More Than Scars (26 page)

Ian nodded. “Okay, so that is all set.” He reached for his glass of wine and clinked it to mine. “Maybe by Liam’s birthday we will have him where we want him.”

“Birthday?”

“He will be thirty seven in two weeks,” Ian announced.

I set down my glass. “I want to get him something.”

Ian’s gaze softened. “You being here is enough. Believe me. He appreciates how you are with his girls and could never pay you back for that. No one else worked out and could never deal with how it is with him…with Brianne’s night terrors. They couldn’t deal with the restrictions. You have done so with grace…and without question.” He tipped his glass to me. “You can come to the party without a gift.”

“He’ll have a birthday party?” I sat up straighter.

Ian laughed at this. “Just a figure of speech.”

I frowned. “But he should have a party…at least with his girls.” My mind began planning already. “Yes, we will do something special for him. The girls will absolutely love it.”

Ian set down his glass and reached for my hand. “See? This is why you are good for us! We need you in this family.”

I squeezed his hand back. “So you will help me think up a special gift for him?”

“Yes.” He lifted my hand to his lips and then set it gently down. “You have many talents too Miss Meadows and since I can’t wrap you up in a bow and give you to my brother for his birthday…which would make me the best brother ever by the way…we will tap into those talents to figure the perfect one out.”

I felt quite pleased with his answer. “I don’t play anything and I can’t draw,” I teased.

He chuckled. “But you take amazing pictures.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I do enjoy it.”

“I have a photographer friend who can do amazing things with photographs. Maybe we should take her a few of yours and get an idea for a gift? I know you have some pretty great shots of the girls.”

I chewed my lip, thinking of the secret shots I hat of Liam and the girls.
Their trip to the stable. Of them seated at the piano. I liked where his thoughts were going.

“Let me talk to her tomorrow. Maybe we can go in on Sunday afternoon.”

I wanted to clap my hands together. “I may need a few more shots. Maybe we could take them for a ride if Liam would allow us? I know they usually just go with him, but with the two of us…”

Ian nodded. “I think it’s worth asking for.”

“And maybe a few with their Dad? Nothing with his…his full scars. I have a few…” I blushed. “I snuck them and I don’t know if he will be angry with me but I would like a few more just to…”

“I will get them for you
Rissa,” he promised gently. “I’m the little brother, remember? I’m used to doing all the sneaking! I’ll just need to borrow that fancy camera of yours.”

I almost clapped my hands again.

“Let me take this back to my brother.” He reached for the guitar. “I borrowed it under threat of death. I will ask him about taking the girls for a ride tomorrow…I’ll promise my best tomorrow at work for my personal day tomorrow!” He gave me a smile and I watched him leave.

He returned with the same smile. “All set. He said it would be good for them since he will be on conference call and the weather is not going to hold up forever to allow them that joy. And he made mention that it will keep us on the property.” He rolled his eyes. “He doesn’t want me off the premises with you my dear!”

I reached over to hug his neck quickly. “You have made me very happy Ian.”

He patted my back. “Finish up your wine. I need to finish kicking your ass in this rummy game and then its home for me! I have work early in the morning. If I make one wrong move…Liam will be all over us and it will not be pretty!”

I sat back, smiling and let him finish me off on the game,

I saw him to the door, Stewart was close behind. He would be locking up.

Ian knew Stewart reported all to Liam and I am sure that is what prompted his next action. He snaked and arm gently around my waist and kissed my forehead tenderly. “Don’t miss me too much Rissa.”

I gave him a look, pushed him playfully away, and handed him his coat. “See you tomorrow Ian.”

He chuckled, shrugging into it. “Night Stewart!” And he was gone.

I turned to Stewart and offered him a smile.

Stewart moved passed me to secure the door and punch in a code so I started toward the stair. “You know Miss…its working.”

I stopped and turned to him. “Stewart?”

“Already, it’s working.”

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.