Grim Holiday (Aisling Grimlock Book 6)

by Amanda M. Lee

  I flashed Griffin a bright smile when I saw him, and pressed my finger to my lips to warn him to be quiet. He stared at Cillian and his mother a long time, his expression unreadable. Then he slipped his arms under my legs and heaved me out of the chair, sitting before settling me on his lap.

  “How was your day?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

  “Hard.” Griffin wasn’t one to mince words. Even though I got the distinct impression that cops might ride him hard over his desire to babysit his girlfriend rather than work, he didn’t bother to act embarrassed.

  “Did your fellow officers give you crap for being a pile of marshmallows when it comes to me?”

  The corners of Griffin’s mouth tipped up. “Maybe. They think I’m whipped.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been spreading that rumor to anyone who listens.”

  Griffin snickered. “Oh, yeah?”

  “I figure if enough people believe it then it will come true.”

  “It already has.” Griffin twirled a strand of my hair around his finger. “Thank you for texting me every hour. I really liked how you kept track of how many texts you placed and sent me a running count.”

  “Well, you said I couldn’t send any dirty ones. I had to get my jollies somehow.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel fine, Griffin.” That wasn’t a lie. “I’m a little weak, but that won’t change until I can go outside and build up my strength again.”

  “Your father has a gym.”

  “And the walls are filled with mirrors.”

  “I … huh. I hadn’t considered that.”

  My father covered all of the mirrors with black blankets. My brothers were upset. They enjoy working out shirtless, flexing in the mirrors so they know how they look when women see them doing the same. Griffin didn’t need to know that, though.

  “Well, how about we walk around the house later? We can probably turn that into a workout.”

  That sounded downright terrible. “How about we play nude cops and robbers instead?”

  “Funny.” Griffin poked my side, flashing a legitimate smile. When his eyes flitted to his mother, he looked pensive. “How did that happen?”

  “She’s been really great, so you don’t need to worry,” I offered. I wasn’t sure exactly what was going through his mind, but I figured there was potential for a meltdown if I didn’t head him off right away. “She’s coming around.”

  “That’s good.” He said the words, but the sentiment didn’t make it all the way to his eyes.

  “Griffin, you’re her son. She loves you.”

  “I know that she loves me,” Griffin said. “I just … .”

  “Need her to love me, too,” I finished, my heart constricting. He didn’t say it, but I knew he believed that his life would never truly be happy unless his mother accepted me with everything she had. “I … don’t know if she ever will. I’m a hard person to love.”

  “That’s not true,” Griffin countered, tightening his arms around me. “You’re the easiest person in the world to love. Besides … you’re the one who said I needed her to love you. I don’t believe that.”

  “I think you do.”

  “I think you’re tired and you should rest your head on my shoulder.” Griffin lightly pressed his hand to the back of my head so I would relax, making sure to avoid my stitches as he did so.

  “Griffin, it’s okay,” I offered, studying his strong jaw. “Maybe she’ll like me eventually.”

  “Aisling, I don’t care if she likes you or not. I love you enough for both of us.”

  “That’s very sweet, but I think you do care.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  “I … .”

  “Shh.” Griffin pressed his lips to my forehead. “Baby, do you care whether or not your father likes me?”

  Hmm. That was an interesting question. “No. That’s different, though.”

  “Why?”

  “Because no father likes his daughter’s boyfriend to start with,” I replied. “My father never had to get used to a man in my life – other than Jerry, I mean, and he was no threat – so it was a learning experience for all of us when you came along.

  “He wanted to frighten you away,” I continued. “You know that, right?”

  Griffin chuckled at the memory. “He made that perfectly obvious.”

  “Why didn’t you run?”

  “Because I never wanted anything in this world as much as I wanted you. It was worth putting up with every snide comment and offhand threat to hold onto you.”

  “That’s kind of sweet.”

  “That’s totally the truth.”

  “Still, Dad didn’t like you from the start because he was worried that you weren’t the one for me and would hurt me,” I supplied. “Then, for a brief bit, he worried you were the right one and would hurt me.”

  “I am the right one, and I’ll do my level best to never hurt you,” Griffin countered. “Love and pain are tied together sometimes. I know that occasionally I might hurt your feelings. I won’t mean to do it, but it will happen.”

  “It will happen a lot, because I’m dramatic and sometimes I need a fight just to fight,” I admitted, causing Griffin’s lips to curve against my forehead. “But that’s not the point.”

  “Oh, there’s a point to all of this meandering?” Griffin didn’t sound convinced.

  “You’re a funny guy.”

  “I’m here … forever.”

  I sighed. The words slipped so easily off his tongue. “I know that. I’m glad, too, because I’m pretty sure I’d be lost and depressed without you.”

  “That goes for both of us.”

  “That doesn’t mean your mother will eventually like me,” I cautioned. “My father was destined to like you. I knew he’d eventually see that you were strong, capable and that you love me. I’m not sure your mother will ever be able to say that about me.”

  Griffin stilled. “That you love me?”

  “Oh, no.” I shook my head. “That’s the easy part. Jerry says that he knew I loved you before I did because of the way I look at you.”

  Griffin grinned, amused. “I believe that. Maya says the same thing about me and you … that she knew I loved you right away because of the way I looked at you.”

  “Your mother may never be able to see me as a true match for you,” I said, returning to the somber conversation. “My father accepts you because you’re everything he ever wanted me to have when it comes to someone to share my life with. You’re strong, dependable, loyal, funny, quick-witted and you don’t offend easily.”

  “Thank you, baby. That’s very sweet.”

  “It’s also true.” I scratched the side of my nose. “Your mother, on the other hand, doesn’t see the things she wanted for you when she looks at me.”

  “And what do you think those things are?”

  “I think it’s natural for a mother to want someone sweet, demure, motherly, compassionate, affectionate, doting, obedient and slow to anger,” I supplied. “I am none of those things.”

  “You’re affectionate … and compassionate. You’re also sweet when you want to be. You’re not a pushover, which I actually like.”

  “Still, I’m not the type of woman most mothers wish for their sons.”

  “I don’t think that’s true,” Griffin argued. “You’re strong, loyal, hilarious and witty. You know who you are and never question it. You only get insecure when tired or Jerry convinces you something ridiculous is really possible. You’re dedicated, a hard worker, free-spirited and willing to put your life on the line for those you love. How could any mother not like you?”

  “I … .” I tilted my head to the side, considering. “I think you only said all of that because you’re kind of sweet on me.”

  Griffin barked out a laugh, amused. “I’m more than ‘kind of sweet’ on you. Do you believe in soul mates?”

  “I … yes.” I wasn’t sure I did until he asked the question. Upon reflection, I couldn’t be
lieve in anything else.

  “So do I.” Griffin stroked the back of my head. “I think my soul recognized you when we met, and it hasn’t wanted to let go since.”

  “That statement right there is going to ensure that you get very lucky tonight.”

  “I got very lucky the moment I met you. Everything else is gravy.”

  “Right back at you.”

  Griffin tipped my head back and kissed me, going about his task in a thorough nature that left me breathless. “I love you.” His voice was barely a whisper when his gaze locked with mine. “If my mother doesn’t think you’re everything a man deserves, then she doesn’t understand what’s good and wonderful about the world.”

  Tears pricked the back of my eyes. “I love you, too.”

  “I know.” Griffin tapped the book to shift my attention. “Find anything good?”

  “No, but I have an idea that I want to run by everyone at dinner.” I couldn’t drag my eyes from his face. “I think I might know something without really knowing something, if that makes sense.”

  “It makes no sense, but I have faith in you.” Griffin struggled to a standing position, keeping me in his arms. “How about we let these two sleep and I’ll give you a cupcake while you tell me about your day?”

  “Are there sprinkles on the cupcake?”

  “There’s a very good chance.”

  “Sold.” I kissed his cheek and pressed the book to my chest. I risked a glance at Katherine, almost positive she’d shifted into a slightly different position since Griffin entered the room. Had she been listening? “Take me to my cupcake.”

  “You’re so bossy,” Griffin complained, walking through the door. “I guess it’s good I like my women bossy.”

  “I think it’s good for both of us.”

  “WHAT DID you find?”

  Dad sat behind his desk as Griffin and I entered his office. Thankfully, Griffin relented and let me walk the final few steps under my own power. Otherwise I was sure Dad would make faux vomiting sounds as he threatened to cut Griffin’s hands off, and no one was in the mood for that.

  “There’s nothing in the books.” I tossed the heavy tome onto the middle of his desk. “Cillian has been through them, and so have I. What we’re dealing with is unique to us.”

  “You’re smiling,” Dad noted, looking me up and down. “I can’t help but think that’s not good after what you just told me.”

  “Griffin just said a bunch of mushy stuff to me upstairs – you know, romance novel type stuff where he says I’m the love of his life and he has no idea how he lived before me – so I’m still running high on that,” I replied.

  “I didn’t quite say that,” Griffin hedged.

  Instead of being irked, Dad smirked. “Let it go, son. She enjoys getting a rise out of the men in her life. That’s never going to change. You need to get used to it.”

  “I’m used to it.” Griffin rolled his eyes as he blew out a sigh and sat in one of the chairs across from Dad’s desk. “As for the mirror thing, I can’t pretend to have any knowledge because I’m behind all of you. If Cillian and Aisling can’t find a culprit, I don’t know what to think.”

  “I didn’t say I couldn’t find a culprit,” I shot back. “I said the culprit wasn’t in the books.”

  Dad arched an eyebrow, surprised. “You found a culprit?”

  I nodded.

  “Who?”

  “Yeah, who?” Griffin intoned.

  “It’s Angelina.”

  Dad’s eye roll was so exaggerated I feared he might fall off his chair. “Aisling, I know you hate the girl – and with good reason, because she’s an evil little harlot – but there’s no conceivable way that Angelina is hopping into mirrors, pretending to be a man with no face and going after you.”

  I shot him a “well, duh” look and matched him eye roll for eye roll. “Oh, gee, you’re messing with me, Pa. I never would’ve figured that out on my own.”

  “You know I hate it when you use that tone.” Dad waved an admonishing finger. “How could Angelina have anything to do with this?”

  “I’m not saying she’s involved directly,” I replied. “I’m saying she’s involved indirectly. I saw her right before everything started going wonky.”

  “I think a lot of people can claim that,” Dad pointed out.

  “And only half of them have chlamydia,” I muttered under my breath.

  “What?”

  “Never mind.” I shook my head. “I was on the Nautical Mile right before I went to the assisted living center, that Sunset Acres place. That’s where all of this started. I thought I saw something in the mirror there that day, but it happened so fast that I wasn’t sure.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re getting at,” Dad said.

  “Yes, honey, start from the beginning,” Griffin prodded.

  “I stopped on the Nautical Mile to look for a gift for Griffin. I found something, and as I was leaving the store I ran into Angelina. She wasn’t paying attention because she was looking in a pocket mirror. We ran into each other, threw a bunch of terrible names at each other, and then we both went on our merry ways.”

  Dad wrinkled his nose. “So?”

  “She’s the real estate agent on the Gentry house,” I explained. “Griffin and I wandered over there when we went for our walk last night because I’ve always wanted to see it.”

  “The place is a dump.” Dad made a face. “I’ve seen it. The seventies was a terrible time for interior design. No one ever updated that house. It has nice bones, but it’s going to cost a mint to fix up.”

  “And that would be great news if I ever wanted to own a huge house like that,” I said, rolling my neck. “Angelina is showing that house. It’s absolutely full of mirrors. We were only in the foyer and I counted at least five from the one vantage point. They all went down a long hallway that makes no sense where it’s at. I’m pretty sure it’s the same hallway from the nightmare I had the day before I saw the mirror man in the Holiday Market parking lot. Griffin wouldn’t let me explore further, even though it felt familiar because of all of the mirrors.”

  “And he was right on that,” Dad supplied. “I … still don’t get.”

  “I think I might be catching on.” Griffin scratched his chin as he stared at me. “You said Angelina had a mirror when she ran into you on the street. Before you ever mentioned the mirror monster you said you thought the house on the corner was haunted. You mentioned Angelina was selling it.”

  “Exactly.” I bobbed my head, excited he could follow my convoluted thinking. “There were always rumors about that house being haunted, ghosts if you will. Angelina ran into me on the street and she had a small mirror. I didn’t see anything in the mirror, but that doesn’t mean someone didn’t see me. If it was a creature from the Gentry house – which Angelina is selling – then it might’ve recognized me or my name. I know Angelina made jokes about stopping by our house to mess with Cillian.”

  “I’ll put a boot in her bottom if she tries,” Dad warned, his expression telling me he was beginning to understand. “Then you went to the retirement home and thought you saw something in a mirror. You pushed it out of your head because you thought it was ridiculous.”

  I nodded. “Then I ran into the wraith behind the building and kind of forgot about the thing in the mirror. That was the night Griffin’s mother showed up early, so I was distracted. I had a nightmare that night, though, and even though it was darker in the dream I’m almost positive that was the same long hallway.”

  “And the next day you saw the man in the parking lot,” Griffin supplied. “Later that night the thing in the mirror attacked. You think the creature was with Angelina before fixating on you.”

  “That’s exactly what I think.”

  “So you believe it originated in the Gentry house?” Dad didn’t seem displeased with the theory. “That’s worth checking out.”

  I hopped to my feet, thrilled. “Great. Let’s go!”

  Dad remained
seated. “You’re staying here. I’m taking your brothers with me to check out the house. I’m not convinced that our answers lie there. That doesn’t mean I won’t check it out … when I have time.”

  I shot him an incredulous look, frustrated. “But … I want to see. It’s my theory.”

  “Absolutely not,” Griffin intoned, shaking his head. “You’re getting over a serious injury. You’re on the bench for this varsity game, Aisling.”

  “But … .”

  “No. That’s final.” Dad’s headshake was vehement. “I said I will look into it, but I’m not convinced that’s the answer. It does seem to fit the events. Either way, you’re not going to be involved in the investigation. Period.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Dad stood. “I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

  “That goes for both of us,” Griffin said, ruffling my hair before following my father out of the room. “We love you and want you safe. You’re not going.”

  I stared at their backs, gaping. “We’ll just see about that,” I muttered, my patience wearing thin. “I don’t know who you people think you’re playing with, but I’m going to win, you … freaking men.”

  “If you’re done talking to yourself, I have your cupcake, Aisling,” Griffin called from the next room.

  “I don’t care about your cupcake!”

  “It has sprinkles … and gummy sharks.”

  “Oh, well, crap.” I stomped my feet on the floor as I trudged out of the office. “I’m still mad!”

  “There’s no reason you can’t be angry and eat a cupcake at the same time.”

  He had a very good point.

  24

  Twenty-Four

  “I’ve decided all men are stupid … except for you.”

  I sidled up to Jerry the moment he strode into the parlor with a box of baked goods before dinner. Jerry widened his eyes as he looked me up and down.

  “You have frosting on your face, Bug.” Jerry licked his thumb and wiped the corner of my mouth. “I see Griffin gave you the cupcake he stopped by the store to pick up before heading this way. I brought a box home for everyone.”