Grave Rites: An Urban Fantasy Adventure (Grant Wolves Book 6)

by Lori Drake

  “You’re not mad?” she said, gazing into his eyes when he lifted his head. “You’re not going to lecture me about taking away her free will or making decisions for her?”

  “Not this time. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I still hate doing it. But sometimes… sometimes it’s going to need to be done. It’s kind of amazing that it worked, isn’t it?”

  Her smile broadened. “Yeah.”

  “Come on,” he said, drawing her away from the grave site with an arm curled around her shoulders. “Speaking of helping those who won’t help themselves, we have another decision to make today. One that’s long overdue.”

  The door opened, and Joey set her phone face down on the conference table. There’d been no word from the realtor yet about her rescinded offer on the studio, but the matter was settled as far as she was concerned. When the time was right, they’d find a place. For now… she’d just keep teaching, and Chris had promised her more rehearsal time. If they played their cards right, they might be ready in time for the USA Dance Championship next year.

  Lingering in her seat while Jon and Chris rose automatically, she studied the new arrival from across the room, elbows planted on the arms of her chair and fingers steepled in front of her. Leta’s resemblance to her mother was still striking, and Joey couldn’t help but flash back to the night Kate died. Time and distance had dulled the horror of it, but sometimes she still wondered if there was something, anything, she could have done to change how things had gone down.

  “Officer Jackson. Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat.” Jon beckoned for Leta to join them and resumed his seat at the head of the table.

  Leta closed the door and approached the table, settling across from Joey and Chris. “I have to admit, I was surprised to hear from you.” Her eyes slid away from any effort to make eye contact. Curious.

  Jon leaned forward, lacing his fingers together and leaning on the table. All his focus was on Leta—Joey and Chris might as well have not been there. “I have a proposal for you, Officer Jackson. One it would be in your best interest to accept.”

  “I’m listening.” Wariness colored her voice and wrinkled her brow.

  “We know you were behind the”—he made air quotes with his fingers—“anonymous tip that resulted in my client’s wrongful imprisonment and prosecution for your mother’s murder.”

  Leta stared at him in silence, neither confirming nor denying the accusation. Joey had to appreciate how she kept her cool.

  Jon continued, “You violated numerous ethical and jurisdictional boundaries with your little rogue investigation, yet suffered no consequences. In truth, every scrap of evidence the DA has against my client would be inadmissible if this came to light. I could put you on the stand tomorrow, and you—” He leaned forward slightly. “—would be ruined. Every case you’re involved in or have been involved in would come into question. Even the tribal police wouldn’t keep you on after that. And with that stain on your record, you’d never work in law enforcement again.”

  Joey hadn’t had many occasions to see her brother in action over the years, so seeing him in his element now made her lips twitch to smile in admiration. She suppressed it as best she could. This wasn’t a moment for smiles.

  Leta swallowed, the first indication of being affected by Jon’s words that Joey had seen. Her eyes shifted from Jon to Joey and Chris, then back again. “You said you had a proposal.”

  Jon leaned back in his chair, lips curved in a small smile. “I do. You see… I don’t have to put you on the stand. We can settle this with the DA behind closed doors. It’s in his best interest to keep this from becoming a public spectacle that might interfere with his chances of re-election. You’d probably end up with a reprimand, but I doubt you’d lose your job over it. Your boss won’t want it to go public any more than the DA would. My client would go free. Everyone wins.”

  Leta’s left eye twitched, but her face remained annoyingly passive. “Why are you even offering this? I don’t get it.”

  “Because Colt’s not an asshole,” Joey said, ignoring the sharp look her brother gave her as well as Chris’s tightening grip on her hand. She’d promised to let Jon handle this, but something about the woman put her hackles up.

  Jon cleared his throat and took over once more. “Colt loved your mother, and he doesn’t want to see your life ruined because you loved her too and wanted to see her killer brought to justice. But he didn’t do it. He’s an innocent man, and if he rots in that cell too long, he’s going to go moon mad or shift. Think about the implications of that. Just think for a minute.”

  Leta’s lips began to tremble while Jon spoke, and by the time he finished, her eyes were misty with tears. “I don’t know what really happened the night my mother died, but I know Colt didn’t kill her. I-I’ll do it. I’ll talk to the DA.”

  Beside Joey, Chris stiffened. “I told you w—”

  Jon silenced Chris with a held up a hand, but his eyes remained on Leta. “I’ve maintained my client’s innocence throughout his wrongful imprisonment and trial. What changed your mind?”

  “My mother, she sent me letters. After she left the res. Every week, like clockwork. For years. I was angry with her, so I didn’t read them. But I couldn’t bring myself to destroy them either. I kept them. Then, all of a sudden, they stopped coming. Maybe it’s daughter’s intuition, but… I knew something had happened to her. That’s why I came looking for her in Granite Falls.” She sniffed and wiped moisture from her cheeks. She was even pretty when she cried. Joey hated her a little more for that.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Joey asked, again ignoring a look from her brother who plucked a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to Leta.

  Leta took the handkerchief and blew her nose into it, then studied her lap for a long moment. “I’ve been reading them. She wrote a lot about Colt. Enough that I feel like I have a solid understanding of who he is and what he’s capable of. I don’t believe he killed her, and I feel awful about the whole thing. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

  Joey exchanged glances with Chris and Jon. Chris appeared just as bewildered as she was by this turn of events, but Jon was a study of professionalism.

  “Well, no time like the present.” He closed his padfolio and took out his phone to place a call. “Hey Bill, it’s Jon. Are you busy?”

  Joey stared. Her brother had the District Attorney on speed dial. Go figure. She and Chris sat in awkward silence with a still-sniffling Leta while Jon made arrangements.

  Hanging up, Jon stood. “He has a few minutes to spare between appointments this afternoon. If we leave now, we should be able to catch him. Little does he know we’re about to wreck his afternoon.” Judging from his wolfish grin, he wasn’t upset about that at all.

  A few minutes later, Joey and Chris stood on the sidewalk, watching Jon and Leta drive off in a rideshare to the DA’s office. Chris sighed heavily.

  “What’s wrong?” Joey nudged him with an elbow. “This is great news, you know. Colt’s going to be a free man again. Hell, if Jon’s right, he’ll be home tonight for dinner.”

  “It feels kind of like a hollow victory,” Chris said.

  “Well, I’d like to see the bitch get her comeuppance too. Maybe we should have Jon send her a bill for Colt’s legal fees.”

  Unable to help himself, Chris laughed. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard in weeks.”

  “I’ve got one better…” Joey said, turning to him. She took his hands in hers, smiling up at him. “Let’s get married.”

  “What, now?”

  “No, not now, silly. But I figured out how we can both get what we want. Your romance, my expediency…”

  “Please tell me you didn’t get Dean ordained with an internet church.”

  “Oh! That’s a great idea! He refuses to wear a bridesmaid’s dress anyway. But no, I’m thinking private island, chartered jet…”

  Grinning, Chris swept her up in a hug and kissed her soundly. “Wh
en can we leave?”

  “Mmmm, I’ll have to pull some strings, but how about tomorrow?”

  He answered by kissing her again.

  Her lips moved against his. “Is that a yes?” she mumbled.

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  “If I’m still able to talk, you’re doing it wrong…”

  He quickly proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he could do it right.

  30

  “All set? Everyone’s waiting.”

  Dazzled by the rising sun glittering on the open water and practically humming with nervous energy, it took Chris a moment to realize Sam’s words were directed at him.

  Blinking, he turned and smiled anxiously at his brother. “Yup.”

  Sam lifted a brow and stepped forward to take Chris by the arm, walking him even farther away from the small group gathered on the beach. The vast majority of them had excellent hearing, after all. “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet. I didn’t bring my shotgun.”

  Chris laughed, amusement settling some of the butterflies in his stomach. “No shotgun required. Just the usual bridegroom nerves kicking in. What if I forget my vows? What if the ring doesn’t fit? What if she changes her mind? What if a surprise tsunami comes in and drags us all out to sea?”

  Sam faced him, eyes narrowed and utterly unamused. “Pull yourself together, man.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Chris straightened his shoulders and tugged the hem of his loose white cotton tunic. His likewise loose tan cotton trousers were long enough to brush the tops of his bare feet, tickling as the light breeze blowing off the water stirred the airy fabric. “Any last words of wisdom from my best man?”

  His brother met his gaze evenly for a long moment before replying. “I’ll give you the same advice Dad gave Jon on his wedding day: You can be right, or you can be happy.”

  Chris glanced over his shoulder in search of his father, but he must’ve been with Joey in the bridal tent. “Do you think he’s giving her the same advice?”

  “If you’re lucky. Come on.” Sam jerked his head and began walking back across the sand toward the motley assortment of friends and family that’d come out for the beachside ceremony.

  Sixteen folding wooden chairs sat in the sand, most but not all of them filled with smiling pack members. Dawn sat near the front, holding Adam’s hand and fidgeting nervously in her seat. Chris caught her eye and gave her a thumbs-up on his way to the trellis arch decorated with tropical flowers and received a tremulous smile in return. It’d taken some doing to talk her into coming, but he had full confidence that there wouldn’t be any mishaps. Jon and Sara sat beside Dawn and Adam, with Sara rocking baby Adelaide in her arms.

  The rest of the pack was there too. Jenny, even in her grief. Jessica, looking more peaceful and content than ever with flowers woven in her long dark hair. Though, if Chris wasn’t mistaken, she was watching Sam approach more than she was Chris. Dean sat beside her, tapping his fingers against his leg and staring thoughtfully out at the sea. Ben was there too, of course, and had brought Max, the Wenatchee Alpha, along as a plus-one. As his eyes skimmed over them, their heads leaned toward one another and Max murmured something that made Ben laugh and slap his leg.

  Cathy, her silvery hair shining in the sun, had claimed a seat next to Detective Harding, who looked more relaxed than Chris had probably ever seen him despite the big cast on his left leg. He was even wearing shorts. Justin, sans sweater vest for once, sat in the back with Maria and Colt—who had been annoyed that they’d met with Leta behind his back. Fortunately, he had quickly settled into being grateful that the whole ordeal was over, he was a free man, and Leta had suffered no major consequences.

  Yes, everyone was there except for the bride, her father, and the maid of honor. Said maid of honor, Lucy, was the first to emerge from the bridal tent, carrying a small bouquet of tropical flowers that matched the pattern of her sarong. She walked to the back of the group, stopping just short of the aisle that went up the center of the smattering of chairs and cleared her throat loudly.

  Silence settled over the group, broken only by the creaking of wooden chairs as the guests twisted to look behind them. Chris hurried the last few feet into position at the arch with Sam at his side.

  With a satisfied nod, Lucy proceeded down the aisle, but as soon as the tent flap behind her parted and Reginald stepped out with Joey on his arm, no one paid her a lick of attention. Least of all Chris. His eyes were locked on the sight of his mate, wrapped in a pale green sarong with red and white flowers all over it. Her long red hair cascaded down her back, glimmering orange and gold in the sunlight as she stepped out of the shade. A circlet of white flowers and green leaves rested atop her head. The sight of her took his breath away, and as Reginald accompanied her down the aisle Chris worried that his swiftly beating heart might thump its way right out of his chest. But it didn’t, and after what felt like an eternity Joey and Reginald stopped in front of him.

  Reginald bent to press a kiss to the top of Joey’s head, then passed her off to Chris. He smiled at his father before transferring his attention back to Joey, his heart swelling with happiness. She grinned up at him, mouthing, “Now or never.”

  He mouthed back, “Forever.” And guided her up the single step onto the raised platform where the officiate waited.

  The officiate began to speak, but Chris was only vaguely aware of what he was saying. He was lost in the deep brown of Joey’s eyes as they sped toward the moment that had, until then, seemed so slow to arrive. He was lucky to catch his name being uttered and tuned in just in time to be asked to speak his vows.

  Clearing his throat, he turned toward her and took both of her hands in his. “Joey, I’ve loved you as long as I can remember. You were my first love, my only love, and I can’t believe how lucky I am that you love me too. I promise to love you with my whole heart, worship you with my whole body, and protect you with every fiber of my being. I’m yours, love. Now and forever.”

  Joey’s eyes misted as he spoke, and she smiled radiantly up at him. It was her turn, but when the officiate prompted her she blinked rapidly a few times, glancing down at their joined hands, uncertainty on her face. Chris’s heart nearly stopped, but he squeezed her fingers and gave her an encouraging smile when she looked up.

  “I… I’m not sure how I’m supposed to follow that,” she said.

  “Preach, sister!” Lucy called from the sideline, tears streaming from her blue eyes. Everyone chuckled.

  Joey laughed nervously, but fixed her eyes on Chris’s and pressed on. “Chris, I love you so much. So much that I’m not sure ‘love’ truly conveys it. You showed me what unconditional love was, brought me out of the darkness and into the light. I feel… unworthy, sometimes, of the light of your love. But I’m grateful for it, and I’ll hold it—and you—close. Now and forever.”

  The officiate called for the rings, which Sam and Lucy produced without incident, and they took turns reciting more traditional vows before placing the rings on each other’s fingers. And when they were pronounced man and wife, all their trials and tribulations, all the pain and loss and heartache were worth it because it led them here. This one shining moment was theirs, and they had their whole life together ahead of them to make new memories. Better ones. The future stretched before them like the open road, and there was no one else he wanted to ride it with.

  Their first kiss as man and wife was anything but chaste, and by the time they broke apart their family and friends were hooting and cheering. Joey’s cheeks flushed pink, but she grinned, and Chris’s own grin nearly split his face.

  The officiate cleared his throat for silence, then addressed the boisterous crowd a final time.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Chris Grant.”

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  Author’s Note

  No
thing went the way it usually does with this book. I started it, scrapped it, restarted it, set it aside for a while… At one point I even contemplated ending Chris & Joey’s story with book 5. I’m glad I persevered, and I hope you are too.

  So, funny story. (Spoiler alert… but does anyone flip to the back to read the Author’s Note first? I doubt it.) I had this great throwback written where Itsuo sacrifices himself to save Chris, paying the life debt he swore to him for saving Jenny’s life in book 2. Then, about a week before the release—when I was going over the final, final edits—I discovered that it wasn’t Chris that Itsuo swore that debt to at all. It was Ben. Oops. Fortunately, it was in character for Itsuo to sacrifice himself for his Alphas anyway. But I do regret the absence of that little tie-in.

  Ending a series is bittersweet. I already miss these characters, but I’m excited for what the future holds too. I have lots of stories to tell, and I’m eager to share them all…

  Starting with Secondhand Magic #2, Fall 2020.