Chapter Twenty-Three

While the House twins and David continued their circular argument, Shay stood by the window, staring out beyond the roof and parking lot, into the valley. She hated quarrels. In her life, she’d always pushed stuff down to avoid confrontations like this. Go along to get along. Having the brother and sister each take opposite sides, with neither giving in, made her uncomfortable. David had joined the conversation a few minutes ago, trying to be the peacemaker between them. Good luck with that.

“What did you say?” Aden’s voice became brittle, and he leaned toward David.

“The decision is made. Olivia is coming home with me. I’ve scheduled a couple of days off, so I can be with her and monitor her concussion.” David was adamant.

“Addie, please stop.” Olivia reached out. “We’ve made up our minds.”

“Plus, she’ll be safer. Whoever attacked, even if they know about me or where I live, would have to get through security in my building.” David tried to reason with Aden.

“Olivia’s my sister. I can take care of her.”

And they were back to the beginning.

Shay tuned them out. Out past the parking lot in the distance, the Susquehanna River reflected bits of sunlight. She placed her palm against the chilly pane, while the voices faded into the background.

He’s falling in love with me.

She already loved him. After the divorce, she promised herself never to let her heart become vulnerable again. But here she was.

The man she’d come to know was different from the one she’d heard about. Her Aden exuded warmth, charm, and gentle caring. She’d expected a player, given the rumors. The more time they spent together, the more she realized maybe the problems he had were only a blip in time. Fame and wealth came too quickly. He wouldn’t have been the first to succumb to its dangers. But the accident put him back on the right path.

Working at Rock House changed her as well. It gave her the confidence she’d always been lacking. Yes, she could pretend to be a go-getter and strong. Ever since she was a chubby kid in school who either got picked on or ignored, her calm exterior façade had served her well. Until recently, she never let anyone see her cry. Not when her selfish parents dumped her, not even in front of her grandmother. When Nick came along and paid attention to her, she couldn’t understand why. Never pretty or popular, she’d soaked up the attention like a flower toward the sun.

“Shay. Shay?” Olivia called her.

Her friend must have been trying to get her attention.

“Are you okay?”

“Sorry, I’m good. My mind was wandering.” She stepped up to Olivia’s bed. “What were you saying?”

“I know it’s asking a lot. But since I’m staying with David, can you stay at my condo with Aden, in case he needs help?” Olivia pressed her finger against Aden’s mouth.

He’d stopped arguing with David long enough to start again with his twin.

“Yeah, ah, not a problem.” Shay’s cheeks heated.

Aden took Olivia’s wrist and pulled her hand away. “Livvie, stop micromanaging. I can take care of myself.”

“No problem. My place is a mess anyway.” Partially true. The rest of the truth? Shay feared going back to her house.

“Oh right, how could I forget the break-in?” Olivia groaned. “Have the police found out anything?”

“This is ridiculous.” David rejoined the conversation. “Your house was vandalized, Olivia was attacked, and that idiot, Brandt, is still trying to implicate you.”

“What do you mean, David? Is he still around here?” Shay’s stomach rolled.

“He tried to get into Olivia’s room this morning. I cut him off and told him she has nothing more to say.”

“I need to talk to Michael again. He was going to check around and see why Detective Brandt is so determined I’m the one responsible for Nick’s attack, and now Olivia’s.” Shay turned to Aden. “Do you mind if I stay?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, it’s settled. I’m going to stay with David,” Olivia said. “Shay will stay at the condo.”

Everyone turned to Aden who threw up his free arm. “Fine, it seems I’m outnumbered.”

Shay shook her head at the smile of triumph on Olivia’s face as she said her goodbyes. She and Aden walked to the elevators around the corner. “David is good for her.”

“I know, but she’s my sister. I’ve always watched over her.” He cracked his neck, then pushed the call button.

Shay leaned against the wall. “She loves you, and I’m sure she appreciates it, but Olivia is a grown woman. I know she’s struggled for a lot of years, but your sister is finding her way.”

“I know, but I worry.”

The bell dinged, and the elevator slid open. Shay pushed the button for the first floor. “Understood, but don’t let your worry become a stumbling block for her.”

“All right, I’ll try to back off. But if the good doctor hurts her, he’ll answer to me.”

“You’re the best brother.” The bell dinged again, and Shay held the door open button for him to step out. “I’ll pick you up around three.”

“Thanks. The jury is still out on whether or not I’m a good brother, but you are definitely a smart woman.” Aden’s crutches clicked on tiles as they walked. “I’ll wait by the doors. Just pull up front, and I’ll come out.”

“Okay.”

Shay turned to leave, but before she could walk away, Aden grasped her arm and pulled her to his chest.

“Uh-uh, no leaving before I get a kiss goodbye.”

Not one for PDAs, Shay glanced around. The coast was clear. She reached around his neck and pulled him in, giving him a fierce, swift kiss, then stepped back.

“Hey,” he complained, trying to get her back.

“I’ve got to go.” She giggled and danced out of his reach

Butterflies took up residence in her stomach as she walked to the parking lot, pressing her fingers to her tingling lips. Aden House was many things, including an excellent kisser. Her smile faded when she spotted a piece of paper on the van’s windshield. How could it be a ticket? No. An envelope was stuck under the wiper blade. Shay checked the area before she pulled it out. On the opposite side of the pavilion a couple with a new baby climbed into an SUV.

Lifting the envelope gingerly, she held it up to the fading sun. All she could make out was a piece of paper inside. She got into the vehicle, then slid her finger under the flap and tore it open. With a sharp intake of breath, she stared at the picture. The dull printed-out picture showed her and Aden entering the hospital. A red X, slashed with a marker, covered her image. Glancing around nervously, she still didn’t see anyone suspicious, so she shoved the picture into her bag. Brenda wasn’t going to ruin the rest of her day. She’d call Michael and deal with the picture later.

****

Aden headed down to physical therapy, still feeling Shay’s kiss. With his mind elsewhere, he nearly crashed into the man coming down the hall toward him. “Sorry, man.”

“Aden House, right? I’m Michael Machau.” The man stuck out his hand. “Shay is a friend of mine. I’m also with the police department.”

Aden eyed the guy as they shook hands. Michael stood a little taller than him and was broader across the chest. His hair was almost black, and his brown eyes were similar to Aden’s and Olivia’s. The way he said a friend of Shay, hinted at something deeper. “Nice to meet you. I’m Shay’s boyfriend.”

“Last I heard—” Machau raised an eyebrow, and one corner of his mouth lifted slightly as their hands separated. “—you were only her boss.”

“Well, things changed. She’s with me now.” Wouldn’t hurt to let the man know where he stood with Shay. “What can I do for you, Officer Machau?”

“I’m worried about her.” His cocky look turned serious. “Some things aren’t adding up. Can we talk?”

“Yeah.” Aden lifted his chin, indicating the direction he’d been heading. “Walk with me to PT. It’s on the second floor.”

Michael nodded. “Sure, let’s go.”

Alone in the elevator, they took opposite corners and eyed each other. Michael broke the silence first. “Before we talk about the case, I want to say something. Man-to-man.”

“Go ahead.”

“I care about Shay. I have for a long time.”

Aden ground his teeth.

“I waited too long to ask her out. She ended up with Nick.” The guy had a steady gaze. “After the divorce, I waited again. But I never seemed to find the right moment. Bad decision.”

Aden stilled the urge punch him in the face. “Shay’s with me now.”

“Yeah, I get it.” He tried to stare Aden down. “But I know about you. So, when you screw up, I’ll be there, and next time, I won’t put it off until it’s too late.”

“You’ll have a long wait.” Thankfully, the elevator opened before Aden did something he’d regret. Like go to jail for assault. “Do you have anything else to say, or can I get to therapy?”

“Yeah, I do. About the situation with Nick.”

They walked side by side, the clicking of his crutches loud in the empty hallway. The more cheerful blues and yellows on this floor, mixed with modern graphics, did nothing to relieve Aden’s black mood.

Michael pointed at the bank of chairs in a small waiting area outside of the therapy suite. “Let’s sit.”

The last thing Aden wanted to do was spend more time with the jerk, but he eased into the beige vinyl chair anyway. “All right, talk.”

Michael took a seat opposite him. “I know everyone, except Detective Brandt, believes it’s Brenda. She and Nick have a long history of problems, and the woman is a bit out there.”

“Is it true she stabbed Nick a while back?”

“Yes, but that was only part of it. There were constant calls to the department.” Michael filled him in on some of the stunts the ex-girlfriend pulled over the last three years. The woman had no boundaries or sense. “If Nick weren’t so good at his job, he would have been let go a long time ago.”

“He may be good at his job—” Aden wasn’t impressed. “—but he makes a lousy husband and boyfriend.”

“Yeah, but any relationship is not easy to navigate, especially when one of them is unbalanced, like Brenda. Listen, I’m doing what I can, but keep an eye on Shay.” Michael shifted and crossed his legs. “I’m concerned about the gaps in the chain of events, as well as Brenda still being missing. If it is her, then she won’t stop with your sister. If it’s not her, then who else is angry enough to do this and what’s the motivation? Also, I’m still trying to figure out where Brandt fits into the situation.”

Despite Michael having a thing for Shay, he seemed like an earnest and likable guy. “Don’t worry about Shay. She’ll be with one of us at all times.”

“Good. Here’s my number.” Michael stood. “I’ve got to get going. Besides, someone is waiting for you.”

Max stood inside the doors pointing to his watch.

“He’s my therapist.”

“Keep me in the loop if anything else happens,” Michael called over his shoulder as he walked away.

“Will do.” Aden went through the electric doors into PT. Too bad Michael wanted his girl. He might have liked the guy.

Max now stood by the equipment. “I thought you were going to blow off your appointment today.”

“Sorry I’m late.” Aden sat on the therapy table. The next upbeat track on the playlist encouraged people to walk. “Nice choice of music by the way. Speaking of walking, I need to get rid of these crutches ASAP.”

“Saw you coming down the hall and figured you would appreciate the tune.” Max liked the oldies too. “Well, you’re not putting much weight on the crutches anyway. After this session, I’ll set you up with a cane.”

Aden turned over and laid face down on the big PT mat.

Max started massaging his legs to loosen them up. Gentle at first, then he got tough with deep tissue massages. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” Aden winced when the therapist hit a tender spot.

“You all right?” Max paused for a moment.

Gritting his teeth, he bit out, “Yes, keep going.” No pain, no gain, right?