When the doorbell rang Ian sprang up and stepped over James to answer it. Beth pushed past Ian and ran to James, dropping to her knees beside his limp form. “What happened?” she cried, frantically pressing hands to his face and chest. “Did you call 911?”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Testosterone poisoning, cabin fever, take your pick. Ian tried to kill him with a pillow.” She sighed, motioning from one to the other with a casual wave, “and James is practicing for his Academy Award.”
With a dramatic moan, James managed to choke out, “Death…comes for me. Mother…”
Beth clapped her hand over her mouth to catch the relieved laugh as James cracked one eye open and gave her an irrepressible grin. “Aw, I missed all the excitement. I would have been here sooner if it hadn’t been for the crowd at the gate,” she complained.
Ian blinked. “Crowd at what gate?” he asked.
James pulled her down into a big hug, nuzzling her to make her squeal and giggle. “The gate to get into Olde Towne,” she gasped. “There are all kinds of photographers and vans set up. Did something happen?”
Ian vanished into the bedroom then reappeared a moment later with his sneakers on. Twisting his hair back into a ponytail, he gave Lily a quick kiss on the cheek before heading for the door. “And just where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.
“Out for a bit of reconnaissance. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he explained and without another word he left, closing the door behind him.
About fifteen minutes later, Ian returned and gave a full report. “They’re camped at both entrances. They can’t get through the security gate but it probably won’t be long before they decide to breech the walls.” He gave James a wry grin. “Reckon they know where you are now.”
Having relocated to the couch, Beth reached into her bag and pulled out her Tarot cards. She began to shuffle then laid out six cards in a row on the coffee table. She turned them over one by one, frowning in a growing sense of unease.
Still reclining on the floor, James rose up on one elbow to peer at the cards. “What do you see?” he asked.
When Beth shook her head in confusion Ian took the seat next to her and asked, “What was your question?”
She answered, “What is in the immediate future for Seamus?”
Lily sat down on the other side of Ian and studied the cards, as did he. They murmured softly to each other until James leaned in and said, “So what does it say?”
Beth stared down at the cards and began wringing her hands nervously. “It’s…jumbled, I can’t…I’m not able to…” she stammered.
Lily rescued Beth’s hands from each other while Ian continued to deliberate. “Em…maybe you’re a bit too close to the situation to be objective,” he offered gently. “Might I make a suggestion?”
“Yes, please,” she sighed with relief, leaning back to give him a better view.
“Try this,” he said. His finger hovered over but didn’t actually touch the cards as he guided her to move them into a row of three, then a row of two directly beneath it, and one at the bottom in an inverted pyramid. He studied that thoughtfully and turned to look at Lily. “Do you see it?” he asked.
“See what? What does it mean?” asked James irritably.
“Quiet, you,” Ian snapped back. “Look at the top row. You’re got the Ace of Swords, the Four of Wands and the Eight of Wands. This is the present. That’s telling you that you’ve entered into the beginning of a powerful situation, with high emotions involved. Legal issues, definitely. The two Wands are talking about your new place and that you need to get moving to get into it.”
“You throwing me out, Ian?” James asked in disbelief.
Ian reached over to give James a gentle cuff on the back of the head. “No, Seamus, quit acting the maggot and hush. Now here’s the rest,” he continued. “The underlying reason for the hurry is the second row where you’ve got the Emperor and the Queen of Wands, and that I find disturbing.”
He glanced over at Lily. With a slow nod, she echoed his suspicions. “It’s to protect Beth,” she said.
When Beth paled, James spoke up. “Protect her from what?” he demanded.
Ian shrugged. “The last card is the Star, which tells you to have faith, no matter how bad things might seem. Beth, ask about protection from what and draw the shadow card.”
Taking the deck in hand, she did as he asked and turned over the card at the bottom of the stack. “The Page of Swords reversed,” she said.
Ian sat back on the couch. “Protect her from…slander and lies.”
They all sat in silence looking at the cards. Beth became aware of a phone ringing at the other end of the apartment. “Your phone,” she said, giving James a nudge.
“Who’d be calling…” James frowned then stood and sprinted for the bedroom. Snatching the phone off the dresser and seeing the identity of the caller, he stiffened. “Yes, Aaron.”
Aaron sighed with relief. “Please don’t hang up on me,” he begged. “I need to talk to you, James. Listen, I’m not going to rehash how things should have been. You already know. I’m telling you how things need to be now. I need you to come back. The band wants you to come back…”
“Liar,” James snapped. “I talked to Bryce not two hours ago and he never mentioned it.”
“What do you want, James? Want me to beg? I’m doing it,” the older man snarled. “Do you have any fucking idea how much money I’m losing here?”
“Shouldn’t that be how much money we’re losing?” James asked smoothly. Grocery store. He shook his head to dislodge the stray image. “You should’ve listened when we all told you what tragic shape we were in. It’s not just me, Aaron. I was just the first to fall.” His voice softened a little. “All I wanted–all any of us wanted–was a little time off.” Aaron was silent for a moment, but before he could speak again James asked, “By the way, how’d you reckon the press found out where I was?”
“I don’t have any idea, James,” Aaron shot back. “If they bother you, though, maybe you should fly back up here where you’re supposed to be so that we can get you settled in under better security. James? Are you there?”
“Nope, I’m not,” James said, pressing End.
* * * *
The following morning, the eager realtor canceled all her scheduled appointments to respond immediately to the intriguing voicemail. Making it to Olde Towne in record time, she gawked at the paparazzi camped at the gate and whipped into the visitor’s parking. She checked her reflection before crossing the luxurious lobby to the elevators, calculating her potential commission on the way up. By the time Ian answered the doorbell, her smile was brilliant. “So you’re the one all the fuss outside is over. I’m Sandra from Gulf Shores Realty,” she said, sticking out her hand.
Ian gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry, no. It’s my brother you’re looking for. Seamus!” he called over his shoulder before stepping aside to allow her to enter. “Please come in.”
The real estate agent’s mouth dropped open when she saw the apartment interior. “Oh my,” she said, fumbling around in her purse for a business card. “If you ever decide to sell, you must give me a call.”
Ian nodded absently and stuck the card in his sweats pocket. “A Seamus, tar anseo! Sandra from the realty’s here,” he yelled again.
James strode into the great room and clasping her hand gave it a warm shake. “I’m very happy you were able to come out so soon,” he said. “Can I see it now?” With a nod, the agent led him back out the door and across the common lobby area to the only other door on the third and highest floor. She unlocked it using the security keypad and pushed it open to allow James to enter first. The vast apartment was empty, the walls bare. “It looks like no one has ever lived here,” he commented.
“No one has,” Sandra admitted. “The couple that bought it purchased it as an investment. They never moved in.” James wandered from room to room looking it over, realizing at once the floor plan mirrored Ian and Lily’s.
“I’ll take it,” he said immediately. The realtor beamed with delight. “I can get the paperwork started for you today.”
James stuck his head in the fireplace to peer up the chimney. “How long will it take, do you think?” he asked, his voice echoing up the flue.
“About a month, with the approval for financing and all. It shouldn’t–”
He interrupted her with a dismissive wave of his hand. “No financing,” he said. “I’ll pay for it outright. So - now how long will it take?”
“A couple of days,” she stammered, visions of a fat paycheck dancing in her eyes. BMW, here I come.
“Brilliant,” he grinned, rubbing his hands together. “So how soon can I start moving me stuff in?”
* * * *
True to her word, she was back in three days with a briefcase crammed full of papers. James sat at the dining room table for over an hour signing form after form, with Ian and Beth acting as witnesses. Lily brought them all coffee and after setting down the tray brushed her fingers across Ian’s whiskered cheek. “Lose your razor?” Lily whispered. “I mean, one day maybe, but it’s been two now…”
Capturing her hand, Ian pressed a kiss into her palm and smiled up at her. “I’ll explain later.”
After the realtor left, Lily arched an eyebrow at her husband. “Now, about this beard of yours…” she said, tapping her foot expectantly
Ian chuckled. “Not going for the rugged look, my love?” He touched James on the shoulder to get his attention and jerked his head towards the bedroom. “Ready to show her your surprise, Seamus?”
With a mysterious grin James said, “Give us a moment. We’ll be right back.” They left the dining room without a backward glance, leaving the girls looking at each other in confusion.
When they returned moments later, Beth and Lily both squealed in astonishment. The men had switched to faded jeans, Horizon t-shirts and ball caps with their hair tucked underneath. “Merciful heavens, you’re identical,” Beth exclaimed.
Both gave a hoot of laughter. “Not quite,” James admitted, “but close enough to fool the paparazzi. Ian’s going to lead them on a merry chase whilst you and I slip out and get some furniture for the new digs.”
Lily looked from one brother to the other and narrowed her eyes in deep suspicion. “You two have done this before,” she accused.
Two innocent faces blinked back at her. “Never,” they answered in unison. After a long moment, James shrugged. “Okay, once.”
“Twice, maybe,” Ian mumbled, scuffling a sneakered foot back and forth.
“Three or four times tops,” James countered. “Then there was that time in Oslo…” They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Holding out his hand, Ian said, “Give me your keys and a fifteen minute head start then go out the back gate.”
James reluctantly handed him the keys to the Jaguar convertible and said, “Best be careful with it.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “Of course, best you be careful with mine,” he sighed. After giving Lily a lingering kiss he put on his sunglasses and flashed them a rather mischievous grin before disappearing into the elevator. Lily followed a few minutes later on her way to run errands.
James checked his watch. Fifteen minutes later, he and Beth headed out the empty back gate behind the dark tinted windows of Ian’s Mercedes coupe. “So what do you want to shop for first?” Beth asked, automatically reaching to turn on some music.
“Wait!” James bellowed as she pressed the button. They were instantly blown back by loud, growling vocals. “…ck you like an animal…” came screaming through the powerful sound system. He swore and swerved, grasping at the knob to end the audio assault.
“Wow…” Beth said in a shaky voice. “Never had the Prince figured for a Nine Inch Nails fan. He looks more the…Masterpiece Theater type.”
“You always turn the volume down first in Ian’s car. He likes it loud. Some things never change,” James grinned. “He has, though. I guess we both have,” he added, his voice reflective. “In the old days at the pub, Ian worked security on busy nights…”
Beth gasped in utter shock. “Prince Charming? A bouncer? Like physically throwing people out of the bar and stuff?”
“Oh, hell yeah. Showing the drunks out, breaking up fights, that sort of thing,” James guffawed. “Don’t let that genteel act fool you. Ian was a vicious bastard. Took crackin’ skulls to an art form. Singlehandedly kept the local accident and emergency room in business on the weekends. Anyway,” he continued, “Ian used to sing with me and the band once in a while. That’s when Aaron first saw us. Came up and introduced himself, told us he was going to make us all stars. That’s what I wanted more than anything, but Ian went along with it for fun and of course the girls.”
Beth doubled over, her eyes teary with laughter. “He needed help finding girls? You’re kidding, right?”
James laughed too. “Nah, he’s just greedy. Anyway, when it came down to signing the contract, Ian wouldn’t sign. He told Aaron from the beginning that he was going to art school and when the time came, he just up and walked away from the whole thing. There’s not a lot of warm feelings between them now, as you can imagine. Ian’s been telling me for years Aaron’s going to be the death of me, pushing me so hard.” He thought about that. “Guess he damn near succeeded. Well,” he grinned, grabbing Beth’s hand and giving it a loud smooch, “I’m not dead yet!”
They spent the afternoon going from store to store looking at furniture. They took their time, wandering through displays, discussing likes and dislikes. Their tastes were very similar, she noted. They both gravitated towards classic wood furniture, eschewing the more modern chrome and brightly colored synthetic materials.
At the second store they visited, she realized that she needed to be more careful with what she admired. If he even suspected she liked something, he waved to the clerk and added it to his growing list of acquisitions. She tested that theory by picking out the singularly most horrific clown lamp she had ever seen. Holding it up for James to see, she said, “Isn’t this just precious?” It earned her a dubious look in response, but she watched him out of the corner of her eye and saw him looking around for the salesman. “Don’t you dare,” she warned fiercely. “This is your apartment; you’re supposed to be picking out the furniture.”
He gave her a warm smile and tickled her under the chin. “I want you to like it. I’m hoping you’ll be spending a lot of time there. We still haven’t found what I’m looking for though, and I’m starting to…oh happy days, there it is!” Grabbing her hand, he dragged her over to the next showroom and up to a massive oak four-poster bed display. “This is exactly what I’ve been picturing you in,” he purred, scooping her up and tossing her onto the ornately carved king sized bed. “Try it on, darlin’.”
Her breath came out in a soft oomph when he bounced up and sprawled out next to her. “Let’s see now,” he said, turning her on her side and snuggling up behind her, “it needs to be wide enough to give us both room to move around, but not so wide that I can’t reach you if you wander off.” He kissed the crook of her neck and sighed happily. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her.
She shivered at the contact and melted against him, turning slightly so that she could see his face. His lips curved into a slow smile as he bent his head to hers. Her mouth parted in welcome and he took advantage of that, covering her face and neck in slow, deliberate kisses. He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, “How long do you think you could stand having me around for?”
I’m sorry, what? “Why? Planning on going somewhere?” she quipped.
Pressing her down into the downy mattress, his tongue traced the edge of her ear, drawing a soft moan in answer. “I’m not going anywhere, sweet,” he said firmly, giving her neck a gentle nip just below the earlobe. His hand slowly caressed the curve of her waist and hips, tugging at the t-shirt she had tucked into her jeans. He trailed kisses down her
neck and onto her collarbone and just as the ability for coherent thought was leaving her, she managed to squeak out one word. “Window.”
“Mmm?” James murmured, his breath warm on her chest.
“Window,” she breathed again, pointing behind him. He glanced back over his shoulder at the open-mouthed crowd gathering on the sidewalk, blinking at them through the showroom window like a parliament of scandalized owls. A nearby throat cleared loudly, and James looked around to see the bland faced salesman standing next to the bed looking at everything but them.
James winked at Beth, blushing crimson to the roots of her hair then looked back at the salesman again. “She just can’t keep her hands off me,” he explained with a shrug and with a lithe twist rolled off, narrowly avoiding the decorative pillow Beth swung with lethal intent at the back of his head. “I believe we’ll take this one, what do you think, darlin’? How soon can we get it delivered, do suppose?” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper to the salesman. “As you see, she’s pretty eager to…”
There was an outraged gasp behind him and the pillow found its target on the second attempt. And the third.
Roughly two hours, two stores and five figures later, the text came in from Ian.
how much more time do you need
James replied:
heading home now
James and Beth got back to the apartment first to find it empty. Ian arrived fifteen minutes later in high spirits. “You should have seen them,” he laughed, “they’ve been trailing me all over the place. Lily’ll be along in a bit.” He dug around in his pocket then tossed James the car keys. “You need petrol,” he advised, “I didn’t dare stop. Car runs nice, settles in well at the upper speeds. You might be getting one of those camera tickets from the Crosstown–”
“Which you’re paying,” James broke in. “I don’t need any more points on my license, ye lead footed…”
“It’s just a toll, ye loon. I didn’t–” Ian began.
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