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

  “Riley.”

  She finished putting her hair atop her head and turned to Marshall. He looked so out of sorts that she frowned as she took a step toward him. “What is it?”

  “I...we didn’t use a condom.”

  There weren’t too many men that would own up to such a thing, and it made her—

  Her mind stopped because she’d nearly said love. How could she love him? She barely knew him. Yet, in the few days that she had, it seemed as if they had walked through Hell and clawed their way back again.

  “It’s all right,” she assured him. “I get a shot every three months for that. Thankfully, I had one right before Delphine took me. Though I’m going to need to get that updated soon.”

  “Good. You have enough to deal with right now. You shouldn’t have to worry about having children.”

  No sooner had the words reached her ears than she imagined a little boy running around the Chiasson house in Lyons Point with dark waves and gray eyes.

  “Right,” she said, feeling a yearning she’d never experienced before.

  “Riley!”

  She winced at the sound of Solomon’s booming voice. With one last look at Marshall, she walked out of the bedroom and was surrounded by Solomon, Minka, Myles, Addison, Court, and Skye.

  It seemed impossible that she could forget her cousins and their women, and yet Delphine had wiped them from her memory. Just as the priestess had done with Riley’s brothers and their loves.

  To be held by her family was a wonderful thing. It made Riley realize how easily she could’ve lost it all. Thanks to Marshall, she was back where she belonged.

  Well...sort of.

  She pulled out of her cousins’ arms and turned to the bedroom where Marshall was leaning against the doorframe, watching her. Though she couldn’t explain how or why, she knew she should be with him. That that’s where she belonged.

  One side of his lips curved into a smile as if he too recognized what was going through her mind. She made her way to his side and looked up at him in wonder.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He quirked a brow. “For?”

  “Coming to look for me.”

  Marshall straightened and put his hands on her arms, drawing her close. “Like your family, I knew you were here. And I didn’t intend to leave without you.”

  “It worked.”

  “You can thank Kane for the idea of the symbols.”

  She turned so that she stood beside Marshall and looked at Kane and winked at him. “Thank you. All of you.”

  Myles glanced worriedly outside. “While I like this reunion, and I want to know everything that crazy bitch did to you, Riley, we need to prepare.”

  “He’s right,” Addison said as she put an arm around Myles. “Delphine will come for you again.”

  Minka snorted as she walked to stand before Riley. “My wards on you weren’t strong enough last time, but I won’t make that mistake again. Even if Delphine manages to take you again, she won’t be able to hold you after I finish my spells.”

  Riley slid her gaze to Marshall as Minka began her magic. “It’s nice to have a powerful witch as a friend.”

  “You have two,” Solomon reminded her.

  Riley nodded slowly. “I need to call my brothers.”

  “Already done,” Court replied as he stood behind Skye, his hands on her shoulders.

  Her eyes widened. “All of them?”

  “Beau and Davena have already left with the others on their way,” Solomon said once Minka was back by his side. “Since both Davena and Minka have gone up against Delphine before, we all figured it would be best to have both witches in the city.”

  Because of her, Riley realized. She was bringing the Chiassons and LaRues together—which was most likely exactly what Delphine wanted. What better way to wipe them all out?”

  “What is it?” Marshall whispered as the others talked amongst themselves.

  Riley leaned against him, loving his strength. He wasn’t offended or intimidated by her independence or the fact that she was a hunter. Instead, he was like a wall around a fort, giving her courage and strength.

  “This could be exactly what Delphine wants.” She looked at her cousins. They had found happiness—well, all except for Kane, but she wasn’t giving up on him—and she didn’t want to be the cause of destroying that.

  Marshall leaned his head down so that he whispered in her ear. “That won’t stop them from wanting to go against Delphine again.”

  “They survived three times already. The odds aren’t in their favor. Then there are my brothers.” She swallowed, emotion choking her as she imagined Delphine killing them.

  “It won’t happen,” Marshall stated firmly.

  But she knew it could. Easily. Delphine was that powerful. And while Delphine hadn’t killed Riley’s parents, the priestess had been responsible for murdering her aunt and uncle.

  “We need the Moonstone pack,” Court said.

  Kane crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”

  “Though I don’t want to call for them, we need them,” Solomon said.

  Myles shrugged. “The last we heard, Jaxon was still searching for Griffin.”

  To her horror, Riley then remembered Elin. “There was another woman with me. Delphine had her for much longer. She was—”

  “Elin,” Addison interrupted.

  Riley blinked, her mind working to sort out how her cousins knew the name. She took a step back as more memories flooded back. “Oh, God. Griffin’s sister.”

  Kane’s arms dropped to his sides. “We need to get her from Delphine.”

  “You can’t,” Riley said and found herself reaching for Marshall’s hand—and his strength.

  “What happened?” Minka asked in a soft voice.

  Riley squeezed Marshall’s fingers. He remained composed beside her, a rock upon which a steady foundation could be built. “George snapped her neck. We were going to leave together, but then Delphine told Elin that she was pregnant. It didn’t help that I told Elin I saw her in some kind of a trance the night before where George had had sex with her.”

  “This isn’t good,” Minka said as she turned her head to look at Solomon. “At all.”

  Myles cut his eyes to her. “Meaning?”

  “That is dark magic,” Minka explained. Then she turned her gaze back to Riley. “I need to know everything about George.”

  For the next twenty minutes, Riley told them all that she knew about the man who’d followed her everywhere. She relayed every detail of her time with Delphine and everything that she saw and heard—including her last night with the priestess.

  “I’m going to fucking rip her head from her body,” Kane said with a low growl.

  A muscle ticked in Marshall’s jaw. “I know exactly how you feel.”

  “We need to be careful,” Minka said as she glanced at the door.

  Solomon looked at her and asked, “What do you mean?”

  Minka’s gaze swung from him to Riley. “George isn’t just anyone. From the things you told us he said and did, that body is housing a spirit.”

  “And Delphine wouldn’t just call up any spirit,” Skye said.

  Minka shook her head. “No, she wouldn’t. That means, whoever is inside George is powerful. His fixation on Riley means that he’s chosen who he wants as his.”

  “Over my dead body,” Marshall declared.

  Riley looked up at him, and in that moment, she knew that she was falling in love with him. And, somehow, that made facing what was to come easier.

  Because she had someone as solid and strong-willed as Marshall by her side.

  “We need to get Riley out of the city,” Court said.

  Minka stopped him before he could continue. “It won’t do any good. George won’t stop until he finds her.”

  “Then we take the bastard out,” Marshall suggested.

  Myles and Solomon exchanged a look before Solomon gave a nod of his head.

  “Should we
be doing this in the middle of the city?” Skye asked, her face filled with concern.

  Addison nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Innocents could be killed.”

  “There’s my place in the bayou,” Minka offered.

  But as her family talked, all Riley could think about was Marshall. She and her cousins had been born into this life. Minka, Skye, and Addison, as well as Olivia, Ava, Davena, and Ivy had all chosen it because of their love for the LaRues and Chiassons.

  Riley faced Marshall and turned him to face her. “If you remain, she’ll turn her focus on you.”

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “You have a life,” she said. “A career. You can get out now without her ever knowing your involvement. She won’t touch you.”

  He gave a small shake of his head, his lips twisted. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart because she’s already touched my life by coming after you and your family.”

  “Then think of your future.”

  “I am.”

  Emotion welled within her so fast that she was choked by it. There was no denying that he meant she was his future when he said the words.

  “Marshall,” she began.

  He put a finger to her lips. “I’m not leaving you. I can’t. Don’t you understand that? Can’t you feel it?”

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly.

  “Then you should know it’ll take more than a Voodoo priestess to tear me away from your side.”

  Riley nodded.

  And fell completely in love with Marshall Ducet.

  14

  M arshall stood before the living room window with all the lights off inside the house. Myles and Court had taken Addison and Skye to safety since neither of them had magic. Once the girls were set, the brothers planned to find Jaxon, who was leading the Moonstone pack until Griffin was found.

  Riley sat behind him while Minka meditated in a bedroom. Marshall was aware of Riley’s gaze on him, which made it difficult to keep an eye out for anyone because he kept thinking of how it felt to slide inside her.

  “I’m scared.”

  Her confession hit him square in the chest. They were words he’d never thought to hear from her. Mostly because she was such a strong individual that he assumed she would keep it buried. And he loved that she was sharing it with him.

  He turned to the side to look at her. “Any sane person would be. You’ve fought Delphine. You know what we’re up against.”

  “My cousins and brothers worry about me,” she said as she drew her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. “I’ve made it my mission for them to believe that nothing frightens me.”

  Marshall nodded slowly. “I won’t tell them.”

  She lowered her gaze to the floor. “So much could go terribly wrong.”

  “And it could go right. This isn’t the first fight for your brothers or cousins. Or me.”

  Her eyes lifted to him. “It’s the first time I’ve realized that I could lose absolutely everything in a heartbeat. Everyone I care about wants to fight her.”

  “Would you not do the same for anyone in your family?”

  “Yes. Just as I would for you.”

  He glanced out the window to make sure no one was near. “I suspect this is why Vin fought so hard to keep you away.”

  “Now I understand how he and the others feel every night when they go hunting.”

  “This is different,” Marshall said. “This isn’t about hunting some monster or keeping the peace in New Orleans. This is about a priestess who has specifically targeted you and your family.”

  Riley rose from the sofa and walked to stand before him. “I can’t lose them. Or you.”

  “You won’t.”

  She shot him a dry look. “You can’t promise such a thing.”

  “You’re looking at your family through your eyes. Step back a moment and look through mine. Your brothers are a cohesive unit. They’ve been hunting together since they were kids. They know the bayous and every house in and around Lyons Point.”

  “But we’re not there anymore.”

  He slid his fingers around hers. “No, we’re in New Orleans where your cousins know every alley, street, and building around all districts while being just as unified as your brothers. Then you take those two organized groups and combine them with the Moonstone pack and the witches. All of which stood against Delphine before.”

  She released a long breath. “The way you say it gives me hope.”

  “Then cling to it.”

  “I can’t just sit here while my family fights.”

  He grinned down at her. “I’d never suggest such a thing. I plan on being right beside you.”

  “And if I told you I wanted to run away from all of this?”

  “I’d be with you.”

  He didn’t say more because he knew what kind of woman Riley was, and the type of family she had. No matter how much she wanted to run, she would never do it. Her sense of duty to her family and the innocents she helped to protect drove her too hard. He understood that because it was part of what had made him want to become a cop.

  Movement out of the corner of his eye had him whirling around and pulling his gun even as he shoved Riley behind him. He glared at the shape before him that stepped out of the shadows into the light that came through the window.

  Vincent’s gaze was steady, unflinching. Though no words passed the eldest Chiasson’s lips, Marshall knew Vin had seen him and Riley together and most likely heard them talking.

  Marshall lowered his arm. As soon as Riley saw her brother, she ran to him.

  Vincent caught her in his arms and held her tight. “I’ve never been more worried in my life.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re back now. That’s all that matters,” he said as he released her. Then he raised his gaze to Marshall. “You did what we couldn’t. We owe you.”

  Marshall shook his head. “You owe me nothing.”

  “Where are the others?” Riley asked. “I want to see Christian, Beau, and Linc.”

  “They’re with Solomon,” Vin said.

  As an only child, Marshall had always been fascinated with anyone who had siblings. He had seen the Chiasson brothers interact with one another on multiple occasions, but to watch them handle their sister as if she were a prized possession was fascinating.

  Hell, even the way the LaRues treated Riley was interesting. While both families were in instant protective mode with her, the LaRues allowed Riley to be herself while her brothers tried in vain to keep her a little girl.

  Despite the differences, there could never be any doubt that Riley was loved fiercely by all eight men—and the women who had come into the families.

  Marshall turned to face the window and allow Vin and Riley some privacy. He tucked the gun back into the holster that he’d put on earlier and let his eyes move slowly over the area.

  It wasn’t long before Riley stood beside him. “Vin is staying close to the house and waiting on Beau to bring Davena. Apparently, she wanted Beau to drive her through the city a few times.”

  “She’s getting reacquainted with the streets,” Marshall said. “It’s been a long time since Davena ran away from New Orleans and Delphine.”

  Riley drew in a deep breath. “There’s something bothering you.”

  He glanced at her. “I find it intriguing to watch families, particularly how your brothers and cousins interact with you.”

  “Why?” she asked with a frown.

  “I’m an only child. My parents tried for years to conceive without any luck. They decided to adopt and found me.” He turned his head to her. “My birth mother was a twenty-year-old who got pregnant by her boyfriend before he was deployed—before either of them knew it. He was killed in action, and she decided she didn’t want to raise a baby on her own.”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry,” Riley said as her face lined with pity.

  He shrugged. “My parents were amazing people. They loved me like their
blood. I regret nothing.”

  “Except having siblings.”

  Marshall shrugged, even though it was true. “I would rather have had my parents.”

  “Have you tried to find your birth mother?”

  “My parents gave me her name as well as my father’s. I know where she is, but I’ve never wanted to see her. I don’t hold any animosity towards her for what she did, but I also don’t see a reason to have a connection with her.”

  Riley said nothing more. She merely wrapped an arm around his waist. He draped his arm over her shoulder and smiled. Who would’ve thought he would return to New Orleans for the very reason that he’d left?

  Who would’ve thought that he would not only go looking for the supernatural but be prepared to fight it?

  And who would’ve thought that he would find contentment during it all with a woman that made desire burn within him?

  “If none of this had happened, how long do you think it would’ve been before we met?” she asked.

  He thought about it a moment. “You’d be able to answer that better than I. How long before you returned home?”

  “I didn’t intend to for a very long time.”

  “Then I guess you have your answer.”

  She leaned her head against him. “When I think about not having you in my life, it makes what I went through with Delphine okay.”

  “I would’ve found you one way or another.”

  “I don’t think anyone in my family can find love without some major event or someone’s life being in danger.”

  Marshall’s heart missed a beat. Had she just said love? Could she mean...was there even a chance that she felt as he did?

  From the first time he’d seen Riley’s photo at the Chiassons’ he thought her beautiful, and had felt an inescapable, relentless need to know more about her. So he set about posing questions to the brothers until he began to formulate an idea of who Riley was.

  It wasn’t until he saw her at the Chiasson house that he knew his life would be tied to hers. He didn’t know how or why or even when, but he’d known it as fact.

  A truth he didn’t try to ignore or discount.

  Everything made sense when the weeks went by, and she couldn’t be found. He’d known he needed to come look for her. Even if her brothers had not agreed, Marshall would’ve made the trip. Because he’d known he would find her. That somehow, something would lead him to her.