My eyes must have held the question because I didn’t have to say anything before he was answering me.
“You and Ian. You are trying to make Mr. Byrne, ahem, rethink his feelings?”
I blushed.
“Make him jealous?” he continued. His kind face softened as he got closer to me. “You can tell Ian he doesn’t have to act for me. I know him well.”
“Do you think it’s a terrible idea?”
Stewart smiled and shook his head. “Just be careful with his feelings. Liam has shown more to you than I have seen him show to anyone in a long while Miss. Don’t trample it.”
I swallowed and gave a nod. “I don’t want to hurt him. I really don’t. I’ve come to care very much for him.”
“I know, I see it,” he said softly. “Why do you think you have so much favor with me? I don’t trust just anyone to go into that office! You ask Mary…select few have been in there other than the day of their interview. You must practically have it memorized by now,” he teased.
I smiled. “Thank you Stewart.”
“I wish you luck in this Miss Nerissa. I won’t openly tell him anything…but if he should ask…”
“I won’t expect you to lie,” I whispered.
He nodded.
On a whim I stepped forward and gave the old man a hug. He blushed and sputtered, but gave me a smile. “Liam is lucky to have you,” I said sincerely, and then turned to hurry up to my bedroom.
I peaked in on the girls and they were sleeping soundly. I closed their door and moved through their room to get to my own. I stopped in the bathroom to brush my teeth, wash my face and pull my hair up. The wine was kicking in and I was feeling very sleepy. I changed into my pajamas and checked my phone. Ian had texted another goodnight and there was one from my brother asking me to call him. Probably to discuss Ian. I rolled my eyes. And there was a third text from Liam telling me he had someone coming in to measure the girls for new shoes. I smiled at the text. It was unromantic but I still smiled stupidly. It was contact. I texted a thank you. Completely unnecessary…but a response from me kept me in his thoughts. And I didn’t want to be long out of Liam Byrne’s thoughts
I received a text back right away.
For what?
I laughed. The heads up for the girls
No more response came and my heart rate slowed. He probably forgot he had even sent me the text beforehand. I set the phone down and frowned at it.
I heard noise from the girl’s room and hurried in to find Brianne thrashing a bit. She was having a nightmare, but there was no screaming, thank God! I shook her gently.
She fought against my hands and then started to call out, but I lifted her into my arms and onto my lap. “Brianne,” I spoke firmly into her ear.
Her eyes flew open and fought to adjust in the dim light to focus on my face. “Rissa,” she cried.
“You were having a bad dream,” I whispered. “That’s all sweetie,” I comforted when she started crying. I let her bury her face into my neck.
She wrapped her arms around me.
“It’s okay,” I murmured. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She hiccupped and nodded.
I leaned back and tilted her face. “Was it a bad man again?”
She nodded.
“Did he hurt your Daddy again?”
She shook her head.
“What happened?”
She burst into tears. “He hurt you and it wasn’t my bad man Rissa. It was another bad man. I couldn’t see him. He wanted to hurt you.” She was stroking my arm as if making sure I was really there with her.
“But he didn’t. I’m here. See?”
“Cause Daddy saved you,” she whispered. “I saw him save you.”
“In your dream,” I whispered. “He saved me in your dream.”
She nodded. “That’s why you can’t ever leave us Nerissa. Daddy will keep you safe. He’s meant to keep you safe.”
I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “That’s a lovely thought.”
She smiled. “It’s true. Daddy said it. He said he will do everything to keep you safe from him. I heard him say it on the phone. From the bad man.”
My heart accelerated.
“He said this on the phone?”
“Stewart handed him the phone and said it was Officer Meadows.”
I swallowed hard. “He spoke to Officer Meadows?”
Brianne nodded. “Isn’t that your name too?”
I forced a smile. “Let’s get to sleep,” I said calmly, though I felt anything but calm.
The bad man? My brother? My need for protection? What did this mean? I had lived in fear many years after my Father’s death, never knowing who had killed him…had they thought I knew their faces too? As the years had passed that fear subsided. Why had it suddenly come rushing back? I didn’t know the face of my Father’s killer. Did he know mine?
I hoped my hands didn’t tremble as I rubbed Brianne’s back. She took little time drifting off to sleep. I rushed into my bedroom and scooped up my phone, flipping on the light. I suddenly felt afraid in a place I had moments before felt such safety.
It was out of place and at first gave me a moment of panic but lying on my pillow was a white rose. I crossed the room and picked it up, lifting it to my nose. It was delicate and it was perfect. My first thought was Ian and I smiled, even in my moment of fear. I set it on my nightstand and sat down on the bed, hitting speed dial to my brother. All effects of my wine had worn off. I was stone cold sober now.
“Hey little sister,” he greeted.
I didn’t jump into my revelation. I took a deep breath instead. “Hi Al.”
“It’s kind of late. I thought you would call me in the morning! Did lover boy just leave?”
I frowned. There…proof he had spoken to Liam. “How did you know Ian was over? I never told you or Mom.” His silence was answer enough. “Ian is not my lover boy. We are friends. Seems you have been making friends too brother.”
He cleared his throat.
“What is going on Al? Why did you have to talk to Liam tonight? One of his little ones overheard. It upset her so much she had a nightmare tonight. She thinks someone is after me now.”
“Brianne?” he groaned. “Poor little tyke.”
“Hasn’t she been through enough?”
“You have too. You don’t need to concern yourself with this Nerissa. I talked to your employer just so he can be aware of what is going on. I know he has security at his beck and call. I called in a favor to him to have an eye on you. That is all. There is nothing definitive.”
That is why he was so concerned with me staying around the house! “Tell me the rumor than Alonso,” I growled.
He sighed. “Riss.”
“Tell me, please,” I whispered. “Or I will drive myself crazy with fear and worry.”
I heard him swallow hard. “There has been a threat made. We are looking into it.”
My blood ran cold. “After all this time…I…I don’t understand…”
“Someone could be extorting the situation Riss…we are looking into it. The theory is they know your situation and now know who you work for. If they know you are valued there they may be trying to get money from your employer to insure your safety.”
“They would threaten Liam with my harm?” My heart stopped. I rubbed at my chest and it was palpitating again. This he did not need. “I can’t let that happen.”
“It’s a game Riss…I doubt it’s even the same guy just someone trying to cash in on the situation.”
“You say they made contact?” Tears threatened. “How?”
He sighed. “They sent Liam Byrne a letter.”
I wiped at a tear. “I don’t want him involved Al.”
“There is nowhere safer for you than there Nerissa.”
I choked back a laugh. “So I bring danger here? To the place I have learned to love? To people I love? No, I will leave here before I will let that happen!”
“It
can’t be the same guy…it can’t,” Al whispered.
I shook my head and then started to hyperventilate. “Al, if it is….it means….he’s been watching me. All this time…”
“It’s not him Nerissa,” he said firmly.
I trembled. I pulled in a struggling breath, feeling faint. “God Al…I don’t…what if it is…what if he hurts Liam…or Brianne or Amelia…” my voice broke. “I have to get out of here.” Panic was starting to kick in.
“Riss…go take a shower…calm down.”
“What if what happened to Dad…” I started to shake. I saw blood and heat raced up my spine, making my skin prickle. No, I couldn’t lose it now. I needed to watch over my family blood and unrelated. I needed to talk to Liam! I know I promised him, but…more flash backs filtered through my thoughts. The smells of that night overwhelmed me and I saw black spots. I whimpered.
“Do you have someone there with you? Can you call Ian back?” Al sounded concerned.
Screaming. There was screaming. It was in my head, not coming out of my mouth. It was my Father’s screams. “Liam,” I called. My limbs felt weak, rubbery.
“Rissa,” Al called through the phone.
“I’m okay,” I whispered. “I’ll be okay.” I got to my feet and felt the World spin around me. “I just I just need…” It was red against the snow…scarlet and flowing and seeping and taking with it the life. I cried out now. I couldn’t move because everything was spinning.
“Get in bed Riss…I’m calling Mom…the Dr. Riss? Are you listening to me?”
I felt the tears on my cheeks. I didn’t want to break down. I wanted to be strong! I drew in a breath, closed my eyes and willed myself to calm. I lifted the phone to my ear. “Don’t call the Doctor,” I whispered. “I’m okay Al, just had a moment.” I opened my eyes and the World had righted itself. I was also thankful Liam was still in his office downstairs. He may have come when I called. That would have been embarrassing! “I’m okay.”
Al heard the relief in my voice. He sighed relief himself.
“I’m…it’s passed. It passed really quickly.” I felt control in my limbs.
“Take a shower. Relax and go to sleep. I will keep you posted. Don’t worry over this! You are safe there with Liam…and I’ve got eyes out here. This has to turn out to be nothing!”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Love you!”
“Love you too.” I hit end and went to obey my big brother. The shower worked wonders and when I slipped into bed, I was more than ready to sleep. I prayed the dreams would stay away after an attack like that. And thankfully…for tonight….they did.
Chapter 14 The Perfect Gift
“This is ridiculous Liam! No…No, you don’t have a say in this!” Ian slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “I don’t give a damn! I…Nerissa needed to go to an appointment I am taking her there. Mary is watching the girls….Yes, I understand it is Thursday and not Sunday!”
I covered my face and sighed. I knew this had been a bad idea. With the issue having come up on Tuesday with the threat I knew leaving the premises would be an issue. Even if I was with Ian.
“We will be home in an hour! She needs your permission now?”
I groaned.
“No, I haven’t heard what is going on.” Ian glanced my way. “No, don’t tell me. I want to hear this from Nerissa.”
I shrugged and gave him a helpless look.
“I will have her home in an hour Liam. She is safe with me. We just have something we need to get done.”
He was indicating the appointment with his photographer friend. This had been the only opening that we could get before Liam’s birthday. It was now or never. We had our ride yesterday and had some beautiful shots with the girls in the stable and on the trail. Ian had managed to get a few more shots in his time with Liam and the girls later that evening! I was very excited and anxious over this!
“She can’t reschedule. Just know she’s safe. See you in a bit. No...fine, brother, whatever…do what you think is necessary…”
Ian turned to me as soon as he ended the call. “Okay friend…dish!”
“Ian…”
“No…dish Rissa. What the hell? I’ve never heard Liam so crazed. What has him so scared to have you off the property? And I know it’s not me!”
He focused his gaze on the road but his jaw was ticking with annoyance so I knew he was serious.
I drew in a breath. “I needed to get out of the house Ian. I don’t want to talk about this!”
“I just hung up on my brother. The guy may beat the crap out of me when I get home, make it worth my while, friend.” He cleared his throat.
“I almost had a panic attack the other day over it and I’m just barely holding on. This may or may not be anything Ian. I’m just trying to stay calm!”
“Panic attack? So this has to do with what happen to your Dad?” He gave a nod. “Did new evidence come up?” He gave me a sideways glance. “But why would this have Liam freaking out?”
I stared down at my hands and closed my eyes.
“Rissa?”
“Liam got a threatening letter from someone claiming to be my Dad’s murderer. He wants money. My brother says there is an investigation. They think it is just someone trying to extort the situation. They don’t think it’s him.” I drew in a breath and trembled, not opening my eyes. Saying it out loud was hard. “Al must have told Liam I know since he didn’t argue when you said you wanted to hear it from me.”
“Oh hell,” Ian breathed. He pulled in at a small shop and put the car into park. “I’m sorry.”
I pulled in another breath.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I find it easier to push things away. I can deal with it if I’m distracted.”
Ian tilted my face toward him. His too blue eyes softened. “That’s not dealing with them darlin’. That’s avoiding them. It just builds. That is why you had your last episode…isn’t it? It had been a long time since you’d talked about it.”
I blinked tears. “Can we just go in and get this over with?”
He frowned. “I’d rather know you are going to be okay.”
“I will, I promise!”
“You need to talk to someone about this.”
“I did that for years,” I argued. “It never did anything.
“It didn’t?”
I glanced out the window.
“How many episodes did you have when you were going to someone?”
I shrugged. “I’ve only had a few since…”
“The one you had when we were out was bad Rissa,” he whispered. “That was a total break. It’s not good for you.”
“I bounced back quickly.” I lifted my eyes to his and smiled. “I’ve learned how to cope Ian.”
“You and Liam need to talk about this…both of you…share your experiences. I’m thinking there may be a little healing in it.” He frowned. “I worry for you.”
I forced a smile. “I’m okay…see? I can still smile. Today is going to be a good day.”
He shook his head. “You are so concerned about my brother hiding behind his scars…you hide behind your smiles.” His brow creased and he pushed his way out of the car.
I frowned after him, and moved to follow him. I paused to check my purse for the memory card for my camera. It would not do to get to this appointment and not have the most important piece. I sighed with relief. It was there. And then I smiled. There was also a single white rose lying carefully on a piece of tissue paper among the mess. It was a nice gesture, but unnecessary. It reminded me that I had yet to thank Ian for the first rose. I carefully wrapped it and followed him to the shop.
His photographer friend was brilliant and she was very much in love with him! She was adorable and creative and I thought later I should plant a bug in his ear.
We pulled the photos up on her computer and went over several ideas. She promised to send me some samples in a few days that I could choose from. I was more than
delighted. I would never have been able to do what she was proposing.
As we went through the photos, I couldn’t believe the shots Ian had gotten. He had completely respected his brother and many of the shots were from the back, or the side…his hands, a smile. They were beautiful.
The photographer, who I learned to be named Wendy, made a copy of my card and gave me back the original. Later I would go through the photos more carefully. I was liking her ideas though and felt she would do the photos service.
For the hour we were there I did forget my worries. It was how I liked it. I put myself into another’s service and nothing in my own life mattered.
The second Ian and I got back in the car, it all came rushing back to me.
“Liam and I are not speaking so I don’t know how this is going to work,” I said softly.
“He will have to get over himself. This is serious,” Ian growled.
“I don’t want to talk about it Ian,” I whispered.
“You will have to get over it too.”
I wanted to curl up in a ball right there on the passenger seat.
“I’m your friend and I am always going to tell you how it is. I want your best! I want my brothers! You both have issues and you have to deal with them head on! You understand?”
I nodded.
“Nerissa…it’s going to be okay.”
We arrived at the gates, which opened almost immediately for us. I remembered the last time I left and Liam was under direst. He had met us right in the front yard. He was not in the front yard. The front light was on. He was not in the foyer…Stewart was. He greeted us with a nod.
“Mr. Byrne would like to see you Ian.”
Ian frowned. “What about Nerissa?”
Stewart smiled kindly. “The children are in the theatre watching a movie if you would like to join them?”
“Nerissa needs to see him as well.”
Stewart looked to him sternly. “He asked to see you Ian. Not Miss Meadows.”
I touched Ian’s arm. “It’s okay. You see him first. I…I’m okay. If he needs me tonight…I’m not going anywhere.”
The blue eyes flashed with annoyance. He knew I was relieved to dodge this bullet. “Fine! I will come see you in the theatre,” he growled. “We aren’t done talking tonight!”
More than Scars Page 18