Yule Be Magical (Familiar Kitten Mysteries Book 8) by Sara Bourgeois (popular novels TXT) 📗

was involved somehow, or what if he was just setting Azriel up to get him out of my life?”

Jeremy’s expression morphed into shock. He looked at me as though I had three heads and all of them were dogs. “You’re kidding, right?” he asked me before letting out an uncomfortable chuckle.

“No…” I said.

“Kinsley, of course he has the evidence against Azriel. Why would you think he was lying? That’s insane,” Jeremy said.

“Because he won’t show it to me and prove it,” I said weakly, but I felt stupid.

“He can’t show it to you because he’s a good sheriff, but it exists. I’ve seen it, and I can promise you that 100 percent Azriel tried to have you killed. There’s no question. None. They are moving him out of Coventry to the county jail until the FBI figures out what to do with him. He’s going down for federal and state crimes, Kinsley. Azriel is a bad, bad man. He’s a danger to you and the baby too. Which is the only reason that I forgave Thorn for walking out on you. He did what he had to do to protect his family. I should have never let you in there to talk to him, but I figured you were safe at the station. Plus, I thought you’d do something risky if I didn’t just let you see him. I should have known better. I could protect you physically, but I gave him the opportunity to fill your head with lies. I let him manipulate you, and I’m sorry for that.”

“Oh,” I said and nearly started to cry. “I’ve been stupid.”

“I won’t agree with that, but… Yeah, I’ll agree with that,” Jeremy said. “But it’s not unsalvageable. Both of you need to knock this crap off and just work it out.”

I looked for Thorn after Jeremy left to speak with my mom and dad. He was gone already, so I’d have to wait to talk to him.

Fortunately, Dorian was hanging around taking pictures of the Santa house surrounded by crime scene tape. So, when he was done with that, he gave me a ride home.

“So, I got served papers,” Dorian said as he drove me home.

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry,” I said. “You can stay and hang out this afternoon if you want. I don’t mind the company.”

“Yeah, I’ll definitely stay, but it’s good news,” Dorian said.

“You want to get divorced now?” I asked.

“No, not at all. That’s where the good news comes in. So, I got the papers, and I called Isaac, right?”

“Right?” I responded.

“And I told him that I wasn’t signing them. I told him I loved him with everything in me, and I would never give up on our marriage. I said I wouldn’t sign the papers and if he wanted to divorce me, he’d have to take me to court and make a judge do it.”

“What did he say?” I could feel that my eyes were as wide as saucers. I almost couldn’t believe Dorian had handled it that way, but he looked happy.

“He laughed at me and said I was the most stubborn and ridiculous person he’d ever met,” Dorian said, and I felt myself deflate. “But, he also said he was packing a bag to come visit.”

“That’s great,” I said. “How long do you think he’ll stay?”

“A couple of days if it doesn’t go well, and longer if it does. He even asked me if I really thought there were any jobs available in Coventry.”

“Oh, wow. So he might actually be thinking about staying. I’m so happy for you,” I said.

I wanted to be happy for him, but tears filled my eyes. I ground them away with my fists, and when I opened my eyes again, we were in my driveway.

Dorian was staring at me. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Because I told you about me and Isaac?”

“I just…”

“I thought it would be okay to tell you. I saw you and Thorn snuggling this morning in the square. I thought you guys had fixed things,” he said and turned pale.

“Not exactly. I mean there’s a chance, but we haven’t talked yet,” I said and felt fresh tears sting my eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” Dorian said quickly. He snatched my hands in his and squeezed them. “I’m such a jerk, Kinsley. I thought you and Thorn had worked things out. I never would have told you the news about Isaac and me if I’d known you were still in so much pain.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “At least he did hug me and tell me he loved me. He said we’d talk, so there’s a chance for us.”

“Do you want me to go?” Dorian asked sheepishly.

“No, I want you to come inside and hang out if you have time,” I said.

“Good. You can tell me all about what’s going on with you, Thorn, and that guy that crashed your wedding. When you’re done, we’ll decide if we’re going to the candlelight vigil for the dead woman tonight.”

“There’s a candlelight vigil?” I asked. “Already?”

“I’ll tell you all about it,” Dorian said.

The candlelight vigil started at sundown, which that late in the year was early, early evening. Thorn had to work because of it, of course, so I had no time to talk to him.

We’d exchanged a couple of text messages, but because of the murder and having to prepare for the vigil, he was busy. Still, I had hopes that I’d see him that night. If the vigil was quiet and peaceful, perhaps he’d have a few minutes to talk. There was always after too. Assuming the event didn’t go on until midnight. Not that I’d turn into a pumpkin at midnight or anything, but I was already getting tired by the time the thing started.

The whole thing was started by one of Pepper’s coworkers at the grocery store. The idea caught on, and all of the other employees pitched in and helped organize. I thought it meant that she was well liked at work.

I realized pretty