Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2) (23 page)

Aidan smirked. “Welcome to the family.”

“What’s on the agenda today?”

I found Aidan and Griffin sitting at the kitchen table, their heads bent together as they discussed something in low voices. It had been three days since our confrontation with Fontaine, and after a tense visit from my father – during which he insisted I come home so he could take care of me, a suggestion I quickly shot down, mind you – I felt markedly better this morning. I wasn’t a hundred percent, but I was well on my way to recovery.

Other than going to work, Griffin hadn’t left my side. He’d even insisted on Maya visiting me, and about a half hour after her arrival Cillian had conveniently shown up for a visit. One look at Jerry’s guilty face told me he placed the call. I’d expected Griffin to balk at the overt flirting, but he’d been friendly … and silent.

As far as Aidan and Griffin were concerned, they’d been pleasant and amiable with one another. After a long nap the previous afternoon, I’d found them watching baseball on the couch and arguing about whether or not the Detroit Tigers were going to make it to the playoffs. The swing between them had been sudden, but I welcomed it.

Jerry was having a harder time. He didn’t get sports and he certainly didn’t understand how Aidan and Griffin could waste an entire hour watching grown men run around bases. It baffled him, especially the unflattering socks, and I was worried his nose was going to be out of joint before long. For now, I couldn’t dwell on it.

“Good morning, sweetie,” Griffin said, looking me over. “You look a lot better today.”

“She showered,” Aidan said.

I shot him a look. “I showered every day this week.”

“And then you slept on your hair when it was wet and woke up looking like Medusa.”

“I thought she looked cute,” Griffin said.

“Good. I took a few photos and posted them on Facebook,” Aidan said. “Between her sleeping with Cillian and her hair during the past few days, you’re her last chance to snag a man.”

“Oh, you two are just so funny,” I said. I stalked to the counter and poured a cup of coffee. “What’s on our list today?”

Aidan shifted in his chair. “There’s nothing on our list. I have two names on my list. You’re staying here.”

“I’m not staying here,” I argued. “I’m ready to work.”

“No, you’re not,” Griffin said. “Your range of motion is still limited, and since you’re a target you’re not wandering around and into danger.”

“Aidan hasn’t had one problem since I’ve been out of commission,” I protested.

Griffin raised an eyebrow. “Have you considered that’s because you weren’t with him?”

I faltered, the truth of his words leaving me cold. “Oh.”

“Don’t do that,” Griffin chided. “I can’t take that sad face you make.”

“Why do you think she’s so spoiled?” Aidan asked. “My father can’t take it either.”

“I can’t not work,” I said. “It’s not fair to you guys.”

“It’s fine,” Aidan said. “Right now, keeping you out of danger is our primary job. You’re safe here.”

“But … what am I supposed to do?”

“What have you been doing?”

“Sleeping and watching soap operas.”

Aidan sipped from his coffee and shrugged. “Do that.”

“I can’t do that again. I’ve peaked in the Soap Opera Olympics. It’s time for something new.”

“So, do something … girly.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Define girly.”

Aidan shifted his gaze to Griffin, silently pleading for help. He’d stepped into the middle of a minefield with no safe way to extricate himself with all of his limbs intact.

“Oh, you’re on your own,” Griffin said. “She looks angry.”

“I thought you found that cute?” Aidan challenged.

“I think everything she does is cute,” Griffin said. “I still don’t want her angry with me.”

“And here I thought we had an understanding,” Aidan grumbled.

“We do,” Griffin said, nonplussed. “I understand that I’m not in the mood to piss her off.”

Aidan rubbed the back of his neck. “I forgot what we were talking about.”

That wasn’t going to work on me. “You were about to tell me what ‘girly’ things I should be doing.”

“You just won’t let things go,” Aidan said. “Fine. Why don’t you go to a spa? Wasn’t Jerry talking about a spa day the other day? You could go and do whatever it is you do at a spa.”

That actually sounded fun. “Where is Jerry?”

“He’s at work, but I’ll give him a call,” Aidan said.

“He can’t leave work to hang out with me,” I said. “That’s not fair.”

“I’m betting he’ll be all for it when I tell him I’m going to pay,” Aidan said.

“You’re going to pay?”

“I am,” Aidan said, sensing he had an out. “I’m thrilled to pay.”

“For everything?”

“What’s everything?”

“Oh, you’ll see when you get the bill,” I said.

“THIS
is great,” Jerry enthused, glancing around the day spa excitedly. “We haven’t had a spa day in months.”

“It’s going to be fun,” I agreed. “What do you want to do first?”

“I need to get my chest waxed,” Jerry announced, guileless.

I made a face. I’ve never understood why men do that. I don’t like a hairy beast, but there’s nothing wrong with a little hair. It makes me know I’m cuddling with a man and not a prepubescent boy. “You want to do that first?”

“It hurts,” Jerry said. “I’d rather get it out of the way.”

“Okay. Go nuts. I’m going to get a massage.”

“Oh, you have to wait for me to get a massage,” Jerry complained. “That’s when we gossip.”

“I thought we gossiped when we were getting facials?”

“Then, too.”

“And during pedicures?”

“There’s no limit to the gossip I have,” Jerry said, hands on hips, pout in place.

“Fine,” I said, blowing out an exasperated sigh. “Go get your chest waxed. I’ll wait for you here, and then we’ll do the rest of it together.”

“Great,” Jerry said, excited. “This is going to be the best day ever.”

I settled in one of the leather chairs and flipped through a well-worn magazine as I waited. I was lost amongst the beauty secrets of the stars when I heard the door that led to the inner sanctum open. I glanced up, my eyes landing on a middle-aged woman with perfectly highlighted hair and a very expensive suit as she moved to the counter, purse clutched in her hand.

“How was your massage, Ms. Dobbs?” The receptionist was pleasant and happy. I had a feeling she was medicated. What? No one is that happy. It’s impossible.

“Call me Sylvia,” the woman said, smiling back at the receptionist. “It was wonderful. I really needed it.”

The receptionist scanned the computer in front of her as I tried to keep my breathing even and my interest hidden. Sylvia Dobbs? That’s the name of the woman working with Duke Fontaine. What are the odds? Oh, who am I kidding, I wouldn’t have luck if it wasn’t bad.

“Okay, your total comes to a hundred and fifty,” the receptionist said. “Is that credit or debit?”

“Debit.”

“Okay, slide the card.”

I considered my options. The smart thing to do would be to call Aidan and tell him what I’d discovered. I’m not smart and I didn’t want to be sidelined. I was going to do the stupid thing. I was going to follow her when she left.

After checking out, Sylvia waved at the receptionist and exited. I followed her to the door, making sure to see what direction she left in before turning to the girl behind the counter. “Tell my friend I forgot something in the car and I’ll be right back,” I instructed.

The receptionist nodded.

“And if it takes a few minutes, tell him to wax something else until I get back,” I said.

“Of course,” the receptionist said. “We can have him hairless by the time you return.”

That was truly frightening.

I left the spa and turned in the direction I’d seen Sylvia disappear. I kept my pace even as I scanned the sidewalk. It took me a few seconds, but I saw her weaving in and out of the foot traffic on Main Street. Downtown Royal Oak is kitschy and cool, but it’s always busy in the summer. Parking is also an issue, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Sylvia had another destination ahead of her or whether she was walking to her car.

I followed her for three blocks, every step reminding me that Jerry was going to have an absolute fit when I got back to the spa. I tamped my worry down as I continued to follow. Sylvia was a lead and we needed information. I could at least find out what kind of vehicle she drove.

Sylvia turned onto a side street, so I slowed to give her time to increase the distance between us. Main Street was busy enough to hide me. Side streets were an iffy proposition.

When I rounded the corner I pulled up short. There was no sign of Sylvia. Where had she gone? I moved down the sidewalk, scanning every store I passed to see whether she had made a stop. At the third store I stopped when I heard voices. I recognized one of them. It didn’t belong to Sylvia.

“What are you doing down here?” Fontaine asked.

I pressed my back against the brick wall and listened. I knew better than to poke my head around the corner of the entryway and betray my position.

“I needed a massage,” Sylvia said. “What does it matter?”

“I told you the Grimlock girl lives here,” Fontaine said. “It’s too dangerous to walk around. Her gay roommate owns a bakery right on Main Street.”

“How would they possibly recognize me?”

“She’s smarter than she looks.”

“Well, I don’t really care,” Sylvia sniffed. “I wanted a massage. That spa has the best ratings on Yelp.”

“Women,” Fontaine growled. “From now on, you need to keep a low profile. We’re nearing the end here. We can’t make mistakes now.”

“I don’t make mistakes,” Sylvia said. “You make mistakes.”

“How have I made a mistake?”

“Really? We’ve been close enough to grab the girl three times and we’ve come up empty-handed each time. That’s failure.”

“She’s never alone,” Fontaine said. “She always has backup. They don’t trust her to go on jobs by herself.”

“Well, you’re going to have to find a way around that,” Sylvia said. “She’s the key and we need her to unlock everything.”

“I know,” Fontaine said. “I’m not stupid.”

“You were threatening to kill her in a hospital parking lot,” Sylvia pointed out. “If that’s not stupid, what is? They’ll never let her out of their sight now.”

“So, what do you suggest?” Fontaine asked.

“That’s not my problem,” Sylvia said. “You need to fix this and you need to fix it now. Don’t you dare let me down one more time. You won’t like what happens if you do.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m making you a promise,” Sylvia said. “I’m not the one you need to fear. You know that. Don’t make me turn you into the sacrificial lamb.”

“I’ll figure something out,” Fontaine grumbled.

“Do it soon,” Sylvia said. “I won’t wait for you to handle this situation much longer. I’m ready to look elsewhere if you can’t get results.”

I was debating whether I should duck into a store to wait out Fontaine and Sylvia until I was sure they were gone or just amble down the street as though I didn’t have a care in the world when Fontaine appeared in front of me. His face exploded, myriad emotions taking hold before anger finally settled in.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he growled.

I took a step back. “I will scream bloody murder if you take one step in my direction.”

Fontaine moved closer, taunting me.

I opened my mouth, the word “rapist” on the tip of my tongue.

“Fine.” He took a step back. “You’re the world’s biggest pain in the ass.”

“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”

“I’m stunned.”

I scowled. “What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?”

I had no idea what to tell him. Lying seemed the best option. “I’m looking for some new shoes.”

Fontaine glanced at the wine shop to my left. “In there?”

“I need wine to drink when I’m wearing the shoes,” I said. “I’m not comfortable in heels. I have trouble balancing.”

“And you think wine will help?”

He had a point. “It couldn’t hurt.”

Fontaine snorted and shook his head. “Do you want to know what I think?”

Not really. “Sure.”

“I think you saw me somehow – maybe you were in the parking lot across the way or something – and you came over to eavesdrop,” he said.

“Were you doing something worth eavesdropping on?”

“No,” Fontaine said. “I was … buying shoes.”

I glanced down at his combat boots. They were old and scuffed. They looked authentic, which made them ugly. “You should try wearing heels,” I said. “They would make your legs look longer.”

“You’re fast with the one-liners,” he said. “Do you think, if I put my mind to it, you’re fast enough to get away from me?”

“I’m not trying to get away from you,” I said. “If you try anything I’m going to start screaming that you’re a rapist and that you tried to touch me. I just want to ask you a few questions.”

“And you think I’ll answer?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Let’s see.”

Fontaine crossed his arms over his chest. “Shoot.”

“What are you doing in town?”

“I have a few jobs,” Fontaine said.

“Are they normal jobs?”

“Define normal.”

“Well, you usually steal souls so you can sell them to the highest bidder without any concern about their wishes,” I said. “Is that what you’re doing?”

“Mostly.”

I narrowed my eyes. He wasn’t going to simply volunteer information. I had to find a way to trick him. “So, what were you and Sylvia Dobbs talking about?”

What? There’s no way he’s going to tell her I’m on to them. She’s clearly the boss, and he defers to her. He’ll hide it. I know how a coward thinks.

“So you were eavesdropping,” Fontaine said, his face grim. “What did you hear?”

“I heard you want me. I want to know why.”

“Why do you think?”

“I think the wraiths have been told not to touch me, but that admonishment doesn’t go for my brothers,” I said. “There has to be a reason and I want to know what it is. I also want to know who’s giving the wraiths orders. Genevieve Toth is dead. Who took over her operation?”

“Maybe you’re important,” Fontaine suggested, ignoring the second question.

“I’m divine,” I said. “Everyone loves me. That still doesn’t explain why you want me.”

Fontaine’s smile was predatory. “I want you for a number of reasons.”

“You just want to mess with me because you know it will piss off my father,” I said. “I’m not buying for a second that you’re interested in me personally for any other reason.”

“Your father is a trip,” Fontaine said, grinning. “How is he?”

“Good.”

“How did he react when he found out what happened at the hospital?”

He vowed bloody revenge. “I was fine, so he was fine.”

“You were fine? Is that why you’re standing funny?”

I extended my middle finger in his face. “I’m the one who survived and held onto the soul,” I reminded him. “I won.”

“Is that what’s important to you?”

“Beating you is important to me,” I said.

“What about survival, Aisling? Is that important to you?”

“It depends,” I said. “What do you and Sylvia have planned?”

“Okay, here’s the situation,” Fontaine said, hunkering down so he could meet my gaze levelly. “You need to watch your back. You are in a very precarious situation.”

“Are you honestly trying to scare me?”

“I don’t personally have anything against you,” Fontaine said. “As much as I love messing with your father, I don’t carry that grudge over to you and your brothers. I was genuinely fond of your mother, whatever you may think. She wouldn’t want you hurt.”

“Why are you working for Sylvia then?”

“Money.”

“So, you don’t personally want to hurt us but you’re willing to do it for money?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about Morgan Reid,” I said.

“What about him?”

“Why has he survived twice when he was supposed to be murdered?”

“How would I know?”

“Because Sylvia has paid you three times, and twice it was before attempts were made on Reid’s life,” I said. “You were either paid to take him out or … .” An idea formed. “Or you were hired to stop his death. That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why you have the wraiths.”

“You need to be very careful where Reid is concerned,” Fontaine said. “Don’t go near him. He’s not some innocent little twerp you can play games with.”

“We went out on a date about a week ago and I was totally playing games with him that night,” I said. “I managed to survive.”

Fontaine furrowed his brow. “You went out on a date with him?”

“Kind of.”

“How did your cop feel about that?”

“Because it wasn’t a real date he was fine with it.” That was kind of true. Okay, it was a total lie. Fontaine didn’t need to know that, though.

“I’m going to give you a freebie here,” Fontaine said. “I’m going to let you walk away, mostly because I can’t risk trying to grab you when there are hundreds of people within screaming distance.

“You need to stay away from Morgan Reid,” he continued. “You need to stay away from Sylvia Dobbs. Put another set of reapers on Reid. I’m not joking. There’s a bigger plan here and people want you for things you’re not going to want to be a part of.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because it’s not in your nature to do evil,” Fontaine said. “Just … stay out of trouble.”

“I’ll take it under consideration.”

“You do that,” Fontaine said. He turned to walk away, stopping long enough to give me one more look. “Watch your back. I will kill you if I have to. Never underestimate my reticence for fondness. I was fond of your mother. You’re a pain in the ass.”

“What are you guys up to?” What? It’s worth a shot.

“Have a nice day, Aisling Grimlock.”

WHEN
I returned to the spa I found Jerry pacing the lobby. “Where were you?”

“I needed some air,” I said. “I lost track of time.” I knew I’d tell him the truth eventually, but I also knew now wasn’t the time. “I thought it would take them longer to buff you up.”

Jerry studied me, unsure. “Are you lying to me?”

“Yes. I can’t tell you the truth until we’re alone, though. It can wait until we’re done here.”

“Fine,” Jerry said, throwing up his hands. “It’s time for our massages. Are you ready to get rubbed?”

“I’m always ready to get rubbed.”

“Let’s go,” he said, beckoning to the back. “When I’m done with you today you’re going to feel like a new person.”

“Cool. Do you think I can feel like Jennifer Lawrence?”

“Why do you want to feel like her?”

“She’s pretty.”

Jerry smiled. “She’s got nothing on you, Bug.”

“And that’s why you’re my best friend,” I said. “You’re a walking ego boost in a really pretty package.”

“And that’s why you’re my best friend,” Jerry said, following me behind the curtain. “So, just for curiosity’s sake, do you think I look more like Peeta or Gale?”

Jerry was obsessed with
The Hunger Games
. He’d watched it once a week since the Blu-ray arrived on our doorstep. He also had the sequel, but he wasn’t as thrilled with the outfits in that one.

“You’re Gale all the way,” I said. There was no other way to answer that question. Peeta was the hero, but Gale was the heartthrob.

“Good answer.”

“I’m smarter than I look,” I said.

“You’re a genius.”