Wild Rapture: A Chiasson Story (Book 5) Read online

  At midnight, he stretched his back and rose to walk around. His feet took him to the front door. He opened it and looked out the screen to the world beyond. A full moon was coming, and that meant the LaRues would be on full patrol because things really went crazy in the city during that time.

  The night air was cool, the crickets and frogs noisy between the sounds of the passing cars. But it was the creatures beyond that he was concerned with.

  He’d been given all sorts of weapons to fight with. They were in his truck, but now he wished he would’ve brought them in. Though, honestly, this was probably the only night he could sleep without them.

  Once his search began, he would have to place them all over the house, on his person, and even in various places in his truck so a weapon was always near. Imagine, at one time, he’d believed the worst thing he would ever track down was a serial killer who had murdered six blond college girls.

  That was eight years ago, when the monsters he protected innocents from were both human and supernatural alike.

  His phone rang behind him. Marshall shut and locked the door before going to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Hey,” Christian said. “Everything good?”

  “Yep. Didn’t you get my text?”

  There was a bit of a hesitation. “I did. I was hoping for more information.”

  Marshall smiled because he’d been expecting this from one of the brothers—if not all of them. “I don’t know anything yet. I just got here, remember?”

  “Yeah, I know. I just...well, shit. The thing is, I wish I was with you.”

  “There’s a part of me that wishes you were here, as well. But it’ll be better if I search on my own.”

  Christian released a long sigh. “Give me something, man. I’m going crazy over here.”

  “I drove around all over, even in Delphine’s area, but I didn’t see anything.”

  “Yeah,” Christian replied in a desolate voice.

  Marshall stared at the map. “I’m going to do everything I can to find her.”

  “I know you will, but she’s not your sister.”

  “No, but that’s not going to stop me. She’s your sister, and you and your brothers are my friends.”

  Christian said, “You’re a good man and a good friend, but I’m worried—”

  “That I’m out of my element?” he finished.

  That made Christian chuckle. “Well, yeah.”

  “No one is more aware of that fact than I am. I might have helped y’all out a few times, but that’s much different than being on my own. And it’s Delphine.”

  “She scares the shit out of everyone, including me.”

  Marshall grinned. “That’s saying something.”

  “If you knew something, or figured something out, you’d tell me, right?”

  “Of course,” he lied. There was no need to get Christian and his brothers riled up before Marshall had more information.

  Christian cleared his throat. “I know. I’m sorry. I just had to ask.”

  “None of you have told the LaRues I’m here, have you?”

  “Give us some credit, man. You’ve only been gone twelve hours.”

  Marshall rolled his eyes. “Who wanted to call them?”

  “It might have been me.”

  “Dude.”

  “I know, I know. I’m just worried you’re going to step into something you can’t handle.”

  Marshall made a sound in the back of his throat. “For fuck’s sake. You do know I was a cop in New Orleans for seven years, right? And I was a Marine.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I survived that just fine.”

  Christian let a lengthy pause grow before he said, “But you didn’t have Delphine to worry about.”

  4

  F or some reason, Riley couldn’t stop staring at the house next to Delphine’s. It was smaller and uninhabited and didn’t look the least bit inviting. But that had nothing to do with the look of the house.

  It was clean, and the yard was maintained, but for the life of her, Riley didn’t like the building. And the longer she stood out in the sun and stared at it, the more she disliked it.

  “Riley?”

  She jumped at the sound of George’s voice behind her. Riley grabbed her throat and forced a laugh when she turned to him. “Oh, hey, you scared me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said with a soft smile. “What are you looking at?”

  Her gaze shot to the house before she quickly looked away. “What do you know about the people who used to live there?”

  “Nothing much. They had to move away, and they signed the house over to Delphine.”

  There was the briefest moment where Riley thought she knew that, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “Does Delphine use it?”

  “Occasionally. Why are you asking?”

  “I don’t know.”

  His brow furrowed as he stepped closer to her. “You had another migraine last night, didn’t you?”

  She couldn’t remember much of the evening before, and that usually signaled that it had been a migraine. Thank God she had someone like Delphine to look out for her. “I think so.”

  “You shouldn’t overdo it today,” he advised.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”

  She moved past him and walked back into the house through the back door that brought her immediately into the kitchen. When the door didn’t shut directly behind her, she knew George had followed her.

  “Riley,” he began.

  Grabbing her shopping list, she turned to face him. “Please, don’t. I’m fine.”

  “I’m concerned about you.”

  “Because Delphine told you to be?” She had no idea where that thought had come from or why it even left her lips.

  Hurt cut across his handsome features. “No. Because I care about you.”

  “Because you found me that horrible night eight weeks ago. You feel responsible.”

  He gave a shake of his head. “That’s not it at all.”

  “I went to the store yesterday by myself, and it was amazing. I need to be able to do things on my own again. So, I’m going to walk out the door and do as I did before. I’m even going to take a little more time today.”

  His brows snapped together. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  She rolled her eyes and shoved her hair away from her face. “I’m not a prisoner. Delphine said I could come and go as I please.”

  George took a step back. His hands clenched, and his frown deepened while his gaze dropped to the floor as if he were searching for something to say to change her mind.

  But there wasn’t anything that would alter the course she had set for herself. She might not remember much of her past, but she knew she had been independent, and she was going to get back to that.

  “I’ll return soon,” she said and looped her purse strap over her shoulder before she headed out the door.

  Her steps were quick and light as she bounded down the porch stairs and then over the path to the sidewalk. This time, she left the sunglasses off, even though she had to squint against the sun.

  The rays felt too good on her face.

  Unable to help herself, she looked at everyone she passed, trying to discern if they had been the ones responsible for her attack. Yet she knew those responsible wouldn’t be in this part of the city—because they feared Delphine.

  Just as she had told George, Riley took her time, leisurely strolling along the concrete and taking in the glorious city. The plants had begun blooming weeks ago when the weather warmed. She’d missed that, and it was usually one of her favorite things.

  That thought made her halt. Every once in a while, a thought like that popped into her mind. She didn’t know why it felt as if it had been buried, but now, at the surface, she knew it for a fact.

  Moreover, she knew she loved plants. She loved planting and cultivating them. Her favorites were hibiscus, snapdragons, and daisies.

  Re
calling more of her past that had been taken from her the night of the attack was another sign that she was growing stronger. If only the migraines would stop, because each time they came, she lost time. Sometimes, small bits. Sometimes, hours.

  Riley began walking again until she spotted a bench near a street performer. The sound of the violin was a call she couldn’t ignore. Somewhere, sometime, she had gone to a symphony and enjoyed it.

  She sat on the bench and closed her eyes while the rays of the sun bathed her face, and the music filled her ears. The soft melody drowned out the sounds of conversations around her as well as the cars.

  Several songs were played before she finally opened her eyes. Just as she was about to get up, her gaze landed on a dark-headed man off to her left. His wavy hair was just a bit on the longish side, enough that he shoved it out of his face with his hand.

  He was lean and rugged, his skin bronzed by the sun. His gaze was locked on the woman playing the violin, his toe tapping along with the music. He wore a simple navy V-neck tee that stretched across his wide shoulders and around his defined arms. Faded denim hugged his trim hips.

  While his body was certainly nice, it was his face that she found herself staring at. His cheekbones, jaw, and chin were cut with chiseled perfection. And the slight shadow of a beard only made him sexier. Yet his wide lips were slightly turned up at the corners, softening his look.

  Suddenly, his head turned slightly, their gazes clashing. She was mesmerized by his beautiful silver eyes. Maybe that’s why she saw the slight widening of his gaze as if he recognized her.

  But he didn’t approach her right away. Instead, he turned back to the performer. When she finished her set, he walked to her and dug out some money from his wallet before tossing it into her opened violin case.

  Riley sat up straighter when the man then turned her way. She wanted him to come talk to her. For someone who was so terrified of her own shadow a few weeks earlier, she was making great headway now.

  He smiled and gave her a nod as he approached. “Hello.”

  “Hi,” she replied. “The violinist was quite good.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “That she was.”

  “Are you from New Orleans?”

  “I grew up close to the city, and I’ve worked here for some time. You?”

  She was shocked when the answer came out of nowhere—again. “I’ve only been here a short while. I’m Riley, by the way. Riley Chiasson.”

  “Marshall Ducet,” he said and held out his hand.

  Riley couldn’t stop smiling when she shook his hand. Reluctantly, she released him, suddenly at a loss for words.

  “What brought you to the city?” he asked.

  She looked away as her mind shut down. “I don’t remember.”

  “Did something happen to you?”

  It was the concern in his voice that drew her gaze back to him. He looked at her as if all he cared about was her. It warmed her heart in ways she couldn’t explain. And there, just for a millisecond, she thought she knew him. “Yes, something happened.”

  “Are you okay now?”

  She didn’t know why she felt so at ease with him, but she did. “I am. I’m sorry, but have we met before?”

  “No.”

  There was some emotion in his gray eyes, almost as if he were holding something back. “There was an attack. I hit my head, and I lost some of my memory.”

  “An attack?”

  Two words. That’s all it took for the grin to vanish and his gaze to turn hard in anger for her.

  “What happened?” he demanded in a soft voice.

  Normally, she didn’t like to talk about it, but she found herself wanting to share with him. But she hesitated.

  His dark brows drew together. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t explain it or my reaction to you.”

  He blinked and sat beside her. “I think I’m confused.”

  She gave a shake of her head. “That’s my fault, I apologize. I don’t usually like to talk about the attack, but there’s something about you that I innately trust, something that makes me want to tell you.”

  “And that frightens you?”

  “A little,” she confessed. “It could have been that same trust that caused the attack in the first place.”

  His lips thinned for a moment. “I doubt that.”

  “You sound sure of yourself.”

  “I work in law enforcement. I’ve seen and heard about all sorts of attacks, and trusting your gut isn’t ever the cause of one.”

  She blew out a breath. “Maybe.”

  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I just couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to harm you.”

  She smiled, liking him more and more. “If I tell you the truth, you might think I’m crazy.”

  “Never,” he said and leaned back. He turned his head to her. “If you want to talk, I’ll gladly listen.”

  “Are you married?” She had no idea why that was important, but she had to know the answer.

  He chuckled softly. “No. I’ve never been married. You?”

  “No.” Of that, she was sure. Just like she’d known she liked flowers.

  “Good.”

  Yes, it was good. Riley held Marshall’s gaze and said, “There are supernatural creatures in New Orleans.”

  “I know.”

  His casual response was all she needed to continue. “I was out walking one night when I was viciously attacked by a werewolf. It was trying to kill me, and in the struggle, I slammed my head on the pavement. My friend, Delphine, heard my screams and came to rescue me. She brought me to her house and has given me shelter as I healed.”

  “Delphine?” he asked in a voice devoid of any inflection.

  But his eyes said it all. He didn’t like the priestess.

  “You know her?” Riley asked.

  He lifted one shoulder in a shrug as he looked away. “Everyone who knows about the paranormal knows of Delphine.”

  “And you don’t like her.”

  Silver eyes returned to her. “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to. It’s in your gaze.”

  He glanced down before shifting to face her. “I’m glad she helped you.”

  “I’ve known nothing but kindness from her. Nothing bad can get to me in her district.”

  He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So you don’t need to worry about werewolves.”

  “Exactly.”

  Marshall ran a hand over his mouth, a frown forming. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Riley. I imagine your family has been worried about you.”

  “I don’t have family.”

  “No one?” he pressed.

  She shook her head. “It’s why I’m so blessed to have Delphine in my life.”

  “Indeed.”

  Riley looked at her watch. “Shit. I need to go, but I’ve enjoyed talking to you. I’m sorry I can’t stay.”

  “Meet me here tomorrow.”

  Her heart nearly erupted in joy. “I’d like that. Until then, Marshall Ducet.”

  “Stay safe, Riley Chiasson.”

  She rose and walked away. After a few steps, she looked back over her shoulder to find him watching her. He waved, causing her stomach to flutter in excitement.

  5

  M arshall sat at the kitchen table with his elbows on his knees as he stared at his cell phone. Though he’d promised to call the Chiassons and update them, he knew he couldn’t tell them anything.

  He kept going over his accidental meeting with Riley in his head. While only seeing her once before—briefly—and staring at her photos on his phone, her image was branded in his mind.

  It’s why he’d recognized her instantly.

  To think, he had almost turned down the previous street, but the performer had sounded so good that he needed a closer look.

  As soon as his gaze clashed with her bright blue eyes, Marshall had known it was Riley. The fact that she had sat there a
s if she didn’t have a care in the world is what tightened the ball of worry in his stomach.

  It was why he hadn’t gone to her right away. He’d needed time to gather his thoughts on how to approach her. But it was nearly impossible not to look at the Cajun beauty.

  Luxurious dark hair tumbled down her back in soft waves. She’d had one side tucked behind her ear, showing off her long, slender throat. Her wide, slightly angled eyes looked at everything as if seeing it all for the first time.

  With her high cheekbones, simple beauty, and lips so full and sinful that he ached to touch them, Riley had people of all ages looking her way. And she seemed completely unaware of her allure, which made her even more attractive.

  He’d approached her cautiously, not entirely sure what to say. Yet, she’d smiled in welcome, though there hadn’t been any recognition in her eyes. Why would there be? They had never actually met. The one time she’d seen him, she was leaving to return to New Orleans and her cousins. Her thoughts had been on anything but him.

  The fact that she thought she was with Delphine because of a werewolf attack made Marshall sick to his stomach. Just as he’d guessed, Delphine planned to use Riley against her family. He just hadn’t expected the Voodoo priestess’s actions to be quite so sinister.

  To take away the one thing the Chiassons cared about above all else, all while making Riley believe she had no family. And ensure that the LaRues could never convince Riley to return to them.

  Marshall hung his head and blew out a long breath. Obviously, Delphine believed in her magic enough to allow Riley off on her own. Then again, Riley believed every word she said. The conviction had been in her voice and her actions.

  Where exactly did that leave Marshall? It wasn’t like he could tell Riley the truth. She wouldn’t believe him, and then he might lose the only chance he had of getting her away from Delphine.

  But how did he convince Riley of what was really going on?

  His phone rang. Marshall lifted his head and pursed his lips when he saw the Caller ID. He lifted the phone to his ear and said, “Hey, Vin.”

  “Hey. I wanted to see how things were progressing.”

  Marshall closed his eyes as he sat back in the chair. He heard the anxiety and worry in Vincent’s voice, and he could only imagine how the eldest Chiasson was handling things.