“I’m not leaving.”
Julian laughed at that. “Oh, Beau, that’s the wrong answer. When a lady says move, you move. When a pregnant woman, with a steak knife by her plate, says move, you run for your life. Come on. We’ll take a stroll.”
He didn't look happy, but he stood. “I’ll be back, Nyx. Remember what I said. I meant it.”
She nodded, never breaking eye contact with the woman before her. Looking away from the predator would be a mistake, and she knew it. Nyx didn't often stand her ground, but in this case, Beau was worth it.
“He loves you, so I’m the odd woman out here,” Nyx stated.
“My brother, if anything, is an open book. You know how he feels about you.”
Nyx knew what he felt, but she knew the truth. “If it came down to it, you’re his sister. He might choose me, but he’d be hurt if he had to. I know what his life has been like, and I know what your mother did.”
Tori sipped her iced tea. “I know what your life has been like too. Your parents were murdered, and you were hurt.”
“I see you researched me.”
“It’s called covering my bases. When someone suddenly appears in this family circle, I have to ask why. Is it honorable, or is it to gain fame?”
“I wouldn’t hurt him. He saved me.”
“Yes, he did, but he’s my blood. I don’t have anyone left in our family. I don’t count my mother, but you already knew that. He’s my baby brother, and he means a lot to me. When that’s at risk, I’ll do everything to keep it safe.”
“He’s a man, not a child, Mrs. Littlemoon.”
“I get that, but I’m not backing down. You want to get to him, you have to go through me, and I’m going to be your best friend or your worst nightmare.”
Wow!
Someone wasn’t pulling punches on this one.
“I’m serious.”
She was aware.
“I love him.”
She was surprised that the woman said it. It appeared that this parade had been kicked up to high speed. Tori wasn’t sure if she should find that sweet or terrifying.
“Why?”
“He heals me. Before him, I was empty. Every day, I just got up, did my job, and went to bed. I didn't live. I simply existed. Now, I know what living is.”
Tori sympathized. That had been her before Julian rushed headlong into her life.
“For the record, I haven’t told him those words yet. I’m going to, but I wanted his sister’s approval first.”
“Is that so? Why do you need that?”
“Beau likes his job, he loves his sister, and I don’t want him to give that up--not for me. I’m not worthy of his heart, and I know it.”
Tori watched her.
“Yes, he saved me, breathed life into me, and that’s an amazing bond. I want to give him something back, and this is it. I’m going to let him walk away in the end. When your case is over, I won’t ask him to stay. I’ll let him go.”
That’s not what she expected. “Really?”
“Yes. I see how he watches you, Mrs. Littlemoon. He loves you to the depths of his soul. He didn't have you for all those years, and I want him to be happy. Finding you was that key to unlock what has always wounded him. Beau might be a killer, but he’s a good man.”
Tori was surprised.
Beau didn't talk about the Army.
She didn't ask, because deep down, she knew what he’d lived through. His life, and Trey’s, had run parallel to each other.
“Being that kind of man wounded him, and I only want him to be happy. I’m going to let him leave, hoping that he’ll forget me. So, you don’t have to worry. I’m just borrowing his heart for the time being. In the end, you’ll have it back. You’ll have won. I know I can’t compete, and I’m wise enough to know I’ll just get bloody in that battle.”
“So, you do love him.”
“I’m setting him free. That’s more than love.”
She knew it.
Tori closed her eyes. Everything Julian had said came flooding back. She recalled the look on Beau’s face as they walked down the sidewalk hand in hand.
No, she couldn’t let that happen.
“Don’t do it.”
“What?”
“If you really love him, don’t give him up. I came here today expecting to find a woman who would manipulate him to stay. We all know at the end, he’s going to have to make a choice. I assumed you’d try anything to keep him here. I was wrong.”
“I will never manipulate him. Beau deserves better. He’s honorable, and I will never use love to control him.”
“Our mother did just that.”
Nyx listened.
“She took him away from my father, who was a bastard, but that’s neither here nor there. She raised him to think that he had to love her and no one else. When he came back, she tried to manipulate him into getting me to her side. She wanted what I had.”
“And that is?”
“Money. Beau was a pawn in her game, and I won’t tolerate anyone who tries to play him again. She’s out of our lives and lucky to be alive.”
“Beau would never hurt her.”
“But I would. I’ll take down anyone who hurts what’s mine, especially my family. If you truly love Beau, tell him. He deserves to know. If it’s meant to be, it’ll work out between you. You’ll find a way to be with him.”
“Do you mean it?” Nyx asked, trying to be hopeful.
“If he feels the same about you, and brings you into our family, I’ll do anything I can to make it work for you.”
She wanted to cry.
“I mean it. If he loves you like you love him, I’m good with it. I won’t worry about it.”
“So, I have your blessing?”
“Yes, Ms. Nightingale, you do.”
“Nyx.”
She held out her hand, and they shook.
“Then call me Tori. Mrs. Littlemoon is my mother-in-law. Oh, and consequentially, she’s sort of adopted my brother as one of her own. You’ll have to deal with her later.”
“I can do that.”
Tori laughed. “Yeah, that’s what they all say, and then they run into Clarissa.”
Nyx felt him near. The voice of Trey dulled whenever he was within proximity of her body. Turning, she saw his face, and he looked worried.
“He’s pissed at me,” Tori said. “He really wants to kick my ass. I love when the men in my life get all stirred up. This should be fun.”
Nyx laughed. “He’s the sweetest man alive.”
“Yeah, that’s easy for you to say. You’re not on his hit list now,” Tori admitted.
“Just don’t give him a gun with a scope, and you’re probably safe.”
Tori was learning a lot about her brother and his military career. It should have bothered her that the woman in front of her knew more than she did, but it didn't.
Somehow, Tori was fine with it.
“Are you okay?” he asked, taking his seat beside her. He angrily glared over at his sister like she’d become the enemy.
“I’m horrible. I seem to have missed you. Can’t a girl get a kiss?” Nyx teased.
The anger slipped away, and he grinned. “Yes, she absolutely can.”
Julian could tell that Tori had worked it out. She was lax, and her body language always told the tale.
“If you two are done making out,” Tori began, “can I ask a question?”
Beau may have released her mouth, but Nyx’s hand was firmly in his. “Shoot.”
“If you don’t lose the cranky face, I may.”
Julian started laughing. “The analogy with the steak knife works the same with a gun,” he offered.
“I don’t like how you…”
Nyx cut him off. “Remember the thing I told you I liked best about you?”
He nodded.
“She’s got it too. You can relax.”
He glanced back and forth between the two women, measuring his options. He wanted to tell hi
s sister off, but he could feel the wind leaving his sails. Neither Nyx, nor Tori, looked pissed off.
They must not have been fighting.
Beau took her advice. “Okay, ask your question.”
“Why were you able to walk away? I thought that you had to touch her in order to keep Trey off her back.”
“Trey and I had a conversation. I told him to leave my girl alone, and he did. She’s my woman. I’ve staked my claim, and he seems to accept that--man to man.”
Nyx spilled her iced tea.
Tori laughed. “I was so very wrong. This is going to be fun to watch.”
“What did you say?” she asked, glancing over as the waitress rushed over to mop up the spill.
“I told him that you were mine, and it was hands off from here on out. He’s going to be respectful, and I’m going to make sure of it.”
When the waitress walked away, she stared at him. “Beau, he’s a spirit. They live by different rules.”
“Is he bothering you now?”
“No. He’s not.”
“So, he must have gotten the point.”
She stared at him.
“Be my girl?” he asked, grinning at her.
“But?”
Tori could see it. Her brother was more than smitten. He was in love too. Yeah, she needed to back off. They had this.
“It’s yes or no. When in heaven, Nyxie….”
That’s all he had to say.
“Yes.”
He smiled triumphantly. Then he got up, rounded the table to kiss his sister. “Thanks for not being like mom.”
“Hey! You don’t kiss my girl. You kiss your girl,” Julian teased. “You have so much to learn.”
Beau laughed and did just that.
When he set her free, Nyx didn't know what to think. “Family is a very weird thing. I’m so out of the loop on this one.”
“Well, it’s about to get weirder. I didn't ask you both here to play kissy face. I have a conundrum, and I need your help, Nyx.”
“With what?”
“Bethany, my pesky partner in crime, has informed me that the spirit who attacked Beau isn't one of the girls. It’s a male, and he’s over the edge.”
“Okay.”
“I need a séance, and apparently, we have to do it together.”
Julian looked about ready to throw up. “What? Why the hell didn't I hear about this before now?”
The women ignored him.
“You’ll need me to channel the angry spirit as your spirit guide tries to keep Trey busy.”
“Yes.”
Nyx went very still. “Bethany said she’s looking forward to taking your husband for another ride.”
Julian looked outraged. “Hey! Stop telling people about that! I swear to God…”
The salt shaker spun and stopped facing him.
“That’s not funny, Bethany!” he hissed. “You’re a sicko!”
Nyx was amused. “Sorry, I can hear her. She’s standing between you and Tori.”
That made Julian want to pull his wife into his lap. God only knew if Bethany was going to try and head there first.
“If she doesn’t knock it off,” Tori stated, “she’s going to be finding herself cozied up with a priest and holy water. I’m not kidding.”
“She’s gone.”
Beau had to laugh. “This is crazy. I don’t know how to rationalize any of this. It’s like you two are in other worlds half the time--ones we never knew existed.”
“Yeah, I know,” Tori admitted. “It grows on you.”
“Like mold,” Julian added. “You’d think some dead girl would be a little nicer since we found her box of bones and solved her freaking murder.”
There was a knock.
“Anyway,” Tori began, “I need to find this male spirit. He’s collecting the dead ghosts, and Bethany said that’s a no-no for their kind.”
“Trey is not happy,” she said, touching her forehead. “He’s pretty adamant that you’re not to do this. In fact, he’s ordered you to stop, Tori.”
Beau dropped his arm over Nyx’s shoulder. “I have a message for him. Back off, Trey. I mean it.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
He left a kiss on the crown of her head.
“Do we know who it is?” Nyx asked. She was aware of how bad this could go. Opening herself up to any old spirit could end in disaster.
“Nope.”
“Okay. I’ll do it, but I need to be at the vineyard, and you’re going to have to keep an eye on me.”
Julian didn't like it.
Not one single part of the plan.
Beau glanced down at her. “Is this dangerous?”
“Yes,” she said. Since they weren’t lying, she had no choice but to tell him the truth.
“Jesus,” muttered Julian.
“Don’t worry. Tori will be fine. She’s just going to follow me around. Trey will connect to her and Bethany. I’m going to be the one open to any spirit out there.”
They all stared at her.
“I’m going to be possessed. I could walk off a cliff. That’s how channeling works. I’ll have thought, but not enough to overcome whatever this spirit is angry about.”
Beau held her tight. “I’ll be there. I won’t let you get hurt. I promise.”
She was grateful. “We’ll need a quiet place at the vineyard.”
“Our room.”
“Okay. I can bring the things I need. Do you want to do it tonight?”
Tori knew that wasn’t a possibility. “We have a tasting tonight. We have to be there to keep an eye on things. How about tomorrow night?”
“Works for me. I’ll be there.”
Tori had to know. “Why are you doing this if you’re at risk?”
Nyx glanced over at Beau. “Because I am in love with him, and his sister has asked me for my help.”
He was caught totally off guard. “Wait. What did you say?”
Julian laughed. “I like her. She reminds me of someone feisty.”
Tori saw the love there.
Yeah, she was woman enough to admit that she was wrong. Her brother was about to get on the rollercoaster.
It was always one hell of a ride.
CHAPTER Seventeen
Darkwood Monastery
He needed to see them, and fast.
Roman had to talk to the sleuthing duo before they got busy that night. He’d dug up a good deal of information, and wanted them to know about it. He had vowed to play fair and square, and Roman was keeping his promise.
That was how he lived his life.
You were only as good as your word.
When he saw them exiting their vehicle, to cross the parking lot, he followed, calling to them.
Julian stopped. “What’s up, Roman?” he asked.
“Can we take a few minutes to talk?”
He wasn’t really in the mood, since his mind was going a million miles a minute, most of it focused on a séance and Tori getting hurt.
“Sure. We’re heading up to our room. We can talk there.”
They headed inside, taking the stairs to the private quarters of the vineyard. Once inside Julian and Tori’s room, the man nearly exploded from excitement.
“I found this.”
He handed it to Tori, and she opened it to the marked page. Quickly, she scanned the contents. “Okay, what am I looking for?” she asked.
“All those items that I’ve flagged are missing. Someone has either stolen them, or is looking for them.”
That had their interest. “Here?”
He nodded.
Julian looked over his wife’s shoulder. “Whew. That’s a lot of gold. That has to be worth a good chunk of change.”
“Yeah, it has to be,” Tori admitted.
“What if your person isn’t sabotaging to take the Nelms down, but looking for something?”
They stared at each other.
Roman could be right.
“Tha
t’s pretty astute,” Tori admitted.
“Well, let’s look at the facts. We had a priest murdered. Really, what could he possibly been involved in to get killed? If we look at the motive, that much gold is a good place to start.”
Julian thought about it.
“So, someone is looking for the gold?” Tori asked. “How do we know that it’s not already gone? He was killed. That’s an altar cross. I’m sure it was swiped.”
“I did my research. That piece dates back to the sixteen hundreds. It’s valuable melted down, but worth ten times the amount intact. It’s not come up on the black market yet.”
Julian saw where he was taking this. “How do you know?”
“I have plenty of sources.”
Julian didn't doubt that would come in handy.
“What if it’s in someone’s private collection?” Tori asked.
“You don’t kill for a collection piece. You kill for money, sex, and betrayal.”
He had her there.
“So, we have someone treasure hunting at the monastery?” Julian asked.
“Yeah. You said you were working a case of sabotage, but really…that person popped you pretty damn hard. I don’t doubt you’d be dead if he or she got their way. That’s not sabotage. Murder is a whole uglier category.”
Tori agreed. “That’s pure greed.”
“Yeah, about a million bucks worth. I don’t doubt you have someone sabotaging the Nelms. I just think that the motive is golden.”
Tori and Julian knew it fit.
This man had likely given them a good link. They could start running financials, and follow the trail.
“I want in.”
“What?” Julian asked.
“I know you look at me and think ‘what’s this nerd going to bring to the table’, but I have skills. I found this, let me work with you.”
Julian and Tori didn't judge a book by its cover. Christina was the queen of nerds, and she’d saved their asses a million times.
“How do you know we’re going to work this?” Tori asked.
“I’ve studied you. The two of you found a hundred year old victim buried in a wall. You located a Bible, and found a bloodline. Now you’re here, and there’s a missing cross, a dead priest, and a mystery. You can’t fight the lure.”
Julian stared at him. “You want to join our team?”
“Yes.”
Truth Is Found Page 28
