Truth Is Found (35 page)

Beau was stuck on what she’d admitted to his sister and brother-in-law.

Had she really said the words so easily?

Was he imagining things?

Once back inside the shop, she went to turn the sign to ‘open’, but he stopped her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, seeing the trepidation on his face. Nyx was stalling, and that’s why she wanted to take the long way back to work. They were going to be having a discussion, and she wasn’t quite sure what the outcome was going to be. She could only hope her spur of the moment admission wouldn’t blow up in her face.

“No, I’m really not. We need to have a little talk.”

“About?”

“What you said at lunch.”

“Oh, that I’d help? I know it’s dangerous, but I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”

“That’s on my mind too, Nyx, but I was thinking more about where you blurted out that you loved me. That probably takes precedence over the other part--at least it does in my mind.”

“Oh, that.”

She was nervous.

He could see it.

Maybe it was said just to get Tori off her back.

“Yeah, that.”

“Well, you did say we were going to be honest and not lie, so I figured that was the same policy with your sister.”

“It is, but again, that’s not the point.”

She didn't want to be rejected, but she had to face the possibilities that the feeling she had were only a one-way street.

“I said what I felt.”

“Nyxie.”

“If you don’t feel that way about me, it’s fine, Beau. I wanted to be honest, and have quality time with you. Let’s face it. We’re not going to have forever. You’re going to go back to work, and so am I.”

He touched her cheek. “What you said mattered to me. Please just own it.”

“I don’t know why I feel this way, but it’s there. Maybe it’s because you saved me, and that’s not from the river. This time with you…it’s breathed life back into me. It mattered.”

His heart flipped in his chest. He’d been so right about her. Beau knew the minute he saw her that she’d get him. Nyx wouldn’t run in fear.

“I love your smile, Beau. The tattoos kick start my libido every time I see them. Everything about you turns me on, and gives me such peace. So, yes, I love you.”

He pulled her gently into his arms. “Nyxie, my witchy eyed woman, I’m glad you feel that way about me.”

His mouth closed over hers, and there was such sadness there. While she gave him the words freely, there was always hope he’d return them.

But he didn't.

When he pulled away, he could feel the difference in her. “You’re hurt.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Well, let me reassure you. I’m not leaving, and I happen to love you too. You’re my girl. I’m home.”

The heat rushed through her body. “Really? You’re not just saying that out of obligation?”

He rubbed his whiskered cheek against her throat, inciting a chill through her body.

“Yes, really, and no, I’m not telling you that to pacify you.”

Nyx couldn’t breathe.

“Want to go upstairs with me?” he asked, leaving kisses across her throat.

“No.”

It caught him off guard.

When she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his hips, Beau didn't know what to think.

Together, they tumbled backward and onto the couch.

Without a single ounce of hesitation, Nyx began making love to his body. Her mouth moved over his face, throat, and toward the vee in his t-shirt. When it got in her way, she pulled it off him.

Beau was staggered by the way she was taking what she wanted. He didn't fight, only letting her have at him.

It was a delicious feeling to have his girl want him like this. She was starving, and he was their dessert.

When she dropped to her knees, between his legs, his eyes filled with heat. “If you start that, you better be willing to finish it.”

Nyx grinned as she tugged open his pants. “There will never be an end, Beau. We’ve just begun.”

He dropped his head back as she pulled his erection from his boxers. When her hand slid up and down it, heating him further, he couldn’t look.

As her mouth replaced her hand, he couldn’t help but face down his wicked woman.

Maybe a peek wouldn’t hurt…

He was so very wrong.

Beau watched in need as she took him between her lips. The heat was insane, and he loved seeing his saliva slicked erection moving in and out of her mouth.

Yeah, this was definitely heaven.

There was no doubt about that.

“Like this?” she asked, wanting to give him as much pleasure as she could. This intimate moment deserved to be done perfectly.

His moan was answer enough.

While she couldn’t wait to climb up his body, there was something so perfect about how he responded to her.

She never wanted to stop.

“More,” he begged. It had been a very long time since there had been a mouth on his dick, and after Nyx, he’d never crave anyone’s touch but hers.

She gave him what he wanted. Her hand joined in, as she pushed him closer and closer to the edge. When his body shook, she set him free.

They weren’t done.

In fact, they were only beginning.

Nyx wanted him in her body. She wanted to feel whole, complete, and alive. Only Beau could give her that.

He stared at her, hunger in his eyes. “Hurry! I want you naked.”

Nyx didn't hesitate. She slid the zipper down the back of her dress and let it fall to the floor. As she stood there in her girly underthings, and her heels, Beau looked about ready to pounce.

“No. It’s my turn.”

He held on, knowing she wanted him just as much. “You’d better hurry, Nyxie. I’m close to losing patience.”

She didn't move any faster. Instead, she slowed down.

He growled. “Come here.”

Moving toward him, she straddled his hips. As she ran her fingers down the curves and cuts of his muscled chest, she never looked away. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

Taking his erection in her hand, she directed him toward her body. As she tugged her panties aside, he moaned again.

Beau was going to have a hard time staying calm. This was pretty hot.

No, it was scorching.

As she slid down the long length of him, they both groaned in pleasure. Nothing felt that good.

Nothing.

His hands went to her hips, and he began directing her up and down his erection. The way her panties kept brushing his dick made it hard to think.

“This is heaven,” he muttered, as she rode him.

When the rhythm was going, he released one hip to run his fingers down the indentation of her wet panties. When he found her clit, he rubbed.

Nyx dropped her head back and moaned.

He was undoing her.

It was the most amazing feeling in the world.

As she rode, her body moved closer and closer to the pinnacle. She was going to fall, and soon.

Beau could sense her body getting ready, and he didn't want to tumble with her.

He needed more.

While his sexy Nyx had her fun, he was going to have his. It was coming.

She came down hard, shattering apart at the sensation of his fingers and erection being buried in her. As the room spun, she fell against him, breathing heavily.

“Oh God!” she muttered.

Beau barely held on with fingertips on the razor’s edge. He was so close that he knew if she moved, he was gone. Instead, he let her rest against him.

“I’m sorry, Nyxie,” he whispered softly in her ear.

She lifted her head in time to see the fire burning in his eyes. He was wild, and she was far from done. Standing up, he slipped from her body. Immediately, he spun her around until her back was against his chest.

She moaned as rough hands ran across her sensitized flesh. That single touch warmed her all over again.

Beau dropped his jeans and pushed her forward to lean over the arm of the couch. Then he tore off her panties like an eager child on Christmas morning, trying to get to his greatest prize.

She gasped.

He found her wet and ready.

Without hesitating, Beau slid home, filling her.

Nyx moaned as she was invaded from behind. His body was trapping her to the couch, and she didn't mind.

“I love you,” he whispered.

And then he began.

This wasn’t making love.

This wasn’t sex.

This was primal.

It was rough, hard, and nothing but fucking. Beau didn't hold back, and Nyx didn't either. As his body took hers, over and over again, she was lost in the pleasure of it.

While calm on the outside, there was always a storm deep within Beau, and she was grateful. Together, they’d feel.

As he continued to pound into her body, she moaned at each kiss of his erection.

“More,” she begged.

He gave her all he had.

In that moment, she’d accepted him.

Nyx didn't run from the rough edges--she embraced them with all she had, and he was grateful.

This was what he wanted all his life.

She was the only one for him.

As she came again, shouting his name, he didn't hesitate. Instead, Beau slammed home, driving himself deeply into her body. As he exploded, pouring hotly into Nyx, there was this sense of peace.

He’d found it at last.

Together, they tumbled to the couch. He pulled her back against his body so she could be cradled in his arms.

“Nyxie, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked, still wary of how rough he could be.

There was laughter. “Yes, you did. Do it again and again.”

Beau tipped her head to the side and kissed her softly on her lips. “You make me very happy.”

“Mmmm. Ditto.”

When she turned to face him, he looked so very calm. It was like the brewing storm was released from him, and he was, once more, at peace.

“Promise me something,” he finally said when his brain stopped being a hazy mess of pleasure.

“What?”

“That no matter what happens, you’ll stay with me for the rest of our lives. When you’re with me, I’m at peace too. Fate put us together to calm each other’s demons.”

“I promise, Beau.”

A she cuddled into his torso, she knew this was the happiest day of her life.

Not only was she no longer alone, she found a good, decent man to call her own.

He’d protect her.

He’d chase away the evil.

When it came down to it, he’d be the one who stood up for her, acting as her shield--even dying for her.

Nyx heard the voice in her head, telling her all that, but it wasn’t hers.

It was Trey’s.

And instead of peace, calm and harmony, it brought her terror--like she never felt before.

Now she had everything to lose.

AGAIN
.

CHAPTER Eighteen

Darkwood Monastery

To say that Julian was hesitant would be an understatement. He was expecting the worst, and that wasn’t shocking.

As his wife was getting ready to take a little trip to Creepyland, he was freaked out. Whenever she slipped into that darkness, where he couldn’t reach her, he was scared stupid.

“We could wait,” he offered. “Roman might dig up the names, and then you can skip this.”

“You know I can’t,” she offered.

Julian couldn’t help but think how easy their lives used to be. Now that the dead were visiting their days, it was driving him insane.

As she got relaxed, his phone rang.

“Hold on,” he ordered, grateful Christina was calling. Maybe she came up with something.

“Hey, bosses!” she said cheerfully.

“What did you find?” Julian asked. Obviously, his employee heard the tone in his voice. For once, Christina didn't mess with him and dove right in.

“The boss lady asked us to play on social media, and we did.”

“What came up?” Tori asked.

“We found someone else linked to Pearlie Nelms,” Christina replied.

“Who?”

“Long story short, she posted a picture on her page and linked it to someone who works there. We have her cuddling up to Cordell Burdett.”

“Really?” Julian asked. “He works in the tasting room. We found a towel shoved into the air conditioning. He might have been the one trying to start a fire.”

“Oh boy.”

“So, he was dating Pearlie?” Tori asked.

There was laughter from Kane. “Not quite.”

“What then?”

“Let’s just say that she liked random hookups. She was working for cash.” Kane was pretty sure they got it, but just in case they didn’t... “She was hooking.”

“What?” they said at the same time.

Julian’s mind was going a mile a minute. They’d found a shitload of money in Romeo’s room, and that couldn’t be coincidental.

“Your missing woman was a working girl.”

“Thanks. We appreciate you finding this. We’re going to pass this one off to the local law. I’m not playing vice with the client’s daughter and the pimpin’ son.”

Julian explained the money to his team back at the office, and they agreed that it couldn’t be a coincidence. If it smelled like a rat, it probably was one.

“You should pass this one off,” Christina said. “It gives the brother motive in her disappearance. Maybe she wasn’t bringing in the Benjamins, and he got a little out of control or possibly Pearlie decided to own her own real estate.”

It made sense.

“This family is a hot freaking mess. Sheila is cheating, Pearlie was prostituting, Romeo is playing pimp to his own sister, and dear old dad is in the middle and as ignorant as the day is long.”

“How do you not know your daughter is sleeping around for money?” Kane asked.

They had no idea.

“Thanks for the great work. We’re going to pass this off to the cops. It may be why she was taken.”

“If you need anything else, just call,” Christina stated.

“Oh, guys,” Tori began, “Julian hired a reporter to work with us at the office. He’s going to be on the team.”

There was a gasp.

He glared at his wife. “Really? Right under the bus, Victoria? You couldn’t even soften the blow?”

“He what?” Christina said. “Reporters can’t be trusted. He’ll betray…”

Julian hung up. The last thing he needed was a lecture from his team.

Tori was amused. “Hey, I’m not going down for this one. You hired him, so it’s your reputation on the line.”

He was well aware. 

There were days he hated being boss.

       
                
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Thursday Evening

Julian knew what was next.

He was about to watch his wife go deep into herself to talk to the dead. It bothered him, but he had to admit, he was getting accustomed to it. At least he could be there to make sure she was safe.

“I need the names of those girls, and then I’ll see if Bethany can give me anymore.”

“Just be careful, and don’t do all the spirits at once. You’re pregnant, and shouldn’t stress your body like that.”

She patted his cheek. “Catch me if I fall, okay?”

“Always.”

Julian held her hand, afraid to let go. As Tori began relaxing, staring forward, she called to her spirit guild.

“Bethany, I’m ready.”

The music began.

It was low and familiar, lulling her into the calm. The second she was at ease, she began falling. The slide into oblivion was getting easier and easier. With each trip, Tori could see and understand more. As soon as she blinked, the room was back in focus.

“Hey, Victoria,” said the dead girl.

“Are you ready to help me?” Tori said, getting down to business. “I don’t know how hard this is going to be on me, so we better get to it.”

Bethany didn't disagree, and that freaked Tori out even more.

“Here comes the first child,” she said as the room shimmered. Soon, a small, disheveled little girl appeared. She was covered in dirt, leaves, and looked like someone had hurt her. There were big circles under her eyes, and her flesh had a deathly glow that was only present on a corpse.

Yeah, Tori wasn’t ready for this.

Not at all.

“Who are you?” Tori asked, taking a step back as the child moved toward her. “What’s your name?”

“Joie Allias.”

Her voice sounded like the scary child in the horror movie--the one that was distorted and out for blood. The way she moved, freaked Tori out. It was disjointed and almost enough to make her call this whole thing off. 

“Who hurt you?”

“A man.”

“Where are you?”

She looked around. When she shivered, Tori realized she wasn’t in the room with them. She was wherever the killer put her.

“It’s dark. I can’t see. It smells bad. I want out. You have to get me out.”

“How did he hurt you?”

Her little child hand went to her head. “He hit me. He told me he was going to take me to my mommy, but instead he did horrible things to me. He touched me, and I was scared.”

Tori’s breath hitched. She wanted to vomit. The last thing she wanted, while carrying her own daughter, was to work a case that involved sexual abuse.

It made her want to be sick.

“Find me. Please find me, Victoria. He said you’re good. Please don’t let me rot here.”

She couldn’t deal with her anymore. “Next, Bethany. I’m ready for number two.”

The girl shimmered away, and the next arrived screaming. It was obvious that she’d died the way she appeared in Tori’s vision.

This couldn’t be good.

“Shhhhhhh,” Bethany whispered. “This is Tori. She’s going to get you free.”

“The man said not to talk to you. He said you’ll trick us. He’s protecting us now. No one keeps us safe but him.”

“Who are you?” Tori asked, needing that information first. Once she got that, she’d address the rest.

“I’m Alise Cochrane.”

Bethany moved between her and Tori, and that worried her. This girl looked somewhere around twelve, but death hadn’t been kind. She had a wild look about her, and her one arm was bent at a painful angle.

“How did he hurt you?”

“In ways I can’t even talk about. He violated us, and then he stole our lives.”

“Where are you?”

“We’re with him. He’s protecting us.”

“Who is he?” she asked, making mental notes. She wanted as much detail as possible.

“He’s our father now.”

That creeped her right out.

The last thing they needed was a vengeful spirit who liked collecting abused girls.

“Next.”

Bethany forced the girl away, and lastly, a small child appeared.

“Help me, Victoria.”

She looked so small and weak.

“Who are you, honey?”

“I’m Marilyn Fort. He took me and hurt me.”

She moved around Bethany to approach the girl. As soon as she did, the little child morphed and rushed Tori, her hands now claws. The nails cut into her arm.

Tori screamed in pain.

Bethany sent the girl away. “Are you okay?” she asked, moving toward her.

“She’s pissed,” Tori replied, looking down at the gouges in her arm.

“Death does that to you. She and the others died in a bad way, and the male is making them angry. He’s adding fuel to the fire.”

Tori understood.

“Can you summon my brother?”

“Tori, four spirits are dangerous. You know that. Your husband will flip his lid.”

She was well aware, but that didn't negate that she needed to talk to him. “I want to see my brother. Alone.”

Bethany tried to talk her out of it, but it wasn’t working. Tori wouldn’t back down.

“Please?” she asked. “If you could see that one person you loved one more time, what wouldn’t you do?”

“Fast, okay?”

Suddenly, the room shimmered, and there stood Trey. Only, he didn't look good. He, too, was in his death form. It shocked Tori to see it.

In fact, it made her sick.

“Hey, sprout. It’s funny meeting you here. I never thought I’d be dead, and you’d be talking to my ghost.”

“Trey, I miss you.”

“Awww, sprout, you have Beau. We look alike. Well, what I used to look like before the bombing.”

Her heart skipped.

“You gotta pack up and leave, Tori. There’s something here, and it’s sucking us in. It’s collecting spirits, and you need to run.”

“I can’t. This is my life now. I’ll leave when my job here is done. I can’t until then.”

He went to touch his sister, but his burnt hand went through her solid torso. The closer he got, the worse he looked.

“I’m sorry I hurt the other woman. I understand now. She hears me. I don’t have to shout. I got to see you. That’s all I really wanted.”

His image degraded further.

“Tomorrow, keep her safe. Keep all of you safe. Bad things are coming.”

“Trey, is this how you died?” she asked, moving closer.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. I died serving my country. I died a hero, and in the end, that was my mission. My life was sacrificed for the men in my group. I was protecting my country and people.”

Tori wanted to be sick. “Did you suffer, Trey?”

He didn't answer. Instead, he began backing away. “Retreat, soldier. Retreat. The things that go bump in the night are very real, and very scary.”

Before she could say anything, he was gone.

“Bethany, bring him back!”

She couldn’t.

“We’re empty, Tori. You gotta go. You can’t risk you or the baby. We’ll talk later.”

She didn't want to leave. Tori wanted an answer. Deep in her gut, she already knew the truth.

Trey had suffered terribly.

As the darkness closed in, Tori felt herself floating up until light exploded around her. When she opened her eyes, she was staring into Julian’s.

His hand was on her wrist.

Tori glanced down at the scratches on her arm. They apparently came with her.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

“Honey, what happened?” he asked.

“Oh, Julian!” With that, she went into his arms and began sobbing. “It’s my brother!”

He held her close. “What happened?”

“He suffered. I saw him how he was. I saw what was inside that closed casket.”

It was all she had to say.

Julian let his wife weep, and he did the best thing for her.

He let her get it out.

              
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  L   i   t   t   l  e  m  o  o  n  * * *

Darkwood Monastery

Wine Tasting