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Evie Ever After
Beth Ciotta
The body count on this job is freaking me out.Since I signed on to bust scam artists with Chameleon, the missions have been getting increasingly dangerous–and so has my love life! There's Arch, my bad-boy Scottish lover, who's been keeping secrets so long, he may never come clean. Then there's my sexy boss, Milo, who's in hot water with some seriously bad characters.Maybe it's time for a whole new gig–one without cons or criminals. But first I have to bring in one more bad apple…in my own inimitable style. After that, one of my guys had better step up to the plate, or it's hasta la vista for Evie….
Dear Reader,
I have to tell you I am more than a little sad that this is the end of THE CHAMELEON CHRONICLES. At the same time, Evie (my alter ego) has had one heck of a ride and deserves her happily-ever-after. But is it with Arch or Beckett? Like I’m going to tell you up front. Heh.
Speaking of…I was stunned and jazzed by the feedback from readers—50 percent cheering for Arch, 50 percent for Milo. Make my job difficult, why don’t you! Gotta love a challenge.
So I did what I do. I listened to my characters. I followed their lead. I hope you’re pleased with how things play out. I know I am!
Oh! And because I feel inclined, here’s my stock Chameleon disclaimer.
I admit, some of Evie’s adventures and tribulations are loosely based on my own experiences within the entertainment industry; however, she and all of the featured characters are purely fictional. In kind, although I extensively researched con artists and scams, Chameleon and A.I.A. are figments of my overactive imagination.
Enjoy the adventure,
Beth
Praise for
Beth Ciotta’s
Chameleon Chronicles series
EVERYBODY LOVES EVIE
“Ciotta’s wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters; and layered plotlines make this a fun spy romp.”
—Booklist
“The talented Ciotta’s latest Evie book is one that new readers will jump into easily. Likewise, fans will be thrilled to reenter the engaging world of this spunky, lovable heroine. After all, everybody loves a skillfully characterized, humorously narrated and undeniably well-plotted novel.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 ½ stars, Top Pick)
“Ms. Ciotta writes Evie as a down-to-earth good doer who has had the sorts of experiences that many of us fantasize about. Everybody Loves Evie…[is] a nice romantic comedy, just perfect for the month of February with its hearts and flowers abounding.”
—A Romance Review
ALL ABOUT EVIE
“All About Evie is an amazing charmer. Delightful. It has all the right elements and beyond a doubt is a ‘keeper.’ I look forward to more works, sure to dazzle and entertain, by this wonderfully talented author.”
—New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham
“Everything about Ciotta’s latest novel is fabulous: the lovable heroine, the sexy hero, the consistently humorous internal monologue, the smooth narration and the delightfully original plot. To use one of the hero’s favorite words, it’s ‘brilliant.’”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 ½ stars, Top Pick)
“If you love character-driven stories that will entrance and entertain you, Beth Ciotta is a must buy.”
—The Road to Romance
Beth Ciotta
Evie Ever After
This book is dedicated to my agent, Amy Moore-Benson.
Your enthusiastic support and courageous spirit are a constant inspiration. Here’s to love, laughter and an exciting future!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It’s true. I spend countless hours holed up in my writing room spinning adventures, but I am never alone in my endeavors. I have an amazing support system, people I can contact for advice. People who cheer me on when I’m down. Writers, readers, my agent, my editor, key people at HQN Books—amazing friends and associates.
Thank you—Steve Ciotta (my loving husband), Cynthia Valero (my artistic soul mate), Mary Stella (my Semper-Gumby angel), Heather Graham (my gentle-hearted champion), Amy Moore-Benson (my dynamic agent), Keyren Gerlach (my romantic, adventurous editor—you’re the best!) and the many readers, booksellers and librarians who have shared their enthusiasm for The Chameleon Chronicles.
Thank you to the wondrous people at Harlequin Books who’ve been there for me in a big way. Keyren Gerlach, Tracy Farrell, Margo Lipschultz, Tara Parsons, Don Lucey, Jayne Hoogenberk, Julie Chivers, Donna Hayes, Isabel Swift and Loriana Sacilotto. Oh, God. I just know I’ve forgotten someone!
Then there are those I know only through reputation. Read: their wondrous efforts.
Thank you to the talented artists, the marketing experts, the dynamic sales team, the savvy publicists—the wondrous departments that rock the house of HQN Books. You’ve treated my work with enthusiasm and tender loving care, and I am forever grateful.
Lastly, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Emmy-winning writer/director/producer/major league baseball announcer Ken Levine. You’re not only multitalented, you’re generous beyond words. As an avid fan of your work, I’m humbled that you answered my questions pertaining to television. You’re a joy and an inspiration and I hope you enjoyed my mini-salute to M*A*S*H. Cheers, my cyberfriend.
Also available from
Beth Ciotta
Everybody Loves Evie
All About Evie
Seduced
Charmed
Jinxed
Lasso the Moon
Evie’s adventures may be over for now, but be sure to check out Beth’s fabulous new contemporary romance
Out of the Ordinary
Coming soon!
Evie Ever After
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
Private Jet Charter
Somewhere over Indiana
WHEN I WAS A KID I FANTASIZED about being a kick-butt crime fighter. You know, like Emma Peel of The Avengers or Agent 99 of Get Smart. Later, like most teenaged girls growing up in the seventies, I wanted to be one of Charlie’s Angels. Specifically, Jill Munroe, but only because I wanted Farrah’s hair.
Several decades and a career in the performance arts later, I’m still pining for the perfect hairstyle. The kick-butt crime-fighter fantasy, however, recently became reality. No one (except maybe my ex-husband) was more surprised than me. In this episode of my life gone wild, I’m winging through the friendly skies, escaping the scene of an anticrime.
My name is Evie Parish and I’m the newest member of Chameleon—a specialized branch of the AIA—which is something like the CIA only smaller and sneakier. Comprised of ex-grifters, former bunko cops, and now me, Chameleon creates illusions to expose despicable frauds. I used to sing, dance, and act on the stages of the Atlantic City casinos. Now the world is my stage and my idea of applause is the sound of a cell door slamming shut on the amoral keister of a scam artist. No, I don’t have a background in law enforcement (or a criminal record), but my acting and sleight-of-hand skills (compliments of a stint as a magician’s assistant) along with my scary-good memory make me perfect for this job.
Unfortunately, not everyone on the team agrees. Especially the man I’m sitting next to, the object of a fantasy fling come true, Arch “Ace” Duvall, a hunky bad boy with a Scottish accent and a soft spot for good-girl me. Call me crazy in love. Although Arch has yet to say the words, he did carve the sentiment in a tree: Arch loves Evie.
Yeah. I know. How sweet is that? And totally unexpected given his personal code. Let’s just say he’s never been in a committed relationship. Ever. Not that we’ve committed to anything other than “trying to make this thing work.”
Where was I?
Ah, yes. My new reality. An adrenaline-charged cross between Ocean’s Eleven and The Thomas Crown Affair sprinkled with the misadventures of a modern-day Doris Day. I kid you not.
A reformed con artist, Arch is one of two alpha dogs at Chameleon. The other being Special Agent Milo Beckett—known to the team as “Jazzman.” Beckett—also sexy, but in a quiet, straight-arrow way—hired me without consulting Arch. He also kissed me—without consulting Arch—which resulted in fireworks, only not the good kind. I’m one of those people who can’t jaywalk without getting busted, so naturally Arch walked in on the spontaneous lip-lock. I was mortified. Arch was pissed. And Beckett was no help whatsoever. But that’s neither here nor there. Well, it’s somewhere, just not a place I want to visit right now. I have enough worries, thank you very much.
I tried to put them out of my mind. Closed my eyes and willed the drone of the jet engine to lull me to sleep. It was nearly midnight. Hopped up on adrenaline all day and night, my body was exhausted, but my brain kept spinning scenarios worthy of a David Mamet film. Anxious, I fussed with my seat buckle and prayed for a smooth ride. My stomach was already churning. “Leaving a team member behind feels wrong,” I blurted.
“Dinnae borrow trouble, Sunshine.”
“It’s just that—”
“Jazzman’s more than qualified to manipulate a smalltime chiseler like Frank Turner. Dinnae let his moniker snow you, yeah?”
