“Now, if I understand things correctly, Jerry and Aisling are best friends, but Jerry and your other son live together,” Katherine said. “Is that right?”
Dad nodded. “Aisling and Jerry lived together until Griffin purchased the place next door. Now Griffin and Aisling live together, and Aidan and Jerry share the same roof. I had hoped it would reduce the drama, but I was terribly wrong. The battles continue.”
“Griffin fights?” Katherine shifted her eyes to her son. “You fight with Aisling’s brother?”
Redmond snorted, amused. “He fights with all of us. He’s like another brother now.”
“I would prefer not thinking about it that way, because that makes what he’s doing with Aisling very … unsavory,” Dad supplied.
Griffin shifted, uncomfortable. “Let’s change the subject.”
“No, let’s not,” Katherine countered. “How was it when the children were teenagers? Did they get in trouble?”
“I guess that depends on who you ask,” Dad replied, choosing his words carefully.
“I’m asking you.”
“Then they were monsters.” Dad’s grin was lazy as he locked gazes with me. “The boys ran around and terrorized all of the other boys in the neighborhood. It was as if I fathered a gang. As for Aisling … she found her own brand of trouble.”
He was totally trying to ruin my “I’m an angel” story. I would make him pay for that. Sunset Acres was looking more and more attractive as a retirement home. “I found very little trouble,” I lied.
This time Griffin snorted. “I’ve heard the stories. You were a terror.”
I pursed my lips, annoyed. “I think that you’re exaggerating.”
“Didn’t you get arrested, like, three times for stealing your father’s car?” Griffin might’ve found the story amusing, but I didn’t miss the look of distress that flitted over Katherine’s features. She tried to cover, but it remained nonetheless.
“That was a mistake,” I clarified.
“You stole my car,” Dad argued. “I said you couldn’t take it and you did. How is that a mistake?”
“I … .” I honestly had no answer. Thankfully the doorbell chimed at that exact moment. “I’ll get that.”
Dad furrowed his brow as I hopped to my feet, whistling at the sharp pain in my knee. “That’s what the butler is for.”
I ignored him, growling as my hip and knee screamed in protest at my jerky movements. “I can do it. I’m looking forward to it, in fact.”
“Aisling … .” Griffin moved to follow me, but I waved him off.
“I said I was fine.”
The front door was close to the main parlor, so I slid through the foyer and yanked it open. I was hopeful I’d find Aidan and Jerry on the other side – they could serve as reinforcements when my father maligned me – but instead I saw the one face I wasn’t expecting.
“Hello, Aisling.” My mother, her formerly dark hair shot through with gray and white streaks, forced a smile. She clearly wasn’t expecting me to be the first to greet her. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Okay, that had to be a trick question. There was no way in hell I was going to invite that woman in. She’d say something ten times worse than Dad could even fathom. “No.”
I shoved the door to close it, but Mom was fast enough to realize what was happening and stuck her foot in between the door and the jamb. “What are you doing?”
“You’re not welcome here,” I hissed, throwing my weight against the heavy mahogany door. “Go away.”
“Excuse me, but this is still my home,” Mom pointed out, fighting against my efforts to dislodge her foot. “That hurts, Aisling. Stop trying to break my foot.”
“You’re not wanted here.” Especially now, I silently added. “Go away.”
“Stop that right now!” Mom ordered, grunting as she pushed against the door. “I’m here to talk to your father.”
“He’s otherwise engaged.”
“Aisling Grimlock, you stop that right now!” My mother was always the calm one before her death. She never raised her voice or appeared annoyed when anyone else did. Things changed after she was resurrected. She constantly yelled at me now. It made it easier to dislike her, so I was all for it … except for now, when Griffin’s mother might overhear.
“Shut your trap,” I seethed, frustrated. “Now is not a good time. Go away and come back after the new year.”
“I don’t think that’s going to work,” Mom shot back. “I have no intention of missing Christmas with my children.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not wanted here.” I decided to play the same game I trotted out to annoy my brothers when I was ten. I reversed my momentum and opened the door, catching Mom off guard. She smiled, seemingly in victory, until I viciously stomped on her instep, causing her to rear back. “Come back in a few weeks. I might even apologize if you leave quietly.”
I slammed the door, sucking in a few gasps as I engaged the lock. I pressed my back to the door, closing my eyes as I regrouped. Something occurred to me. I pulled out my phone and texted Aidan, warning him about Mom and to enter through the garage. He didn’t respond right away, so I put the chain lock in place to make sure no one could make it inside.
I returned to the parlor feeling better about the upcoming dinner. I handled that situation well, after all. I could handle anything. What? I’m not losing my mind. I swear things will be fine.
That’s when the tail end of the conversation invaded my brain and made me realize I was a complete and total idiot if I thought this situation would work out in a manner that benefitted me.
“I insist, Katherine,” Dad said, patting her hand. “We want you to stay here. There’s no sense staying at a hotel when I have so many empty rooms and a staff that would love to dote on you. Maya and Griffin are here all of the time anyway. It simply makes sense.”
My heart plummeted to my stomach and I swear I thought I would pass out for a moment. Dad seemed unbothered when he met my gaze.
“Don’t you think that’s a good idea, sweetie?”
I kept waiting to wake from the nightmare, but it didn’t happen. Instead I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, that sounds fantastic.”
Seriously, could this day get any worse?
7
Seven
“Go ahead and yell at me now. Let’s get this over with.”
Dad found me standing at the window behind his desk after dinner. He didn’t bother with soothing words and instead jumped right to the middle of the fight.
“Don’t stand there and pout. Give it to me.”
I slipped away when everyone retired to the parlor for more drinks, the focus of Katherine’s attention shifting to an overzealous Jerry. She seemed to adore him … and hate me. Okay, perhaps “hate” was a strong word. She clearly wasn’t warming to me, though. She never stopped smiling at Cillian. Every time I caught her staring at me she had an odd look on her face.
“Why would I yell?” I felt defeated, an odd sensation. I was simply too tired to argue with him.
As if sensing that I wasn’t going to put up a fight, Dad’s wary expression tipped into concern. He shut the office door to give us some privacy. “Aisling, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. Why would anything be wrong?”
“Because you seem as if you want to go to bed and not get up,” Dad answered without hesitation. “That is not how I raised you, young lady. If you’re upset, then you should fight.”
“Why? So you can tell Katherine more stories about me being an unholy terror?”
“Is that what’s bothering you?” Dad offered up a disgusted face. “Aisling, I don’t see how lying about what kind of person you are will help you in this situation. All that will do is make things worse when you can’t live up to the lofty expectations you’re trying to set.”
“Well, at least you admit that I’m not easy to be around and that she’ll dislike me no matter what.” I trailed my fingers over the back of Dad’s lea
ther chair as I turned to face him. “She loves Cillian. I guess that’s something.”
Dad’s expression softened. “Kid, she’s going to like you fine when you relax. I’m not going to pretend that this was the best way for her to meet you, but things could’ve been worse.”
“How?”
“Your mother could’ve shown up, for starters.”
“She did. Who do you think was at the door?”
Dad’s mouth dropped open, his mind busy. “That explains why you were so flustered when you got back. I thought it was because you really did fight with some door-to-door evangelists.”
“I was flustered because you invited Katherine to stay,” I corrected. “Mom’s appearance went relatively well, despite the fact that I had to trick her to dislodge her from the door so I could lock it.”
“And there it is.” Dad rested his hip on the edge of the desk and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at me. “I knew you were upset about it. Denying it won’t do you any good. I have a valid reason, if you want to hear it.”
“You want her to hate me,” I automatically answered. “I get it. This is the easiest way to ensure that.”
“Yes, I love it when I embarrass my children and make people hate them,” Dad deadpanned, exhaustion wafting over him. Cormack Grimlock was many things – protective father, strong businessman, patient listener – but he very rarely appeared weak and tired, especially in front of his children. “I did not invite that woman to stay here because I wanted to make her hate you.”
“She doesn’t need your help to hate me,” I pointed out. “She’s going to do it all on her own.”
“Aisling … .”
“It’s fine.” I shook my head to dislodge the dark thoughts troubling me. “You’ll finally get your way when all of this is said and done. That should make you happy.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Griffin,” I answered, my heart rolling. “His mother will hate me by the end of the trip. She’s going to order him to stay away from me. He’ll put up a fight – however briefly – and then agree she’s right. I’ll be alone. That’s what you want, right?” I hated myself as hot tears flooded my eyes. I hated the look of pity on Dad’s face more.
“Sweetheart, I don’t want you unhappy,” Dad growled, frustrated. “I never want that. I don’t want Griffin out of your life either. I get that you love him. More importantly, I see that he loves you. All I want is for you to be happy.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that his mother hates me.”
“She doesn’t know you.”
“She wants to hate me.”
Dad blew out a sigh. “You are so much freaking work, kid. There are times I want to buy Griffin a car for putting that much effort into making you happy. It can’t be easy for him.”
Well, great. Now Dad preferred Griffin to me. How – and more importantly, when – did that happen? “I’m tired and I want to go home.” I moved toward the office door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We’re not done yet.” Dad caught my arm and dragged me back. “Aisling, I didn’t invite Katherine here to torture you. I will admit that this wasn’t a great first meeting for you. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. Well, other than announcing you almost died and saved a girl’s life before checking the room for guests.”
“And yet she still hates me.”
“Oh, good grief.” Dad pinched the bridge of his nose to ward off what I was certain would be a vicious headache. “I watched the woman all night, Aisling. She doesn’t hate you. She loves her children and wants to know that they’re with good people. She doesn’t know what to make of you yet.”
“She likes Cillian.”
“She does,” Dad agreed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Cillian didn’t have the issues to deal with that you did. You could’ve been killed today. You were frustrated. Then to have your mother visit on top of that … well, it was too much. Why didn’t you tell me your mother was at the door?”
“Because I didn’t want to make things worse and saying I locked my mother out of the house – even though I had good reason – would have made things worse.”
“That’s probably true.” Dad exhaled heavily through his nose. “Do you want to know why I invited her to stay?”
“You want her to stay because you’re worried that one of our enemies will tie her to us and try to hurt her in an effort to mess with our family,” I answered automatically. I’d already figured out that part of the equation. “You think having her in the house, while tedious and worrisome, is the best thing over the long haul for keeping her safe.”
Dad openly gaped. “I … well … yes.”
“I agree with you on that front,” I admitted, scratching my cheek. “We have to keep her safe. It’s not fair to Griffin and Maya if we don’t. They already put up with so much from us.”
“Aisling.” Dad rested his hand on my shoulder. “Griffin loves you. I fought believing that for a long time. It’s written all over his face when he looks at you, though. Even if for some reason his mother never likes you, that doesn’t mean he won’t continue to love you.”
I wanted to believe that, but I was simply too tired. “I want to go home. I’m tired and sore.”
“You could stay here,” Dad suggested. “Katherine might enjoy having her children close.”
“I want to go home,” I repeated. “I … ache … right now. I need a little space after everything that happened.”
“You didn’t really get a chance to talk about what happened,” Dad hedged. “You can talk to me now. You know that, right?”
I shook my head. “I’m so tired.”
“Okay.” Dad pulled me in for one of his rare hugs, kissing the top of my head. “Get some sleep, kid. I promise you’ll feel better in the morning.”
I hoped he was right.
GRIFFIN WAS quiet as we walked out of the house. I could feel his eyes on my neck as I shuffled toward his truck. We agreed to leave my car at Grimlock Manor overnight – mostly because I was too sore to drive – and return for it in the morning.
“Hold up.” Griffin snagged my hand and caused me to turn, tilting his head as he regarded me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I forced a pleasant smile for his benefit. “I’m a little sore – my hip and knee especially – but I’ve been hurt much worse. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“First off, I love you, so I’m always going to worry.” Griffin’s lips curved when he saw my slow smile. “Second, while I’m not thrilled to see you hobbling … again … that’s not what I was talking about.”
“What were you talking about?” I adopted a breezy tone.
“What happened with my mother isn’t the end of the world,” Griffin offered, tugging me close and pushing my hair from my face. “You made a mistake when you came in. You couldn’t have known she would come a day early. Heck, I’ve known the woman my entire life and I didn’t think she’d do something like that. I can’t figure out why she did it either.”
“She did it because she wanted to catch us unaware,” I supplied, my heart going mushy thanks to his handsome and earnest features. “I’ll bet that she thinks you and Maya are keeping certain things from her – which you are – so she wanted to catch you off guard and see if she could figure out what you’re hiding.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” Griffin countered. “I talk to her about you all of the time.”
“Oh, yeah? What do you say?”
“I say that you’re beautiful … and feisty … and that I love you.” Griffin brushed his lips against mine. I was tempted to sink into the kiss and release the rest of the misery so I could pretend it didn’t happen and enjoy the rest of the evening.
“What do you tell her about my job?” I asked after a beat.
“I … told her you purchase and sell antiques,” Griffin hedged. “I don’t believe it’s my place to tell her the truth.”
“What would she say
if you did?”
“She’d probably try to have me committed.” Griffin chuckled when he caught sight of the dark look on my face. “Baby, my mother doesn’t believe in paranormal beings. The idea of grim reapers … of wraiths … of talking gargoyles would never enter her head. She wouldn’t have believed me if I told her. I don’t think there’s a reason to tell her, especially right now.”
“Because you’re embarrassed?”
Griffin extended a warning finger and wagged it in my face. “We’ve been over this before, Aisling,” he said, his voice low. “I will never be embarrassed about you. I don’t care what you do. I don’t want to tell my mother because I believe the fewer people who know the safer you’ll be. That’s most important to me.”
I wanted to believe him, but still … . “What did you tell her about my mother?”
“Well, that was more difficult,” Griffin admitted, keeping his arm around me as he began to sway. It was something he did when he wanted to soothe me, the rocking motion serving as a form of relaxation. I wasn’t even sure he realized he was doing it most days. “We thought your mother was dead when I first talked to my mother about you. You must realize that.”
“When did you start talking to your mother about me?”
Griffin pursed his lips, his eyes lighting up. “Do you want to know if I called my mommy to gush about you right away?”
“I’m fairly certain you didn’t because you thought our first night together was a one-night stand.”
Griffin’s smile slipped. “I know that night is a sore subject for you, but I never felt that way,” he argued. “I didn’t know what to think when I found out what you were … how you made your living … all the rest of it. I needed time to think, but I knew it wasn’t a one-night stand.”
“You didn’t share those feelings with me.”
“I was trying to be cool.”
“Like the Fonz?” Despite my dour mood, I couldn’t stop myself from teasing him.
“Ayyy.” Griffin pressed a brief kiss to the corner of my mouth before sobering. “I told my mother I was dating you less than a month in. That was a big deal, because I never told my mother about the women I dated.”
Grim Holiday (Aisling Grimlock Book 6) Page 7
