Her big brother.
At his door, Claire could hear the laughter, and she felt bad for interrupting, but that didn't stop her. She knew Beckett needed someone, and this time it couldn’t be her.
When she knocked, the laughter stopped. Before long, Julian was there, opening the door.
Before he could warn her that bothering them had better be for a good reason, he could see her tear stained cheeks. “Are you okay?” he asked, stepping back. It looked like his shower with Tori would have to wait.
“Something happened,” she admitted.
Julian led her to the chair beside their bed. “What went on?”
Claire had no choice.
She told him everything from the silence to the really rough sex. She watched her brother’s face change as she told him all the details.
She didn't know why she thought he wouldn’t get mad. After all, he was a big brother. This was what they did. Growing up, Julian, Justin, and Connor were brutal toward any males who hurt their sisters.
Tori took her hand. She knew that Julian wouldn’t be objective here. It was obvious that he wasn’t happy.
“Did he hurt you?” Julian finally got out. “By hurt, I mean do you consider what happened rape?” If she said yes, Julian was going to go shit nuts on the man and likely kill him. This was one of his baby sisters, and she looked like hell.
“No! Julian! I didn't come here for you to beat him up. I came here because he’s doing that to himself. If someone doesn’t talk to him, he’s going to leave. I can feel it. Beckett didn't rape me. It was wild, passionate sex, and nothing more.”
Julian relaxed. While the idea of discussing his sister’s sex life weirded him out, at least he believed her. Claire was horrible at lying. If she had considered what went down as nothing more than really exuberant sex, then he would too.
“Where is he?”
“He went outside. I have the keys, so he couldn’t leave. Right now, he needs someone to help him. Beckett needs a friend to talk him down from this, and it can’t be me.”
“Do you really love him?” Julian needed to know. He liked the man, but honestly, if this wasn’t long term, there wouldn’t be any hope in reaching the man.
“Yes, I do, and with all my heart.”
“Go back to your room, grab a shower, and give me some time. I’ll handle it, Claire,” Julian stated.
She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Jules. I won’t forget this.”
They waited until she was gone. Tori spoke up, “I’ll handle the FBI, and you handle the employee issues.”
This was the good part about having a partner. Half the weight could be lifted from your shoulders. “Okay.” Although, Julian really believed that Tori got the easier job. That was saying a lot since she was handling remains.
Sitting, he began slipping into his boots.
Tori had an idea. “Julian, give him this,” she offered, slipping the necklace from her own body. “I’m not chased anymore. He needs the protection, especially if his gift is haunting him. Plus, it’ll keep it in the Littlemoon family.”
Julian glanced down at the necklace his father had once given him. He had once given it to Tori to battle back the blackouts and PTSD.
“I’m healed. You fixed me. You’re my protection now, but Beckett needs this.”
Julian took it in his hand before kissing his wife. “You’re a good person, Victoria.”
“Only because I have you,” she admitted.
With that, he headed out to find his sister’s boyfriend. Hopefully, he would be able to get through to him. He knew Claire was madly in love.
Julian only hoped that the man would meet him halfway.
* * *
Outside, he lurked.
He was watching the house to ensure that they were still doing their job. Someone needed to be working the clues as they tried to find the treasure.
Earlier, the one man slipped out, wandering through the trees as he stalked the property.
For a few minutes, he wondered if he should use that moment to take him out. It would be so easy to hit him over the head and shove him, like the woman, into the water.
Then, he could have one less person to worry about.
Yes.
He would do it.
Just as the man moved closer, and he prepared to steal his life, there was one more shadow to worry about. The other man had appeared, making his job nearly impossible.
There was no way he could take them both out.
It would be too hard.
Up to that point, he’d been flawless in staying under the radar. Now, he would have to watch, wait, and hope that they remained focused on what really mattered.
Finding the gold.
If they did, they would still have some time.
Before they had to die.
* * *
Beckett had been a good cop, so he knew when he wasn’t alone. He could hear the easy gait through the trees to his side. Immediately, he knew it wouldn’t be Claire.
The energy was off.
“I have to leave, Julian. I’m too dangerous to be around. I hurt Claire. I did horrible things to her.”
Julian prayed the man kept them to himself. This was going to be bad enough. He didn't need to know the details of what went on behind their closed door.
“She came to me, Beckett. She’s worried about you and how quickly you left.”
“You should be scared for her. Something is wrong with me. There’s something evil in me. I’m damaged and dangerous.”
“What happened?”
He didn't want to discuss it, but he owed it to the man who was becoming his friend. “I touched that woman’s bones, and I was filled with this horrible wash of emotions. They were dark, scary, and terrifying. After I let go, they didn't go away. They were living in me. I became that horrible monster.”
“Possessed?” Julian asked.
Beckett didn't know. “I have no idea if that’s possible. It’s never happened before.”
Oh, Julian knew it could happen. It reminded him of the night Bethany used Tori. Immediately, Julian softened. He knew how scared and helpless his wife had felt when he confronted her. For Beckett, because he was a man, it had to be a million times worse. He’d manhandled a woman.
“What happened when you got back to the room?”
There was a pause.
“I raped your sister.”
Saying those words nearly killed him. They twisted and knotted up his gut, making him want to die inside. Now, he waited for Julian to lose it as he began beating on him.
Wouldn’t he do the same?
“Did she say no at any time?”
He looked over, thinking about that.
“No.”
“While you were ‘assaulting’ her, did she fight and try to get away?” Julian asked.
“No.”
“I’m going to ask this, despite really not wanting to know, but I think it’ll help you work through this.”
Beckett watched him with guarded eyes. He was still waiting for the sneak attack. Was Julian lulling him into a sense of security before the beat down?
“When you were all over my sister, did she appear to be having a good time? You know, did she find pleasure in it?”
Yeah, this was three days beyond awkward. Julian was NOT saying Claire and orgasm in the same sentence. He’d cut out his tongue first.
That was just wrong on so many levels.
“She came a few times.”
“Jesus. Really, Beckett? I don’t need a visual or a count. A simple yes or no would have sufficed.”
For the first time, since finding the bones, the man laughed. “Sorry. I’m not actually comfortable with discussing this with you either.”
“What I’m trying to point out is that she’s not afraid of you. What happened, in the privacy of your room, wasn’t sexual assault. You had a willing partner, and right now, she’s scared. Not because of what happened, but because of what’s coming.”
/>
“I couldn’t control it, Julian. It was so overpowering. I was stuck inside, watching it happen. I couldn’t stop.”
He patted the man on the shoulder. “She didn't ask you to stop, Beckett. Maybe you’ve found the one person who will accept you as you are, scary things or not. You’re looking at her like she’s a victim. Instead, look at her like she can save you. Stick like glue. Don’t run.”
He wanted to believe that.
Desperately.
“Before tonight, what were your intentions with my sister? Did you see a future with her?”
He thought about it. “I never thought I’d say these words again in my life, but I wanted to marry her. I love Claire. I never believed I would find a woman who understood and wanted to be with me unconditionally. I was so beat down, kicked around, and broken, that it seemed unobtainable.”
“And now?”
“I’m scared.”
“I can see that, but of what?”
“Running. How do I stop?”
Julian patted him on the shoulder. “You choose to stay. It’s really that simple.”
Beckett closed his eyes, trying to find the answer.
“I have something for you,” Julian offered, reaching into his pocket. Pulling out the silver medallion, he held it out to Beckett.
“What’s that?”
Julian told him the story. “My father gave this to me when I was a boy. It was blessed by a shaman of our tribe. When Tori needed it, she wore it. Like you, she was chased. We like to believe it kept her safe and helped her heal. Now, we would like to give it to you.”
He was astounded at such a gift.
“Why? If it was your father’s, then it’s precious to your family.”
Julian took the man’s hand and placed it in his palm. “I’m doing it because we protect our own. It’s the unwritten code of our people. If you marry my sister, you’ll be my brother. In my world, that means everything.”
He waited for the assault of energy, but there was only a warmth from the people who had it before him. Beckett was touched by Julian’s gift.
“Our tribe will welcome you,” he offered, and then added, “If you can get past the gatekeeper. Her name is Clarissa, and she’s mean.”
Beckett laughed. “Thanks.”
He dropped the necklace over his head, and reverently tucked it beneath his shirt. It shone in the vee against his flesh.
“I need a favor.”
“What do you need?” Julian asked.
“Can you give me your mother’s phone number?” Beckett asked.
“Why would you want that?”
“I’m going to call, introduce myself, and then ask for your sister’s hand in marriage before I propose. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be done?” he asked, wary at why the man was staring at him like he was crazy.
Maybe he was being too old fashioned.
Julian grinned wickedly. “Oh, you’re a tricky bastard. Clarissa will eat that up like chocolate cake. You might just dethrone Tori as her favorite with a slick move like that. You’re not as wounded as you think, my friend. You’re going to be just fine.”
Beckett was glad someone else had faith in him. “Thanks, Julian.”
“You need to go find your girl. She’s pretty freaked out that you’re going to take off.”
Julian saw a van approaching.
“That’s the FBI. We have something to take care of. If you need me, Beckett, let me know. But, as for what took over you tonight, I have faith that you wouldn’t have hurt my sister.”
“How do you know?” he asked curiously.
“Look at what you saw when you touched the victim. Was that what it looked like in your bedroom?”
He was appalled.
“Hell no!”
“Then you had control. Maybe you were just experiencing some residual energy. You didn't hurt her, so stop overthinking it.”
He watched his boss walk away. There was no way he could help but think about what Julian had just shared. Beckett realized that he was right.
He did have some control, since he didn't steal Claire’s life. The killer had been a true monster and sadist. Beckett wasn’t even close. If anything, he was just dinged up.
A lot.
Heading back to the house, he knew he needed to reassure her. Beckett needed Claire in his life.
Now he had to make that happen.
Inside, Claire was pacing. When she saw him, she raced toward him, throwing herself against his body. There was a conspicuous lack of tension, which had been there before.
“Are you okay?” she blurted, running her hands all over his body, as if checking for some invisible wounds.
He lifted her chin, needing to know the absolute truth. “Did I hurt you?” he asked, ignoring her question, because he wasn’t okay. Not in the least, and he wouldn’t be until he found out if she was safe.
This petite golden eyed Native had captured his heart. From the strong cheekbones, to the deep dark hair, he was lost.
“No! Beckett! We both know that you would never hurt me. That wasn’t a horrible experience. It was like a rollercoaster. I screamed all the way through it, and then wanted to get on again.”
He laughed.
She ran her fingers over his cheek. “I mean it. I loved every second of it. You were amazing.”
His heart skipped.
“I needed to hear that you weren’t afraid of me. If I thought that what lives in me scared you, I couldn’t stick around, Claire. I can’t let this burden hurt you. I won’t let it destroy the sweetness in you.”
“I don’t see it as a burden, Beck. I see it as part of who you are. If you were a lefty, I wouldn’t run when you couldn’t open a pickle jar.”
“I am a lefty, and I can open a pickle jar.”
“Oh, well, that’s a bad example,” she teased, winking at him. “I wouldn’t be freaked out when you have to sleep on the right side of our bed.”
“Claire, you know that I have to do that too.”
“Shit. You’re a mess. I better run.”
He laughed. “I get your point. I’m being an idiot.”
“You are because I wouldn’t ask you to change those things, so why would I see this as anything different. You’re not damaged, Beckett. You’re perfect.” Claire watched the emotion fill his green eyes.
“Thank you for loving me.”
Slowly, he brought his lips down to hers. The kiss was sweet, gentle, and filled with nothing but adoration. After what she had just shared, how could it not be?
When they pulled away, she saw the glint against his chest.
It caught her attention.
It stole her breath.
“That was my father’s,” she whispered, running her fingers over it. “It was Julian’s for the longest time.”
“He gave it to me. He promised that it would keep me safe,” he offered. “But I have you. You’re the one who keeps me protected Claire. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
She was touched by all of this. “This matters,” she said, motioning toward the necklace. It was marking him as part of their tribe, like it had once done for Tori. When anyone in their family saw it, there would be no question that he was to be accepted as one of them.
Julian was sending a powerful message with a simple action. Claire couldn’t love her brother any more than she did at that moment.
He may not be the oldest brother, but he’d cemented himself in the family as the one who was taking over as their patriarch.
She was more than okay with that.
When Beckett looked at her, he wanted to make her forget what had happened earlier.
Whether she liked it or not, he wanted to give her a new memory to replace the old.
Sweeping her up in his arms, he held Claire against his chest. Where brutality lived before, there was nothing but love there now. He was going to spend the night proving that.
“You matter, Claire. Only you.”
~ Chapter Nineteen ~
It had been a long night.
Under the cover of darkness, the FBI tech, along with Tori, removed the skeletons of their located victims. While it took hours, it was well worth it in their eyes.
Now, they could sleep in a house with two less bodies lying around. It was hard to rest when there was the possibility of the dead being in the very next room.
It was damn creepy, even for people who were no strangers to dealing with death.
When they finally fell into bed, Tori was beyond exhausted. The pregnancy thing was beginning to get tough. While it wasn’t ‘boot camp’ hard quite yet, it was draining her.
How her best friend, Elizabeth, did this three times, while running the hub of FBI West was beyond her.
This was work.
After they woke, the team convened downstairs in the kitchen. It was time to discuss what Julian and Tori had discovered while out in town the previous day. The evening’s festivities had made them put it on the back burner, but now there was no better time.
Julian did love a morning team meeting.
At the table, the four sat. Claire remained very close to Beckett, and every few minutes, he’d lovingly drop a kiss to the stitches on her forehead.
Julian had to keep giving his wife a look, just to make sure she didn't say anything. In fact, he knew that he needed to discuss what was happening back home with her brother and mother.
This seemed like the best time to do it.
God! He hated being the one who hurt her.
Again…
“Before we start, I need to talk to you, Tori. It’s personal, and if you don’t want it discussed here, I completely understand.”
Her tea mug paused halfway to her mouth. “Is it about Beau?”
He nodded.
She placed the mug down, afraid to hear what was going on. When Claire took her hand and squeezed it, she found some strength.
In that moment, nothing he said would truly matter, because she had people who would have her back.
Unthinkable Games (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 3) Page 31