Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2) (21 page)

“I’m so excited.” Jerry’s eyes sparkled from the front seat of Aidan’s car.

“You’re staying here,” I said. “We only brought you because we all agreed to go to dinner together tonight as part of Aidan and Griffin’s new truce. You’re here only because we didn’t want to have to drive back to Royal Oak to pick you up.”

“You’re such a killjoy,” Jerry said. “Why can’t I come?”

“Because, this isn’t a movie for your enjoyment.”

Jerry crossed his arms over his chest. “Does Griffin get to go inside?”

“I’m a cop,” Griffin said. “I’m used to danger.”

“It’s not going to be dangerous,” I said. “It’s a guy who has been in a coma for ten years. He’s dying today. We’ll be in and out. Griffin is staying here with you.”

“I’m coming with you,” Griffin argued.

“If he’s going, I’m going,” Jerry said, determined.

Aidan met Griffin’s gaze in the mirror, something silent passing between them. I think it was a challenge.

Griffin sighed, resigned. “We’re going to stay here, Jerry,” he said.

“We are?”

“Aisling and Aidan have a job to do, and we’re going to let them do it.”

“Since when are you so eager to let Aisling walk into danger?”

Griffin chafed at the question. “I am not letting her walk into danger.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it momentarily. “I’m trusting her to do her job. I’m not her boss.”

“Oh, well, great,” Jerry complained. “I can’t believe you picked now to play the role of supportive boyfriend.”

“I’m not playing,” Griffin said, shifting his shoulders to face me. “If he whines the whole time I’m in this car with him, I can’t guarantee he’ll be alive when you get back.”

I gave him a quick kiss. “We’ll be fast.”

“That means you’re not going to talk to him, right?” Aidan pressed. “We’re just going to go in, suck, and then leave.”

“You have such a way with words,” I teased.

“I’m not joking,” Aidan said. “I don’t want any of your nonsense. I’m hungry, and I’m totally looking forward to going to Greektown tonight. I want some chicken and rice and … other stuff.”

“You’re also a culinary genius.”

Aidan shot me a look.

“I won’t talk to him,” I said. “I’m done with that.”

“No, you’re not,” Aidan scoffed. “You can’t help yourself. You feel bad for them. Sometimes I find it funny. You can’t do it today, though. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Really promise me,” Aidan said.

“I really promise.”

“Maybe you should pinky swear,” Jerry suggested.

“Just sit here,” Aidan said, kissing Jerry before climbing out of the car. “We’ll be right back.”

“WHICH
way?”

Aidan scanned the numbers on the wall. “This way.”

I followed him down the hall, fighting the urge to be a woman and hound him at an inopportune time. “We’re okay, right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I know you’re fine. That’s not what I was asking,” I said.

“What were you saying?”

“We’re okay, right? You and me?”

Aidan paused long enough to give me a brief hug. “We’re okay. I’m sorry I’ve been such a tool.”

“I’m used to it.”

He flicked my ear. “I’ll be nicer to Griffin. I just … .”

“I’ll try not to ignore you.”

Aidan smiled. “You’re going to buy dinner tonight, too. I think you owe me.”

I scowled. “Fine. I’m not picking up your drink tab, though.”

“Agreed.”

We returned to our task and continued down the hall. After two turns – only one of them was wrong – we found ourselves outside the right room.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“Two minutes until show time,” Aidan said, peering into the room. “Did you bring your ring?”

I nodded. Grim reapers are outfitted with special rings that make them invisible. We only use them in specific situations – most of the time we don’t need them – but reaping in busy hospitals and senior living centers are examples of occasions when they come in handy.

“I guess we should get ready,” I said, rummaging in my pocket. “I’m kind of hungry, too.”

“I’m always hungry,” Aidan said. “Dating Jerry has been detrimental to my waistline.”

I snickered. “Is that why you’re in the gym five days a week?”

“I like to look good for my man.”

That was interesting. “Maybe I should start going to the gym.”

“I think Griffin is fine with the way you look,” Aidan said. “You forget, we can hear you in the next room.”

“I can hear you, too.”

Aidan’s face slipped. “Do I sound like I’m impressing him?”

I smacked his arm. “You’re totally grossing me out.”

“I just got here and I’m totally grossed out, too.” The voice took me by surprise, and Aidan’s face was awash with worry as he glanced over my shoulder. When I turned , and my gaze fell on the recognizable wall of muscle and shining bald head, I wished we’d put on our rings before we decided to talk about our feelings.

“Fontaine,” Aidan said, his voice cool.

“Grimlock.”

“Dickhead,” I said.

“Prettier Grimlock,” Fontaine said, flirting. He’s so nasty.

“What do you think you’re doing here?”

“Unfortunately, I think I’m doing the same thing you’re doing,” Fontaine said. “I was hoping this one would slip by you because it popped up out of nowhere. I guess I’m not that lucky.”

“And yet you still approached, even though you saw we were already here,” Aidan said. “That’s … .”

“Ballsy?”

“Stupid.”

Fontaine’s face was unreadable. “Well, I need to get past you if I’m going to claim that soul.”

I shared an incredulous look with Aidan. “I’m sorry, you think you’re getting that soul?”

Fontaine’s smile was wolfish. “Yes.”

“And how are you going to magically accomplish that?”

“I’m going to walk past the two of you, wish you a nice evening, and then I’m going to collect my soul,” Fontaine said. “If you want to wait for me, Aisling, I’d be happy to take you out to dinner when I’m done. I’m going to be looking for a way to … relax … after a hard day’s work.”

I had a way for him to relax. It involved a ball peen hammer and the back of his skull.

“Don’t you dare say things like that to my sister,” Aidan said. “In fact, don’t you even look at her.”

“She’s too pretty not to look at.”

“And you’re too ugly and gross to stand a chance,” I shot back sweetly.

“Honey, you couldn’t handle a man like me.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’ve handled bigger and better men than you.”

“I was under the impression your brothers kept you under lock and key,” Fontaine said. “You’re the Grimlock princess, right? I think it’s about time you found someone to rebel with.”

I’d rather set him ablaze with a can of hairspray and a cigarette lighter. In the back of my mind, an idea started to form. “Do you think you can handle me?” I purposely moved around Fontaine, forcing his attention to remain on me as I circled around him. I didn’t stop until his back was to Aidan – and the hospital room door.

“I’d love to handle you,” Fontaine replied, looking me up and down. “Why don’t you give me a little preview?”

“Sure,” I said, reaching for the hem of my shirt.

Aidan’s face was flushed. I sent him a silent message, willing him to understand what he was supposed to do. After a moment, his eyes cleared and he moved closer to the door, although he never entirely took his wary gaze off of me.

“Now, you understand I’m just showing you the goods, right?” I purposely played with my shirt, as though I really was going to lift it.

Fontaine was frustrated. “Yeah. I get it.”

“If you touch me … .”

“I promise not to touch you until we’re alone.”

“Okay,” I said, lifting my shirt higher and giving him a glimpse of my bare midriff.

Fontaine was so distracted he didn’t notice Aidan slip into the hospital room at his back. Fred Robertson had passed moments before, and Aidan was discreet as he collected the soul before it had a chance to fully materialize. The only hint anything had occurred was a brief flash of light, and since Fontaine’s back was to the action he didn’t notice.

I lifted my shirt a tad higher.

“Come on, whip them out,” Fontaine prodded.

I scowled and let my shirt drop once Aidan was back in his previous position, the scepter in his pocket and an innocent look on his face. “I changed my mind.”

“What?” Fontaine sputtered. “You can’t change your mind.”

“Well, I did.”

Fontaine reached a hand out, but Aidan grabbed his wrist before he could touch me. “Don’t even think about it,” Aidan growled.

Fontaine jerked his arm away. “You’re a stupid little tease.”

“You’re a big, dumb tool.”

“I think he probably has a small tool,” Aidan interjected.

“You’re right,” I said. “That’s why he’s overcompensating.”

“I don’t have to overcompensate for anything,” Fontaine said, reaching for his belt. “I’ll show you right now.”

Oh, gross. I couldn’t see that. I’d have nightmares. “Look, we have a job to do. You need to go. We’re already running late.”

Fontaine straightened. “I’m taking that soul,” he said. “I’ve already got a buyer lined up. I need that money.”

“Well, it’s ours,” I said. “We were here first.”

“I’m taking it.” Fontaine shoved Aidan out of the way and strode toward the door. “There’s nothing you can do to stop me. I don’t care how high you lift that shirt.”

I pursed my lips. “Fine. Take it. Be a jackass.”

“I will.” Fontaine disappeared inside the room.

I grabbed Aidan’s arm. “We have to run now.”

Aidan pushed me. “You should already be running.”

We scampered down the hall just as the buzzers on the machines that were keeping the husk of a patient alive started razzing in Robertson’s hospital room to alert the nursing staff that he had passed.

“There must have been a delay,” Aidan said, directing me toward the stairwell. “Go.”

“Can’t we take the elevator?”

“We need to get a head start.”

“Sonovabitch!” I could hear Fontaine swear from around the corner.

I plunged down the stairs. By the time we made it to the main floor I was gasping. I really should start working out. Aidan didn’t look any different.

“Move faster, Ais,” Aidan pushed me in front of him. “Stop panting like a dog.”

“I hate you,” I mumbled.

We both hit the parking lot at the same time. It was only at that moment we remembered we’d parked on the south side of the hospital, not the north.

“Crap,” Aidan said.

“This is your fault,” I said.

“Fine. I’ll buy dinner. Start moving.”

“I’m done running,” I said. “There’s no way I can run another step.”

“I’m going to kill both of you!” Fontaine had caught up to us, and he looked pissed. His chest heaved as he moved down the sidewalk. “I’m going to rip your head off of your shoulders and send it to your father in a box.”

I broke into a run I didn’t think I had in me and headed toward the far side of the hospital, knowing I was out of options. I couldn’t let Fontaine get his hands on me. It would be all over if he did.

“Run, Ais!” Aidan was right behind me. By the time we made it to the south parking lot, my lungs burned and I was convinced I was going to die. My eyes landed on Griffin and Jerry, who were standing beside the car talking. Griffin lifted his head, as if sensing my presence, and met my gaze from a hundred feet away. He broke into a smile, but it was fleeting when he saw the look on my face.

“Aisling?” He stepped away from the car. “What’s wrong?”

The sound of pounding footsteps behind me came nearer. Since Aidan was at my side, there was no mistaking the runner.

“There’s nowhere left to run, girlie,” Fontaine yelled. “I’m going to take you and use you up.”

Aidan stepped between us, handing me the scepter. “Run.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“You have to,” Aidan said. “Get in the car and go.”

“I’m not leaving you!”

Fontaine’s hands were on Aidan, and he was such a behemoth he lifted my brother off of the ground without strain. He threw him … hard … against a nearby car. Aidan groaned as he bounced off of it, hitting the pavement with a sickening thud.

“Aidan!”

Griffin was moving in my direction.

Fontaine grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into the flesh as I twisted. Fontaine used his other hand to grab a fistful of hair and pull my face flush with his. “I’m going to get what you teased me with earlier.”