He smiled. “I’m just angry. Don’t mind me.”
Nyx knew it was time to change the topic. She needed to make Beau smile again.
It was time for twenty questions, Nyx style.
“Do you like your job?”
The grin was back. “Yes, I do. I love helping people. I was going to go into law enforcement when I was out of the service, but this is so much more fun. I love working with my family.”
“They adopted you, huh?”
He nodded. “Julian’s mom is funny as hell. You haven’t lived until you’ve met Clarissa. Will you meet her with me one day? She’s standing in as my surrogate mom.”
Nyx was touched that he was sharing that part of his life with her. If they were going to have a long distance relationship, she wanted to have a good one. She wanted to be there for him, and all the things he thought were important.
Nyx didn't want to lose him.
He weighed how much to tell her about his job, and then went with his gut. This was his woman, and he trusted her. “The team is special,” he offered. “We don’t talk about it, but since you have a gift, I guess it’s okay to talk about theirs.”
“What kind of gifts do they have?”
“Well, Tori has her spirit.”
She laughed. “She’s a medium. There’s an actual title for it, and if you recall, I’ve met Bethany.”
Beau shrugged. “Yeah, well, she’s the normal one, believe it or not. Vivian, Justin Littlemoon’s wife, used to be a detective for the local PD. She uses dreams to help people.”
“So she’s precognitive.”
“Yes, if that’s what it’s called. Then there’s Becket. He’s the only ‘gifted’ male. He has the touch. When he touches an old item, he can see its past.”
“Psychometry. I bet that comes in handy when you’re looking for lost things,” Nyx added. It looked like the Littlemoon family definitely understood her. It was nice to know that she wouldn’t be an outsider or the oddity.
Finally.
“He doesn’t think so. He wears gloves a lot. I saw him touch some money once, and it nearly brought him to his knees. There was a drug deal, and the cash was in the dead man’s hands.”
“Yeah, that would be hard.”
They got quiet, so Nyx pushed on with random questions. “What was your favorite story growing up?”
“Hmmm. That would have to be ‘The Little Engine that Could’.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Red.”
“How many women have you loved?”
He started laughing. “If I answer that, can I still have my grilled cheese or are you going to punish me?”
Nyx leaned across the counter to run her fingers over his scruffy cheek. “This is a punishment free zone. I promise.”
“Well, in that case, it was in fifth grade. There was this hot girl named Lisa Wilcox. She was the sweetest thing ever--or at least I thought she was until I met you. She used to wink at me from across the room. Apparently, she had a thing for redheads.”
“Yeah, well, so do I.”
Beau grinned. “That’s probably a good thing since I’m one.”
Nyx laughed. “Okay. What about high school?”
“There really wasn’t anyone. Girls like males who look like the boy next door. I don’t. I don’t get tan. I burn. I have freckles in the sun, and normally, redheads are the villain in movies.”
She thought about that last part, and then smiled. “I never noticed, but now that you bring it up…”
“See? They’re always the bad guy. It’s irritating.”
“Well, you can play villain for me anytime. Want to carry me off and keep me as your prisoner?”
Beau wiggled his eyebrows. “You better be serious because the answer will always be yes.”
She was glad to see him smile, so she pushed on, “Okay, so, no high school women. Then who?”
He had to think about it. “There were a few women on leave in different parts of the world when they found out what I did in the army, but that’s about it. I didn’t get serious.”
“Until now?”
He stared at her. “Until now.”
The way he looked at her heated Nyx’s blood. He was shirtless, tattooed, and scruffy. All those women not interested in flamed haired hotness had missed out.
This man was sexiness personified.
“How about you?”
“There was Billy Masters in the sixth grade. He used to share his cookies with me at lunch. My mom didn't let us have them in the house. She was the sugar gestapo. I used to reward him with kisses.”
She slid the grilled cheese across the counter.
“You’re such a hussy. I need to run out and get cookies,” Beau said, biting into his sandwich. It was hot, cheesy, and the best thing he’d ever tasted because the woman he loved made it. It was so good, that he’d devoured half before he even came up for a breath.
“Yeah, I’m easy like that. If you share your goodies, I’ll love you forever.”
“Promise?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
Beau felt himself falling into her eyes. They watched him like no other woman before her. There was something so sexy and serene in them, despite what he knew. At that moment, he didn't doubt that she was dealing with his dead brother.
She thought he was tough?
She was tough too.
“This is pretty freaking amazing,” he said, continuing to eat the crispy, creamy grilled cheese. “I’m glad you can cook because I can’t.”
Nyx didn't mind.
She’d do this for him anytime he asked. She loved how innocent he looked as he ate something so simple as a sandwich at her kitchen island.
Beau wanted to fill the lull in conversation, so he pressed on. “Okay, how about after him?”
In that instant, her face changed.
Then her demeanor followed.
“Nyxie, are you okay?”
“I had a boyfriend when I was sixteen. I was on the phone with him when the men who killed my parents broke into our house.”
He put the last bit of sandwich down. “I’m so sorry. I didn't think…I forgot…”
She brushed it off. “Don’t worry about it.”
“We can stop.”
She shook her head. “No, we can’t. If we want this to work, I have to be open with you. I need for you to see into my life and what made me into…this.”
Beau’s heart ached for her. She wasn’t some disaster like she thought. Nyx was a beautiful soul.
At the silence, she pressed on. “After that night, I couldn’t let anyone touch me for a long time.”
He sat there helplessly. How exactly did you comfort someone who was the victim of that kind of assault?
What did you say?
He went with his gut.
“Do you need a hug?”
She walked around the corner and into his arms. “Yes, please.”
Beau held her, wishing he didn't bring it up. “Nyx.”
“I have to finish, Beau. Just let me finish. Hold me up, and I’ll be fine.”
He went silent so she could do it.
“After that, I didn't want intimacy. It reminded me of what they stole. Instead, I buried myself in work and hiding in my head. I’ve dated, but I haven’t been able to make that connection.”
“When did you let someone touch you again?”
She looked up at him. “When you came into my life. You’re the first since then. It never felt right until now.”
He blinked at her words. “Nyxie, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. You’re here keeping me safe and chasing away the horrors. You’re doing what I need. I’m not like you, Trey, or your sister. I never will be. I need someone who’s going to be stronger, tougher, and who can protect me. If you want to know what to do, just keep me safe.”
He could do that. “I’m done eating. Want to go back to sleep? I’ll make sure there�
�s no monster under the bed or in the closet.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
Beau popped the last part of his sandwich in his mouth, more for her than him. His heart ached for her, and it swelled in joy at the same time. She didn't let anyone touch her until he came along.
That had to mean something, right?
As they walked into the room, she hopped onto the bed. Immediately, Beau peeked under it.
“Nothing. We’re good.”
She smiled on the outside, but inside she was a mess. Nyx couldn’t help but think of the real monster.
It was the one who lived in her mind and memories.
That was one Beau couldn’t fight.
Only she could.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
It was all over the news.
He couldn’t believe that they actually found the girl. He’d hidden her so well too. This was going to be a disaster, and he knew it.
How was he to know that the barrel he had picked, in the dark, was the one they had put aside for a special opening?
He’d screwed up.
Had he used a flashlight, she’d still be hidden somewhere on a shelf for a few years.
Well shit!
This was his luck.
From day one, people were getting in his way. With each obstacle, he struggled to stay on track.
There had to be a way.
He was desperate.
Somewhere on that land was the gold, and he wanted it. At first, he thought simple acts of sabotage would be enough, but now he saw that he was absolutely wrong.
It was going to take so much more.
In order to get this mess under control, he was going to have to find a way to scare them all away.
It was going to call for something huge.
Well, he’d have to plan and figure something out. He’d invested too much time in this to watch it all slip away. There was no way he was backing down.
Yes, he’d killed Pearlie.
Yes, he’d murdered the priest all those years ago, but he wouldn’t turn back.
If he was caught, he’d end up in the chair.
So, that meant one thing.
He had nothing to lose.
When it came down to it, he would have to do something drastic to make them leave.
Already, the couples were sneaking away.
The Wirth’s bailed after drinking Pearlie soup.
The Bunchen’s left earlier that day.
There were only two couples left, and how hard could it be to scare two gay men, and the Littlemoons.
Yes, they were PI’s, but that didn't matter to him. They had to have a weak spot.
That’s what he’d strike.
It was time to bring out the big guns, but first…he was going to have to watch them.
If he was going to make a statement, close down that vineyard, and find the gold, it was going to take one hell of a plan.
Tomorrow, he’d start watching.
When the time was right, he’d make his move.
Already, he could see that gold in his future. It had to be there. The priest didn't have much time. It was all a matter of being patient and smart.
That would get him what he wanted.
And if not, there was one other way.
Kill them all until he won.
CHAPTER Twenty
Friday Morning
There was nothing like the early morning fun of a stakeout to brighten the day. They were the bread and butter of a PI’s job, and the Littlemoons were more than comfortable with doing them.
After waking, both Tori and Julian knew they needed to head to AngelCake Winery to watch their suspect. Daniel Nelms had mentioned that his wife had yoga three days a week, and today was one of those days.
They weren’t interested so much in her, but the man she had been shacked up with.
After texting Beau their plans, they headed out with a thermos in hand. They were going to watch their subject for as long as they could.
Hopefully, he’d give them something.
They’d gotten to the vineyard just in time. As they were pulling up, Jerrel Roderick was just getting ready to leave. As they followed, they noticed that he wasn’t in a hurry as he hit a few locations. While sitting in a parking lot, in their tinted out SUV, they made note of everything he did.
Now…he was getting his nails done.
Julian didn't know what to think.
What man did that?
He’d rather be dragged to the gallows than to have his fingers buffed like some girl.
Glancing over, he took that back. Not ‘some girl’ because his wife would never do that in a million years either.
Thank God.
She was more about guns and getting the bad guy, and that worked for him.
“How long does this sort of thing take?” Julian asked, feeling impatient.
“How should I know? Do I look like some overgrown girly man with a need to get pampered?”
He started laughing. “I was just thinking that.”
Tori glanced over at him. “I hope you weren’t wishing I’d start doing shit like that. It might get you hurt, and not in a fun way.”
“I love my soldier girl as is. There are better things we both could be doing with our time than getting matching manicures,” stated Julian.
“Like?” Tori asked.
“Football on TV.”
“Or?”
“Horseback riding.”
“Yeah, that’s my favorite thing to do.”
He stared at her. “Your favorite thing to do? I thought that was me.”
Tori shrugged and went back to watching the nail place. She loved busting his ass, and this would make him crazy. There was no way she was telling her husband that half her day was spent fanaticizing about having sex with him, and the other half making it happen. Since getting pregnant, she was a walking hormone.
“Wait! I’m not?” He kept going.
“I don’t know. You used to be spontaneous. Now you’re kinda…”
He stared incredulously. “What about when we did it at the hotel, or the picnic in the woods?”
Tori was struggling not to laugh. “Yeah, they were all memorable.”
“But?”
“Not spontaneous enough. I like living on the edge.”
“Let’s go. Here and now.”
Tori started laughing. “You couldn’t handle me here and now, Jules. This is the work car. You have rules, remember?”
He didn't care.
It was like his wife wasn’t attracted to him anymore. That made him willing to make a point and break any rule he’d ever thrown down.
“You can’t leave me, Tori.”
She glanced over, her eyes wide. “Julian, where did you get that idea?” Tori asked.
“You don’t find me attractive anymore.”
“Babe, that’s not true. I was busting your ass.”
He turned his head to stare out the window. “I knew this was going to happen.”
Tori hated that her joke went too far. She unbuckled her seatbelt, hit his release, and moved toward him. When Julian still didn't look at her, her hand wandered to his lap so she could stroke him through his jeans.
Immediately, he got hard.
Tori had to fix what she broke. With the skill of a wife, she had his jeans open and his erection out of his pants. When she lowered her mouth into his lap to tease and taste him, Julian moaned.
“Tori,” he whispered as her head bobbed in his lap. Yeah, this was exactly what he wanted. Too bad he wasn’t upset, but trying to get his wife to put her hands all over him.
Two could bust ass, and this was her punishment and his reward.
As she worked him in and out of her mouth, Julian’s hands found her hair. He controlled the blowjob by slowing it down. This felt so good, and he didn't want it to ever end.
When Tori added her hand, working him in tandem, Julian’s eyes began crossing.
God!
/> How he wanted to drop the seat back and let her take him. As he was about to make the suggestion, his wife began teasing him with her teeth. They’d scrape ever so gently across his erection, sending shivers down his spine.
Julian was having a hard time as he tried to control his hips from bucking up to bury himself down her throat.
“Victoria, please, honey…”
She didn't let up. Instead, Tori worked him harder. She could feel his body tightening at her torment, and she wanted him to explode.
This was her little way of saying how much she loved him, and was sorry she was busting his ass.
Julian was on the edge, balancing on the precipice. When her hand tightened around his dick, and she blew him in earnest, there was only going to be one outcome.
He moaned her name as the world around him exploded in so much pleasure. As his wife milked his body of all he had to offer, Julian was helpless.
He never wanted to move again.
Before long, the colors and starbursts abated, and he could open his eyes. When he did, she was grinning at him as she fixed her hair.
“Better than a manicure any day, and I’m sorry if I made you feel like I didn't find you sexy as hell. I can’t get through the day without wanting to jump you. My favorite sex with you was the first time, in case you wanted to know.”
Now he felt guilty.
Shit!
He had to come clean. His wife had just orally pleasured him in their car, all because he’d tricked her with guilt.
“Ummm, Tor?”
She glanced over. “Yeah?”
“Promise you won’t hate me?”
“For?”
“I wasn’t upset. I was just horny.”
In those few seconds, Julian held his breath. He could only hope he didn't upset her.
“So, you made me think I hurt you?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. You were busting my ass, so I thought I’d have some fun too. Please don’t hate me.”
She started laughing. “Good one, but now you owe me one hell of an orgasm, and I’m going to claim it when you least expect it.”
He began breathing again. “That’s all?”
She patted his cheek. “You’re still the sexiest man in the world. I’m not mad. I was tormenting you, so all’s fair. I’ll save my teasing for the guys at work.”
Truth Is Found Page 32
