1 Grim Tidings (10 page)

“Hey!”

“Hey yourself, cutie pie.”
Duke Fontaine didn’t bother running. Apparently, the sight of Cillian and me racing across the street to confront him wasn’t cause for quaking in his military boots.

When we were all on the same side of the street it became obvious why our two bodies didn’t equal his one. At more than six feet tall,
Cillian was dwarfed by the six feet and seven inches of pure muscle (and tacky camouflage pants) that made up Duke Fontaine. His right thigh was bigger than my torso, for crying out loud. He had mercenary – or prison barber – written all over him. For all I knew, the Chinese symbols tattooed onto his bald scalp signified just that.

I didn’t let his stature deter me. I planted my hands on my hips and a stern expression (the one that had my brothers screaming PMS and hiding under their beds when we were teenagers) on my face. “That is my soul.”

Fontaine shook his head from side to side. “That’s not how it looks to me, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me sweetheart. And that guy is on my list.”

“He’s on mine now, my little pretty.” Fontaine was trying to be charming, but all that did was further infuriate me.

“Hand him over.”

“Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” Fontaine countered.

“My foot up your ass is going to be ten-tenths of law in a second,” I warned. “Give me my soul.”

Cillian remained silent, but his face blanched when I threatened physical violence. I was making the threats, but he would have to back them up.

“I like you, button,” he said. “You’re fiery.” Her looked
Cillian over and dismissed him before turning back to me. “You’re a Grimlock, aren’t you? You all have a certain look about you. I like it better on you than them, though.”

“I’m pissed off is what I am,” I shot back. “Give me my soul.”

Fontaine smiled, giving me a shot of teeth that were probably used to gnawing raw meat off of bones, and tilted his head in my direction. “What will you give me for this soul, sweetie pie?”

“A hearty handshake, douche bag.”

“I’m going to want something more than that.”

Fontaine reached over and rubbed his fingers through my hair. I jerked back, repulsion squirming through my belly. “Don’t touch me.”

“Don’t touch her,” Cillian growled, taking a step forward. He might not have Fontaine’s size, but that wouldn’t stop him if he felt the need to protect my honor. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

“Listen, you two are cute,” Fontaine said. “He’s almost as pretty as you
are, sweet thing. I think I should be going, though. I try to avoid the cops whenever possible and they should be here any second.”

“I can see that,” I replied. “They probably give you wet dreams.”

It took a second for my jab to land but, when it did, all pretense of flirting disappeared from Fontaine’s face. “You’re not so cute now.”

“Wait a few seconds,” I replied, tapping my foot. “I’m about to get downright ugly.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Fontaine said. “I’m still not giving you this soul. This is worth five grand to me. There’s nothing you’re offering that’s worth even a quarter of that. Although, if you want to take your top off I might consider adjusting my fee.”

My mouth dropped open as every curse word I had ever uttered fought to escape at the same time. Nothing came out, though.

“If you want to just pull your shirt down and give me a little peek, I might consider it then, too.”

This time, I didn’t even get a chance to consider responding.
Cillian’s fist slammed into Fontaine’s face before the words had finished coming out of his mouth. The punch wasn’t strong enough to knock Fontaine down, but the hit was hard enough to catch him off guard and he stumbled to the side, slamming into the brick wall behind him.

Cillian
was on him with a flurry of fists and angry language, not giving Fontaine a chance to recover. Fontaine did what came naturally, and raised both of his hands to cover his face. I knew it wouldn’t take him long to recover, though, so I darted into the melee and slipped my hand into the pocket Fontaine had slipped his scepter in after collecting the soul.

I rooted around the pocket for a second – praying I wouldn’t inadvertently grab onto any other rod in there – and then pulled the sterling silver staff out and took a step back.

“I’ve got it. Let’s go.”

Cillian
was still working out his aggression and Fontaine was about done letting him. I grabbed Cillian’s ear and twisted it without mercy, pulling him with me as I moved away from Fontaine.

Fontaine seemed surprised that
Cillian was suddenly gone – no more than Cillian, though, when he realized what had pulled him off Fontaine. “That hurts!”

I waved Fontaine’s scepter in front of his face. “Let’s go.”

Cillian looked impressed. “When did you get that?”

“When you were smacking him around.”

“I was pretty badass, huh?”

“Deranged is more like it.”

“When we tell this story to the others, you’re going to say I’m badass.”

“Fine.”

“Hey!” Fontaine was back on his feet and his hand was in his pocket. I couldn’t be sure, but I definitely felt I had tilted over into the ugly category where he was concerned. “That’s mine!”

Cillian
grabbed my arm, all traces of badassery gone. “Run!”

“YOU BEAT
up Fontaine?”

Redmond looked both proud and doubtful.

“I don’t know if beat up is the right phrase,” I hedged.

Once we were in the car and safely on our way home,
Cillian’s bravado had slipped under the weight of worry that accompanies pissing off Duke Fontaine. Once he was sure Fontaine wasn’t following us, though, he had turned downright boastful. I guess I couldn’t blame him.

“I beat his ass,”
Cillian said, sipping from a bottle of beer. We were all congregated in Dad’s office to regale the family with our tale.

Braden turned to me. “How big of an ass beating was it? Was there blood?”

“No.”

“He wanted to bleed, though,”
Cillian said.

I patted his knee. “I could see that.”

“I want to know what he is doing here,” Dad said, his elbows resting on the top of his desk and his expression serious. “Last I heard he was sticking close to his home turf in Las Vegas. Someone had to call him for him to come back to Detroit.”

“He said he was getting five thousand for the soul.”

“From who?”

I shrugged and turned my palms up. “I didn’t have time to grill him on it. I took the opportunity to steal the soul back and then we ran.”

“You ran?” Aidan asked, his gaze fixed on Cillian.

“Well …
Aisling ran,” Cillian said. “I took the opportunity to leave him there on the street with a little bit of dignity.”

“You’re the one
who told me to run,” I reminded him.

“Drink your beer.”

Cillian’s neck colored as our brothers chuckled.

“He still didn’t hesitate to jump in and protect my honor when Fontaine asked to see my boobs.”

The chuckling stopped.

“Fontaine said what?” Redmond was on his feet. “You left that part out of the story.”

Cillian slid me a look. “The guy is a pig. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

“Still, to say that … to even think that
… .”

Cripes. “They’re just boobs, Redmond,” I grumbled. “It’s not the first time a guy has asked to see them.”

“Who? When? Who?”

“I think the better question is who hasn’t?” Aidan chortled. “Even gay guys want to see boobs. They’re like unicorns in our world. They’re cool to look at, but they’re mythical and scary to consider touching.”

Dad cleared his throat. “Let’s get back to Fontaine.”

“I agree,” Braden said. “I don’t want to hear Aidan compare boobs to unicorns. It’s going to give me nightmares.”

I rolled my eyes and sent Aidan a sarcastic thumbs-up. He pushed his lips out and sent me an air kiss in response.

“You guys are never going to get married if boobs scare you,” I pointed out.

“I happen to like boobs,” Braden replied. “As far as I’m concerned, though, you don’t have any.”

“Exactly,” Redmond pointed at Braden appreciatively. “You’re flat as a board and twelve years old where we’re concerned.”

“Ah, it’s like middle school all over again, huh Aisling?” Aidan teased.

“Stop talking about boobs!”
Dad slammed his hands down on his desk.

My brothers had the grace to look abashed. I didn’t bother since Dad refused to look me in the eye. I was twelve to him, too. You should see them when I bring up tampons.

“Dad is right,” Redmond said after a beat. “We have to find out what Fontaine is doing in the area.”

A normal freelancer is cause for worry when you’re in the reaping business. Duke Fontaine is a whole other story. He was coming on the scene just when
Dad was retiring from day-to-day operations and moving into a management position in the organization. He had stolen two souls from Dad – something unheard of at the time, if you believe the stories – and my father had hated him since. They had come to blows and – ultimately – Fontaine had agreed to relocate his services. I never quite understood what had gone down, just that Dad considered it a win. Something had obviously changed on that front.

“Don’t worry about Fontaine,” Dad said. “I’ll handle Fontaine.”

“How are you going to handle him?”

All eyes in the room turned to Dad for an explanation. We were all equally curious.

“Don’t you worry about that.”

“Are you going to handle him the way you handled him before?” I pressed.

“Aisling, why don’t you give me Fontaine’s scepter,” Dad changed the subject, holding out his hand expectantly. “I’ll handle the soul transfer and then make sure Mr. Fontaine gets his property back.”

That didn’t sound like Dad, but I didn’t argue. I handed the scepter over and then followed my brothers out of the office and toward the dining room. There was nothing a home-cooked meal couldn’t fix. I just hoped the cook wasn’t serving chicken breasts – or unicorn.

Three days later Dad insisted everyone had to go to a “work function.” Attendance was mandatory. I assumed it was one of those lame charity events that his boring co-workers and their wives attended each month so they could gossip, swill wine and donate money to help the “little people.”

I was right.

And wrong.

“I’m glad you made me come.”

I glanced over at Jerry, not bothering to hide my grin. This wasn’t what I was expecting either. It was a charity event, it just happened to benefit the Detroit Police Department.

“You’re happy because there are so many men here.”

“Men in uniform,” Jerry corrected. “I’m happy because there are so many men in uniform here.”

“You know not all of them are gay, right?”

“Don’t ruin my fantasy, Bug.”

“Sorry.”

I reached over and brushed a small piece of lint
from Jerry’s tuxedo, marveling at how well he cleaned up. Jerry caught me looking at him and smiled down at me. “You look nice tonight, Bug.”

My smile faded as I glanced down at my dress. I’m not one for getting all gussied up and putting on heels. I had settled on a simple black dress with a dangerously high slit up the right thigh – just enough to make
Dad wish he hadn’t made attendance mandatory.

“How long do you think we have to stay?” I asked.

“We just got here. We haven’t had dinner or danced yet.”

“I’m not dancing.”

“Yes you are. You made me come to this shindig.”

“You wanted to come,” I shot back.

Jerry brushed off my argument. “That’s not the point. I’m here. This is your thing. You’re going to dance.”

“You’re going to have to dance with all of us,” Redmond interjected, joining us around a bistro table with hors d’oeuvres spread out on top of it.

“You didn’t bring a date?”

“You don’t bring a date to a sausage fest,” Redmond explained. “That’s how you lose a date.”

“How do you figure?”

“Women love a man in a uniform,” he said
, “especially when those men carry guns and put their lives on the line to keep the general populace safe on a daily basis.”

One glance at the hundreds of men – only a handful of which had women on their arms – told me he was probably right.

“How long do you think we have to stay?”

“Already looking for an exit, sis? I’m shocked. Usually you love dressing up for a party.”

“Like you aren’t looking for an exit?”

“I’m fine,” Redmond argued. “I like making nice with local law enforcement. You never know when it might come in handy.”

Realization washed over me. “That’s why we’re here. I couldn’t figure it out.”

“What?” Jerry hadn’t caught up yet.

“The police are investigating us,” I reminded him. “This is Dad’s little way of reminding them of what a big donor he is.”

“Plus,” Redmond added
, “by making sure you and Aidan are here, he’s also saying that we have nothing to hide. Murderers don’t go to police balls.”

“So, he’s lying,” Jerry said.

“Pretty much,” Aidan said, sidling up to the table next to Jerry. “We’re just all law-abiding, normal citizens enjoying dinner, dancing and as many disapproving stares from Dad and his friends as possible.”

“Aren’t you the cheery one in your dashing tuxedo,” Redmond teased.

“Why should I be?” Aidan asked, preening under the compliment.

“Because you’re the reason we have to be here,” Braden offered as he and
Cillian joined our group.

“
Aisling is the reason we have to be here,” Aidan corrected.

“
Aisling wasn’t in charge,” Cillian pointed out.

I sent Aidan a triumphant smile.

“It was your job to make sure she didn’t do something stupid,” Braden agreed.

My smile faltered and I shot Braden a pointed scowl.

Jerry wrapped an arm around my waist in a comforting manner. “Don’t listen to them, Bug. I think you’re doing great.”

Jerry is always on my side. Even when I don’t have a side, he’s on it.

“You don’t even know what she really does,” Redmond challenged.

Jerry is an honorary member of the family, so Redmond’s position in the hierarchy doesn’t daunt him. “I know enough.”

Redmond rolled his eyes. This wasn’t the place for an argument – especially this argument.

“Well, this looks like a fun group.”

I wasn’t surprised that Griffin was at the ball. I wasn’t even surprised that he sought us out. I was surprised – and a little relieved – that he appeared to be alone. What? He’s hot. I can look, I just can’t touch.

“Griffin,” Jerry greeted him, a broad smile on his face. “You clean up nice.”

One look at Griffin in his dress uniform and I couldn’t help but agree. He’d even tamed his wild hair and shaved, although I was partial to the five o-clock shadow he usually sported.

“Yes, Griffin, you look divine,” Braden mocked.

I kicked him under the table but inadvertently made contact with Redmond instead. “What was that for?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied.

“You kicked me.”

“I did not.”

“It must have been someone else wearing really tall heels,” Redmond complained, rubbing his leg and fixing me with an angry glare.

“Don’t look at me,” Jerry said. “I left all my heels at home tonight.”

Braden and Cillian cleared their throats as Griffin’s face colored. I shifted my face to the side to hide my smile. Jerry is a great party date, no matter the party.

“So, do you guys always come to the police ball?” Griffin asked.

“We’re very involved in our community,” Redmond said, choosing his words carefully.

“That’s not what I asked.”

“We attend a lot of benefits,” I said. “This just happened to be on the list.”

Griffin didn’t look convinced. “Well, I have to say, you look nice – even if this is only one of the many events you have on your schedule tonight.”

Jerry swished his hip into mine. I knew what he was trying to indicate, but I ignored him and looked down at the bistro table. “You look nice, too.”

Redmond,
Cillian, Aidan and Braden were all staring at me as though I had suddenly grown a second head when I finally raised my eyes. I felt my cheeks burning under their scrutiny. I glanced over at Griffin and he looked equally uncomfortable.

“Isn’t that your friend?” Griffin asked suddenly, pointing across the dance floor.

Everyone at our table turned, but the individual Griffin referred to was no friend of the Grimlock family. Redmond swore under his breath while Cillian turned white.

“What is she doing here?” Jerry asked.

“Hoping for round two, I think,” Aidan said. “Yank all her hair out this time, Aisling.”

“You’re going to fight at a police ball?” Griffin asked. “That doesn’t sound like a smart idea.”

“Yeah? Well Aisling isn’t smart.”

“Thanks, Braden.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant.”

Angelina was busy talking to a group of men – all in their dress blues – next to another bistro table. She hadn’t seen us yet. I was sure of that. If she had, she would have left little heel marks on every cop who got in her way as she made a beeline for Cillian.

“Well, I think we’ve done our due diligence,” I said, visions of fifty cops pulling me off Angelina as I ripped her acrylic nails off her fingers flitting through my head. “We should go.”

“Dad won’t like that,” Redmond said. “He won’t care what the reason is.”

Griffin was incredulous. “You guys are really going to leave because she’s here?”

He clearly hadn’t spent enough time with Angelina at the precinct earlier this week. “She’s the devil.”

“Oh, I got that,” Griffin said. “I just don’t understand why you guys are all running from her.”

“We’re not running,” Cillian said, his voice low.

“Okay, running isn’t the right word,” Griffin said. “Fleeing might be a better word.”

“No,” Cillian said, his voice firm. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“
Cillian, it’s not a big thing,” I said. “We don’t have to stay here. We’ll just make sure that Dad sees us and then we’ll sneak out.”

“I can be in the same room with her,”
Cillian replied. “It’s not a big deal.”

“You shouldn’t have to be in the same room with her,” Redmond interjected, putting his hand on
Cillian’s shoulder in a show of solidarity.

“No,” I agreed. “She should crawl under a rock and die and we should never have to see her again.”

“Don’t wish for the death of another person, Bug,” Jerry chided me. “It’s gauche.”

“It’s Angelina, though,” Aidan argued.

“Fine,” Jerry ceded. “Don’t wish for a painful death, though.”

Slowly, everyone turned their attention back to the finger foods and assorted drinks and we lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

“Maybe we should mingle,” Redmond suggested.

“With whom?”
Mingling is not part of my vocabulary.

“There are hundreds of hot men here, Bug,” Jerry said. “Even you could get laid.”

Redmond shot Jerry a dark look. “Don’t be cute.”

“I’m always cute,” Jerry said.

“You’re not right now.”

My shoulders shook with silent laughter. I risked a glance at Griffin, who was still loitering at the edge of the table, and saw that his gaze was still fixed on the other side of the room. The petulant part of me wondered if he was as taken with Angelina and her long legs, just like every other man I had ever met.

“Your friend is coming over here.”

Crap.

“We could run,” Jerry offered.

“That wouldn’t look obvious,” I replied.

“It’s too late anyway,” Griffin said, lifting his beer to his lips and taking a drink. He looked amused – and curious. I think he was interested in seeing what would happen.

“
Cillian, it’s so good to see you.”

My spine stiffened at the sound of Angelina’s voice. I can’t beat her up in front of a roomful of cops, but maybe I can cut her tongue out without anyone noticing.

“Angelina.” Cillian’s voice was hard and empty. I barely recognized it.

“How are you? How are all of you? Braden, it’s good to see you, too.”

“What about me?” I asked. “Isn’t it good to see me?”

“I just saw you.”

“Great. Let’s do it again in five years,” I suggested.

“I’m not talking to you,” Angelina replied curtly. “I’m talking to
Cillian.”

“Well, he doesn’t want to talk to you,” I said.

“Yeah,” Jerry agreed.

“I think he can talk for himself,” Angelina said, reaching out and rubbing her hand along
Cillian’s forearm suggestively. “Isn’t that right?”

Cillian
met Angelina’s flirty look with a dark one of his own. “I don’t have anything to say to you, Angelina.”

For the first time, uncertain
ty flashed across Angelina’s heavily made up face. “If we could just be alone for a second … .”

“Over my dead body,” I said, fighting to keep my voice low enough that we didn’t start drawing unwanted attention.

There was a hand on my arm within seconds. I figured it was Jerry, but the firm grip caused me to send him a questioning look. That’s when I found out it wasn’t Jerry, after all, it was Griffin. “Actually, I think you and I are going to dance,” he said.

“Since when?”
Dancing with Griffin was tempting, but making Angelina cry had a lot more appeal at the moment.

“Right now.”
Griffin was firm as he dragged me out to the dance floor. There weren’t a lot of couples out there, but it wasn’t so empty that we stood out. It was a slow song and Griffin wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled my hips flush with his. I lifted my arms and hooked them around his neck, swaying to the music, but never taking my eyes off Angelina. I couldn’t hear what was going on at the table, but it didn’t look good. Angelina’s face was screwed up into one of those ugly scowls that often precede bursting into tears.

“Why are you smiling?” Griffin asked, drawing my attention back to him.

“Because Angelina looks like she’s going to cry.” I saw no point in lying.

“You really don’t like her, do you?”

“I hate her.”

“Because she slept with your boyfriends?”

“No,” I shook my head, trying not to focus on how warm Griffin’s body felt next to mine. “That only warrants dislike.”

“Then why?”

“Because she messed with my brother,” I admitted, chewing on my bottom lip.