The Devil's Orchard (34 page)

“I know usually the guests bring gifts to a wedding, but I made an exception, so this is for you.” She handed him the package and smiled. “Please go ahead and open it. I’m dying to know if you like it.”

He folded the metal piece that kept it closed but didn’t take his gaze off her. “What the hell is this?”

“When you introduced yourself I took an interest in you, Ronald, since you made your intentions so clear, and I told you then that everyone has secrets.
Everyone
has them, and you never know how the world will react when they’re exposed. Sometimes you recover, and sometimes you can’t find a hole deep enough to hide in, but it takes walking that gauntlet of shame to find out. These are some of my secrets, Ronald, and I thought you’d enjoy them.”

He glanced down and widened the top without taking anything out. It was almost comical to her when his eyes closed momentarily, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and his mouth went slack. If she had to guess, his asshole had tightened to a pinhole.

“How did you…what are these for?”

“I haven’t made up my mind about that, but you should go back to Washington while I think about it.” Behind them Joe and Shelby were now in view, as if they couldn’t wait to join the little party, but Annabel stood alone to the side. She’d invited Annabel before leaving the city and told her she might have a solution to the problems she was experiencing.

Annabel had been reluctant until she’d explained sometimes she enjoyed the landscape she was accustomed to. She didn’t want to peer out at a world of Ronald’s making any more than Annabel did. The only payment she wanted in return was Fiona’s expulsion from any task force she was on or would ever be interested in. “Remember, though, Ronald, the thing about secrets is that once they’re found, people tend to copy them many times over.” She pointed to the other envelope under Lou’s arm. “If I’m shot or something like it by someone like this guy you’ve got behind you, then they won’t be secrets anymore.”

“Someone like you, though, I can’t trust you. I could do whatever you ask, and you’d probably do your worst for kicks.”

“What the hell is this about?” Brent asked, and Ronald cut him off with a glare.

“Like I said, I haven’t made up my mind yet, but I’d feel less crowded making up my mind without you and your friend standing out here scaring my cows. Leave tonight. That’s my deal.”

He started walking without a word, with Brent asking a ton of questions as he followed. Her investment in night-vision camera had proved to be smart, and when Ronald read through everything she’d given him he’d figure out she had the wig, wipes, his favorite belt, and the gloves he was fond of in a safety-deposit box outside New Orleans. She’d never seen Annabel appear so relieved as when Ronald practically ran from the field.

“Shelby, a moment of your time now if you can spare it.”

Shelby moved faster than Ronald and held Joe back. “What was that about?”

“Ronald has a need to return to Washington for a while, but that’s got nothing to do with you.” She took out a small piece of paper from her pocket gingerly between her knuckles. She’d had it typed, and the only fingerprints on it would be Shelby’s, if she accepted it. “Have you given any thought to our talk about orchards and sin?”

Shelby had to lean in to hear her, but she nodded. “I’ve planted mine, but I can’t harvest until I know where to find what I’m looking for.”

She handed over the names Carlos had gotten from Gracelia before she died. He didn’t give details as to how he’d done it, but it had taken hours, and she’d given him every bit of information he’d asked for. It had been Anthony’s idea to kill Shelby’s parents, but it’d been Gracelia who hired the gangbangers from LA to do the job. She’d demanded names to make sure they could be trusted to not leave clues.

“They should all be in the system, but make sure you can live with the consequences of your actions.”

“Thank you, but why would you do this?”

“For saving Emma for me. But now we’re even. If you want me to owe you one, take Fiona with you and talk her into staying in California.”

“Don’t tell me someone’s finally getting to you.”

“She doesn’t belong in my world, and I doubt she ever will.”

“Let us rejoice, for this is the day the Lord has made,” Andrew said as he stood before them under the arbor Ross had made close to the shore of their lake. Ross had walked Emma down the aisle between the chairs set out, appearing both incredibly nervous and equally proud.

“A long time ago as a boy, I was befriended by a someone who came to change my life for the good because he was not only generous of spirit, but he was also generous with his family when he shared them with me. My friend Dalton and I chose different paths in life, but seeing the love he had for his wife and his children made me believe even deeper in God.” He smiled at Cain when she nodded. “So, Derby, face this beautiful woman and tell her your intentions.”

“My Da taught me some things as well, and one of his most important lessons was how to welcome a Casey into our family. It’s a long tradition, and it applies for everyone except on their wedding day.” Emma’s smile didn’t change, but she narrowed her eyes a little. “I met you a lifetime ago, and you demanded to be seen, respected, and loved. You are my partner, the mother of my children, and the love that lights my way.”

Hayden moved closer and handed her a ring. “You’re mine, not for just this lifetime, but forever. You own my heart, my soul, and I’ll only know peace with you at my side.” She slipped the ring in place and kissed Emma’s hand.

Hayden handed Emma her ring as well, but it made a slight clink when it landed in her hand. “I met you a lifetime ago, and you blinded me to anyone else. It was easy to love you, to respect you, and to help you through anything in this life because my love for you is the basis of my happiness.” Emma held up the wedding band she’d picked and slipped it on her finger. “You’re mine, but not for just this lifetime. I love you with all that I am, and I want this ring to be a sign of everything you mean to me.” Emma held her finger in place and positioned another ring to follow hers. It was the original Casey ring that Judice had stolen.

“I know what it’s like to come home where I belong after being lost, so I think it’s time to put this where it belongs.” Emma placed it on her finger below the wedding band and kissed her knuckles. “I’m a Casey and, for always, I’ll be your Casey.”

Andrew finished the ceremony, and the kiss Emma gave her made Cain optimistic for the future. Only time would tell what shape their home would be in when they returned to New Orleans, and how Fiona and her mother would fit into their lives, but today was for celebration, not questions about the unknown. So as they raised the first glass for a toast, Katlin and Muriel shouted simply one word.

“Clan.”

The Casey Clan was hers, and no one would take it from her.

Originally from Cuba, Ali Vali has retained much of her family’s traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which carries till today. In 2000, Ali decided to embark on a new path and started writing.

Ali now lives in the suburbs of New Orleans with her partner of twenty-eight years, and finds that living in such a history-rich area provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories. Mixing imagination with different life experiences makes is it easier to create a slew of different characters that are engaging to the reader on many levels. Ali states that, “The feedback from readers encourages me to continue to hone my skills as a writer.”

The Devil Inside

“Vali’s fluid writing style quickly puts the reader at ease, which makes the story and its characters equally easy to get to know and care about. When you find yourself talking out loud to the characters in a book, you know the work is polished and professional, as well as entertaining.”—
Family and Friends

“Not only is
The Devil Inside
a ripping mystery, it’s also an intimate character study.”—
L-Word Literature

“
The Devil Inside
is the first of what promises to be a very exciting series…While telling an exciting story that grips the reader, Vali has also fully fleshed out her heroes and villains.
The Devil Inside
is that rarity: a fascinating crime novel which includes a tender love story and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger ending.”—
MegaScene

The Devil Unleashed

“Fast-paced action scenes, intriguing character revelations, and a refreshing approach to the romance thriller genre all make for an enjoyable reading experience in the Big Easy…
The Devil Unleashed
is an engrossing reading experience.”—
Midwest Book Review

Deal With the Devil

“Ali Vali has given her fans another thick, rich thriller…
Deal With the Devil
has wonderful love stories, great sex, and an ample supply of humor. It is an exciting, page turning read that leaves her readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.”—
Just About Write

The Devil Be Damned

“Ali Vali excels at creating strong, romantic characters along with her fast paced, sophisticated plots. Her setting, New Orleans, provides just the right blend of immigrants from Mexico, South America and Cuba, along with a city steeped in traditions.”—
Just About Write

Carly’s Sound

“Vali paints vivid pictures with her words…
Carly’s Sound
is a great romance, with some wonderfully hot sex.”—
Midwest Book Review

“It’s no surprise that passion is indeed possible a second time around”—
Q Syndicate

Calling the Dead

“So many writers set stories in New Orleans, but Ali Vali’s mystery novels have the authenticity that only a real Big Easy resident could bring…makes for a classic lesbian murder yarn.”—
Curve

Blue Skies

“Vali is skilled at building sexual tension and the sex in this novel flies as high as Berkley’s jets. Look for this fast-paced read.”—
Just About Write

Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici

“A stunning addition to the vampire legend,
Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici,
is one that stands apart from the rest.”—
Bibliophilic Book Blog

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