“I can’t believe you’re turning on me,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Griffin. “I’m hurt.”
“You’ll survive, baby. Will you pass me the marmalade?”
“I think my family is starting to make you mean.”
“Why do you think I’m starting to like him?” Dad asked.
Braden’s angry eyes met with mine again. I was pretty sure this day was going to totally suck.
Thirty-One
“This is the most boring job ever,” Braden announced, dejectedly slouching in the back seat of my father’s Mercedes GL550.
“And yet you’re handling it like a mature adult,” Griffin said, his eyes focused on the files he continued poring over. He refused to give up until he checked every single page. I liked that about him. “Oh, wait, you’re not handling it like an adult. You’re whining like a baby. My bad.”
I also liked that he could be mean to Braden when I was supposed to be doing the opposite.
Braden scowled. “I don’t understand why Dad let you drive,” he said. “He doesn’t ever let me drive this thing. In fact, as far as I can remember, the only one of us trusted to drive this thing is Cillian. How did you sucker my dad into letting you drive this?”
“I believe your father said that neither you nor Aisling was allowed to drive it,” Griffin pointed out. “I wouldn’t take it personally.”
“Oh, no,” Braden said, his sarcasm ratcheting up a notch. “I shouldn’t take the fact that my father let the random dude boning my sister drive his car while I can’t even touch the keys.”
“Don’t make me come back there and beat you,” Griffin threatened. “Show your sister some respect.”
Since we needed a car that couldn’t be recognized to spy on Andrea, and since there was no way my father trusted any of us to drive his Porsche, we were stuck with the Mercedes. When my father handed the keys to Griffin and told Braden and I not to even think about getting behind the wheel, Braden’s mood turned from sour to unbearable. He’d been complaining for an hour straight.
“You’re being awfully patient with Braden,” I pointed out.
“That’s because I’m used to going through the same stuff with you,” Griffin replied, flipping to another page. “This is starting to get frustrating. There’s nothing in here about your mother’s fire. That means someone took half the file and left the other half behind.
“If Andrea did it, she moved quickly,” he continued. “It would make no sense for her to take half of it when it would be easier to assume an entire file was simply misplaced. If someone took it years ago, that means there could be another mole in the police department who thought no one would notice. I’m not sure which option bothers me more.”
“I never complain as badly as Braden,” I said.
Griffin rolled his eyes. “You don’t complain. You … talk in a bitter tone until I give in and you get your way. I should’ve picked a different way to phrase that.”
I wasn’t sure the second way was an improvement over the first. “Are you saying I’m a bully?”
“Yes.”
Braden snorted. “Ha, ha.”
“You’re a bully, too, Braden,” Griffin said. “I wouldn’t get all high and mighty.”
“Ha, ha,” I snarked, crossing my arms and sinking lower in the passenger seat. “Are you sure Andrea is inside?”
“I checked in with Mark Robbins about forty minutes ago,” Griffin replied. “I explained that I was sick because my girlfriend tried to cook and gave me food poisoning. Then I asked what Andrea was doing, and he said she was catching up on paperwork at her desk.”
“You didn’t really tell them I gave you food poisoning, did you?”
“I thought it was something that could easily be stretched to a second day and entirely plausible for anyone who has met you,” Griffin said, lifting his eyes to mine. “Don’t even think about faking a pity party over it.”
“Why would everyone naturally assume I’m a bad cook?”
“Because you look like a woman who gets through life on her looks,” Griffin answered, not missing a beat.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you look as though you can’t cook,” Braden answered for him. “Don’t get all weird about it. You can’t cook. That’s why you live with Jerry.”
“I can cook.”
“You have many talents, baby, but cooking certainly isn’t one of them,” Griffin said. “Don’t worry about it. I would much rather watch you do your loser dance in those softball pants anyhow. I happen to like takeout.”
Close quarters and Braden’s irritability left me feeling tense. I was about to pick a fight with both of them when a familiar figure caught my attention. Andrea didn’t even glance in our direction as she walked out the back door of the precinct.
“There she is.”
Griffin shoved the files onto my lap and started the Mercedes. “I really like this truck.”
“Go ahead and twist the knife,” Braden muttered.
“Let’s see where she goes,” Griffin said.
“WELL this can’t be normal,” Griffin said, leaning forward so he could read the faded numbers on the outside of the abandoned building. He punched the numbers into his phone and searched for the address.
“Why would she go inside an abandoned building?” Braden asked.
“Maybe she’s meeting someone in there,” I suggested.
“Why not go to a restaurant?”
“Maybe she’s meeting someone who hangs out with wraiths and gargoyles,” I clarified.
“Oh … well, crap,” Braden said. “I didn’t even think of that.”
“Well, we’re pretty sure she isn’t meeting her father, because he should be with Dad right now,” I said. “That leaves Everett or … .” I broke off, my heart flipping at the unvoiced possibility.
Braden leaned forward. “Do you think Mom is in there?”
“I don’t know,” I answered. “I … I honestly don’t know, Braden.”
“We need to check,” Braden said, reaching for the door handle.
Griffin kept his eyes fixed on his phone and hit the child safety locks to make sure Braden couldn’t escape. “Give me a minute.”
“Our mother could be in there!”
“Give me one minute, Braden,” Griffin said, his tone even but forceful. “I need to know what this building used to be before we even consider going inside.”
“Of course we’re going inside,” Braden countered. “We’ve been waiting for a lead and Amber finally gave us one.”
“I … .” Griffin furrowed his brow as he studied the phone. “This used to be a paper plant. All the machinery is gone, but according to county records, the water and electricity still run because it’s on the market for prospective buyers.”
“Who would buy this dump?” I asked.
“No one,” Griffin replied. “That’s why it makes a perfect place for people to hide.”
“And possibly wraiths and gargoyles,” I added.
“Yeah.” Griffin ran his tongue over his teeth as he studied the building. “I think we should call for backup.”
“And give Mom time to leave? No,” Braden protested.
“Braden, I know you’re desperate to see your mother,” Griffin said. “I don’t know what I would do in your situation. I honestly don’t. I won’t risk your sister for anything in this world, though. We need more people with us before we go into that building.”
“I’m not asking you to go,” Braden shot back. “I need to know if my mother is in there. I need to know if … you can’t possibly understand.” Braden’s purple eyes filled with unshed tears and my heart felt as if it was breaking. I’d never realized exactly how much pain he was going through. “I have to know.”
Without thinking, I reached over and grabbed his hand. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, you will not,” Griffin said.
“We need to see, Griffin,” I said. “I … you should stay here. Call Redmo
nd. When everyone else gets here, follow us inside.”
“Oh, yes, that sounds exactly like something I would do,” Griffin deadpanned. “Have you lost your mind? I’m not letting you wander into an abandoned building where every enemy you have could be waiting. No!
“I know you’re desperate to make up with Braden,” he continued. “I know you would do practically anything to make him feel better. I saw your face just now. You both have broken hearts. I won’t risk either of you.”
“Griffin, that’s our mother,” Braden said, his voice plaintive. “We have to know.”
“Son of a … .” Griffin clenched his jaw and glanced out the window. When he finally turned back toward us, his face was unreadable. “Braden, do you know how to fire a gun?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, here’s what’s going to happen … and if either of you argue with me I’m cuffing you to the steering wheel and tattling to your father.” Griffin used his best “I’m the boss” voice. “We are texting Redmond, Cillian and Aidan, and telling them to get their butts down here. Then we’re going in.
“Aisling, you had better stay between us the entire time,” he continued. “I’m not kidding. If you pull any crap, I’ll … .”
“Don’t leave us hanging, man,” Braden said, going for levity. “Are you going to dump her if she runs off?”
“We all know that’s an empty threat,” Griffin replied. “I … Aisling, promise me that you will stay between us. Swear that you will not do anything stupid and risk yourself.”
I nodded.
“I need you to say the words,” Griffin prodded.
“I promise I won’t leave your side,” I said. “I need to know.”
“I know you do,” Griffin said, glancing at Braden. “I know you both do. Okay, come on. Let’s see what horrors are waiting for us in there. I just know this is going to go badly.”
GRIFFIN wasn’t kidding when he said I was to stay at his side. By the time we made it inside the building my palm was sweaty because he clutched my hand so tightly.
“Um, Griffin … .”
“What?” Griffin’s eyes busily scanned the apparently empty warehouse.
“My fingers are starting to go numb because you’re holding my hand so tightly,” I admitted.
“Oh.” Griffin glanced at me, marginally relaxing his grip. “I’m sorry. I can’t shake this feeling that you’re somehow going to get away from me in here.”
“I promise I won’t leave your side.”
“Baby, if I thought there was some conceivable way to tie you to me right now, I would do it,” Griffin said. “I don’t think you’re going to purposely walk into trouble. It does seem to find you, though.”
“Why don’t you just cuff her to you,” Braden suggested. “You don’t need to tie up your hands, but cuff her to your belt or something.”
Griffin’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t considered that option.
“Don’t you even think about it,” I threatened. “I told you after the last time that those cuffs chafe. They’re not comfortable.”
“Oh, I’m going to toss my breakfast all over this place,” Braden said. “Don’t say things like that in front of me. I’m your brother.”
“Not lately you’re not,” I pointed out.
Braden’s face twisted. “Just because I hate you, that doesn’t mean I’m not your brother.”
“You don’t hate her,” Griffin said. “You’re angry. There’s a difference.”
“Don’t tell me what I feel,” Braden snapped. “I’m pretty sure I hate her.”
“Yeah, and I’m pretty sure that you’re so tied up in knots about your mother you have no choice but to hate Aisling because she’s the only female you can lash out at right now,” Griffin shot back. “In the end, though, I know you love your sister. You need to shut up before I punch you.”
“He’s really bossy,” Braden said, arching his eyebrows as he looked at me.
“Braden, I … .”
Braden cut me off. “I can’t, Ais. Not right now. I … not here.”
“Okay,” I said, giving in.
“You stay right next to her, Braden,” Griffin ordered. “We’re going to the next room. Aisling, I want you to hold on to my belt loops. I don’t care how annoyed you are by the prospect. Braden, you watch her back. If someone takes her from me … .”
“No one is taking my sister,” Braden said grimly. “I promise you that.”
The only sound echoing throughout the wide chamber as we moved toward the door was our shuffling feet. High windows on each side of the room allowed sunlight to filter inside. It wasn’t exactly bright, but it better than dark. I was grateful for that. The only thing worse than walking into a room full of wraiths and gargoyles is not seeing the enemy as it closes in.
Griffin gripped his gun and raised it slightly as he reached for the door handle. “You stay with me, Aisling,” he hissed.
“I’ve already told you that I can never leave you,” I teased, realizing now was not the time to joke and yet not able to stop myself. “I’ll never find another boyfriend as hot as you.”
“You’re never going to find one as protective either,” Braden said, closing in at my back. “Let’s go. Redmond, Cillian and Aidan should be here soon. I have a feeling everything is going to be okay.”
Griffin pushed the door open, leaning his head in first. Braden was so excited to get a look he inadvertently pushed my back, and that caused me to jostle Griffin and shove him completely into the room.
“Dammit,” Griffin muttered. “I … .”
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Andrea said, her attention drawn from the robed figure she stood next to at the end of the room. “What the hell are you people doing here?”
“We were just about to ask you that question,” Griffin said, collecting himself as he glanced around the room. Other than Andrea and the shrouded figure, the room was empty. “Who is your friend, Amber?”
Andrea blanched when Griffin used her real name. “Who told you?”
“You’ll probably find that we know a lot more than you realize,” I said, glaring at Andrea. “You look different than I remember. It took me a while. If it’s any consolation, Redmond thinks the new nose and boobs are a vast improvement.”
“I’m still undecided,” Braden offered, his eyes fixed on the cloaked stranger. “Who is that?”
“Who do you think it is?” Andrea asked, uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. “I … this is a mistake. I can explain everything.”
“I’m sure you can,” I said, taking a step forward to study the stranger better. “Is that my mother?”
Andrea made a face. “Your mother? Why would you think this is your mother?”
“We know she didn’t die the night of the fire,” I replied. “We know your family has been lying. What we don’t know is why. I … Mom?”
The figure was tall … too tall, really. My mother should’ve been about my height. While I was relatively tall for a woman, whoever stood next to Andrea had at least six inches on me. My heart told me it wasn’t Mom. I was about to voice my suspicions when the light glanced off something in the stranger’s hand.
“Look out, Andrea!” Griffin roared, recognizing what the figure held in its hand a split-second before I did.
It was too late. Andrea’s eyes widened, fear washing across her features as the cloaked monster plunged the knife into her chest. Andrea struggled to stay on her feet, but the pain was too much and she toppled over.
The figure glanced at us, the darkness beneath the cowl too great to make out any features, and then it turned and fled through the open door behind it.
We were too late.
Thirty-Two
I raced to Andrea’s side and kneeled next to her as she clutched at her chest. Her breath came in shallow gasps and her ashen color and the blood pooling on the floor beside her told me she didn’t have long.
Griffin and Braden moved toward the door. I knew what they
were planning, and it was a bad idea. “Don’t follow,” I ordered. “Stay here.”
“But … .” Braden was frustrated. “That was Mom.”
“That was not Mom,” I countered. “Too tall. It had to be a man … or an Amazon.”
Griffin’s gaze bounced between us. “Aisling, we can’t just let it go.”
“And we have no idea what’s down that hallway,” I shot back. “There could be a hundred wraiths and gargoyles waiting down there. For once, we’re going to do the smart thing. Wait for Redmond.”
Griffin didn’t bother arguing, instead moving toward Andrea and kneeling. “I’ll call for an ambulance.”
“We all know it’s too late for that,” Andrea said, her chest hitching. “I’m dying.”
“I’m not calling for an ambulance for you,” Griffin countered. “We’re in a sticky situation here and we have to look as though we’re trying to save you.”
It was a cold response and it wasn’t lost on Andrea. “How long have you known who I am?”
“Not long,” I replied, sympathy for the quiet girl I knew from my childhood tugging at my heart even as reminders of her betrayal flitted through my mind. “Who stabbed you?”
“It was Everett.”
“Everett?” Braden moved toward us. “Why would your own brother stab you?”
“Everett is … a monster,” Andrea rasped. “He always has been. You need to know that I wasn’t aware of everything that was going on until recently.”
“Did you request to be my partner after the whole Genevieve Toth thing on purpose?” Griffin asked, pressing his hands to Andrea’s wound in an attempt to staunch the flow of blood. Apparently he’d opted against calling for an ambulance, at least for now.
“My father insisted,” Andrea said. “I … I changed my name when I joined the academy. I didn’t want to be associated with the Grimponds any longer. I thought I was out until my father approached me about a month ago. He said that our family’s survival hinged on becoming your partner.”
“What happened with our mother?” I asked. “Why did you keep the fact that she was alive from us?”
“I didn’t know about any of that until recently,” Andrea replied. “You have to believe that. They kept it from me.”
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