Page 41 of Spooked
“The last will and testament of Emerald Sullivan, leaving everything to Maeve. Siobhan never had any right to the house.” I pause, then add, “Siobhan was there. The ghosts killed her.”
As I glance at him, I see the rapid shake of his head. “Siobhan never entered. The chauffeur drove her away.”
“She came back,” I insist. “She’s dead.”
Then, in a manner I’d expect only from him, and from none of my other brothers, he shrugs nonchalantly and says, “Maybe the ghosts took revenge on her spirit, but she could still be alive in human form.” He nods toward the paperwork I’m holding. “I’d guard that with your fuckin’ life if I were you, Hound.”
“And the jewels.” I raise and dip my head in agreement. “It was them she’d been searching for.” Out of the side of my eye, I see his jaw clenching. “I think we should go straight to the hospital to see Maeve.” The jewels give me hope that while I might have been hallucinating her presence in the house, the woman herself is real – even though I clearly recall seeing her in a hospital bed, even that I could have dreamt up. A kernel of excitement bubbles within me. Could there be a chance that we could have a relationship after all? Or is that more of my damaged brain’s fucked-up thinking?
“It’s only just dawn. Way too early for visiting time, and,” he casts a look at me, “you look awful, Hound. You’re mentally and physically exhausted, and you’re not the only one.” He makes a show of stifling a yawn. “We’ll head back, catch forty winks on the compound, and as soon as you wake, I’ll take you to her.”
Not what I want to hear. I want to get the jewels and will to Maeve while they still feel real. A large part of me thinks there’s a possibility that, if I let go of them, they’ll turn to dust.But Mouse has seen them.Or, at least, he’s pretended he has. Maybe he’s just pandering to my delusions. No. He saw them. He asked about them. Now back in my pocket, I clasp my hand aroundthem, using their solidity to ground myself, to prove to myself, not everything in the damned Sullivan House was an illusion.
Mouse hasn’t lived on the compound for decades. Once he married Mariana, they took over a horse farm and made it their home, along with their four children. He no longer has a room put aside for him. He’ll have to make do with a crash room if he’s going to rest. I have many reasons to be grateful for him, for standing beside me and driving me around, and not immediately dismissing all the crazy things I’ve been saying. I make the offer.
“Want to catch a couple of hours’ sleep in my spare room?”
His grin shows that he’s grateful for the offer.
The sun is now balanced on the horizon as we park the SUV, and walking up the slope, we find the clubroom is quiet. Drummer and the others must have gone home to their old ladies, and while there should be a prospect keeping watch inside, everyone else will probably still be in their beds.
When we reach my house, I try to go through the motions of being a good host, offering food or drink, but I give up as he waves me off, just wanting a glass of water and then goes to crash and sleep.
Sustenance, whether liquid or solid, doesn’t interest me either. I run through the shower, thankful to get all the dust and soot off me, and eye my bed. Instead of going to it, I dress in fresh clothes.
I’m antsy and on edge. While I know I might be turned away before visiting hours, I can’t stay here. I need to get to Maeve now. For the sake of my sanity, if nothing else, and to reach her before the jewels and will disappear.
Opening the door to my house, I step out and then come to an abrupt halt.
“Didn’t think you’d be able to wait, Brother.” Drummer steps away from where he’d been leaning against the wall, his hand covering his mouth to hide a large yawn.
Fuck this.I growl at my temporary prez, “I need to go see her.”
He snorts. “You mean the woman that you say was there last night? The one you saw but no one else did?”
I was about to push him out of my way, but the implications suddenly hit.If he hadn’t seen her last night… If he thought I was having conversations with someone he couldn’t see…Well, fuck. I’ve probably demolished any chances of regaining my rank or even staying a Devil.
As my mouth gapes, he smirks and shakes his head. “Right now, I’m reckoning you’re thinking I’m going to accuse you of being fucked in the head.” His raised eyebrow demands a response, so I cautiously lower my chin, then raise it. “Bro, I’ve seen shit in my time, but nothing like what I experienced last night. Apart from giving Mouse a pass due to his heritage, I’d have said everything on earth was black and white.” He gives a lopsided grin. “Thought I was too old a dog to learn new tricks, but fuck, what I saw wasn’t normal, wasn’t natural, and I’ve no explanation to offer.” This time his prompt to me is to lean his head to one side and widen his eyes as he looks at me.
Reaching into my pocket, scared in case I find they’re no longer there, I pull out the jewels and show them to him. “I found these, as I think I was expected to. They belong to Maeve, always did, always will.” I then take out the documentary proof and pass it to him. “Siobhan never had any rights to that house.” Straightening my spine, going for gold, thinking he’s bound to call the men in white coats to come put me in a straitjacket and take me away, I risk it all. “The house held secrets. Siobhan couldn’t get rid of it, couldn’t sell it, and it failed to catch light when she tried to burn it down. These jewels and the will were kept safe and sound until they could be placed in the hands of the right person.” I add the clincher. “Siobhan went into the house and didn’t come out.” Again, that quizzical browrises. “She was killed.” I brush the hair back from my face. “By Emerald and her man.”
“Brother.” Stepping close, he places a hand on my shoulder. Drawing in a shuddering breath, I realise my time has come. He’s got to kick me out of the club. He can’t have a madman in it. “I saw enough, but not half as much as you.” His sympathy undoes me.He sounds like he believes me.But he can’t, can he? He grins and nods down at the jewels, “You need to get those items you found into the right hands. And I’m curious enough to come with you.”
“Ain’t going alone.” Wraith suddenly appears from wherever he’d clearly been eavesdropping. He grins widely at me. “I’m tired as fuck, but last night was the best fun I’ve had in years. I’m not going to miss out on solving the rest of this mystery.”
Nosy fucking bastards.
It doesn’t help that on the way into Tucson, my current prez and VP converse quietly together, though not low enough to be unable to hear every word they say. The reason they want to come with me? To see Maeve for themselves and to see if she recognises me.
It makes me even more on edge when we arrive at the hospital. Even though I visited before, I truly can’t say whether that was real or in a dream.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MAEVE
“Good to see you back with us,” the nurse cheerily pronounces as I open my eyes.
After her declaration, she focuses her attention on reading my outputs that appear on the screen. At the same time, I try to come to terms with the fact that I’m no longer in the Sullivan House, that Hound’s arms are no longer around me, and that apart from the beeps of the machines, there are no sounds. No crashes of thunder, no creaks, sighs, or bangs, and no house collapsing in on itself.
