Al pulled back and his green eyes held concern. “Rissa, that’s the guy they dug out of here tonight.”
I paled and self-consciously hugged my arms to myself.
“You okay?”
Goosebumps rose on my arms “He’s gone,” I assured him. “The police said he had too much to drink. Nothing more than that.”
Al ruffled my hair. “I know…but ever since that night…you know how it is for me.”
I nodded. I knew. Al carried his demons as I did. He would watch Mom and call me constantly for days now after this incident to be sure we were okay. It was his way.
I closed the door. They were the last guests and Stewart was right there to punch in the code. I patted his shoulder and joined Ian in the foyer. He had tugged off his jacket and was holding it over his shoulder like a model.
I gave him a smile. “I’m sorry if I chased all the ladies away tonight.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “If anything, they felt sorry for me…thinking I lost you to my brother.” He gave me a wink. ‘I got plenty of numbers…don’t you worry about me Rissa.” He pushed my shoulder playfully.
Liam approached us, and he smiled. “I would say that was a success.”
“It was a smash,” Ian corrected. He glanced around. “Where’s Dad?”
“Bed,” I offered. “He was too embarrassed to tell you guys but said he wasn’t young anymore and couldn’t hang.”
The brothers shared a smile.
Ian stretched his arms over his head and yawned. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Don’t stay up too late kids…I’m off to bed! I’m not so young anymore either.” He hugged his brother’s neck and set a quick kiss to his cheek. “Good job big brother…good job.”
Liam hugged him back, slapping his shoulder as men often do to hide their emotion.
Ian trotted up the stairs, whistling.
I lifted my eyes to Liam and felt that warmth that use to just come from his presence but was now caused by those eyes! I couldn’t go back to staring at my hands…at his hands…at his feet…at his chest! Not after tonight! “You were amazing tonight,” I said softly. “I was very proud of you.”
His lips parted in a heart palpitating inducing smile. “I was shaking in my boots.”
There were maids and servants moving about us now, beginning the clean up but I paid little attention to them. I couldn’t pay attention to anything or anyone but Liam. “You would never know. You were…a marvelous host.”
“Oh.” His warm eyes twinkled and he reached for my hand. “I thought you meant my performance with you.”
I blushed. “Liam Byrne.”
He grinned. “Yes Nerissa Meadows?” He lifted my hand to his lips.
I smiled. “You accomplished something big tonight.”
“I can’t have a masquerade every time I want to see my clients,” he sighed.
I squeezed his hand. “I will help you for that next time.”
He drew me gently to his chest and held me tight, kissing the top of my head. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
I breathed in his scent. “I would do anything for you.”
He drew in a breath and ran a hand down my back. “I know the feeling.”
My eyes lifted to his and I rested my chin to his chest.
He cleared his throat, glancing at the servants, who had paused to gaze at the sweet sight. They immediately got back to work.
I blushed and then trembled when his finger ran down my warm cheek. “I have to shore things up with security before some leave. I shouldn’t be long. Will you wait up for me?”
I nodded. I didn’t care the hour.
He smiled and dipped his face so he could capture my lips, just a taste. It was so sweet it almost brought me to tears.
I suddenly felt too warm. I bit my lip and stepped back from him. “Maybe I will go take a dip in the pool?”
His brows rose and he cleared his throat. “Can’t say I wouldn’t love to join you!”
Okay, now I was too warm!
“There should be a suit for you in the pool room…towels. I don’t like you being alone in there…”
“I will go with her!”
Mary! She was part of the cleaning crew! Of course she would be! This was her house…she would want to be involved with getting it back in order. I gave her a smile.
“Janice is sitting in the room while the girls sleep. There are still guards outside the door so they will be okay in my absence! I came down here to help…but I would be more than happy to stay with Miss Meadows!”
Liam gave her a genuine smile and even good old Mary was flustered under its beauty.
“Perfect!” I smiled at him now…really not wanting to leave his presence.
He tipped my chin, so unashamed in his care and affection for me now. “Take your swim. I won’t be more than a half hour and I will change. Will you meet me in the music room in forty five minutes?”
My heart slammed hard. “Yes.”
His eyes softened and his lids lowered with affection. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead and then his lips moved to my ear. “It will be the longest forty five.”
I laughed. I couldn’t agree more!
He walked away, pulling his jacket from his shoulders as he did. It was very hard to look away from him and turn to Mary.
“I would like to wash my face first…and then we’ll go to the pool room,” I said shakily.
She smiled her knowing smile.
I entered the bathroom just under the stair. It was the same bathroom Liam had pulled me into and I smiled. I found soap and a wash cloth and a smaller towel to protect my dress. I thought better of it and just slipped out of the dress, laying it across the couch that was sitting there. I sat down next to it and undid the beautiful strappy shoes. My feet thanked me when they hit the cool tile floor.
I then proceeded to the sink in my undergarments, much shorter, but a lot more comfortable. I went to work on my face until it was scrubbed clean. I wouldn’t get all of the eye makeup off until I could get to my makeup remover but I felt better that I would not turn into a scary raccoon when I went swimming! The only thing that made me sad was losing my curls that Kate had worked so hard on! But that swim was going to feel so good!
There was a soft knock on the door and Mary called softly. She had gone to the pool room and retrieved my suit. I took it from her gratefully and changed into it quickly before wrapping a towel about myself.
I was right…it felt wonderful dipping under the water.
Mary sat on one of the chairs and leafed through a magazine as I splashed about for a while. I didn’t dally too long though, wanting to dry my hair a bit before I went to see Liam. Mary was standing in ready with my towel when I climbed out and she walked with me through the house to see me safely to the girl’s room.
The guards were gone now. They would have been sent home now that the guests were gone. Was Liam done with his meeting? I smiled at Mary, held my towel tight and slipped in.
Janice was sitting by a low light reading and she looked up with surprise at me.
“You may go t bed,” I said softly. “The girls are sleeping and all of the guests are gone.”
She seemed relieved, gathering her things and exiting quickly.
I peeked quickly at the girls and then slipped into the bathroom, closing their door. The smell of chlorine was all over me and I had decided a quick shower was in order. I undressed and stepped in to wash the smell from my skin and hair. The warm water put me in a sleepy mood and I almost…almost wished I could climb into bed. And then I thought of seeing Liam and all thoughts of sleeping flew away.
I dried myself completely and wrapped my hair in the towel…going to work on the stubborn makeup left on my face. I opened the cubbard beside the sink and pulled out a pair of comfy soft cotton pajamas…a tee shirt and long bottoms. I certainly didn’t think Liam expected me to dress up tonight. I used the towel to soak up most of the moisture in my hair and then combed it carefully
. I felt less like a princess…but more myself.
I carefully hung the towels and flipped off the light in the bathroom.
My room was dark so I flipped on the light, wanting to locate my slippers and my cell phone. The only people important to me had been in this house tonight so I hadn’t expected any messages.
There was an envelope on my pillow. I frowned, and then smiled. I wondered if it was a gift from Liam.
I picked it up and shook it. There was definitely something in it. I tore the envelope carefully and pulled out the letter. Sitting on the bed, I laid it in my lap and then carefully tipped the envelope for whatever was jostling around inside it.
I opened my palm and let it fall into it. A single gold ring. It was a man’s ring. My brow could not have crinkled more. I studied the simple ring for a moment and set it on my thumb…it was far too big for any of my other fingers.
“What in the world?” I whispered.
I threw aside the envelope and reached for the letter. I unfolded the carefully folded letter and let my eyes adjust to the handwriting on the page. It was not the script I had come to recognize as Liam’s.
My whole body went cold as I began to read.
My Dearest Nerissa,
So we meet again! Our dance tonight was much more enjoyable than our last visit. I would like to express how wonderful it was to see that lovely face up close not laced with terror…unlike my last glimpse of you. As you can see…it is very simple to make myself visible to you when I choose but I have been here all along my lovely. I have watched you blossom into who you are today. This brings me to the reason of my letter.
I do not like this attachment you have formed with your young man. Has he watched you…has he followed you all of these years to be sure no untoward person touches you? NO! I have! I will destroy anyone who becomes an idol to you. Did you not learn that with your own Daddy? You have done well keeping to yourself…only for me…only for me. You have grown bold in this new love. If you want those you love safe…you will keep yourself only for me.
Meet me where we first met and we will discuss…you have made a fine mess of my plans for you. But I adore you still.
Yours always…..
The man who had stolen a dance was my father’s murderer? He had touched me? He had called me beautiful? I trembled and looked down at the ring in my hand. It shook in my fingers as I turned it in the light. The inscription on the inside read. “To my dearest Ethan.” Ethan Meadows…my father. This was his ring. Bile rose in my throat. I threw down the letter and the letter onto my comforter and ran to the bathroom to lose all of the contents of my stomach.
Clinging to the porcelain of the toilet I shook and retched and began to sob. How could this be…after all this time? All this time he had watched me.
And I felt the numbness setting in. I couldn’t let it overtake me! No, I had a job to do! I had to protect those I loved! I had to…I had to leave. I had to get out of here.
My body shook again and I felt and overwhelming need for him. I needed Liam. If I could just have him I would be okay. I’d be okay.
“Rissa?” The bathroom door on the girl’s side opened slowly.
The soft voice had me sitting up from my crouch. My stomach was empty but I still felt touchy. I swallowed and smiled up at Brianne weakly.
“Are you sick?”
I nodded and pulled my hair back. “Hand me my brush and that rubber band,” I said with a trembling voice and watched as she obeyed. She handed them to me with concern in the bright blue eyes. I gave her another smile as I twisted my hair up. I reached for her hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“Are you okay?” Her small hand left mine to touch my face.
An overwhelming need to protect her filled me and I pulled her into my arms and held her close. “Yes, I will be okay,” I whispered. “And so will you and Amelia…and your Daddy. I will make sure of that!”
I rose shakily to my feet and faced myself in the mirror, splashing water on my face. I brushed my teeth briskly, sensing the concerned little eyes on me. I gave her a toothpaste smile to make her giggle and then rinsed before reaching for her hand.
“Back to bed.”
“If you are sick I should take care of you,” Brianne insisted.
I hefted her up into her bed and kissed her swiftly. “I’m all better…I promise!” Only, I wasn’t, not yet. I really did need to see Liam.
I tucked her in for the third time and hurried for my room to look for my slippers. I had an appointment to make! I glanced at the ring on my bed and grabbed it and the letter up, shoving both in the pocket of my pajama pants. It was at that moment that a soft knock came to my door. I looked to my clock…I wasn’t late. It couldn’t be Liam come to find me!
I hurried to the door and opened it to find Stewart.
His kind eyes filled with concern at the sight of me, but he said nothing of my appearance, just cleared his throat. “Miss…Liam wanted me to let you know he cannot meet you tonight. Something came up. He will be in his office for some time tonight and…”
I shook my head. “I need to see him. He is in his office?”
“Yes but an emergency happened and…”
“I know and I need to see him,” I said softly.
Stewart cleared his throat. “Liam can’t see you right now Nerissa this is serious.”
“I am serious.” I pushed passed him, not caring if I was in my bare feet and pajamas. I didn’t wait to hear his argument. I ran down the stairs and to his office. I passed a pair of cops who were following another servant to the set of stairs to the foyer. Those were not security guards. They were legitimate police! I wondered if Al knew anything. I pushed through the doors that had once seemed ominous, not bothering to knock or wait to be invited in. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. My eyes went straight for his desk, but he wasn’t there.
Walking forward, I worried my lip, coming to stand before it. Some of the drawings were still there from his birthday. I had not been in here since that day. The day he first said he loved me. My card was still sitting by his phone. It looked like it had been opened and closed a good many times and this made me smile. The album also still sat on the great desk, as did a new picture in a frame. It was a beautiful silver frame. I picked it up, since I was only able to see it from behind and my heart caught in my throat. It was a picture of me! It was me with Zosimo…in the stable…his great head against my chest, my fingers in his mane! It was beautiful! And I usually hated myself in pictures! This had to have been taken the day Ian and I took the girls riding! But how….”
“A gift from Ian.”
I almost dropped the picture at the voice. I turned to its welcome sound, setting the frame down carefully. My heart fell at the picture before me.
Liam was slumped in his couch. His shirtsleeves were rolled up and his head was in his hands. There was a drink on the coffee table before him. He was the picture of total desolation. It broke my heart. He still wore his mask…the police had just been here…he wouldn’t even uncover for them!
“He was here…right here,” he moaned. “I had him here and I just let him go.” His scarred fingers buried deep into his dark hair and he growled in a sound of agony.
I took out the letter and set it on his desk, but kept the ring in my pocket as I walked slowly to him. I moved his drink, stepped over his knee and sat on the coffee table right in front of him and between his knees. I reached out and touched the dark head. My fingers trembled as they ran through its softness.
“How did they find out?” I asked hoarsely.
“You know?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I didn’t offer up how just yet. He was still too raw.
“They ran prints on a whim…they matched from your fathers…” he choked on his own words. “A simple drink glass he used when we first held him here after finding him sneaking…one of the guards had a feeling and went with it…unorthodox or not.” His fingers clenched in his hair as though he wanted to yank it
out.
I drew in a breath.
“He’s just an old man…that’s what I said…he’s had too much to drink!” He lifted his head and those tormented eyes were dark and wounded. “I could have ended this pain for you Nerissa…tonight. Ended the wondering…the fear. Instead I let compassion get the best of me and I set him free.” His eyes searched mine. “I failed again.”
I shook my head, trying to take his face in my hands. “You didn’t fail me. How could you have known?”
He sat up and away from my touch. I frowned at his pull away.
“I’m weak,” he growled. His brown eyes met mine. “Didn’t Stewart tell you I would be busy tonight?”
My frown deepened. ‘What? Getting drunk?” I knew he’d probably already downed a glass of whiskey when the police were here by the look in his eyes.
He leaned toward me and I had to remember how to breathe. His arm reached out and his lips touched my jaw, feathering gently up to my ear. “Maybe,” he growled, reaching around me for his glass.
I hated myself for being affected. He knew what he could do to me.
He sat back on the couch and raised the glass to his lips, taking a long pull.
“So…instead of meeting with me…you plan on getting drunk? Alone?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t think I could be any more of a disappointment to you.”
“None of this is your fault Liam,” I said softly. I leaned toward him now, setting my hands to his knees.
He watched me with careful brown eyes. He looked so mysterious and beautiful in his mask. I still couldn’t get over looking him in those wonderful eyes when I spoke to him!
“It’s not like we can’t find him again. There is a fresh lead. Even if I did not see his face…I heard his voice…he was in this house. It is not all hopeless.”
His eyes closed.
I sighed. “If you want to get drunk tonight…get drunk.” I tapped into my bold only when I was with Liam side and crawled swiftly into his lap. I smiled at the beautiful surprised eyes that opened to mine and took the drink from his hand. “But if you get drunk…I won’t let you do it alone. I had a creepy ill feeling about him too…so maybe it was my fault?” I took a sip from the glass and winced as the amber liquid burned going down. Oh this would be rough if I had to keep up with him! I was a wine girl for sure!
More than Scars Page 28