Light the Shadows (A Grimm Novel) (6 page)

Micah raised a brow. Based on what Diane had shared, it certainly sounded like he was up to something. Still, that did not mean she would continue whatever the old Micah had left off. “Do you love him?”

“Yes, I…” Diane’s shoulders slumped again, and she let out a slow breath. “I don’t know. Things have changed between us. The last two years have been rough. I feel like we’re moving in opposite directions.”

“So what are you going to do about it?” Micah asked gently.

Tears shimmered in Diane’s dark eyelashes. “I just want to be happy again, Micah. I need to feel like I’m loved and not just a ball and chain. He makes me feel like a burden. Everything feels so … obligatory.”

Micah gripped Diane’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You have to do what’s best for you, sweetie. You can’t keep doing the same things over and over again if it’s making you miserable.”

“I know, but I don’t want to make a huge mistake that I’ll regret.” Diane swiped at the tears that trailed down her cheeks. “What if I can’t do better? What if he’s the one I’m supposed to be with?”

“What about love, happiness
, and trust?” Micah asked. “You deserve those things, Diane. Everyone does. Have you asked Ben if he cheated on you?”

Diane laughed miserably. “He denies it and tells me to stop being so insecure. Then he buys me something pretty, like I’ll just forget all about it.”

“It sounds like you’ve got some heavy thinking to do. You’re not alone, okay? I’m here, and I support you.” Micah said, meaning every word of it.

“Thank you.” Diane’s watery gaze lifted to meet Micah’s. “Then again, I could have just warned you that I’m onto you and Ben.”

“Diane,” Micah said in warning.

A half smile found its way to Diane’s face. “I’m kidding.”

They sat in silence for several seconds while Diane composed herself. Finally, she turned to Micah with an apologetic expression. “I hate to stick you with this as soon as you come back, but Ben will just find a way to screw it up. Can you show some houses next week? Do you think you’re ready?”

Diane was worried that Ben would mess it up? Well, there was better than a fifty percent chance that she would
, too. “Sure, I guess so.”

“There’s just one thing
.” Diane made this kind of scrunched, apologetic expression. “One of the houses I want you to show…”

Micah was sure she wasn’t going to like this. Sliding off the stool, she rounded the bar to rummage through the fridge for two Perrier waters and sandwich makings. Diane jumped up to help build the sandwiches while Micah found plates and condiments.

“So what is it? This house you want me to show … is it haunted?” Micah laughed inwardly at that. “Is it a million dollar eyesore?”

Diane took a bite of the sandwich and groaned. “Oh, this is good. What kind of turkey is it?”

“Come on, Diane. What about the house?”

She took her time swallowing then wiped her mouth. “Right. There’s really no easy way to say this. I want you to show the house where you drowned. Put it back on your listings. You know it like the back of your hand. You’ve dealt with the seller
, and you know what a prima donna she is.”

Micah's appetite dwindled
, and she dropped the half eaten sandwich onto her plate. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I’m really sorry.” Diane lowered her gaze. “Show all the houses you want, but I really think it’s a mistake not to show that one. The house is gorgeous
, and it needs to be back on the market.”

“Why can’t you show it?” Truthfully, the house held no memories for her, but if she was going to sell this whole
“I’m Micah” act, she figured she should pretend to be affronted.

“I have to be in L.A. for jury duty on Monday. It’s a federal case
, and I can’t get out of it. I don’t even know how long I’ll be gone. It could be a week, maybe longer.”

Micah stared at her for a moment. “Fine.”

“One other thing.” Diane grinned. “I have a guy interested in looking at a few houses. He’ll stop by the office Monday.”

Tapping her fingernails against the granite countertop, Micah narrowed her gaze on Diane. “And I can show him any property I want?”

“After you talk with him, you can do what you think is best.” Diane smoothed her hand over her hair again.

Micah let out a slow breath. “Yeah, okay. What the hell. I’ll add the Andreas Hills house to my listings.”

Diane thrust her fist in the air. “Yes! I knew I could count on you.” She pulled a keying from her purse. “The silver one is for the storage units. Use anything from them that you need. The other one goes to the office. You’re in charge until I get back.”

They talked about business and life for the rest of the evening. By the time Diane was ready to leave, Micah discovered she actually kind of liked her.

As Diane was leaving, Micah asked, “What about the client? Do you already have properties picked out for him, or am I flying by the seat of my pants here?”

“You’re flying.” Diane grinned at her. “He just called today
, so I haven’t had a chance to set up anything for him yet.”

“Awesome, can’t wait to meet him.” Micah smiled though she was still a little worried about the whole selling houses thing.

“When I spoke to him over the phone, he said he’d meet you at the office on Monday around noon. He seems very nice.” Diane hugged her and smiled. “Thanks so much, Micah. You’re a lifesaver.”

Chapter Five

James
Sullivan glanced at his watch. The target would be arriving any minute now. He leaned back on the motorcycle’s seat and stretched his legs out for balance.

The beige BMW pulled into its reserved space. He knew it would take the woman driving it a few minutes to get out. She’d have to check her hair and face in the mirror first, then get the little frou-frou doggie out.

Sully smirked. That dog would be the death of her.

He strode across the street just as Barbie
—that really was her name—thrust a tan leg out of the car. She did her damnedest to gain control of the yappy-ass dog and the packages from the high end stores she’d visited earlier in the day. Shame she wouldn’t get to try on any of that fantastic lingerie she’d purchased.

The dog pulled away from her when she turned to shut the car door. Its leash trailed behind like a dead limb. Barbie shrieked at the pint sized pooch and made kissy noises, demanding he come back this instant. The dog continued its run for freedom.

Sully snatched the leash just as it snaked past his boot and halted the dog before it crossed the street. Barbie dropped her bags, cried out in relief then hurried toward them.

The woman spoke to the pooch in a cooing, babyish voice. “Are you trying to get yourself killed, Mr. Tootles?”

If she wasn’t about to die already, Sully might have been inclined to push her into oncoming traffic. Instead, he glanced down at the shivering, bug-eyed Chihuahua. Mr. Tootles? No wonder the dog had attempted suicide. He scooped the tiny dog up and handed it to her, making sure his fingers grazed her hand in the exchange.

“Thanks so much
.” Her eyes conveyed interest as though she’d just realized she was in the presence of an attractive male. Her flirtatious laughter made him grind his teeth. She even attempted to press a breast against his arm. “How can I ever thank you?”

“No problem.” He turned and walked away, uninterested. Fake tits, fake tans, fake smiles. He usually wasn’t into any of that.
Besides,
he glanced at his watch,
she is destined to expire in a matter of moments.

She stared dumbly at his retreat, like she couldn’t believe he’d turn her down. She probably thought most guys considered her a prime piece of ass.

Sully cast one last glance at her and lifted a brow, reconsidering. Too bad she didn’t have more time for him to stay and play. Girls like Barbie provided a no strings attached, emotionless fuck before they died. When he finished with them, they kicked the bucket, then went on to the other side. He never saw them again, and that was fine with him.

He swung a leg over the saddle of his bike and waited. Already Barbie was headed up the steep metal stairs that led to the third floor apartments. Mr. Tootles barked at some imagined thing on the ground below then managed to squirt right out of her grasp. The woman leaned forward, made a grab at the dog then teetered on the platform heels strapped to her feet. She lost balance, sending the bright colored bags flying from her outstretched hands. She tottered there on the top step for what seemed an eternity before finally taking a nose dive.

Sully watched her ragdoll body flop and roll down the vertical stairs. Death would claim Barbie seconds after her bleach blonde head struck the concrete.

As soon as her soul lifted, confused and angry at the still yapping dog that was around the corner of the building, Sully returned to her. He indicated the door that appeared beneath the stairwell. “It’s time to move on.”

“What about Mr. Tootles?”

Like
I give a flying fuck about that bug-eyed excuse for a dog.
“He’ll be fine. I’m sure the old lady next door will take him in.” He was lying his ass off, but if it hurried things along…

“She does think he’s adorable, said so a million times.” Barbie cast one last glance in the dog’s direction. She avoided looking at the broken heap of flesh and bone at the foot of the stairs. “You’re sure he’ll be okay?”

“Positive,” he said with his most charming smile. “It’s time to go, Barbie doll.”

She didn’t question it or argue, just turned and stumbled on those damned high heels toward the door. Her fingers gripped the knob and turned it quickly. Perhaps she felt it best to do it fast, like tearing a bandage off sensitive skin. With one final glance at him, she went through
, and it eased shut behind her.

Minutes later, he navigated his favorite bike downtown and ignored the ambulance that flew past on the other side of the street. The somber siren song that it warbled for Barbie faded around the corner.

Sully parked outside Harmon Real Estate then killed the engine. He was a little early, but it didn’t matter. He’d already spotted the black mini cooper parked several cars down. Micah Munroe—or at least a phony version of her—was here. He hoped to get the information he needed as quickly as possible then get out. What he’d do with the information once he had it was still a mystery.

A woman with orange-red hair stood up when he entered the office. She adjusted her skimpy skirt then tottered over to him on heels that rivaled Barbie's. “Hello,” she
said. “I’m Karla. How can I help you?”

He sent a withering stare in her direction. “I have an appointment with Ms. Munroe.”

Karla shifted her gaze toward the back of the building then offered a hesitant smile. “Sure, I’ll just go get her.”

Sully watched her sashay down the hallway and marveled at how women could balance on such high heels. Karla exchanged hushed words with Micah before she returned. She sat behind her desk and stared openly at him. “She isn’t quite ready for you. She’ll be just a moment.”

Ignoring her, he shoved his hands in his pockets and watched people pass outside the window. Just like the orange haired woman, they were oblivious to the danger lurking on the other side of the glass. One day, they'd all meet him or one like him. No one escaped death. No one, except Micah Munroe, it seemed. His perfect record was marred.

Micah’s reflection approached with caution in the mirror-like glass. She cast a worried glance at the secretary, but the redhead didn't notice because she was still ogling his ass.

Smothering a grin, Sully turned to greet Micah. She'd almost fooled him. He hadn't recognized her the night she ran over his bike. She had given herself a complete makeover, new clothes, new hair, new everything. This ugly duckling had completely turned into a drop-dead, gorgeous swan. It really wasn’t her exterior that made such an impact, though it was quite remarkable. The internal changes made all the difference. If it hadn't been for a stroke of bad luck, she might have escaped his attention.

She wore a cream colored skirt today
, and while it wasn’t as short as the secretary’s, it allowed him a fantastic view of her long, lean legs. The soft blue top she wore looked great with her complexion and highlighted hair. Who would have guessed that this was the same frumpy chick he'd bumped into a little over a week ago?

Finally, his gaze met her different colored eyes. When he'd met Micah before, her eyes were the only remarkable thing about her. Both had been an amazing sapphire color. Now, one was a deep molasses. In his opinion, it didn't detract from her natural beauty at all.

Micah didn’t look pleased to see him standing in the lobby. She slanted a look at the clock hanging on the wall. If he didn’t know better, she looked like she wanted to bolt back down the hallway. Just what had Anna told her? He might have a few words with the shepherd later to find out.

“Mr. Sullivan, was it? This really isn’t a good time. I’ve got a client coming in any minute now.” She dug through a boxy purse that didn’t fit the rest of her ensemble, probably a holdout from the old Micah, and pulled out a check book. “If you’ll just tell me how much I owe you for the damages …”