Joseph: Bentley Legacy (6 page)

“Jackson Hill…did you know he is a witch too?” That wasn’t a very nice way to put it, but putting it out there was quick, and right to the point was needed as things were going faster than she’d hoped. “He has it in his head to kill you for your magic. He wanted Angel’s, but she’d hidden hers away, hadn’t she?”

“Jackson is an asshole. And why the firm hired him is beyond me.” Myra only nodded when Chris spoke. When it occurred to her, Myra was as proud of her as she’d been any single person in her life. “He did that. He made himself a partner in the firm. Using magic for one’s own gain is wrong.”

“He has done a great many things that are wrong.” Chris nodded and got up to pace. “He’s been warned several times about his use of magic. But the warning has, like most things that he’s done, gone in one ear and out the other. He also is responsible for the death of your sister.”

“No.” Myra nodded. “No. I’m sure he wouldn’t have…I don’t think he even knew I had one. No one did. I wasn’t keeping it from anyone, but Angel told me I’d get full partner if I didn’t tell anyone she was a witch.”

“And she was right. To a point. But it mattered little what you told anyone. Jackson found out from the registry. He…well, he made himself have access to it some time ago, and that has been troubling us since.” Myra waited a few minutes before she spoke again. “He’s coming here, love. And when he does it will not go well for him.”

“I don’t understand. What does he want me for? I have nothing to offer him in the way of power.”

Joey cleared his throat, and they both looked at him. The boy was confused, she could see that.

“He killed Angel? For her magic? I guess…what does killing her for magic mean?” He looked at Myra, then at Chris. “And what do you mean, she hid it away?”

“Micah has it.” Myra was surprised by that. She knew that Angel was strong, but to hide away her magic in another being was something that few could do. “She must have given it to him before she sent him home.”

“Home?” Myra sat up. “You mean your sister parted with her magic into another being, then sent him to his family? While he lived? Oh my, that is very unheard of. That explains…she must have killed the croction.”

“Croction?”

While Chris explained to Joey what the creature was, Myra let her mind work. Angel had been a lot stronger than any of them had realized, and it was thought that Chris was the stronger of the two. When she came to her power and that of her sister, Chris was going to be someone to reckon with, and not necessarily in a good way.

Both Joey and Chris stopped talking and Myra turned to see what had startled them.

“Carol?” The woman, a little bit of a thing, nodded. “What is it? I asked you to wait until I called for you. Now I’ll have to stop this to explain—”

“There’s a…did you know that there is a…? He’s here.” Joey asked her who. “A vampire. He’s here and needing in.”

Joey left with Carol, but Myra and Chris stayed in the living room. She wanted to continue with the conversation, but she knew that Joey would need to hear as well. When the large man entered the room with Joey, Myra felt her own magic start to stir up. But he smiled at her. For some reason, that calmed everything about her anger.

“Myra, Chris, I’d like for you to meet my old boss, Emmett Peck. Emmett, this is my mate, Chris, and Myra. I’m still trying to figure out what she might be to us.” Emmett stood very still and didn’t offer his hand. “Emmett? What is it?”

“She’s a witch.” Joey nodded but didn’t say anything when Emmett spoke again. “I’m not…witches and vamps rarely get along. And if they do, it’s not for long. I’m not here to cause any trouble. I wanted to see if I could talk you into coming back to work for me.”

“You’re safe with me so long as you don’t cause me any harm.” That was when she noticed that he wasn’t staring at her, but at Chris behind her. He was afraid of Chris, not her. “She’s very powerful, isn’t she?”

“Very.” He tore his eyes from Chris to look at her. “You are as well, but in a more…aged sort of way. Experience, I should say.”

“You’re right both ways.” Chris invited Emmett to have a seat and he came into the room. He was watching them both, but he was keeping a close eye on Chris. “I was just telling them about what is going on with their lives now. And Joey was going to tell Chris about the will of Amanda Black, step-grandmother to Chris.”

“Amanda Black?” Emmett looked at Joey, then at Chris as he continued. “Her file came to me about a week ago. There was a problem with it. Richard Roger asked me to have a look at it for him. That’s your grandmother?”

“She was.” Emmett asked to be excused and when he returned, he had his briefcase with him. “Did my dad ask you to look it over? I’m not sure why Richard would have said anything to a firm that Joey works at.”

“He didn’t. I mean, I don’t think he knew about Joey. But Richard and I were friends. Longtime friends. Anyway, he had this with him one night when we were playing pool. He said there was something off about it, but he just couldn’t figure it out. He asked me, with fresh eyes, to have a look at it.” Emmett handed her the thick file. “The top copy is the will that was read the week after Ms. Black died. It states the usual things: who gets what, when it should be distributed, and so on. She was a very wealthy woman who, when this was written, had a heart of stone. Then about a month before she died, she changed everything. That will is the second one there.”

“Where did you find the second will?” Chris looked at Emmett when he didn’t answer her. “You did find it, right? You didn’t steal it.”

“I had a conversation with her attorney. Just before he died.” Myra laughed. She could well imagine what sort of conversation Emmett would have with the man. “He didn’t file the new will. He liked the way things were before, the way the estate would be handled. There was some fear that they’d be attorneys for themselves and cut him out of his fees, which there would have been a great amount of, and his firm would hurt from it. So he just let things go the way he wanted them to. I was…I have to file this, but my hands are tied.”

“No one made an inquiry about there maybe being another will.” Emmett nodded at Joey. “So if no one asked, which why would they, there was no reason for anyone to look for another one. The lawyer was hoping for that.”

“Right.” Emmett sat down. “So as soon as you or your father inquire about one, we can have this one brought to light. The sooner the better too. The house that you were living in has been sold. I’m sorry about that. But the house that belonged to Ms. Black and all her money is just waiting for the money to come in from the sale of your house so that it can be added to the rest, then distributed. You’ll have to work through the system longer if that happens.”

Chris sat down, and Myra waited. The girl had one less thing to worry about now. But there was more. Not a lot of things yet, but what there was would ripple down in their lives, that of Joey and Chris, for many years to come. But for now, she let them bask in the joy that their financial worries were taken care of.

Chapter 6

Joey was trying his best not to be overwhelmed by this. He was a levelheaded man. Things like this, magical things, happened. But his house was not only done, but it was furnished, his yard landscaped, and the fencing was up. Even the barn, what had only been a shell of a thing that morning when he’d been by, was now finished as well. A new tractor sat in the middle of it, and there were stalls for the horses that he planned to raise and sell. He turned when the door to the barn opened, and nearly wept when he saw his mom.

“She’s talking to your new cook. Chris seems to be as much out of her element as you do. Are you all right?” He shook his head and she laughed. “I can see that. What are you feeling right now, son? Scared, or are you just overwhelmed a little?”

“A little overwhelmed? I’m shooting out of a cannon to the moon kind of overwhelmed. Did you know that Micah has magic in him? Not just his own by way of being a panther, but Angel’s. She gave it to him when she was dying.” His mom nodded and leaned against the stockroom door. “And then I’ve been informed that not only do I have a new client list thanks to Emmett, but an office, a secretary, as well as a staff. I didn’t know I was going to need a staff.”

“I would say that Emmett trusts you or he’d have not wanted this for you. And I knew that you’d grow as you got your feet under you. Not this fast, mind you, but I knew you’d not be able to stay small for long. The magic in Micah? The only people it seems to be bothering is Chris and you. He’s fine with it. I’d be more worried about where it goes when it’s taken from him.” He asked her what she meant. “Her sister left it for Chris. It’s hers now. And as her mate, it’s yours as well.”

“I’m not a witch.” His mom only smiled at him. “No, I’m not a witch. So it will go to Chris, not me.”

“Joey, look at your arm and tell me what you see.” He pulled his sleeve down more. “I see. You were never one to deny things when they were right in your face. What will you do when this man comes calling that wants it?”

“He can kiss my ass.” Joey flushed when he realized what he’d said. “I’m sorry. I’m a little tense right now.”

“Joey, what do you think your dad would say to you right now? Other than pat you on the back for a job well done. Because as much as it overwhelms you, Myra said that she got the plans for the house and yard from your mind. You did a spectacular job. And Chris will come around.” Joey looked into the empty stall as his mom continued. “She’s not sure what to think about all this. Can you imagine what must be going through her mind about now?”

“She’s terrified. And she’s worried that she’s in love with me. She told me that. I didn’t have the same problem. I’m so in love with her that it aches to think that she might leave me. And Dad would tell me to get in there and make her realize that she loves me, to get on the stick and make the job work, and order those horses we talked about so I can get this dream of ours on the road.” He looked at his mom then. “I miss him every day. And now with all this…all I can think about is what he would think. What he would say to me? Then I see you and I realize, he would have told me to talk to you. That you were the smartest person he knew and would have the best advice ever given.”

“I loved that man so much.” She looked away and Joey felt horrible for upsetting her. When she turned back to him, he pulled her to him and hugged her. His mother was amazing. “Joey, if you don’t go in there and make her believe that she loves you as much as you do her and get those horses ordered, I’m going to be very upset with you.”

“I’ve already called Davey. He’s excited to be bringing them out next week for me. I’ve also asked him about a few cows. He said I needed to wait on those. Who knew that cows were more work than horses? I have her ring. Grandma gave me the one she’s been saving for me a little while ago.” He pulled it from his pocket and showed his mom. “I never saw this one. I guess it was the one that Grandda bought her on their tenth wedding anniversary. But she said she preferred the old one.”

“Howie told me once that he wished he’d have gotten her six rings. Once you boys started to come along, she told him that she was going to save this one for you. The one that she wears now will go to Micah.” Joey nodded, not really wanting to think of his grandmother passing away to give up the ring. “There are a few other things too. Of hers and mine. She has them all marked for each of you boys, as I do some of the things I have for you. There are some things of your dad’s too. Not many…he wasn’t one for jewelry for himself. But I did give Micah his badge and gun after he married Reggie.”

“He told me.” Joey realized what his mom was doing. He was calmer now, his heart wasn’t pounding a mile a minute. “I love you, Mom. You’ve always been there for us, both when Dad was alive and afterwards. You’re the rock that holds us all together, and the measuring stick that we try to live our lives by. None of us could have asked for a better role model than you guys. Thank you for everything.”

“Good, and I love you. But you need to go into the house now. I think poor Chris has had enough of trying to run things for you.” He nodded and started away, but went back to hug her again. After a quick kiss on her forehead, Joey went into the house. His house.

Myra was the only one in the kitchen when he came in. He did noticed that the pantry doors were open, and it seemed to him there was enough food in it for a large army. When he asked her where everyone was, she told him that Emmett had taken Chris to the office and that his brother and his wife were in the living room. The babies had needed a rest. Joey went there first.

“I need a favor from you.” Micah told him anything, but Joey noticed that he said it very quietly as Alexis was sleeping. “I need some extra protection around the house until this thing with Jackson is done. And maybe you can help me hire a staff. I think I might have gone a little too big for my first house.”

“Carol, your cook, said she had that covered. The staff I mean. I’m not sure what she meant, but I’m staying out of it.” He lifted the baby to his shoulder as he stood up and walked toward him. “The extra security is taken care of as well. Emmett has a pack of wolves, both shifter and animal, that is now walking the perimeter. I’ve also decided to stay out of that. There is too much going on around here to have me stepping on toes. It’s all you.”

“I don’t know how to do this.” Micah laughed, startling the baby. Joey reached for her and pulled her little body to his. Just holding her made him feel so much better and calmer. “Well, I don’t. When I started the venture, it was to get the house done, then fill it one room at a time. Now it’s done. Not only done, but it’s really done. And there is a pool in the back that I didn’t know about until just a few minutes ago.”

“Chris wanted one, Myra said.” Joey had figured that, but hadn’t found anyone he wanted to ask about it yet. “There are more things you should be aware of. But for now, we have to talk about what this magical removal is going to do.”

“Someone talked to you already?” Micah nodded. “See, that’s another thing. I’m in the dark about a lot of shit. Not just the security, but everything, including what I wanted to do when my two weeks are up at the firm. Did you know that Emmett purchased a building downtown for me in order for me to stay close to him? He said that…well, it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes it does.” Joey leaned back against the wall, staring now at the little girl as Micah continued. “You’re going to do fine with this, Joey. There is a lot going on, but we all know if anyone can handle it, it’ll be you. You’re organized, anal about a lot of things, but you have to just go with the flow for the time being. There are a lot of people here who are willing and able to help you if you would just let them.”

“There’s this guy coming here. With the sole purpose of killing Chris for her magic.” Micah didn’t say anything, and he looked at his big brother. “I can’t lose her.”

“And you won’t. She’s a good deal stronger than you think. And I don’t even mean the magical part of it. When Myra told us what was going to happen with me giving you guys this magic back, she told her she could do it, no problem.” Joey asked him what he meant about giving them the magic back. “You both get it. She’s your mate, and I guess you will share it.”

Hearing this from Micah, Joey had to accept what his mother had told him, and what he had known deep inside himself. While he wasn’t mad about it, he wasn’t thrilled either. The mark on his arm was getting bigger, and just an hour ago, he was positive it had moved along his skin just as Emmett came to talk to him.

“Joey?” He looked up, realizing that he was alone and the baby was gone. Chris was looking at him as if she’d been saying his name for some time now.

“I love you.” She grinned at him, and he told her to come to him. When she was wrapped in his arms, Joey felt like he could take on the world. “I get so worked up about things. And here you come and make it all right. Will you marry me?”

“Very funny.” He lifted her chin up so he could look into her face. While holding her there, he pulled the ring from his pocket and showed it to her. “Joey, what is this?”

“I’m asking you to marry me.” He left her to kneel on one knee. She was trying her best to pull him back up, but he took her hand into his and kissed it. The ring slipped onto her first knuckle. “I’ve been thinking about this for some time. Well, you were never the bride, but I did think about how I would propose to a woman. I think my first practice was to Suzie Lynne. I think we were in first grade. She turned me down flat and then kicked me, if I remember correctly. Then I just practiced in the mirror.”

“You’re insane.” He might have been, but he felt smarter for asking her to be his wife. “Get up before I take you seriously.”

“I wish you would. I love you. I don’t think I say that to you enough. But I do. With all my being. And I want you to be my wife, for all of our lives together. Have children with you, go on vacations together.” Joey pushed the ring up more on her finger until it was flush with her hand. Then he looked up at her. “I’m a good man. Not as good as some, but I’m not too bad. I leave my socks in weird places when I’m in a hurry. I never eat a good breakfast. Too much on my mind. And I rarely know what the date is. I might know the month, but that would be stretching it. Will you please marry me, Chris?”

Instead of answering him, she got down on her knees to face him. He was slightly nervous when she reached into her own pocket and pulled out a ring that he’d seen every day of his entire life. This woman would never do things in the norm. She kissed his finger as he’d done for her.

“I was going to get you a ring. Seriously I was. Then all this happened and there was…never mind. Your grandda saved the day. He said that none of his grandsons are ever prepared, and he thought perhaps it was his turn to lend a helping hand. But I have to give this back to him when I get you one. Okay?” Joey nodded, thinking how when he told her yes, he was going to find his grandda and hug him until he couldn’t breathe. “Joseph Bentley, I am an honest person, so I’m going to tell you that you’re insane for wanting to marry me…but will you? I can’t believe that we’re even talking about this after just two days. I’m a slob when I’m working. I have no socks because when I wash them, one always comes up missing, so I just quit feeding the dryer. I don’t eat right, but I have a feeling that with a cook, that might change. I love you. I should have said that first, but I do. I never thought I’d even like you, but I love you, so go figure. What else? Oh yeah. I want to be your partner in your firm, please. I’m a good attorney, and have only lost one case so far. And I want to live here, in this too big house, and fill it with babies. Will they be babies?”

“Yes.” She asked him what he meant. “Yes to everything. Yes, I love you too. Yes, I want you to be my partner. Yes, let’s fill the house with babies and yes, I will marry you.”

“Good. There’s just one more thing.” He nodded, not caring one whit about what else went on in the world around him. “There’s a man outside that says he has some horses for you. But if you let him take the other ones to the slaughter house, I’m never going to forgive you.”

Joey stood up after Chris slipped the ring on his finger. Grandda would have to wait. Taking Chris’s hand, he made his way to the yard to find his entire family there with Davey and two trailers of horses.

~~~

Chris watched as Joey talked to his friend. The trailer that had the horses that were staying was already unloaded, but the other one was sitting there unattended. When Tony came up to her, she looked at him and he winked.

“You want them?” She nodded. “Then you have to take full blame for what we’re about to do.”

“Okay. What are we about to do, and how much prison time are we talking?” He only laughed at her as he moved to the back of the trailer. “You’re going to just let them go?”

“No. Grandda is over there with Micah. They’re going to try and get them in the other fence. And Myra said she’d make sure that they went there. I didn’t ask her how.” Probably a good thing, she told him. “Okay. I’m going to do the heavy part and you’re going to take the blame by just opening the doors. But stand back. Davey said that they’re hurt and one of them is a little off.”

The handle was lifted without a sound. She wondered if he’d done something to make it that way, as the one with the six horses in it that they had put in the barn had sounded like a woman was being murdered. But as soon as the doors opened, she looked into the trailer and her heart twisted.

“Oh baby.” The first two horses ran out of the back end like they’d been set free from prison. The last one looked at her with the most incredibly terrified look she’d ever seen. She moved into the back with him just as Tony cautioned her to be careful. But her entire focus was on the horse.