Chapter 21 #2
I blinked and refocused. “It’s fine. This is Cody’s condo—”
He nudged me.
I swallowed. “You and Champ are more than welcome in our home.”
Then Rayne’s words sank in. Williams. Ah, so the men were married. Rayne was about Everett’s height, but definitely had more muscles. His tight T-shirt showed them off nicely.
I cleared my throat. “What would you like to drink? We’ve got root beer, ginger ale, orange fizzy, cola, milk, water, and hot chocolate.”
Cody nodded at my recitation. Settling my jangling nerves was proving difficult. Until this moment, it hadn’t sunk in that we were entertaining in our home.
“Hot chocolate?” Rayne fist pumped the air.
Everett rolled his eyes.
Arnav chuckled.
The four of us sat on the bar stools as Cody boiled the milk in a saucepan and then made five drinks—which he put in Aunt Genessa’s teacups.
Rayne raised an eyebrow. “We never go this formal.”
“As Lorcan said, this is the first time we’re entertaining in our home. This calls for the special china.”
Everett sipped. “Oh God, Cody. This is as good as my neighbor Cameron’s.”
“Oh, you live near Dr. Johns? At least I assume you mean Cameron the dentist.” Cody sipped. “My Aunt Genessa’s recipe.”
“Cody makes her sound amazing.” I sipped my drink and let the warmth seep into me.
Cody grinned. “Well, we’re seeing her on Christmas Day, so you can tell her in person. Do you guys want to head into the living room?”
Right. So he could sit as well.
We made our way over. Cody, Rayne, and I sat on the sectional. Everett and Arnav sat in chairs opposite us.
Arnav put his cup on the side table. “So, Lorcan, we have some news.”
Cody put his hand on my thigh. Obviously he knew. Part of me bristled that he hadn’t told me earlier—hadn’t warned me. The rest accepted that if things were unfolding, then this was the best way. I trust Cody. Completely. He said he’d never hurt me. “Yes?” That might’ve come out as a squeak.
“Rayne found Stephen about a week ago.”
I blinked. Then blinked again. “I don’t understand. Stephen’s dead.”
“He wasn’t when I located him.” Rayne cracked his knuckles.
Champ, who’d flopped onto the little mat in front of the sliding glass door, popped his head up, regarded all of us, then went back to sleep.
“How did you locate him?” I rubbed my forehead. “Why were you looking for him?”
Arnav raised his hand. “That’s on me. Everett and I have known each other for a while. Two lawyers in a small town often cross paths.”
“He’s fucking good.” Everett said that with a huge smile.
“We’ve been opposing counsel on a couple of cases. We’ve both won and we’ve both lost.” Arnav cast a sideways glance at Everett. Then he turned back to me. “Rayne’s a bit of a wildcard—”
“Hey!” Even as the man said that with outrage, he grinned. “I own that.”
“You would.” Everett shook his head.
Arnav continued, “So when you were found not guilty, I asked him to see if he could track down your ex.”
“Why not before?” Cody continued to rest his hand on my thigh.
“I didn’t want to interfere with any ongoing police investigation.
It became clear, as the trial progressed, that they honestly had put all their eggs in the Lorcan is guilty basket.
Which, like, was the dumbest move. I don’t know that prosecutor very well, but I can tell you Zach Finnegan and Remy Stevens sure as hell would’ve done a better job. ”
“Who?” I was so damn confused.
“Two of the crown prosecutors in Mission City. They’re not so sloppy.” Everett frowned.
“Anyway, when I saw the weakness of the prosecution’s case, I asked Rayne for a favor.” Arnav jutted his chin toward the man.
I turned to him. “You’re a private investigator?”
“Yep. And a damn good one.”
“No ego at all.” Everett again.
Rayne merely grinned. “So, I found Stephen and the money.”
The moment hung in suspension. I couldn’t take in his words. They didn’t make any sense. “You found Stephen? And the money?” A shiver of something ran up and down my spine. Like a ghost was walking over my grave.
“It wasn’t actually that hard.” Rayne polished his knuckles on his T-shirt.
Everett chuckled.
“What—” I swallowed. “What does this mean?”
“We informed the Canadian authorities on Monday. Stephen died on Tuesday. We have no idea if those two facts are connected. I know the government of Canada has asked Mexico to freeze the money. Now, I’m no expert on international money issues, but I think they’ll be able to get some of it back.
I’m assuming they’ll use it to reimburse the victims of his theft. ” Rayne continued to grin.
“Oh God, I hope so. Please tell me there’s enough.” Because it would break my heart if Stephen had spent most of the money. If there wasn’t much left.
“Actually, here’s the thing…” Rayne held my gaze. “He had even more than was thought stolen. I’ve traced some of it to some very shady people. People who will probably be smart enough not to ask for it back.”
“The Mexican government is going to want a piece.” Arnav wrinkled his nose. “But Canada has a strong case to get the funds repatriated. And, obviously, I’m going to fight to get whatever’s left given to you.”
“I’m not his husband anymore. I don’t want it.”
Cody stroked my thigh. I wasn’t saying anything that wasn’t true.
I certainly wasn’t mourning the man. He’d nearly destroyed me.
Hell, without Cody, I’d be in way worse shape—financially and emotionally.
He gave me the strength to tackle the tough stuff.
Hence heading back to Healing Horses on Tuesday night.
“That doesn’t matter.” Arnav tapped his thigh. “You were also a victim. At the very least, you deserve restitution for what you lost. Which, admittedly, was a whole hell of a lot—your business, your home, your belongings, your reputation—I’m going to fight for you to get all of it.”
“The others first. Please.”
“Of course.” Everett shifted in his chair. “I’m hoping to work with the authorities. Rayne will track down anyone who isn’t easily found. We’ll make certain they are compensated for what was stolen.”
“It won’t fix everything.” My heart was still broken for what the others had gone through.
“Of course not.” Rayne again held my gaze with those mesmerizing eyes. “But you’ll be truly vindicated. You won’t be living under a shadow anymore.” He eyed Everett. “I know what that’s like.”
“Not quite the same.” Everett offered a soft smile. “You’re just trouble incarnate.”
Rayne puffed out his chest. “That’s me.”
I turned to Cody. “That easy?”
“Yep. That easy. Well, there’s a shit ton of stuff to be sorted, and it might be months or years before you see anything—but these three guys will make sure it happens. And I’ll be here to support you along the way.”
I gazed at all three men. “I don’t know how to thank you. I don’t even know how to begin paying you back—”
“No way.” Rayne snagged my arm and pulled me toward him in a weird hug. I should’ve been uncomfortable with this stranger’s touch. Except, in the last few minutes, he’d ceased being a stranger and had become a friend.
“What Rayne is saying, in his very Rayne way, is that this is a favor that doesn’t need to be repaid. The cops fucked up. No two ways about it. So we’re going to make sure it gets fixed.” Everett grinned. “Because we’re the good kind of lawyers.”
Arnav rolled his eyes.
Cody pressed a kiss to my temple as he put his arm around me. “We’re going to be okay. I promise.”
I believed him.