Truth Is Found

by Morgan Kelley

  “For this case?”

  “Yes.”

  Tori shrugged. She was more than okay with that. They could use all the help they could get.

  “For this case only?”

  “Well…”

  Julian stared at him.

  “If I pull my weight, I’d like to make it more permanent. If I come through, I want you to hire me.”

  They stared at him. “What?” they said together.

  Where the hell had this come from?

  “You heard me. I want to join the team. I can be an asset, and what we do is very similar. The only difference is that my findings are published in a public forum, and yours aren’t.”

  “But you have a job,” Tori stated. “In fact, you’re a reporter. We aren’t exactly friends. Our kind hates your kind. In the food chain, we’re competing to survive.”

  “I’m aware.”

  Julian didn't know what to think.

  “I’m not going to tell the media anything that you deem off limits. In fact, you can use that to your advantage. I have plenty of sources, and I can tap into them when I’m working. Won’t that come in handy?”

  Julian liked him--a lot.

  In their work, he often used his gut instinct to make decisions. This was going to be one of those times. He wasn’t worried about the man betraying them, and that spoke volumes.

  “You have a deal, Mr. Remington.”

  “What?” Tori said, staring at him like he was crazy. “You just hired a reporter to have an inside look into our lives. Is that the wisest thing?” she asked, thinking about Vivian’s dreams, Beckett’s touch, and her talking to the dead.

  If any of that got out…

  “I trust him.”

  “Thanks. The priest deserves justice, and I want to branch out in my life. It’s not as much fun being a reporter. I want to investigate more and working for you will give me the opportunity to do that.”

  Tori shook her head. “This is going to bite us in the ass. I can feel it.”

  The man grinned. “You’re an ex-Fed. That’s paranoia. Want me to swear on my grandmother’s life?”

  Julian was amused at his wife’s reaction. Just twenty minutes ago, she was willing to go off the cuff and do a séance. How was this any more bizarre?

  “He did find this.”

  Tori didn't care. They had secrets, and this man had the power to out them to the public.

  “We don’t do this for the glory,” she reminded her husband. “We do it for justice.”

  Roman heard her. “Some innocent man was killed. I want to find the person who did it. I won’t mention names, but I will put the killer in the paper. Let him be tried by the public before the courts get their hands on him.”

  Tori closed her eyes. “This is on you, Jules.”

  Julian wasn’t done. He had a little test for the man. “I have a media issue, and maybe you can help me out.”

  “Sure. What is it?”

  They told him about Shelby.

  “She’s on a smear campaign. Make it go away.”

  The man thought about it. “I’ll need a phone call with Beau, and it’ll be handled.”

  Tori stared at him.

  “That easily?”

  “Yes. It’s how you spin it. Think of me as the PR man. I can place a story in the paper to counter it, and that’ll take the wind from her sails.”

  Tori was hesitant.

  “Let me try, okay?”

  Julian shook his hand. “Here’s Beau’s number. If you fix this, and help us with this case, you’re in.”

  “I want to help people, and I wish you’d believe that. I don’t have ulterior motives.”

  There was no doubt who that was directed toward.

  Julian knew that the man had kept his part of the deal, so he was going to do the same.

  “There is more than just the dead priest here.”

  Roman stared excitedly. “What do you mean?”

  Tori couldn’t believe this. That hit to Julian’s head must have rattled his common sense loose. That was the only explanation.

  “We’ve been told there are three dead girls here. They were killed, and we’re trying to find their bodies.”

  Roman looked excited. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I need you to dig. They had to be from around here, and if we can tie them to someone, we likely have our killer. This is a small tourist town, and the killer had to reside here.”

  “I have the membership roster,” he added, pulling it from his messenger bag.

  “We don’t have their names yet, but we will. Once I get them, I’ll give them to you,” Julian offered.

  “Great.”

  “You do the legwork, and we’ll solve this together.”

  “When it’s over?” Tori began.

  “Your name won’t be tied to it. I’ll say an anonymous source figured it out. I’ll do my job. You just do yours.”

  Tori was trapped in some weird dimension. They were hiring a reporter to work on their team.

  What the hell?

  “The article will be in tomorrow’s paper. I know someone who will be more than happy to run it. I’ll talk to you two later at the tasting.”

  With that, he was gone.

  Tori turned to face her husband. “Have you gone loco?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “This is purely a business decision.”

  “One in which I had no say.”

  “Tori, we have an office that’s buried in work. He’s got connections, he’s got skills, and he thinks like one of us. That’s going to be beneficial in the long run.”

  She stared at him. “Know what’s not going to be beneficial?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “Bethany, Beckett’s magic touch, and Vivian’s dreams--if that leaks out, we’re screwed.”

  He was aware.

  “I trust him.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. I just feel it here,” he said, putting his hand over his gut. “I need your trust on this one. You wing it all the time with your half-assed interview techniques of ‘Army’ or ‘Marines’.”

  She sighed. Julian had a point. “Okay, babe. You have my trust.”

  “That easy?”

  Tori shrugged. “You’re my partner. If I can’t trust you, then who can I?” she asked.

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. Your little ‘geekafied’ reporter better not blow our cover, or you’re the one cleaning up the mess.”

  “I will. He’s my responsibility.”

  Well, then that was all she could ask.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  What he saw scared him shitless.

  The Littlemoons were nosing around, and they were going to dig up his secret.

  That worried him.

  A lot!

  They couldn’t possibly know about the three dead girls. How would they? He’d waited a long time since the last time he touched a child.

  He’d been so good.

  He’d been patient.

  Now the need was growing again. It was all stirred up by them, and he was getting worried.

  What if they found out?

  What if they found them?

  He was screwed.

  For all these years, the truth had remained hidden, and now it was on the cusp of coming out. There had to be something he could do.

  Maybe he should move them.

  Maybe he should escape.

  His brain was a mash-up of what if’s and possible scenarios that could happen.

  In all of them, he was caught.

  Closing his eyes, he started praying.

  Oh, how ironic that was. He was well aware that he didn't deserve any kind of answer from above, but he carried on regardless.

  “Please don’t let me get caught.”

  There was silence.

  “Please don’t let me touch another one.”

  Still no reply.

  In his head, he saw w
hat he did, and he was more than scared.

  He was ashamed.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Shopping for Fate

  The walk back to her place took longer than he liked. Nyx wanted to take a stroll out in the daylight, and he was in no position to say no.

  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 edg
e. 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.”