On Her Side

by Beth Andrews

  “Yes,” Layne said, edging closer to Nora. “You are.”

  “Ladies,” he said, shutting his eyes. Damn, but his old man had hands like bricks. “No need to argue. There’s enough of me to go around for both of you.”

  “We’ll try to contain ourselves,” Layne assured him before taking a hold of Nora’s arm and pulling her aside. Not far enough as he clearly heard her say, “We will be having a nice, long discussion about this later.”

  “I can hardly wait,” Nora said, not sounding the least bit intimidated, though he didn’t doubt that was Layne’s intention.

  “Hey.” Someone nudged his shoulder. Hard. “Did you faint?”

  He pried his eyes open—well, one eye as the other was starting to swell shut. Through blurred vision, he made out Tori crouched by the car. “I couldn’t be lucky enough to pass out.”

  Glancing behind her, she laid her hands on the edge of the seat and slanted toward him. Lowered her voice. “Thanks. For playing knight in shining armor in there.”

  He grinned then hissed out a breath when his lip split open ruining the effect he was going for. “That the best way you can think of to show your gratitude?”

  Instead of getting offended as he expected, she studied him, her eyes shrewd. “Yeah, that’s the best I can do. Especially when you and I both know the real reason you got your face pounded on. Who you were protecting in there.”

  He could deny it, but as he’d told Nora once, he’d never been much of a liar. Instead he shut his eyes. He felt Tori move away and then the door was closed. Layne got in, started the car and pulled away.

  He kept his eyes shut. Didn’t have to open them and look back to know Nora stood in the parking lot watching him get hauled off to jail like some lowlife. Like the kid he’d been long ago.

  Like the man he’d always feared he’d turn into.

  “Don’t I rate the siren?” He couldn’t stop himself from asking, though the thought of it blaring amped up his headache a notch.

  “Only dangerous criminals get the full treatment, not idiots who get into bar fights,” Layne said, taking a corner so fast, he slid into the door. “And the next time it happens, do yourself a favor and don’t try to get between a police officer and one of the suspects.”

  Because she knew damn well he’d done that to protect her from Dale, he kept his tone mild when he said, “You’re welcome, Officer Sullivan. Always pleased to assist Mystic Point’s finest any way I can.”

  There wouldn’t be a next time.

  Being a knight in shining armor brought up way too many emotions he’d rather not deal with. Too many insecurities and fears and memories better left buried.

  Plus, it hurt like hell.

  * * *

  “ARE YOU GOING through some late-stage teenage rebellion?” Tori asked as both squad cars’ taillights disappeared around the corner. “Because I always told Layne she had it too easy with you. It wasn’t normal for you to never get into trouble as a kid.”

  Nora dug into her purse for her keys. Where were they? “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you and how I walked into a bar and saw you sitting there.”

  “It’s a bar,” Nora said, her fingers touching the cool, rough edge of her keys, “not a den of inequity. And in case you were wondering, it’s not the first one I’ve been to. I mean, I did go to college.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t go to bars like the Yacht Pub,” Tori said, hot on Nora’s heels as she made her way toward her car.

  “You were there.”

  “Because Jenn wanted to see if her ex was there with his new girlfriend.”

  Nora pressed the unlock button on her keys. Her headlights blinked. “Jenn needs therapy. Or a restraining order against her for stalking.”

  “No argument there.” Tori jumped in front of her, blocking the driver’s side door. “But the point is I was there to support a friend while you were there with Griffin York.”

  Nora shook her keys. “I wasn’t with Griffin. I was there. He was there. And we sat near each other.”

  Although that wasn’t technically true. Griffin had come over to her. Had left the sexy redhead to talk to her.

  Angel, I have a feeling being with you is going to be way more interesting.

  He’d meant because of the drama of her sister showing up and finding her there. But her stomach had flipped at his words. At the look in his eyes. As if he wanted to spend time with her.

  As if he wanted…her.

  She was female enough to admit having that kind of attention from a man like Griffin, someone so darkly beautiful and sexy and intriguing was…well…it was flattering. Intoxicating.

  Dangerous.

  “It’s been a rough time,” Tori said, her expression softening, “what with the truth coming out about what happened to Mom. But that’s no reason for you to act out—”

  “Act out? What am I? Twelve?”

  Tori waved her hands in the air as if wiping away Nora’s words. “You were always such a good kid, so easygoing, so well behaved. You never rebelled as a teenager, never broke the rules or tested the boundaries.” She grabbed Nora’s hand. “It’s only normal for you to be acting this way.”

  Nora narrowed her eyes. “Acting what way?” she asked slowly.

  “Reckless. You’ve always been a bit rash, leaping first and asking questions later, but you’ve never been reckless before.” She squeezed her hand. “Sweetie, this isn’t like you.”

  Nora tugged free. “First of all,” she said, surprised her voice was so even, so controlled when she felt as if she should have steam coming from her ears, “I’m not acting any way. I wanted to come to this bar so I did. As a single, responsible adult, I can do stuff like that. Or maybe you think the next time I want to leave the house to go somewhere other than work or a family function, I should call and ask your permission first?”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Isn’t it? You and Layne both still see me as an eight-year-old but I’m not. I’m a big girl now and can make my own decisions. And for you to insinuate otherwise is both condescending and insulting.”

  “We just don’t want you to get hurt,” Tori said as if that was enough reason, a good enough excuse to coddle her and treat her like a brainless idiot.

  “My God, do you think I’ve lived in a bubble all my life? Do you honestly think I’ve somehow skipped through life totally unscathed?” Her heart raced, her skin felt hot despite the cool rain. “Our mother cheated on our father. I spent most of my life thinking she didn’t want us. I’ve been hurt before, Tori. I can handle it.”

  “Maybe you can. But do you really think you’re capable of handling someone like Griffin? You saw him in there…you saw what he’s capable of. He’s as bad as his father.”

  Trembling with contained fury, Nora stepped forward. “What I saw was a man sticking up for me. Or would you prefer he stood there while Dale continued to try to intimidate us?”

  “I’m not saying he didn’t have good reason to step in—or that I’m not grateful he did, because I am. But you have to admit, there were other ways he could’ve handled the situation instead of throwing punches.”

  “Maybe, but that’s not how it happened. And I’m certainly not going to hold his lapse in judgment against him when he has every good reason for wanting to lash out at the man who abused him and his mother. But that’s not what you’re holding against him, is it? You don’t like him because he’s Dale
York’s son.”

  “No, I don’t like that he’s the son of our mother’s murderer. But more than that, I don’t trust him. He obviously has issues—major ones—because of his past. You saw the look on his face during that fight. He was out of control, like a man possessed by his anger.”

  She shook her head even as the memory of the fight ran through her mind. Even as she wondered if her sister was right.

  “Even if he wasn’t Dale’s son,” Tori continued, “even if he wasn’t unstable—”

  “Oh, for the love of—”

  “Even if he was some guy off the street with no problems and no links to our past, I wouldn’t want him for you. He’s a heartbreaker, honey. He’ll use you up and then toss you aside when he gets tired of you and he won’t care if you get hurt as long as he gets what he wants first.”

  “It’s not like that between us—”

  “Are you kidding or just blind? I saw how he looked at you. How he watched you.”

  Nora’s scalp prickled. She felt breathless as if she’d run around the bar a dozen times. “Whatever happens, or doesn’t happen, between me and Griffin is no one’s business but ours. And now I’d like to go down to the police station and see if there’s any way I can help him.”

  Tori’s mouth thinned but she moved—grudgingly. But she held the door open as Nora got behind the wheel. “I don’t want you to do something you’re going to regret.”

  Nora jammed the key into the ignition, cranked it on. “You were right about me being a well-behaved kid. I like playing by the rules—”

  “When it suits you.”

  She nodded once. “When it suits me. And while that may have made for drama-free teenage years, I’m not regressing into some wild child or reliving that childhood. But I’m starting to think that I’ve played it safe for far too long.” She looked up and met her sister’s eyes. “Maybe it’s time to gather a few regrets.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  HE’D BEEN RIGHT when he’d told the Sullivans he was in hell. And it didn’t look as if he’d be getting out any time soon.

  At least they’d taken the cuffs off him.

  Uncuffed him, fingerprinted him, searched him for weapons, took his mug shot and were now tossing his ass in a holding cell. Things sure were looking rosy.

  “Captain Sullivan’s trying to find a judge to preside over your arraignment hearing tonight,” the young cop who’d been elbowed by Dale said as he opened a cell door and motioned Griffin inside. “So don’t bother getting comfortable because I doubt you’ll be here long. Between us,” he added conspiratorially, “I think she feels bad about having to bring you in.”

  “Great,” Griffin said as the bars closed, locking him in the small cell. “Knowing I have Layne Sullivan’s sympathy makes it all worth it.”

  The kid sent him a pitying look before walking away. Griffin leaned against the bars. His eye throbbed, his lip stung, his knuckles ached and now some snot-nosed cop felt bad for him.

  The night wasn’t over yet. In Griffin’s experience that meant things were about to get worse. Somehow, someway. They always did.

  Warily he eyed the lumpy cot against the far wall. He could catch a few hours of sleep, pretend he wasn’t spending those hours as a guest at the local cop shop. Except every time he closed his eyes, he saw his dad touching Nora’s cheek. Remembered how repulsed she’d looked. How scared.

  In that moment, the past had risen up and swallowed him, taking him back to when he’d been a scared, helpless kid. He couldn’t count the times he’d witnessed his father cornering his mother, putting fear into her eyes. How many times Dale had grabbed her, shook her, leaving his mark on her arms, her wrists. Pushed her, knocking her to the floor. Hit her, vicious, open-palmed slaps that left red welts. Punches that bruised her delicate skin. Kicks that broke bones. And though Griffin hadn’t been big enough, strong enough, he’d done his best to help her. To save her.

  He’d ended up as bruised as broken as she’d been.

  His hands trembled, his stomach churned. He breathed through his mouth until the nausea passed. A reaction from adrenaline letdown, he assured himself. Nothing more. The past was over. He wouldn’t let it affect him now.

  He didn’t regret stepping in at the bar but he couldn’t afford to let things get any more mixed up. Couldn’t let his emotions get tangled up inside of him. There had to be a clear line between the past and present.

  He only wished he could put one firmly between who he was and who he’d come from.

  The door down the hallway creaked followed by the unmistakable sound of high heels clicking against the floor. Griffin bristled, holding his breath. He slowly lifted his head, like an animal with the scent of something dangerous in its path.

  She was here. Nora.

  Damn it.

  “Are you okay?” she asked as she reached him. The young cop who’d been trailing her stopped two cells down.

  Nora’s hair had dried and was all poofy, her makeup smudged, her shirt wrinkled and dotted with water spots. Still, she looked ready to kick some serious ass, to do whatever it took to right every wrong ever done.

  She was seeing him behind bars, locked in a cage like some animal. Like someone who couldn’t control himself. Someone like his old man.

  He gripped the bars until his raw knuckles cracked and started bleeding again.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, more harshly than he’d intended but damn it, she shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be at the police station in the middle of the night worried about him or trying to save him.

  “Where else would I be?” she asked, as if his question made no sense to someone of her superior intelligence. “They’re charging you with Simple Assault though I tried to get them to reduce it to—”

  “I don’t want you here.” Hadn’t he already told her not to come? “Go away. Leave me alone.”

  She crossed her arms, her expression setting into stubborn lines. “I’m not leaving until you do.”

  “You’re a smart girl,” he said, and as he’d predicted, her lips flattened at his use of the word girl, “so you should be able to figure out when you’re not wanted.” He sent her a hard look. “Go save someone else, angel. I’m not interested in your help.”

  Stepping closer, she reached out as if to touch his fingers still wrapped around the bars. He lowered his arms. Hurt flashed in her eyes. She swallowed. “Griffin, you need me.”

  Because he was terrified she might be right, he smirked. “You and that high opinion you have of yourself would like to think that, wouldn’t you? But I don’t. I don’t need you.”

  He didn’t need anyone.

  To prove it, he went over to the cot and lay down on his side, his back to her.

  The seconds ticked by. He felt her watching him, waiting for him to give in. Finally she exhaled heavily, the sound a cross between a sigh and a growl. “You can be such an ass,” she said.

  Her footsteps echoed as she walked away. He didn’t sit up until he heard the door close.

  Twenty minutes later, he’d counted the bars of the cell, the squares on the floor and the ceiling panels before the door opened again. Sitting on the cot with his back against the cold wall, both legs bent, he watched the young cop lead Dale to the holding cell across from him.

  Griffin tipped his head back, hit the wall with a soft thud. He did it again. And again.

  “You’re not looking too good, boy,” Dale called after the cop left. “Never did know how to keep your defenses up.”

  He stared straight ahead. His father had taught him all about defense. How to note any change, no matter how slight, in his father’s behavior. How to duck one of his big fists coming at him, how to keep hidden when he went on one of his ra
mpages.

  Besides, Dale looked just as bad as Griffin did. He hoped he hurt twice as much.

  “Those Sullivan women sure are something,” his old man continued. “I’m not usually one to go for blondes, but that one could change my mind. Maybe once I get out of here I’ll stop by. Pay the pretty little Sullivan daughter another visit.”

  Griffin’s heart thudded heavily but before he could respond, footsteps sounded down the corridor again. A moment later, Layne reached him. Not so much as looking Dale’s way, she unlocked Griffin’s cell. “Your arraignment is in half an hour. It’s your lucky night.”

  With his good eye, he looked from her to his old man to the bars on the cage. “Feels like it.”

  She motioned for him to turn around. When he did, she pulled his arms back and cuffed his hands again. “Let’s go.”

  Griffin followed her for two steps but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t walk away. Not when Dale was smirking at him, thinking he’d gotten the last word. That he still had a hold over him.

  “Not a good idea,” Layne murmured when Griffin walked over to his father’s cell. But she didn’t Taser him so he figured he had at least a minute to get his point across.

  There, with the bars between them, Griffin met his father’s eyes. “If you so much as think about going after my mother or Nora,” he said, keeping his voice low, his gaze steady, “I will personally make sure you regret it.”

  “You might want to be careful how to talk to me,” Dale said, his nose swollen, his face bruised. “I’m not going to be behind these bars forever.”

  “We can go again anytime you want, but you leave my family alone.” Griffin stepped closer, close enough to see the unease in the old man’s eyes, the uncertainty. And the growing anger. “As you noticed, I’m not a skinny kid anymore. And if you ever forget that, I’ll be happy to remind you. Dad.”

  Dale’s mouth twisted in his red face. “This isn’t over, boy.”

  “Maybe not. But if you so much as breathe the same air as Mom or Nora, I will come after you and I won’t hold back. Not again. I will end this. I’ll end you.”