Wild Rapture: A Chiasson Story (Book 5) Page 12

  Marshall reached for Riley. She slammed into his arms before he turned and shielded her from the flying debris of the building. It felt like an eternity before the dust began to settle. Marshall heard the approaching sirens and straightened.

  He glanced at everyone before his gaze landed on Riley. “All of you need to leave. Now.”

  “No,” she said.

  Solomon nodded. “He’s right. We should all go.”

  “What about Kane?” Christian asked.

  Court raked a hand through his hair, dislodging dirt. “There’s a very good chance he got away. His howl told us that.”

  “We won’t do him any good in jail,” Myles said.

  Beau held out his hand for Davena as she and Minka walked up. “Then let’s head out.”

  The others began to walk away, but Riley stayed with Marshall. “You should go with him,” he said.

  She raised her blue eyes to his. “My place is by your side.”

  “They’ll want to question you,” he warned.

  She shrugged. “It won’t be the first time.”

  Marshall wrapped an arm around her shoulders and waited for the first responders to arrive. The sky was turning a soft gray with the first hint of dawn.

  “So many dead,” she murmured.

  He glanced at her. “But we’re not.”

  “Do you think we could be lucky enough to have both Delphine and George dead?”

  “It’s a possibility.”

  She blew out a breath. “Kane can’t be gone.”

  Their talking ceased as the first police cruiser arrived, followed by fire trucks and an ambulance. Soon, the entire area was bathed in red and blue flashing lights.

  Just as Marshall had known, detectives repeatedly questioned them while others searched through the rubble of the building for bodies. The story he and Riley told of walking through the streets on a date and coming across a massive gang fight seemed to be accepted. Though no one had an explanation for why the building came down.

  The soft light of dawn was soon replaced by the bright light of day. Riley was wrapped in a blanket in the back of an ambulance as paramedics checked her over while she drank a cup of coffee.

  Someone said Marshall’s name. He turned his head to find John Gallagher, who he had known well before leaving the city. Marshall’s eyes immediately went to the badge hanging around his neck.

  “Captain now, huh? I’m not surprised. Congrats,” Marshall said.

  John gave a nod. “Thanks. Now, how about you tell me what really happened.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Bullshit. You always pretended you didn’t know about the supernatural in the city, but I knew you did. You were too careful.”

  Marshall studied John a long minute. “You plan on putting this in your report?”

  “Hell no,” he said with his face scrunched up. “I’d like to continue on my career path. This will be for my information only.”

  Marshall glanced at Riley to find her watching him. He returned his attention to John and took a deep breath before condensing the story for his old friend.

  “Fuck me,” the captain said and ran a hand down his face.

  Marshall shrugged one shoulder. “Aptly put.”

  “We’ve got a body!” someone shouted from the remains of the building.

  Marshall held his breath, praying it wasn’t Kane. Riley came to stand beside him and took his hand in hers. Both anxiously waited for the men to clear the debris from the body and pull him out.

  “It’s George,” Riley said as soon as they got a glimpse of him.

  Marshall winced when they saw the odd angle of George’s neck, but it was the gaping wound that showed Kane’s ferocity.

  Even with fatigue weighing heavily upon both Marshall and Riley, they remained for hours until the authorities deemed that no other bodies could be found.

  As one, he and Riley turned and walked from the scene arm-in-arm. They were quiet, letting the horror of the night fade with each step they took.

  They were a few blocks from Gator Bait when Riley stopped and faced him. Marshall smoothed his hands down either side of her face. Her cheeks were smudged with dirt, and he was sure he didn’t look any better.

  “I was almost positive I was going to die last night,” she said.

  He nodded slowly. “I feared you would, as well.”

  “It’s why I left so quickly after telling you my feelings. I knew if you said anything that I’d never walk out those doors.”

  Marshall pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her as he kissed the top of her head. If he lived a hundred years, he would never forget what it felt like to helplessly hold her as Delphine choked her to death.

  “I love you,” he said. “I’d stand beside you every day battling evil if it meant I got to hold you in my arms.”

  She lifted her head and smiled at him. “Life with me isn’t going to be easy. I’ve got four interfering brothers and four nosy cousins.”

  “I’ve always wanted a big family.”

  “I’m afraid you’ve bitten off more than you can chew,” she teased.

  He glanced to the side, twisting his lips. “I’ll have you beside me through it all.”

  “Always.”

  Neither could stop smiling as they walked into the bar. The mood was subdued as everyone waited for word about Kane, but Marshall didn’t have long before he was pulled from Riley and surrounded by the Chiassons and LaRues.

  “I love her,” he told them.

  Vin’s smile was huge. “And we wholeheartedly approve.”

  “To Marshall and Riley,” Beau said as he held up his beer.

  As everyone toasted, Marshall looked beyond the men to find Riley at the bar with the women. Their gazes met. Love and warmth spread through him.

  Against all the odds, he’d found the one woman who was meant to be his.

  And the one person who he was meant for.

  Life couldn’t get any better.

  EPILOGUE

  Three weeks later…

  Riley wiped at a tear that escaped and adjusted the bouquet of flowers in her hand. She stood at the front of the church as a bridesmaid, watching Vin and Olivia say their vows. Beside her, Ava had stopped all attempts to hold back her tears.

  Looking out over the pews, Riley spotted Christian and Davena, and Beau and Ivy as well as Solomon, Minka, Myles, Addison, Court, and Skye. The absence of Kane was felt by all, but each of them held onto hope that he was still alive.

  Riley glanced at Vin, who was grinning like a fool at Olivia. Lincoln, who was best man, only had eyes for Ava, and Riley suspected that they were thinking of their own wedding since they had gotten engaged after they all returned from New Orleans.

  But it was the man on the other side of Linc who drew Riley’s attention. Marshall Ducet was her everything. She loved him with her whole heart.

  They shared a secret smile. It had killed Riley not to put on the ring this morning after he proposed the previous night, but both had agreed that the day was for Olivia and Vin. There would be time enough later to celebrate their engagement.

  As a matter of fact, there would be a lot of celebrating. Along with Linc and Ava, both Beau and Christian had proposed, which meant Davena and Ivy would officially become her sisters soon, as well.

  Riley cut her gaze to Minka, who was staring up at Solomon with so much love that it made Riley smile. She spotted the sparkler on Minka’s left hand, but she wasn’t surprised. Solomon and Minka belonged together, and they weren’t going to wait.

  Riley didn’t think it would be much longer before Court and Skye were also engaged. Yet there would be no more weddings until they learned what had become of Kane. And Riley planned to be right there with them searching.

  Everyone erupted in applause and cheers when the priest told Vin that he could kiss his bride. And then they were walking back down the aisle. Riley smiled as she took Marshall’s arm.

  “Your thoughts gi
ve you away,” he said with a wink.

  She grinned at him. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Only to me,” he admitted.

  Once they were out of the church, he took her in his arms and pressed her against the side of the building before kissing her deeply. When he lifted his head, she was clinging to him breathlessly.

  “Not fair,” she said.

  “It’s going to be us up there soon.”

  “And I can’t wait.”

  Marshall moaned as he kissed her again. “Me, either.”

  They broke apart and hurried after the others to begin the reception where the entire town was invited. The celebration was amazing, but Kane’s absence was glaring.

  “We’ll find him,” Marshall said. “Just as I found you. But that’s for tomorrow. Tonight, we party.”

  She laughed as he led her out onto the dance floor. Marshall was her future and everything she held dear. Nothing and no one would ever tear them apart—not even death.

  THANK YOU!

  Thank you for reading Wild Rapture. I hope you enjoyed it! I love getting to step back into this paranormal world.

  If you liked this book – or any of my other releases – please consider rating the book at the online retailer of your choice. Your ratings and reviews help other readers find new favorites, and of course there is no better or more appreciated support for an author than word of mouth recommendations from happy readers. Thanks again for your interest in my books!

  Donna Grant

  www.DonnaGrant.com

  EXCERPT: THE CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO

  Look for the first book in my Heart of Texas series –

  THE CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO

  Coming October 31, 2017!

  * * *

  Clearview, Texas

  Three weeks before Christmas

  This shit couldn’t be happening. Abby Harper’s heart thumped against her ribs as she turned into the parking lot of the sheriff’s department. She parked and opened her car door, only to have her keys drop from her shaking hands. It took her three tries to pick them up because she couldn’t get her fingers to listen to what her brain was telling them.

  Along with the fact that her brother had been arrested, her mind couldn’t stop thinking about the money she was losing for leaving her job early to find out what happened. Which meant that there was a real possibility that she would have to choose between paying for electricity or groceries next week.

  She hunkered into her coat, bracing against a blast of cold air as she hurried to the door of the building. As soon as she was inside, the heat engulfed her.

  Coming through the speakers overhead was the old Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings song Momma, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.

  The irony wasn’t lost on her. The problem was, she’d done everything she could. But Clearview was in cattle country. That meant there were cowboys everywhere—as well as rodeos that happened too frequently to even count.

  Abby licked her lips and walked up to the counter and the glass window. A man in a uniform slid back the pane and raised his blond brows in question. His look told her he didn’t care what had brought her there or what sad story she might have.

  “Hi,” she said, her voice squeaking. Abby cleared her throat and tried again. “Hi. I’m here about Brice Harper.”

  “You don’t look old enough to be his mother,” the man stated as he reached for a file.

  After all these years, Abby should’ve been used to such a response. But she didn’t think a person ever got used to such things.

  She forced a half smile. “I’m his sister, but also his legal guardian.”

  “And your parents?”

  If it had been anyone but a sheriff’s deputy, Abby would’ve told them it was none of their business.

  “Dad died years ago, and our mother ran off. But not before she gave me legal guardianship of my brothers.”

  The man’s dark eyes widened. “You have another brother?”

  “Yes.”

  As if she needed another reminder that she was failing at raising her siblings.

  “Through that door,” the deputy said as he pointed to his left.

  A loud beep sounded, and Abby dashed to open the door. She walked through it to find another police officer waiting for her. Despite Brice’s reckless nature and the rowdy crowd he hung with, this was her first time at a police station.

  And, quite frankly, she prayed it was her last.

  Nothing could prepare anyone for what awaited them once they entered. The plain white walls, thick doors, locks, and cameras everywhere made her feel as if the building were closing in on her. And that didn’t even take into account all the deputies watching her as she walked past.

  She wasn’t sure if being taken back to see Brice was a good thing or not. Wasn’t there supposed to be something about bail? Not that she could pay it.

  Her thoughts came to a halt when the deputy stopped by a door and opened it as he stepped aside. Abby glanced inside the room before she looked at him. He jerked his chin toward the door.

  She hesitantly stepped to the entrance. Her gaze landed on a familiar figure, and relief swamped her. “Danny.”

  “Hi, Abby,” he said as he rose from his seat at the table in the middle of the room.

  His kind, hazel eyes crinkled at the corners with his smile. He walked to her then and guided her to the table. All her apprehension vanished. Not even the fact that he also wore a sheriff’s deputy uniform bothered her. Because she’d known Danny Oldman since they were in grade school.

  He’d run with the popular crowd at school because he’d been one of the stars of the football team, but Danny never forgot that he’d grown up in the wrong part of town—next door to her.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.

  His smile slipped a little. “What Brice did is serious, Abby.”

  She pulled out the chair, the metal scraping on the floor like a screech, and sat. “No one has told me anything. Brice refused to speak of it. He just told me to come.”

  “Perhaps you should be more firm with him.”

  The deep voice sent a shiver through her. She hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room. Abby looked over her shoulder to see a tall, lean man push away from the corner and walk toward her.

  His black Stetson was pulled low over his face, but she got a glimpse of a clean-shaven jaw, square chin, and wide, thin lips. It wasn’t until he stopped across the table from her and flattened his hands on the surface that she remembered to breathe.

  “Abby,” Danny said. “This is Clayton East. Clayton, Abby Harper.”

  It was a good thing she was already sitting because Abby was sure her legs wouldn’t have held her. Everyone knew the Easts. Their ranch was the largest in the county. The family was known to be generous and welcoming, but that wasn’t the vibe she got from Clayton at the moment.

  Then it hit her. Whatever Brice had done involved the East Ranch. Of all the people for her brother to piss off, it had to be them. There was no way she could compete with their wealth or influence. In other words, her family was screwed ten ways from Sunday.

  Clayton lifted his head, pushing his hat back with a finger. She glimpsed strands of blond hair beneath the hat. Her gaze clashed with pale green eyes that impaled her with a steely look. No matter what she did, she couldn’t look away. She’d never seen so much bottled anger or anguish in someone’s stare before.

  It stunned her. And she suspected it had nothing to do with her brother or the ranch but something else entirely. She wondered what it could be.

  “No,” she said.

  What should’ve been internal dialogue came out. Clayton’s blond brows snapped together in confusion. She glanced at Danny, hoping that her outburst would be ignored. It wasn’t as if Clayton needed to know that her history with men was . . . well, it was best left forgotten.

  When she looked back at Clayton, she was arrested by his rugged features. He wasn’t just handsome. H
e was gorgeous. Skin tanned a deep brown from the sun only highlighted his eyes more. His angular features shouldn’t be appealing, but they were oh, so attractive.

  She decided to look away from his face to gather herself but realized that was a mistake when her gaze dropped to the denim shirt that hugged his wide, thick shoulders. The sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showcasing the edge of a tattoo that she almost asked to see.

  Abby leaned back in her chair, which allowed her to get a better glimpse of Clayton East’s lower half. Tan-colored denim hung low on his trim hips and encased his long legs.

  He was every inch the cowboy, and yet the vibe he gave off said he wasn’t entirely comfortable in such attire. Which couldn’t be right. He’d been raised on the ranch. If anyone could wear such clothes with authority, it was Clayton East.

  Danny cleared his throat loudly. Her gaze darted to him, and she saw his pointed look. Wanting to kick herself, Abby drew in a deep breath. Just as she was about to start talking, Clayton spoke.

  “Cattle rustling is a serious offense.”

  Abby’s purse dropped from her hand to the floor. She couldn’t have heard right. “Cattle rustling?”

  “We picked up Brice trying to load cattle with the East brand on them into a trailer,” Danny said. “Those with him ran off.”

  She was going to be sick. Abby glanced around for a garbage can. This couldn’t be happening. Brice was a little reckless, but weren’t most sixteen-year-olds?

  Though she knew that for the lie it was. She’d known from the moment their mother walked out on them that it would be a miracle if Brice graduated high school. He acted out, which was his way of dealing with things.

  “I . . . I . . . ,” She shook her head.

  What did one say in response to such a statement? Sorry? I don’t know what’s wrong with him?

  Danny propped himself on the edge of the table and looked down at her, his hazel eyes filled with concern. “You should’ve come to me if Brice was out of control.”

  “He hasn’t been, though,” she argued. And that wasn’t a lie. “Brice’s grades have improved, and he’s really straightened up.”