Truth Is Found

by Morgan Kelley

  He turned to the two deputies. “Please tell me you took her statement. Please tell me that you followed protocol.”

  They looked chagrined.

  “Sir, you told us he was a person of interest in Pearlie Nelms’s disappearance. We just thought…”

  He cut him off.

  The sheriff knew they were screwed.

  “They took the word of the spectators on the street, and yes, Beau Christensen beat the shit out of that asshole, but ONLY after he found him choking Ms. Nightingale. You’ve arrested an innocent man,” Tori stated.

  Julian spoke up, “We’re calling our attorney, and I’m sure this is going to end in a lawsuit. You humiliated a decorated US soldier who honorably served his country. This is going to look really bad in the press.”

  Sheriff Marks sighed. He knew when he was beat. “Ma’am, do you want to press charges against your assailant?”

  She shook her head. “Not unless Romeo Nelms is pressing them against Mr. Christensen. Then I want him arrested.”

  Nyx did what Tori asked, and she kept her cool. They were right. She had to save Beau.

  It was his turn to have someone in his corner.

  “I’m disappointed, Sheriff,” Nyx said. “That man came into my shop drunk and hurt me. I hope the news doesn’t get my security camera footage. After that, you’re going to have a huge problem on your hands.”

  It wasn’t a veiled threat.

  It was a blatant one.

  The man closed his eyes. “How about we set Mr. Christensen free, and I discipline these two ass clowns?” he asked, pointing at his deputies. “Will that set this right?”

  Tori let Nyx run with this. The ball was in her court.

  “Yes, if your men didn't hurt Mr. Christensen. I just want Beau released. I don’t care what you do with the men you babysit. I just want him free.”

  The sheriff growled at his deputies. “Go get him, and be nice!”

  Tori was amused. She knew the man couldn’t afford the bad publicity. Cops, as of late, were being lambasted in the news, and he likely didn't want to join them.

  “Can I see you two in my office?” the sheriff asked.

  Tori and Julian followed him.

  “I’ll wait here for Beau.”

  That was good enough for them.

  When they were inside the office, and the door was closed, Tori leaned against it.

  “Nice play out there,” the sheriff said.

  She grinned. “I was a Fed. I do know the law. As a matter of fact, your deputies should have known it too. There’s a right way and a wrong way to arrest someone, especially in public with cameras going off.”

  “Listen, I’m sorry about that.”

  Julian stepped in. “How about we call it a mistake, let it go, and pretend it never happened?”

  The man looked happy to hear that.

  Tori not so much, but she let it go.

  “Can we have a copy of Pearlie’s autopsy report?” Julian tossed in when he wasn’t expecting it.

  “I underestimated you two.”

  Tori grinned. “We get that a lot. You aren’t the first person to tell us that.”

  “Yeah, I bet. I’ll print it out.”

  It looked like they had won this one.

  It was about time.

  CHAPTER twenty-one

  When they dragged him out of the cell, Beau wasn’t sure what was happening. That was, until they brought him into the bullpen. Nyx was standing there, and the second he saw her, his heart began pounding in his chest. He knew she’d get to his sister, and they’d have him out.

  Honestly, they could toss him in jail. He didn't care about himself. His only concern was the woman standing there. She looked like hell, and all he wanted was to take her home, soothe her wounds, and make sure she wasn’t afraid.

  Then he realized that he couldn’t spend another day without her. They had to be together. Beau wanted what his sister had found with Julian.

  He wanted that shot at happiness.

  And this woman was it.

  Beau knew it to his core. This woman was the way to have peace every day for the rest of his life.

  As he crossed the bullpen, after the deputies set him free, she ran to him. In the center of the room, she crashed into his body, her mouth seeking his in a kiss.

  It touched him.

  Here, she was kissing him as if no one was watching. Nyx was claiming him just as much as he claimed her.

  All the locks inside him clicked open.

  She had his heart. Nyx had earned it.

  When she released his mouth, he ran his rough fingertips over her marred neck. “Baby, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital and get checked out?”

  “I’m so much better now. You’re here. That’s all I need.”

  It was the absolute truth.

  He’d protected her.

  There was something so sexy about a man who would kick the crap out of someone to rescue you. Every woman wanted that night in shining armor, and she’d found hers.

  She was a lucky girl.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he stated, once he saw his sister and brother-in-law coming his way.

  “Yeah, good idea,” Tori added, patting him on the back. “Let’s blow this circus.”

  They walked out to the SUV, and the media was swarming like stirred up hornets.

  Great.

  They now had the attention of everyone there. It wasn’t as if they were shocked, especially since his name was all over the tabloids thanks to their mother.

  “Beau, we’re going to lose the reporters. We’ll take you and Nyx back to the hotel room so you can hide out until tonight.”

  “I need to shower and change,” she stated.

  Tori had a solution. “We’re the same size. In the back is a bag with a change of clothes. You can wear them.”

  She moved against Beau, trying to stay calm. She was still shaken over the entire thing. “Thank you. That’ll be great.”

  Beau lifted her chin. “I’m just glad I got the message and got down to the shop in time. If I didn't, I can’t imagine what would have happened.”

  Yeah, they were all grateful.

  “Are you sure you’ll be up for the séance tonight?” Julian asked as he glanced into the rearview mirror.

  “Yes, I’m fine. As long as Beau is there, I’ll be okay.”

  “Of course I’m going to be there,” he stated. “I’m never leaving your side again.”

  Julian glanced over at Tori, as he raced to lose their tails. When he did, he could see the look on her face. She already knew she was losing her brother. When it came time to leave, he wouldn’t be joining them.

  He took her hand in his and squeezed.

  When she glanced over, there were tears in her eyes. Julian was pretty sure it wasn’t due to the pregnancy hormones, but at what she saw coming.

  This was going to be hard on her, and he knew it.

  “We’ve just about lost them,” he stated, driving through a parking lot to lose the last of the reporters. “Your motel is up ahead. Get ready to hustle inside.”

  When they came to a stop, Beau was out and around the side to open the door for Nyx. Together, they raced for the door, and he got them inside.

  With a glance over his shoulder, he waved at his sister.

  Then the door closed.

  The energy in the SUV changed--and not for the good.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Julian asked.

  She didn't speak.

  Honestly, Tori wasn’t sure if she was or not. Her heart hurt. Granted, he’d only be an hour away, but she’d still miss him. He’d been staying with them, he was working with them, and they were a united team against Shelby.

  Now…she felt a little abandoned.

  Again.

  “Tori?”

  “Sure. I’m great. Let’s get back to the vineyard. Daniel Nelms is going to want to know why his son is in a hospital. If we’re lucky, he won’t fire us.”
>
  Julian knew she wasn’t worried about that, but as a husband, he knew there were times to chime in, and times to back off.

  This was one of them.

  “How about I handle it, and you go up to grab some rest? We’re going to have a long night tonight, and I don’t want you stressing Veronica, or yourself, out.”

  She didn't argue.

  “Thanks.”

  Julian knew bad mojo was coming.

  Only, he couldn’t tell if it was because of the case or Beau leaving. What he did know was an intervention was needed.

  And soon…

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Motel

  Beau, true to his word, didn't leave her side. As she showered, he stayed in the bathroom keeping her company. When she changed, he carried her to the queen sized bed and cuddled up with her.

  He was at peace now that she was safely against him. He’d made a vow that as long as she needed him, he wouldn’t leave. After today, he promised to watch over her.

  As Nyx drifted off to sleep, Beau enjoyed the way she felt. Her head was on his chest, her hand motionless on his abs, and he could live the rest of his life like this.

  Well, if he didn't need a job. He had to eat and pay bills, and that was the main thing standing in his way.

  As he lay there, contemplating what to do, his phone vibrated. It was a text message from Julian.

  He needed to see him.

  That made him feel uneasy. There were few times that Julian ever had a conversation alone with him. That wasn’t their thing. Tori was the bridge in their somewhat awkward relationship. So, why would he want to see him alone?

  Beau rattled a message off and glanced down at his watch. He couldn’t imagine what this was going to be about. They’d just left.

  He mulled it over as he waited for his brother-in-law to return.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  One Hour Later

  Holy shit!

  Julian was glad he was done talking to the Nelms. While he felt bad they were in mourning, he wasn’t going to be railroaded by anyone, including a client.

  After Tori had gone upstairs, Daniel Nelms had come at him both guns blazing. He was pissed that his son was in the hospital, suffering from injuries at the hands of one of their employees.

  The outrage was filled with threats.

  Profanity.

  And a hissy fit in the making.

  Only, Julian shut him down.

  The man was only high and mighty until he heard the entire story. It seems that Romeo had neglected to tell dear old dad that he’d assaulted a woman, nearly choking her to death.

  Yeah, how convenient for him.

  Once that ugly cat was out of the bag, Daniel Nelms backed off. In fact, he even apologized--which wasn’t necessary--well, not to him. He was pretty sure Nyx deserved a card, some flowers, and even a sky writer at that point.

  But at least they’d saved their job, and they could finish up. It wasn’t like he wouldn’t love to walk away. Only, if they did, Julian was worried the dead would follow them.

  Tori was like a beacon in the fog. The last thing she needed was more spirits trying to vie for her attention.

  Bethany was enough.

  Now that this mess was over, he needed to fix one last thing. While Julian wanted to go upstairs, strip down, and take a nap with his wife, that wasn’t a possibility.

  He had the Beau issue to handle.

  And he needed to do it without his wife knowing. That was going to be the hard part. If she knew he was meddling, she’d be angry.

  He couldn’t blame her.

  Not in the least.

  Only, he was married, and that meant that her problems were also his. This fell under family drama, and he was going to cut it off at the pass.

  So, he returned to the motel.

  When he got out, and lightly tapped on the door, it didn't take long to open.

  When Beau stepped out, he could see the worry in his brother-in-law’s eyes.

  “Is Victoria okay?”

  “No. That’s why I’m here.”

  Beau looked worried. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby? She’s not sick, is she? Was it the stress of what happened today?”

  Julian led him over to a gazebo not far from Beau’s room. When he sat, he patted the seat next to him. “You know your sister loves you, right?”

  “Yeah! Of course I do! I love her too. She’s at the top of my list when it comes to blessings in my life.”

  “And you’re glad to have her back, right?”

  “Absolutely. Without her, and the way she forgave me, I’d be alone.” Beau also knew he’d never have met Nyx. Tori opened all these doors for him, and he was beyond grateful.

  “If you leave her, especially now, she’s going to die a little inside.” Julian wasn’t pulling any punches. “This has to stay between us, but she’s expecting you not to come back with us.”

  He looked surprised. “She is? Why?”

  Julian pointed toward the room. He didn't have to say her name. The man got it.

  “Oh, Nyx.”

  “Yeah, you have a mess here, son. Your sister put it all on the line for you, and she’s fighting a battle back home against a woman she never wanted back in her life. In fact, she’s been playing nice because Shelby is your mother too. If you bail, she’s on her own against her.”

  “And she expects me to dump this mess in her lap and leave?”

  “In a way, yes, and that’s because of your mother. It’s what Shelby did. She bailed on her and Trey, and Tori’s waiting for it to happen again. She’s waiting to be handed her heart as you ditch her.”

  He felt bad.

  Real bad.

  Beau couldn’t blame his sister for having that fear. He would too had he been in her place. He was the reason their mother left, and he’d forever carry that on his shoulders. The mother’s sins were his punishment.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  Julian patted him on the back. “I do. You’re going to come back. I’m sorry, Beau, but her heart can’t handle it if you told her you’re out of our lives.”

  “It’s only an hour away.”

  He stared at the man. “What if she said that to you when you came back? What if she said, I’ll see you when I can, Beau? That’s all I have for you.”

  He didn't have to think about it. When he was getting ready to leave, he believed that was what she’d say to him.

  “I would have been damaged.” He knew after everything, his sister had opened her life for him when she didn't have to, and he had an obligation.

  Despite his heart, he had to be true to the people he called family.

  “You’re in a spot that I don’t envy. All I’m asking is that no matter what Tori says, when the time comes, you don’t buy the act. She’s going to tell you it’s fine, and when a woman, especially a pregnant one, tells you something is ‘fine’, it never is.”

  “I want to spend my life with Nyx.”

  “Does she make you happy?”

  Beau nodded. “More than I ever thought possible. She sees the real me, and she’s not afraid to share her life with me. I want her to be safe, and I need to do it.”

  Julian patted him on the back. “Yeah, that sounds like love.”

  “It’ll work out, right?” Beau asked.

  Julian had no doubt. “I’ve found that if you’re willing to work for it, be honest, and try, you can do anything. I never thought I’d have this business. I certainly never believed I’d have a sexy wife who was giving me a child.”

  “I won’t hurt her.”

  “That’s all I want, Beau. The rest…we’ll work out.”

  He really hoped so. “I need to get back in there. She’s asleep. I don’t want to leave her alone. She’s shaken because of today.”

  He didn't doubt it. Who wouldn’t be?

  “We’ll see you tonight.”

  As Julian walked away, Beau called to him. “Yeah?”
>
  “Thanks for talking to me, Jules. I appreciate it.”

  Julian smiled. “You’re my brother. Why wouldn’t I? And for the record, Beau, Tori wouldn’t be the only one who missed you if you were gone. I would too. You’re an asset to the team.”

  That touched him.

  Beau knew a lot was riding on him, and the only person who could make it right was the woman in the room. It was all going to come down to when he asked her to come back with him.

  If she said yes, life would be great.

  If she said no…

  Beau didn't know what he’d do.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Darkwood Monastery

  When she got up to the room, Tori couldn’t sleep. She had too much going through her head. So, she called Christina, asking her to run some names.

  She wanted to have the owners of AngelCake checked out, along with everyone who worked for the Nelms. The answers had to be right there, they were just not seeing it.

  Putting it in Christina’s hands meant she could let that part of the case go.

  The situation at the forefront of her mind was her brother and Nyx. When this was over, she didn't know what he was going to do. A part of her expected him to leave, but the part that knew him hoped that would be enough.

  Then again, who was she to stop him?

  She loved Beau, and Tori wanted him to be happy. How could she even ask him to stay?

  She couldn’t.

  Instead, she made the resolution to support him, be happy for her brother, and accept whatever he decided on doing.

  This was his future on the line, and Tori didn't want him to look back one day and have regrets like she did.

  Every second of every day, she hated that she didn't just jump into the relationship with Julian the first day. She’d been stubborn and missed too much time with him.

  She couldn’t let Beau experience that.

  As his big sister, it was her job to keep his heart safe, and if he loved Nyx, Tori would do whatever it took--despite her own heart.