Angelina whipped around. I saw her hand heading toward my face, but it was too late to duck. She slapped me. “This is your fault,” she hissed.
“Hey,” Dad snapped. “If you touch her again I’m going to forget that I don’t hit women.”
“And I’m going to help him,” Cillian warned.
“You had no problem with her slapping me last night,” Angelina protested.
“That was funny,” Dad said. “And you had it coming. No one invited you here, Angelina. No one wants you here. Find someone else to chase, and find someone else to torture.”
“But … .”
“No,” Dad said. “Cillian, get in. Aisling, I assume you’re coming back to the house in your own car?”
I nodded.
Dad smiled at Maya warmly. “We’ll see you for dinner, right?”
“Um, yes,” Maya said, her gaze bouncing between faces as the scene continued to unfold. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’ll make sure she has the address,” I said.
Dad glanced at me. “You’re not going to get in a brawl with Angelina once I leave, are you?”
“No,” I said. “I’ve already beaten Angelina. There’s no reason to dance on her grave.”
Angelina scowled. “This isn’t over.”
“It’s been over for a really long time, Angelina,” I said. “You just refuse to accept it. It’s sad and it’s pathetic, but there it is.”
“This isn’t over,” Angelina seethed, her fists clenched.
“Yes, it is.”
Seventeen
“So, do you like Maya?”
Cillian had been home only twenty minutes and was already going stir crazy. Dad had forced him upstairs and into bed the second he walked into the house, despite Cillian’s unrelenting protests. It seemed his bouts of weakness were fleeting, and usually only when a sympathetic nurse was in the immediate vicinity.
“She’s attractive,” Cillian said, averting his eyes. “I cannot sit in this bed all day.”
“You’re going to have to,” I said. “If you’re good, Dad will let you out of bed for dinner.”
“He’s being oppressive,” Cillian complained.
“He likes to hover,” I said. “It’s his way. I think he was worse with me.”
“That’s because you’re his only daughter,” Cillian said. “I have three replacements.”
I smirked. “Do you really think you’re replaceable?”
“No,” Cillian said. “I just … I feel like an idiot.”
I climbed onto the bed and settled next to him. “Why?”
“I didn’t even see the wraith,” Cillian said. “By the time I sensed it, it was already too late.”
“That’s not your fault,” I said. “They’re sneaky.”
“You saved me,” Cillian said. “If it hadn’t been for you … .”
“You wouldn’t have a nurse to hit on,” I teased.
“Thank you,” Cillian said, now serious. “You rushed headlong into danger to protect me.”
“Haven’t you done that for me since I was born?”
“I don’t think fighting off horny football players in high school is quite the same thing,” Cillian said.
“Oh, but it’s more important,” I said, resting my head against his shoulder. “You saved me from sleeping with someone who was incapable of giving a woman an orgasm. You saved my life.”
Cillian snorted. “I’m being serious, Ais,” he said. “You saved me.”
“Well, I can’t live without you – any of you – so I really saved myself,” I said.
“You’re a lot sweeter than you act sometimes,” Cillian said.
“Oh, that’s a vicious thing to say to the woman who saved your life.”
“I saw the tears when I woke up,” Cillian reminded me. “I saw the worry on your face. You only look that way when Jerry is trying out new recipes and you have to fit into your skinny jeans.”
He knew me so well. “Are you going to ask Maya out?”
Despite his earlier bravado, Cillian’s eyes were starting to droop. “I don’t know,” he said. “How would you feel about that?”
“She’s not really my type,” I said. “You can have her.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Cillian said. “Would it cause problems between you and Griffin?”
“Would that stop you?”
“Yes,” he said. “I want you to be happy. You seem to be happy with him, even when he reverts to Detective Dinglefritz mode from time to time.”
“I think that Griffin doesn’t want any of you to date his sister,” I said after a moment.
“Then I won’t date her.”
“I don’t think it’s for the same reason you think it is,” I said.
“I’m all ears.”
“You’re all hair,” I countered. “Anyway, I don’t think Griffin is against you guys dating Maya because he doesn’t like you. Well, he really doesn’t like Aidan right now, but there’s no chance of a love connection there, so we’re safe.
“I think Griffin wants to keep Maya away from us because we’re reapers,” I continued. “He doesn’t want her in this life.”
“Are you worried that he’s going to walk away because our life is so … odd?”
“Not really,” I said. “He seems okay with it. I’ve tried explaining that the past few weeks haven’t exactly been normal, but every time something goes wrong I look like an idiot.”
“He’s not going to run, Ais,” Cillian said. “It’s written all over his face when he looks at you. I think that’s the root of Aidan’s problems right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Aidan, just like the rest of us, used to worry that you would fall for the wrong guy and get hurt,” Cillian said. “Now, the opposite is true. Aidan is worried you’ve found the right guy.”
“That should make him happy, shouldn’t it? I’m happy for him and Jerry.”
“Give him time,” Cillian said. “You two have a special bond.”
“You don’t think we’re bonded?”
“We’re all bonded. You and Aidan have a different relationship, though.”
“Because we’re twins?”
“Because you’re so tight,” Cillian said, his voice tapering off. “It’s going to work out.”
“I hope so.”
“It will. Try looking on the bright side for a change. You might be surprised how things work out for you.”
“Are you saying I’m a pessimist?”
“Shh,” Cillian whispered, his chin dropping onto his chest. He was out within seconds, and despite my best intentions, I followed him into slumber a few minutes later.
What? It had been a long couple of days.
“THEY’RE so cute.”
I forced my eyes open and focused on the open doorway of Cillian’s room. A quick scan told me we’d drawn a crowd. Dad was sleeping in a nearby chair, a book on his lap, and Braden was snapping photographs with his phone.
Griffin stepped into the room and smiled down at me. “They are kind of cute.”
I glanced over to find Cillian rousing next to me. “What time is it?”
“It’s three, Sleeping Beauty,” Braden said. “By the way, I’m putting these photos all over Facebook.”
“Don’t make me break that phone,” I warned.
“I can’t believe we slept all day,” Cillian said.
“You needed your sleep,” Braden said. “That doesn’t explain Aisling and Dad, though.”
“They needed their sleep, too,” Griffin said. “Your father is downright adorable when he’s asleep.”
“You know I can hear you, right?” Dad wrenched his eyes open.
“I figured,” Griffin said, shifting his attention to me. “Are you going to spend all day in bed with your brother?”
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “I’m not sure how it happened. We were just sitting here talking … and then … I don’t know.”
<
br /> “What were you talking about?” Braden asked.
“Life,” Cillian said.
“Love,” I teased.
“Dig it, man,” Cillian poked me in the side.
“This family is so odd,” Griffin said.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you were working today.”
“I was. You slept the whole day away.”
“Oh.”
“I have information, too,” Griffin said. “I thought you’d all want to hear it.”
“Is anyone else home?” Dad asked.
“Redmond is finishing a job in Hamtramck,” Braden said. “Don’t worry, Aisling. He’s picking up your favorite doughnuts from that shop you like.”
I smiled. My brothers take such good care of me sometimes.
“Where is Aidan?” Dad asked.
“Jerry probably has him searching the carpet to make sure none of the Trivial Pursuit pieces are missing,” I said.
“This family really shouldn’t be allowed to play board games,” Griffin said.
“You should see us play Twister,” I said.
Braden snorted and climbed onto the bed on the other side of me. “Your hair is a mess.”
“Leave your sister alone,” Dad ordered. He turned to Griffin. “What did you find out?”
“I have some information on Morgan Reid,” Griffin said. “I’m sorry, am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that the three of you are in bed together?”
“We’re not naked, so why does it matter?” Cillian asked.
“It’s just … weird.”
“When we were kids, Aisling used to be afraid of thunderstorms,” Braden said. “She used to climb into bed with us all the time.”
“Aisling wasn’t the only one afraid of thunderstorms,” Cillian scoffed.
“Aidan was, too,” Braden said.
“So were you,” Cillian pointed out.
“That’s a vicious lie.”
Griffin rolled his eyes. “Okay, let’s talk about real life now, shall we?”
“You’re grumpy,” I said.
Griffin ignored me. “Morgan Reid is not a good guy,” he said.
“You could tell that just by looking at him,” I said. “He’s got evil hair.”
Braden reached over and grabbed my hand to study my fingernails. “I like this color.”
“Seriously?” Griffin placed his hands on his hips. “It’s like this whole family has ADD.”
“What?” Braden asked, nonplussed.
“Focus,” Dad snapped. “You’re irritating him.”
“We’re not doing anything,” Braden said.
“You’re irritating me, too.”
“Oh, this family is just a laugh a minute,” Braden grumbled. “Go on, detective.”
Griffin scowled. “Reid has been arrested eight times, although he’s never been charged with anything.”
“How does that happen?” I asked.
“He has a very good lawyer,” Griffin said. “Also, there’s been a string of ‘mistakes’ in police procedure during his arrests.”
“Does that mean there’s a turncoat in the department?” Cillian asked.
“Ooh, intrigue,” I said.
“What has Reid been arrested for?” Dad asked.
“Money laundering.”
I frowned. “Who is he laundering money for?”
“The highest bidder.”
“I’m not sure whether that helps us,” Dad said. “It’s interesting, but it opens up a really big suspect pool. I’m guessing every lowlife on the east side has a reason to want to kill Reid.”
“It doesn’t explain why the wraiths keep showing up, either,” I said. “I don’t think wraiths have much use for money.”
“No, but the person in charge of the wraiths might,” Griffin suggested.
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“That’s because you’re too busy sleeping the day away with your brother,” Griffin said.
“Oh, man, you’re going to keep harping on this, aren’t you? Have you considered that now I’m very well rested so I can focus my attention on you this evening?”
Griffin’s cheeks colored.
“My baby sister, ladies and gentlemen,” Braden said, flicking the side of my head. “Don’t gross me out.”
“Oh, grow up,” I said. “I’m not grossing you out.”
“No, but you’re freaking me out,” Cillian said.
“Dad,” I complained.
“What? I’m on their side,” Dad said. “You’re royally ticking me off.”
I glanced at Griffin for support. “You make me tired,” he said.
Well, I do have a way with people. “I’m hungry,” I said. “What time is Cillian’s big feast?”
“I don’t know,” Dad said. “What time is Maya getting here?”
Griffin stilled. “Maya?”
Uh-oh. “Um, yeah, did I fail to mention that? We invited Maya to dinner and she accepted.”
Griffin narrowed his eyes. “Why would you invite Maya?”
“Because she was hungry,” I said.
“And?”
“And we’re generally polite people,” I added.
“And Cillian has the hots for her,” Braden teased.
Griffin slapped his forehead. “Oh, no. I knew this was going to happen.”
“What’s the problem?” Dad asked. “It’s just a family dinner.”
“But … .”
“It will be fine,” I said, climbing off the bed and patting Griffin’s chest as I moved past him. “We’ll be on our best behavior.”
“Is that saying much?”
I shrugged. “Not really.”
“I just … .”
“It’s going to be fine,” I said. “She’s already seen us at our worst.”
“That was nowhere near your worst,” Griffin said. “Trust me.”
“Well, we’ll be better tonight,” I said.
“You’d better be.” Griffin followed me down the hallway. “Where are you going?”
“I need to change my clothes. I’m going to my room.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird that you own a townhouse with Jerry and yet you still have a room here?”
“No.”
“How did this dinner even come up?”
“Well, Cillian really wanted a sponge bath, but I thought you would frown upon that,” I teased. “I came up with the dinner idea as a nice compromise.”
“It was your idea?”
“No,” I said. “Not if I’m going to be in trouble. Absolutely not.”
Griffin grabbed me by my shoulders and shifted me around so he could press me against the wall. He gave me quick kiss, one promising fun later that night. “You’re lucky I find you irresistible,” he growled.
“That’s what I’m counting on.”
“Your whole family is going to be good tonight, right?”
“Of course,” I said. “What could go wrong?”
That was probably the wrong question to ask.
Eighteen
“So, I’m curious. How many rooms does this house have?”
Griffin and I sat in my favorite parlor – the house boasts five – waiting for Maya’s arrival. Griffin sipped bourbon from a cut-crystal glass, which bordered on absurd, but I was trying to make him feel comfortable in my father’s oppressive house.
“I don’t know,” I said, shifting closer to him on the couch. “I’ve never counted.”
Griffin placed his glass on the coffee table and glanced around, nervous. “Should you be this close to me?”
“Are you worried I have cooties?”
“I’m worried one of your brothers – or worse, your father – is going to come in here and assume we’re doing something,” Griffin said.
“We are doing something,” I replied. “We’re sitting on the couch.”
“Yes, but you’re touching me.”
“Three hours ago you shoved your tongue in my mouth in th
e hallway,” I said. “You didn’t have a problem with that.”
“Shh.” Griffin looked over his shoulder to ascertain if we were still alone.
“I thought you were a big, bad cop?”
“I am,” Griffin said.
“You’re afraid of my father!”
“Your father is terrifying when he wants to be.”
“Oh, you’re such a girl.”
Griffin poked my stomach. “Is that the insult your brothers used to hurl at each other when you were a kid?”
“Why?”
“Because you use it a lot.”
I shrugged. “I guess. I never really thought about it. You are acting like a girl, though.”
Griffin grabbed me around the waist and tugged me down on the couch to roll on top of me and kiss me. We played tongue tag – and “what’s under your shirt” – until the sound of voices stopped the fun.
“This is the parlor my late wife designed,” Dad said, ushering Maya into the room. He didn’t miss a beat when he saw what we were doing on the couch. “And you remember my daughter and your brother, of course. I think they’re preparing their audition for Monday Night Raw.”
Cillian walked into the room behind them and snorted. “I think Griffin is winning.”
Griffin jerked away. “We were just … .”
I arched an eyebrow, mildly curious as to whether he would bother trying to come up with a lie.
“I know what you were doing,” Dad said, his tone grim. “I raised five children. All of them have been caught doing … that … at one time or another.”
Griffin smiled sheepishly.
“Of course, they were all teenagers when they were doing it,” Dad said.
“At least they weren’t naked this time,” Aidan said, breezing into the room and heading straight for the bar. “That’s much more traumatic.”
I shot him a harsh look.
Dad’s eyebrows knit together. “When did you see them naked?”
“Oh, don’t worry, it wasn’t here,” Aidan said.
“No, it was at my house,” I said. “My house! My house where you don’t live so you have no right to get all … funky … about what I’m doing in the privacy of my own home.”
“I don’t want to hear this,” Dad said.
Braden pushed his way into the room. “What’s going on now?” he asked. “Hey, by the way, my photo of you and Cillian on the bed has gotten more than a hundred likes on Facebook.”
Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2) Page 13
