Truth Is Found (47 page)

Beau sipped his beer.

“I showed up, I brought her home, and I made her mine. I decided that I wasn’t going to let her get away. We were going to get married, and we were going to have a life. I had to stop giving her an inch. You, son, are just as stubborn. Only this time, it’s reversed. You’re giving her space. Don’t.”

“She sent me away. She doesn’t love me.”

He laughed. “Yeah, you’re an idiot.”

Beau stared. “Hey!”

“That girl loves you. She sent you away to have a chance at a family and career. I bet she’s missing you.”

He sat there. “I can’t get my heart broken again.”

“It sucks, but what will life be like without her. If you get a chance, put the hurt behind you. Grab the love and never let go. It’s worth that pain, Beau. I swear to you. It’s worth every single second.”

He shrugged. “There won’t be another chance.”

“You don’t know that.”

He laughed. “I do. I’m not worth her time. She only needed me to save her, shut Trey up, and give her some strength. When she didn't need me anymore, she sent me away. I’m just a soldier. I have nothing redeeming in my life.”

Julian knew how wrong he was. Because he was a soldier, who valiantly sacrificed, he deserved more than the ordinary man.

He served.

He was due.

Before Julian could say more, he heard the key in the lock. “Tori’s home.”

When she strolled in, she was grinning. As she winked at her husband, there was no doubt she’d done what she planned.

“I got you a present, Beau.”

He didn't look over. “No thanks. I don’t want anything.”

“Well, we finally assigned you a new partner. It took some doing, but we found the perfect match.”

He glanced over. “Tori, this is a really bad time, okay? I don’t want a partner.”

She shrugged. “You heard him, Nyx. He doesn’t want a new partner. You should head home. I was wrong.”

At her name, she entered the room.

His head nearly spun off his shoulders. As he stood, she held out her hand to stop him from charging her. “Beau, stop. I have to be honest with you.”

He didn't know what to say.

She was in the apartment. She followed him. That had to mean something, right?

“What?”

“I don’t want to be your ‘girl’. I want more. I want it all.”

What was she saying?

“All of what?”

“All of you. I want to be a permanent part of your life.”

He couldn’t believe this.

“Tori and Julian are giving me the storefront downstairs to open my shop, and I’m going to work for them too. If a case comes up, and they need my help, I’ll be your partner.”

He couldn’t think.

“So, you’re staying here? With me?”

“If you agree to my terms.”

His cheek twitched. Beau would cut out his heart for her. All she had to do is ask.

How didn't she understand that?

“Which are?” he asked as Julian and Tori grinned at each other.

“That you love me.”

“I already do.”

“That you always keep me safe.”

“I promise I will.”

“I want to get married at some point.”

“Are you asking or telling me?” he asked.

She paused, glancing over at Tori. She hoped the woman was right. “Marry me, Beau Christensen. I want to be your wife.”

His mouth dropped open.

She couldn’t move.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Tori started laughing. “He can’t be my brother. I put up a fight. It’s embarrassing how easy he is.”

Julian covered her mouth.

“Seriously?” Nyx said.

Beau moved toward her. “If you wouldn’t have been so stubborn, you would have found out that I was planning to marry you. I don’t want a life without you, Nyx. It would be empty.”

When she went into his arms, his eyes were filled with so much love.

“Since I’m making demands,” she said.

“Yes?”

“Kiss me.”

He didn't hesitate. All that was dead in him came back to life. Here was his happiness, and she was back.

God!

She was back!

Tori cleared her throat. “Here’s the bad news,” she stated. “You two need to grab the paper and start looking for a place of your own. This love nest isn't big enough for the five of us.”

Beau grinned. “We can do that.”

“Wait,” Julian said. “Did you interview her for the job?”

Tori winked at her. “Hey, Nyxie, which do you like better, the Army or the Marines?”

She didn't hesitate. “Have you seen how hot your brother is? This Army man makes me want to climb all over him. Hoorah. Army it is.”

“Ugh. I didn't need to know that,” Tori admitted.

The men laughed.

“I do believe that I warned you that wasn’t a good interview question,” Julian reminded her. “At least life is back to normal.”

Beau dropped his arm over Nyx’s shoulders.  As they headed toward the bedrooms, he stopped to kiss his sister. “Thank you for coming into my life. I love you, sis.”

She grinned. “The pleasure has been all mine.”

Nyx cleared her throat. “We need to get reacquainted. Can you watch Trey for me?” she asked, knowing he didn't need to be watching them have sex.

Julian’s mouth opened. “Wait! Isn’t he gone? We solved the case, set the ghosts free, and came home. Shouldn’t he cross?”

The radio turned on, and they all looked over.

“Welcome. Home. Soldier,”
it said in different voices.

Julian had his answer.

“Seriously? Victoria! Come on! What the hell? We don’t need a haunted office building! This is out of damn control!”

She shrugged. “Jules, it’s out of my hands.”

Beau swept Nyx up into his arms before jogging out of the room and laughing. He knew his brother-in-law was going to lose it.

The radio continued talking, and Julian had enough. Storming over to it, he yanked the plug.

Tori laughed.

“I’m glad you find this amusing. This building isn't big enough for two ghosts.”

“Don’t look at me. I have no control. Bethany does her own thing, and apparently, so does Trey.”

Julian dropped down on the couch beside his wife in frustration. “Can this get any crazier?”

Just then, they heard music and laughter. The radio clicked back on, even though it was unplugged.

“Take. A. Pill. Julian. I’m. Here. To. Stay.”

Tori snorted, right before breaking out in a fit of laughter.

“I can’t believe this,” he muttered, reaching for his beer. When the can slid away, just out of his reach, he shouted, “Bethany! Trey! Knock it off!”

Tori couldn’t help herself.

She laughed so hard that she cried.

This was going to be interesting to say the least.

Well, for her and the dead.

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

Monday

When Roman Remington showed up at the office, he was all smiles. Even when all the investigators stood there staring at him, arms crossed, he didn't let it bother him.

This was going to be an amazing job, and he couldn’t wait to start. Yes, they were worried, but he’d prove them wrong.

All his life, he wanted to fit in, and now he was going to do just that.

He was going to work with some of the finest investigators of all time, making his family proud.

As he took his seat across from Julian Littlemoon, his wife flanked his side.

“Thank you for having me here,” he stated. “I can’t wait to talk about the job.”

“Yeah, about that,” Julian said. “We’ve decided that we can’t offer you a position here. There are just too many secrets that we can’t let out. I hope you understand.”

“But I helped you,” he said, emotion filling his green eyes. “I thought you said…”

Tori shook her head. “Sorry. You’re free to go.”

He was shocked, but he stood. “I don’t understand.”

“You can be mad and angry all you want. We understand if you lambast us in the paper,” she said. “We’d rather you try and tank us now, while we can refute it, before you get all our secrets.”

He didn't move.

Instead, he stared at them, composing himself.

Roman couldn’t believe they thought that little of him. After all he gave, they still didn't want him in their inner circle.

It was the story of his life.

Finally, he spoke, “Thank you for the opportunity to work with you, Mr. Littlemoon.” He shook Julian’s hand.

When he glanced over at Tori, there was no anger on his face.

“Mrs. Littlemoon, good luck with your pregnancy, and thank you for giving me a look into something I never knew existed. It was a learning experience, and one that I grew from.”

He turned to walk toward the door.

“When’s the article coming out?” she called.

His hand froze on the doorknob. “It’s not. I keep my word, Mrs. Littlemoon, even if others don’t. If you don’t have your integrity, what do you have? Your secret is safe with me. If you ever change your mind, or need help, give me a call. No strings attached.”

Julian glanced over at his wife. If that wasn’t the true measure of a man, there wasn’t one. Roman had integrity. His gut had been right.

As he opened the door, Tori whistled. “Hey, Roman?”

He turned. “Yes?”

She tossed him a set of keys.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“They’re the keys to your new office. You passed the hiring test. We needed to make sure you wouldn’t turn on us.”

He wasn’t sure if they were kidding or not. “Really? I have the job?”

Tori walked around the desk and approached him. “We have one thing that we demand from our employees, and that’s loyalty. Welcome aboard, Roman. You’re officially one of the team.”

He grinned. “I get my own office? Can I see it?”

Julian laughed. “Yeah, we can show you.”

He followed them down the hall. At the conference room, he pointed inside. “Everyone, meet our new employee. This is Roman Remington, and he’s going to be an asset to our team.”

They all greeted him.

“Are you ready to see your office, Roman?” Tori asked.

“Yeah, I am.”

As he followed them down the hall, he couldn’t believe they invited him in.

Finally, Roman had what he always wanted.

To belong...

Coming Next:

               
 
Slay Bells Ring

  
Book twelve

                                         
Nov 2015

Read an excerpt from Slay Bells Ring book 12 from the FBI series

Prologue (Slay Bells Ring)

Book 12 in the FBI series

I am Bonnie…

Yes, we’re watching you. If you’re pompous, arrogant, and one of the ‘beautiful’ people, you should be afraid. I won’t rest until I have my fill. My life’s goal is to make you suffer. I want to watch you bleed.

I will make you quake at the mere mention of my name. When it escapes your lips, you will shake in terror.

Why?

Because I’m a merciless killer.

I have no conscious.

I have no love.

When you cross my path, I will make a split second decision on whether you will live or die.

If you’ve angered me, you shall feel my wrath. When it’s all over, I shall remain standing in the blood of those who made me. 

Oh, I’m not your average killer. You won’t get that lucky. When you enter my world, you have so much to lose. As I take you and your mate, I’ll make you fear everything from life to death.

There will be no joy.

Why?

None should be given at this time of the year. People think the holidays mean happiness and love, but they don’t. They mean death, pain, and misery.

I am the blight that has settled upon your home. There will be no ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future. There will only be us.

We will be your worst nightmare. 

As you sit there in your happy homes, enjoying the luxury of your gains, you don’t see anyone beneath you. We’re invisible to your eyes, and that’s a mistake on your behalf. You’ve underestimated us, and now we’ll get you when you least expect it…

In your home.

You see, I am watching you. When you’ve let down your guard, I’ll be delivering one hell of a Christmas present. One day you’ll be alive, and the next you’ll be dead.

When I come calling, I won’t be alone either.

I will bring help.

Together, we’re going to shatter your world, make you weep for what is to come, and then…we’ll destroy you.

But not only you.

No.

That would be too easy.

We’ll also destroy the ones who love you--the ones you guard so carefully, isolating them from the cold, vicious claws of the world. They will be our victims too.

When they least expect it, a present will arrive.

That cheery package will hold the most amazing of gifts. It will linger in their minds for the rest of their lives.

It will steal their happiness, warp their joy, and devour their love.

The second they open it, Christmas will never be the same again. It will alter their paths, crush their souls, and make them fear closing their eyes.

Now, that is power.

And only I deserve to wield it.

So beware what is coming, oh weak and weary. Before the holiday is over, we shall strike. We shall take what we want, bend it, break it, and send it back with a bloody bow. Before this season has passed, there will be a reckoning.

It will be yours.

I am your judge.

I am your jury.

I am your executioner.

And I will enjoy every single second of it…

       
   
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

I am Clyde…

You may have heard my name before, but never like this. I make the original look like a saint. I am warped by hate, anger, and loathing.

I’m like nothing you have ever known before. When you and I meet, one of us will leave in a bloody box, and it won’t be me.

No…I am your doom.

I was born to kill, and now that I have the love of my life, we will be spreading Christmas fear. There will be no eggnog, cheer, and caroling. It’s well past that now. When we land on your doorstep, there is something devious, dangerous, and deadly coming your way.

We may look sweet, but we’re bloodthirsty killers.

Once you learn of us, you’ll shiver in fear. Once we have you in our cage, you’ll beg and weep.

We won’t care. We never do.

You see, we are your worst nightmare. While my woman lures you in, I’ll create the ultimate means of torture. You’ll have to endure so much, and when you break…because you will, I’ll make you one of mine.

Forever, you’ll live in my mind and on the lips of those who had to gaze upon your ruin. There won’t be bells and songs. There will only be tears.

I’ll break you.

I’ll damage you.

I’ll take you apart.

Perhaps, I’ll use your body in any way I see fit. I might even feed you to some hungry animals.

It’s all going to depend on my holiday mood, and how naughty you’ve been all year.

See, we’re watching.

It’s what we do.

All year, we follow you and mark your steps, knowing that before long, you’ll be ours.

I can taste your flesh against my mouth.

I can hear your screams as I take you apart piece by piece. It gives me pleasure, and that’s what the holiday is all about, right?

Screw peace on Earth.

I want pain.

I want to hurt.

I demand desecration of your happiness.

I crave to see the fear in your eyes and across your face. By the time we’re done, you’ll be nothing more than wasted flesh at our disposal.

Fear not.

We will make sure you are not forgotten. You see, you’ll live forever in the minds and hearts of your family. They will see you at your worst, and they will mourn your life. Every day, they will remember what was done to you, and each day, it will never lessen. With time, the horrors will live on, making our memory special.

They’ll celebrate your life.

We’ll celebrate your death.

You may call us twisted, sick, and perverse, but we are none of that. We are avengers of all that is wrong in the world, and we’re out to find the perverted people who call themselves clean.

Watch for us.

Wait for us.

We’re coming, and when we land on your doorstep, you won’t ever be the same.

It’s the holidays, and I hope you’ve been nice.

If not, you’re in for a rude awakening…

Pain is coming.

It will be our pleasure to give you that one last gift.

             
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

              
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