtney.” Everett tried to divert her attention.
    “We are social, we are friendly, we are hospitable, and most of all, we are family. You need to quit with this weird hermit-psycho-stalker-creep thing you’ve got going and cut your hair. Wash your clothes. Clean this place up.”
    “Courtney.”
    “What?!” She met Everett’s gaze. He frowned at her, but she didn’t take the subtle hint. “It’s true. Why have you been hiding in this drafty old haunted mansion all these years anyway?”
    When they turned their attention to him it was clear he was upset. His eyes went out of focus, he swayed on his feet, and then he simply fainted.
    “Shit! Courtney, help me.” His head had hit hard on the marble floor. They pulled him into a sitting position and leaned him against the center island. “Why’d you have to lay into him like that?”
    “I was trying to help him.”
    “Well maybe don’t try so hard next time.”
    Everett shook his shoulders. “Ashton?”
    His eyes rolled under their lids. “Ashton?”
    Green eyes were visible through small slits. Once his focus was back he opened further. He cringed as he took them in, blinking frantically. “I’m sorry. I can’t