Page 38 of Sweet Revenge
They pulled up in front of a nice two-story, single-family home with dark blue siding and a red front door. It was new construction in one of those cookie-cutter neighborhoods that reminded you of every suburban housewife show on television.
The front lawn was neatly trimmed, and the only thing that really stuck out to her as they walked up the short drive was how there were no flowers. It seemed oddly out of place, considering every other house on the street seemed to have beds full of budding blooms.
Declan knocked on the door, and the curtain on the tall window beside the door fluttered before they heard what sounded like furniture being dragged away from the entrance. When Nessa opened the door, her eyes were wide and her smooth hair wild. Her eyes darted past them to the street, and she waved them inside, quickly closing the door behind her.
“You came,” Nessa all but sobbed.
“Relax,” Declan said, reaching out to grip Nessa’s shoulders and giving them a quick rub. “Tell us what happened.”
Nessa led them into the kitchen, where a bunch of forgotten grocery bags sat on the counter. Declan urged Nessa into a chair, and Evie kept her hands busy putting away the food while Nessa explained.
“For the past few days, I’ve been getting the sensation I’m being watched. You know that creepy feeling where the hair stands up on the back of your neck?” She rubbed her neck then dropped her hand into her lap. “I went to the store like I do every week and couldn’t shake that feeling.”
“Did you notice anyone who looked out of place?”
Nessa shook her head at Declan. “No. No one seemed to be following me, but…” She shuddered. “I rushed through the store. I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. I’m sure I forgot something.”
She watched Evie arrange vegetables in the crisper.
“Okay, so there was no one in the store. Was it someone in the parking lot?”
“I didn’t see anyone specifically, but when I pulled out, a black car pulled out behind me. They took every turn I did all the way home. Once I noticed them, I made some wrong turns on purpose, but they stayed behind me. Always two or three lengths back.”
Nessa crossed her arms in front of her, gripping her elbows. “I started to panic, so I ran a red light and finally lost them then. I came home and made sure all the doors and windows were locked. Then I called you.”
Evie met Declan’s gaze as Nessa dissolved into tears against his chest. She didn’t like the idea of her sister being followed by God knows who and living in this house all by herself. They may not be close, but Nessa was the only family she had left.
“What if you came to stay at Glenmore House for a while?” The words tumbled out of Evie’s mouth before she could stop them, and she shrugged at Declan’s narrowed gaze. “Just until we find out who’s doing this.”
Nessa sniffled as she sat up and looked from Evie to Declan, who’d managed to slap a halfhearted smile onto his face. Nessa pushed back from the table and rummaged through a drawer, coming up with a packet of tissues. She pulled one out and dabbed at her eyes and nose.
“That’s really a very sweet offer, but I don’t know if I could. I wouldn’t want to be in the way.”
“You wouldn’t be.” Evie bit her lip when Declan’s frown deepened.
Nessa smiled softly. “Even if that was true, I babysit for a neighbor a few times a week so she can work part-time while her husband is deployed. I couldn’t leave her in the lurch like that.”
Declan pushed back from the table and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “What about a protective detail? A guy or two who can sit outside the house, follow you when you run errands, stuff like that.”
Nessa’s hand settled on her throat. “That seems excessive.”
“Nessa, you live here alone, and you think someone has been following you. Let us do something.”
Lips pursed, Nessa nodded. “Maybe just at night to start? I really don’t want to be a bother.”
Declan nodded, giving Nessa’s arm a reassuring pat. “We’ll start there, and if things escalate we can add more shifts. Let me make some calls.”
“Thank you. For coming over and for your help with…” She gestured at the groceries. “Everything.”
“Of course. I only want you to be safe.”
They fell into an awkward silence. For two people who started life sharing a womb, they had precious little to say to each other. Easy sisterly banter had never been a thing they shared. Evie had always come by that so much easier with Cait and Maura.
“I heard you’re staying for a bit. Will you be going to Maura’s wedding?”
Evie’s smile was sad. “I don’t think so. I haven’t been invited.”
“Owen Donahue will be here any minute.” Declan breezed back in. “I know you said only at night, but it’s getting late, so I’m having him come by a little early. He’ll park at the curb and stay the night. You sure you’re going to be ok?”
