“If I had a face like yours I wouldn’t want to look in the mirror either,” Angelina said sweetly, putting on a fake smile as Griffin opened the door and shoved me past another couple coming up the walk.
I could’ve let the jab go but I think we all knew that wouldn’t happen. “I hope you get that lice epidemic under wraps,” I called out, causing the couple to frown at one another as they hesitated on the threshold.
“She’s just kidding,” Angelina offered hurriedly.
“And don’t forget to cure that chlamydia before you spread it around the locker room at the gym!”
Griffin struggled with me until I faced forward and then he pointed us toward Grimlock Manor. “You were very restrained.”
“I thought so, too.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“I wasn’t … and you’re still getting naked.”
“Ah, the things I do for love.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
22
Twenty-Two
“I have to return to the office today.” Griffin sounded as if he’d just been informed it was necessary to put a beloved pet to sleep – which in this case would be me – when he related the news to my father over breakfast. “My captain has been very understanding, but he’s short staffed with the holiday.”
Dad arched an eyebrow as he mixed his eggs and corned beef hash together. “Be safe.”
Griffin scowled at my father’s lackluster response. “That means no one will be able to watch Aisling.”
“Last time I checked I was capable of watching myself,” I pointed out, grabbing two sausage links from Dad’s plate and dropping them on mine.
“Those were mine,” Dad argued.
“I almost died and I don’t want to reach to the middle of the table,” I explained. “You can do that.” I was in a fairly good mood because it took very little effort to make Griffin crumble on the “no sex” rule last night. I figured messing with my father could only make me feel stronger and better.
“I’m only going to allow you to use that excuse for another twenty-four hours,” Dad announced, grabbing the sausage platter. “You’ve been given notice, so you’d better enjoy it.”
I snorted. “Puh-leez. I’ve got a week left of milking it, and we both know it.”
Dad opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. “You give me indigestion sometimes. You know that, right?”
“I have it printed on my business cards.”
“What do you want for Christmas?”
The question caught me off guard, especially given the fact that my father was a fussy planner. His Christmas shopping should’ve been finished in October. “Haven’t you already bought my Christmas gifts? If not, there’s going to be a lot of whining because that makes me feel unloved.”
Dad scowled. “I bought all of your regular Christmas gifts. That was before you were injured. I thought maybe you’d want something special.”
“Oh, here we go. That’s what I want to hear.” I rubbed my hands together, delighted. “I want gift cards for the spa.”
“Already done. You and Jerry have four dates, including whatever you could possibly want done.”
I widened my eyes. “Really? Cool. I want a new computer, too.”
“What kind?”
“Mac.”
“Email me the specs and I’ll make sure you get it.”
This was too much fun. “Can I have a pony, too?”
“No. You can have a kitten, if you so desire. You all wanted pets when you were children. Your mother and I decided that none of you were capable of caring for anything more difficult than a cat – and a fish is all Braden was geared toward, by the way – so if you want a cat, you can have a cat.”
That was an interesting option. I slid my gaze to Griffin. “Do you want a cat?”
“I want someone to notice the fact that I have to go to work and that you still need to be watched,” Griffin countered.
“Chill out, drama queen.” I patted his arm. “This place is crawling with people. I’ll be fine.”
“She will be fine,” Dad agreed. “Cillian will be home all day. She can conduct research with him. I have to make a few phone calls – and apparently shop for a few things – but I’ll be here, too. She won’t be in any danger.”
Griffin didn’t look convinced. “I want someone to have eyes on her at all times.”
“That’s going to make going to the bathroom fun.” I winked at Cillian for good measure, earning groans from every brother present and scowls from Dad and Griffin. “What? I’m being good.”
“You’re being a pain,” Dad corrected. “You’ll be with Cillian all afternoon, though, and you won’t put up a fight because you want your extra Christmas gifts. I know you.”
I knew him, too. There was no way he wasn’t going to give me those Christmas gifts. It didn’t matter how terrible my attitude was, he would give in. “Fine. I’ll be good.” I didn’t acquiesce for him. I did it for Griffin, who looked utterly terrified at the prospect of being away from me for the first time in more than a week. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“You’re going to text me often,” Griffin ordered. “No dirty texts either. People monitor our texting accounts. I had to explain that one you sent about the bat in your belfry. It wasn’t easy.”
I smiled at the memory. “So … no texts about our new pussy cat?”
“Don’t push it, Aisling,” Dad ordered, waving his fork. “Do you want the cat or not? I need to find a pet store if you do.”
“You don’t buy a cat from a pet store,” I argued. “You adopt it from an animal shelter.”
Dad shifted uncomfortably on his chair. “That sounds dirty.”
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t want a cat right now.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s simply another weapon someone could use against me,” I explained. “A cat stays locked in the townhouse all of the time. What if someone breaks into the townhouse and kills it as a message? I don’t want to risk that.”
Dad balked. “What are the odds of that?”
“I don’t want to find out. The computer is good for now. I’ll put a list together later.”
“I’ve got a few things I want to add to that list,” Braden interjected.
“I figured you would.”
“Oh, Criminy.” Dad made a disgusted face. “Everyone send me their lists privately. Don’t let Aisling do all of the dirty work.”
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,” Redmond teased, grabbing a slice of toast before standing. “We need to get to work, guys. With Aisling and Cillian out of the loop and us getting a full docket today, it’s going to be a busy afternoon. We’re lucky most people try to hold on through the holidays. When we hit the run after, though, it’s going to be rough.”
“Is that true?” Katherine looked genuinely interested as she lifted her head. She sat through the bulk of breakfast in silence, refusing to make eye contact with anyone, including her own son. “Do you have a run on deaths after the holidays?”
“Every year,” Dad replied. “That means we need to figure out what this mirror monster is and exactly what it wants before Christmas. Does everyone understand?”
“Sir, yes, sir.” I mock saluted and grabbed another sausage link from Dad’s plate. “What? I almost died. It’s the least you can do.”
“If I were Santa, you would be on my naughty list,” Dad warned.
“If you were Santa your belly would jiggle like a bowl full of jelly,” I shot back. “I’m much more interested in that phenomenon.”
“It’s going to be a long day,” Dad muttered, rubbing his cheek. “I need to find a muzzle or something.”
“I’M GOING to flush that thing down the toilet if it doesn’t stop doing that.”
Cillian glared at my vibrating cell phone for what must’ve been the twentieth time in the course of the early afternoon hours.
“It’s not my f
ault,” I groused, glancing at the screen. Griffin again. He wasn’t joking about texting constantly. “He’s turning manic or something.”
“He’s not turning manic,” Cillian argued, relaxing on my bed and flipping a page in the big book of monsters the reaper board loaned us for research purposes. “He’s just worried. He can’t help himself.”
“I wish he would try.”
“Put yourself in his position,” Cillian ordered, surprising with his vehemence. “The last time he wasn’t with you something terrible happened. You were attacked and almost killed. He then spent every moment possible with you over the next ten days and nothing happened to you. You were safe … and he could watch you breathe when you slept … and he knew you were okay. Now he has to go to work again and he’s worried about not being able to watch you. It’s normal … and it will pass.”
“I don’t see how it’s normal,” I countered, shaking my head when Cillian pointed at a creature in the book. “It didn’t have a penis on its face.”
“That’s not a penis,” Cillian argued. “That’s a nose.”
“There? That’s its cheek.”
“It’s still closer to where it’s supposed to be than a penis.”
“Yes, but a penis would’ve been much more entertaining.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Cillian shifted a bit, getting more comfortable. I did the same, resting my cheek against his strong shoulder. “Think of it as if you just had a baby.”
I stilled, annoyed. “I wish people would stop mentioning babies around me. I couldn’t even commit to a cat. I’m most certainly not having a baby anytime soon.”
“This is a metaphorical baby.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to change its metaphorical diaper?”
“Yes.”
“Sold. What is this metaphorical baby’s name?”
“I don’t know.” Cillian’s patience almost never wore thin, so it was always an exercise in concentration when I wanted to make it happen. “His name is Griffin Junior.”
“I would never do that to a kid,” I argued. “Naming a child after someone who has died is one thing. It’s kind of an homage, if you know what I mean. Naming a kid after someone who is still alive is mean. It calls for comparisons, and the kid will never be able to live up to the hype.”
“Fine. The kid’s name is Fergus.”
“You’ve been watching Outlander,” I teased, amused. “Do you watch it because Maya likes seeing the dude all naked and dirty?”
“I watch it because the hot chick gets naked just as much as the dude,” Cillian replied. “There’s something for everyone in that show.”
“Huh. I never noticed she got naked until you mentioned it.”
“That’s because you were focused on the dude. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. So, you carried young Fergus in your body for nine months and then when it was time to deliver him everything went well and he was a joy we welcomed with open arms into the Grimlock family.”
“Since he’s a metaphorical baby he didn’t hurt me during delivery, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Cool.”
“Anyway, so you have the baby and you get your maternity leave,” Cillian continued. “You spend six months with this little baby that can’t take care of itself and then you’re expected to take off and leave it alone the next day because you have to go back to work. What do you do?”
“Call a babysitter.”
“What else do you do?”
“Thank my lucky stars that I’m not trapped in a house with a baby for one second longer.”
“You’re going to be a fantastic mother,” Cillian drawled, annoyed. “I’m trying to make a point.”
“I get your point.” I patted his arm. “Griffin is having trouble letting go because he’s convinced that if I die it will be because he’s not here to protect me.”
“Pretty much.”
“I understand that, and I’m honestly doing my best to assuage his fears.”
“I know you are,” Cillian conceded. “You’ve been doing really well. It can’t be easy for him given the fact that his mother is walking around this house resembling a zombie. She’s not even trying to interact with anyone.”
“No, she’s not, but I think she will.” I wasn’t sure if that was wishful thinking. “Think how hard it must be to accept all of this. She didn’t believe in the paranormal before she saw me chop off a green hand and then watched us ignore it on the pool table for as long as possible.”
“Griffin and Maya went through the same thing. They didn’t turn catatonic.”
“Yeah, but they weren’t shoved into the thick of things in the same manner as Katherine,” I argued. “Griffin saw me take out a wraith, but that’s mildly small in the grand scheme of things. I mean … look at our lives today compared to what they were then.
“Griffin got used to our lives by small trickles and drabs,” I continued. “He met me when I was standing over a dead body. He saw me kill a wraith. He fought other wraiths. He fought with us when we killed Fontaine. He knew before we saw her that Mom was alive. He saw one gargoyle before being introduced to a flock of them. He saw one wraith before an entire platoon attacked. He witnessed all of those things before the mirror monster became a reality.”
“I get what you’re saying.” Cillian thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “Griffin didn’t have to deal with everything all at once. Maya kind of did, though.”
“Maya also hasn’t fought with us when we’re killing wraiths and she didn’t have to see the mirror monster attack,” I reminded him. “I think Katherine is doing fairly well considering the circumstances.”
“Oh, yeah?” Cillian arched an eyebrow as he cast me a sidelong look. “After what she said last night about not wanting Griffin in our world, I would’ve thought for sure you’d be in a terrible mood and plotting your revenge.”
“I’m an adult. I don’t plot revenge.”
Cillian snorted. “You love plotting revenge.”
“That’s true. Still … Griffin is her child. I understand that she wants to keep him safe. I want him safe, too.”
“But?”
“But I know that he loves me.” I glanced around to make sure we were truly alone before continuing. “I heard your voices when I was under, but it was Griffin’s voice that brought me back. He was crying – and I think I knew that even though it was hard to register with all of the floating and darkness – and my heart hurt thinking about him being in pain.”
“So you came back?”
“I never had any intention of not coming back,” I replied. “I always wanted to come back. It’s just … I had no concept of time while I was floating. Griffin’s voice made things urgent for me. He made me desperately need to come back to him.”
“That’s incredibly sweet … and incredibly unlike you,” Cillian teased, pushing my bangs back from my face so he could study me without impediment. “You’ve grown up.”
“Don’t insult me.”
Cillian snickered. “You have, kid. You’re not an adult, of course. None of us are adults. Griffin has forced you to grow up. He’s good for you.”
“I know he’s good for me. Do you think I’m good for him?”
“Of course. Why would you ask that?”
“Because I’m not sure it’s true,” I answered, opting for honesty. “What do I give him other than constant fear and snark?”
“You gave him your heart, and you’d never done that before, so it was a leap of faith,” Cillian replied. “You’re just as good with him as he is with you. You bring him out of his shell. You make him laugh. You dote on him in your own way even though tough guys like Griffin pretend they don’t enjoy being doted on.”
“Griffin said he couldn’t imagine his life without me. I can imagine my life without him … and I hate it. I want him to be happy with me.”
“He is happy with you. Don’t let what Katherine said make you insecure. I don’t like it when you’re insecure.”
/>
“I’m not feeling insecure,” I clarified. “It’s just … Griffin is holding on so tight I’m afraid a piece of me is going to break off – the piece he’s clinging to – before we get answers on this. I’m afraid he’ll wash away if that happens.”
“Then we won’t let it happen.” Cillian tapped the book page. “Focus on this. We need to find answers before we can move forward.”
“I know.” I pressed my cheek against his shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay, right?”
“Yes. I promise.” Cillian tilted his head so his cheek rested against my forehead. “Everything will be fine.”
“Of course it will.”
I jolted when I heard the jovial voice at the doorway, frowning when I saw Katherine standing there, a bright smile on her face. “I … what are you doing here?”
“I’m here because I think the time for moping has ended,” Katherine replied, her expression friendly and open. “Griffin has made his choice … and I think it was a good one. Questioning that choice won’t do anyone any good. Instead of that, we’re going to focus on the monster and getting rid of it.
“I came here so I could have a merry Christmas with my children, and that’s exactly what I intend to do,” she continued. “I’m here to help you research. I might not know a lot about monsters, but I can read a book.”
“I … well … we need the help,” Cillian hedged. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Katherine bobbed her head. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, well, good.” I beamed at her and patted the other side of the bed. “We’ve already ruled out the monsters with penises on their faces, so we’re ahead of the curve.”
Cillian looked pained. “That was its nose.”
“That’s your story.”
23
Twenty-Three
Griffin was alert when he strode into the bedroom just after five, clearly keen to make sure the texts weren’t a joke and I really did make it through the day without any new bruises or abrasions. He pulled up short when he saw Cillian and Katherine sleeping on the bed. Uncomfortable being stuck between them, I crawled out an hour earlier and planted myself in the overstuffed chair at the side of the room and continued flicking through the book.
Grim Holiday (Aisling Grimlock Book 6) Page 21