Chapter Nine
Siobhan's POV:
Two Weeks Later
Siobhan stared in frustration as Andrew exited the Park Avenue apartment building hand in hand with her vile sister. Their smiles eclipsed the sunlight that poured over the streets, while their laughter overpowered the sound of the traffic that flowed angrily by. Their affection for each other was evident in their eyes, and in the way they touched. It was disgusting.
Fury at the two swept through Siobhan, and her vision blurred until her only focus was their clasped hands. Andrew never held her hand while they were together, not even in the beginning when she played the loving wife to perfection. It pissed her off that her bitch sister could garner that kind of emotion from Siobhan's husband.
The loving couple disappeared into a Town Car, and swiftly Siobhan hailed a cab. A yellow minivan screeched to a halt, and she quickly got in.
"Follow that car," she demanded.
"Seriously, lady?" The driver rolled his eyes. "Get out. I don't have time to play cloak and dagger in this traffic."
Siobhan pulled out her wallet and stuck a fifty though the slot. "Just drive."
The driver took the money. "Whatever you say, lady." He put the cab in gear and bolted into traffic slamming Siobhan against the seat.
She ignored everything but the vehicle in front of her.
The last two weeks had been nothing but frustrating irritation. She waited for the right moment to grab Bridget but the stupid bitch was never alone. If Andrew wasn't glued to her side, then Solomon was.
Aggravation at her continued failure made her want to scream. Everything was set and ready, and instead of finally getting the revenge she deserved she was stuck staking out her own home. Lack of funds required she do it on her own, which in and of itself was enough to piss her off, and with Bridget's constant companions ruining Siobhan's plans she would have to re-consider her options.
Andrew's POV:
Later that afternoon, Andrew stepped out of the elevator with Bridget and walked into the living room.
"So we are at a dead end?" she said, disheartened.
Andrew pulled her into his arms and rested his cheek on the top of her head. "I wouldn't say that."
Bridget pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Andrew, we exhausted every avenue we could think of while trying to figure out Siobhan's steps using the alias Rebecca Sheldrake, and we've hit a brick wall. There is nowhere left to look. Let's face it. She got a new identity."
He nodded. "I agree, but we still have the storage unit."
"It was empty."
"Yes, but the account was never closed, and since she used Cora Farrel to open the account there is still a chance that she might come back to it."
"What do you want to do, stake it out?"
"Yes, actually, that is exactly what I was thinking."
"I thought you didn't want to involve a private investigator?"
"I don't, but I think Solomon and Shane can handle it."
"What about Juliet. We can't leave her unguarded."
"Of course not," Andrew assured her. "I thought that while they are handling that, then you, Juliet, and I could get out of the city."
"And go where? Don't you think we should be here helping in the search?" She eyed him suspiciously. "What aren't you telling me?"
Andrew evaded her gaze.
"Andrew, tell me the truth. Remember, what we promised out on the terrace. We would tell each other the truth no matter how difficult. What aren't you telling me? Has something happened?"
He sighed. "Nothing has happened." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "It's just that since we found the list Siobhan left behind, I've had a terrible feeling. Each passing day it is worse. She wants to kill you and eventually Juliet and me. Knowing that she is out there, and we don't know where is terrifying." He rested his forehead against hers'. "I couldn't bear if anything happened to you, or Juliet. I would just feel better getting out of town."
"I understand." She smiled up at him. "I really do, but we can't let fear dictate our lives. We won't. The best thing we can do is track her down, and stop her. It is the only way we will be able to live the life we want."
"Yes, and the life I want doesn't exist without you, and she wants you dead," he said harshly.
Andrew clasped her hands and willed her to understand how petrified he truly was. The past two weeks had been hell. They spent hours running down dead ends, and the whole time he kept looking over his shoulder. He looked for Siobhan, or one of her hitmen everywhere. He had yet to sleep through the night. Over, and over, he dreamt of finding Bridget after Siobhan stunned her, though in his dreams when he felt for a pulse he found nothing but a pale neck and a lifeless artery. It was only after jerking awake to find Bridget asleep in his arms that his heart would slow, and he would realize that it was just a dream and she was alive.
He desperately wanted to get away, so they could find some peace, even if it was short lived, though deep down he knew it was unrealistic. It didn't matter where they went, his paranoia would follow.
"That fact hasn't escaped my attention. Siobhan wants to kill me. I know that, but she isn't the first person who has wanted me dead, and she probably won't be the last," she joked but her smile fell flat at the anger on his face.
"That isn't funny." He jerked free of her grasp and paced to the end of the room before spinning back. "How can you even joke about it?"
Bridget sighed.
"I know it isn't funny. I was just trying to lighten things up." She walked toward him, placed her arms around his stiffened middle, and rested her chin on his chest so she could look into his eyes. "I hate that she has caused this tension and fear. I want nothing more than to be silly and flirty with you. I want to be able to go out as a family and go ice-skating. I despise that we are all worried and anxious. I just want this to be over, which is why I think we need to finish things quickly." She placed her cheek on his chest and hugged him close. "We need to find her."
She was right. Slowly his body relaxed, and he placed his arms around Bridget squeezing her tight. He would hold onto her, no matter what.
"All right." The knot in his stomach loosened a bit. "We will stay but I want your promise that if things take a turn for the worse, we are on the first flight out of the country."
She laughed. "I promise."
Bridget glanced at the clock. "Speaking of Juliet, where is she? Shouldn't she be home by now?"
Andrew sighed. "Against my better judgment I let her talk me into allowing her to attend the pep rally this afternoon."
"Juliet, at a pep rally?" Bridget raised a brow. "Our Juliet?"
Andrew laughed. "Yes, that was my reaction, too. Juliet cheering with the crowd seemed a bit out of character but Shane told me that she has a crush on a basketball player, and he would be there. I told her she could go, but only if Shane went also." He shuddered and pulled Bridget close, resting his chin on her head. "You know, a part of me wanted to say no, so I could lock her in her room." Bridget's laugh was muffled in his shirt. "I realized that was a bit irrationally over-protective, and this is the first boy she has shown any interest in since that creep her mother hired to hurt Tessa Banner, so I relented."
Bridget pulled her head back and smiled brilliantly up to him. "That is why you are an amazing father."
"Why, because I let my daughter get her way?" he said dryly.
"No." She shook her head emphatically. "Because you aren't letting fear keep her from living her life. After the year we have had, no one would blame you if you did locked her up to keep her safe, but you are letting her live her life and protecting her at the same time." She kissed his nose. "See, an amazing father.
Sadness filled him. "I hope that I get to prove that, I truly do."
Bridget smiled sorrowfully. "You are thinking of Portia and Regan."
He nodded. "As unfounded as this seems, a part of me truly thinks they are mine." He shook his head. "Or, maybe I just want them to be."
She hugged him close. "I can't wait to meet them." She smiled.
Andrew wrapped his arms around the incredible woman in his arms. The love she had in her heart blew his mind. It was truly remarkable how much she gave of herself. It was heartbreaking to think that so many people in her past took advantage of and abused that extraordinary spirit. In that moment he vowed to never take her for granted, or treat her shabbily. He would cherish every beat of that compassionate heart.
"I can't wait to meet them, too."
They held each other, and Andrew laughed as Bridget let out a jaw cracking yawn.
"Are you tired?"
"That is an understatement." She yawned again.
He wasn't surprised by her exhaustion. Nightmares had plagued her nightly since the attack. She only slept a couple of hours before jerking awake. He knew, because he was wrenched from sleep along with her. He hated to see the panic in her eyes.
"I think we should go lie down and take a nap."
She reached up and kissed his lips. "I don't know." She smiled slyly. "Do you think we can lie down together and just sleep?"
"Well, we could certainly give it a try."
"And if we fail?"
"Well, then we will only sleep better, don't you think?" he whispered.
She laughed. "You might be onto something."
His phone rang, he groaned, extracted his arms from Bridget, and dug it out of his coat pocket.
"Hello. Yes. You have got to be kidding me. All right. I will be there in 20 minutes."
"What is it?" Bridget asked concerned.
"That was the building manager at the loft. A pipe burst and he needs me to come and inspect the damage." He sighed.
"I could come with you," Bridget suggested.
"I would love for you to come, but I think you should go and lie down. You need to rest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, get some sleep, and maybe when I'm done I will wake you up, and we can 'nap' together."
"Hm, that sounds like a plan."
"I will call Solomon so he can be here while I'm gone."
"No, he needs to go with you," Bridget argued.
"No, absolutely not. I'm not leaving you here unattended."
"And you aren't going to the loft unprotected." Bridget chided with narrowed eyes.
"I won't be."
"What do you mean?"
"Follow me."
Bridget trailed him into their closet as he shifted some clothes to reveal a safe. Quietly, he dialed the combination and opened the heavy door. Reaching inside he removed a 9mm hand gun.
Bridget stiffened.
"I will have this with me."
"No." She shook her head, as her gut clenched. "I don't like it."
"This way we are all protected," he tried to assure her.
"I don't like it."
"I don't either, but I don't want any of us left without protection."
Siobhan's POV:
Siobhan's ears rang as cheerleaders led the crowd in rousing applause. Her heeled feet felt the vibration as hundreds of teenagers stomped and clapped as instructed by their perky leaders of spirit. The players of the school's basketball team surrounded the coach amidst bright lights, and the roar of the crowd.
An ache of epic proportions threatened to blind Siobhan. Nausea filled her throat, and she swallowed hard trying to regain her composure. The brown bobbed wig wasn't helping. The heat trapped between her skull and the fake head of hair threatened to make her pass out on top of the nausea.
The crowd continued to roar so Siobhan used that moment to step out into the hall and use the drinking fountain. Cool water splashed past her lips and over her tongue to soothe her red-hot throat. No longer feeling like she would vomit she leaned her forehead against the glass of the trophy case and let the chilly surface cool her overheated skin.
Once she felt her system settle, she stepped back and checked her appearance in the mirror that lined the back of the case. The wig had shifted slightly. Irritated by the inconvenience, she jerked it back into place. The fake mole she painted near her chin was still intact, and the thick-framed glasses sat on her un-powdered nose. Noting her disguise was undamaged she turned from the trophy case without noticing her pallid reflection or the unnatural light that radiated from her eyes.
Oblivious to everything but the task at hand, she returned to the gymnasium. Carefully, she scanned the crowds until she found her target. Juliet sat among fellow students and cheered while holding a sign that said, "Trevor is #1". Siobhan rolled her eyes. It was pathetic, but it was no wonder considering who had been guiding her these last few months. This pitiable display had Bridget written all over it.
Slowly, Siobhan climbed the bleachers until she was above Juliet. Knowing her disguise was a good one, she didn't concern herself with being recognized. Her only concern was the well-built man who wore high school gear and sat next to Juliet while talking on his phone. He was a regular feature in her stakeouts and she recognized him as Juliet's shadow. Obviously Andrew was paying him to be his bitch daughter's bodyguard, probably because of his unstable ex, Catherine. That bitch was off her rocker. Siobhan knew about Catherine's plan to kill her. Andrew probably hired the bodyguard so Juliet wouldn't get hurt in the crossfire.
Settling on a seat two rows up, she located Juliet's bag. She needed to get into it and snag her cell phone. As she contemplated her options Juliet reached into her purse and pulled it out. Siobhan watched her send a text before she looked up to scrutinize one of the players on the court. The player, Trevor, reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone and smiled before texting her back. Juliet read the text and laughed just as they announced Trevor's name. She set the phone down on the seat next to her and jumped up, waving the homemade sign like a loon.
Siobhan used that moment to her advantage. Standing, she pretended to stumble, knocking the two teenage girls in front of her forward. They fell hard into the bodyguard whose phone flew out of his hand and cracked into pieces on the floor below. Juliet and those around her tried to help the bodyguard and the two girls untangle themselves, which left a gaping hole where they once sat. Seizing her opportunity she stepped down and snagged the phone before walking across the bleacher away from Juliet.
Satisfaction swelled through her as she exited the building and hailed a cab. She settled into her seat and let the cityscape sweep past. Pulling up to the Park Avenue apartment she paid the driver and walked to the side of building. Once she was safely out of view, she took out her cell and dialed a number.
"Are you here? Good. When did Andrew leave? Fifteen minutes is perfect. Has Solomon showed up? Okay, I'm going to lure her out. When Solomon comes to get the car, you know what to do." She hung up and opened Juliet's phone to send a text message to Bridget.
I'm at the school. I need help.
She hit send and waited.
Bridget's POV:
Bridget turned over and tried again to calm her mind long enough to fall asleep but she couldn't squelch the feeling that something was wrong. When her phone signaled she had a text she jumped and grabbed it hoping to see that Andrew was safe and on his way home, instead the message was from Juliet and the words chilled her to the bone.
I'm at the school. I need help.
"Solomon!" Bridget jumped out of bed and started throwing on clothes. "Solomon!"
"What's wrong?" he asked, as he flew through the door.
Bridget tossed him her cell phone and yanked on a shirt.
He read the text that still lit the screen. "I'll call Shane." Quickly, he dialed his friend's number but got no answer.
"Well?" Bridget demanded as he hung up.
"He isn't answering."
Bridget paled.
"I'll get the car," Solomon said as he turned leave.
Bridget finished getting dressed as she tried desperately to calm her racing heart. What could have happened? Did Siobhan try to grab her? She clutched her bag, darted into the elevator, hit the button for the lobby and realized she needed to tell Andrew. She reached for her cell phone and cursed. Damn. Solomon must have taken it. She would just call him from the car.
She raced through the lobby and saw the Town Car screech to a halt in front of the building. Without thought, she jumped into the back seat, slammed the door shut and was thrown against the leather interior as they lurched forward into traffic.
It was then she felt the metallic ice of a gun muzzle pressed to her temple. Slowly, she turned and stared into a face identical to her own.
"Hello, Bridget."
Bridget fought back the fear that surged through her. The ones she loved were depending on her.
"Where is Juliet?" she demanded.
"Probably cheering her idiotic head off with the rest of the morons who attend that school."
Relief swept through Bridget. "What do you want?" she asked.
"I want what is owed me and I intend to collect," Siobhan lifted a piece of black plastic and placed it to her side. "Good night, Bridget."
Crackling sounded and bright white pain radiated throughout Bridget's body. Juliet was okay, was her last thought before darkness claimed her.