Ryan didn’t agree. He’d seen that massive flash of light, heard the bang. He was quite sure Battler had been electrocuted then crushed but Rachel wouldn’t believe it, just like Bruiser, until she’d seen his body. He hoped she was right, that despite all the odds Battler was still alive but he highly doubted it. Besides, they didn’t have time for this, they had to ensure that those who had survived stayed alive. “We’ll see,” was all he said. “Now let’s find Riley and see how Mikey is.”
They discovered Riley just leaving A&E, his arm in a sling, Mark beside him, his upper arm bandaged.
“You alright?” said Ryan, embracing his brother.
“Yeah, fine. Rachel did a good job relocating my shoulder,” he said with a nod of thanks to her. “It’ll heal fine, it’s just bloody sore. I’m not sure how much use I’m going to be.”
“Mark?”
“A few stitches. I’m okay to work.”
“Thank Christ for that because we need you.”
“No worries, I’m here.”
It was the assurance Ryan wanted. It would be easy for a man of Mark’s considerable talents to defect and find work elsewhere, people were clamouring to employ him. Fortunately for them he was loyal.
Ryan nodded and looked back to Riley. “Did you call Dane?”
“I did. He’s on his way here. He hit the roof when I told him what had gone on. I didn’t tell him who was responsible because the paramedics were ear-wigging, so he’ll need to be brought up to speed.”
“Good. I’ll deal with that. We need you to do something. Could you both go to Amber’s flat, pick up her and the boys and take them to the police station. They’re sitting ducks.”
“Of course,” said Riley. “How’s Jules?”
“She’ll be okay, Jez too. Mikey’s still in surgery.”
“If he doesn’t make it through we’ll be fighting Glasgow too,” said Mark grimly.
Ryan always appreciated his way of cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
“He will make it,” said Rachel.
Ryan looked to Riley. “I want you to get Cathy, Beth, Daina, Amber and all the children out of Manchester until this is over. I don’t know how far Katia and Clayton are willing to go. Take them down to Devon. Battler and Bruiser’s men can help guard them.”
“I’m not running out on you.”
“You’re not, you’re protecting your family. The last thing we need is Katia getting hold of them and using them to get to us, like Hayden used Jules to draw out Rachel and myself today.”
The thought turned Riley’s blood cold. “Okay, I will. I’ll set my best people on it too.”
This made Ryan feel infinitely better and he patted his brother’s uninjured shoulder. “Thank you. Right, we’re going to see if we can find out what’s going on with Mikey.”
They parted ways, Rachel lapsing into thoughtful silence as they headed for A&E.
“Penny for them,” said Ryan.
“I was just thinking, Jules and Mikey didn’t tell anyone outside the family about the wedding, except for Shane, Mark and Grant and I don’t think for a moment they’d grass. The only other person who knew where and when Mikey and Jules were getting married was Amber.”
“Correction, she only knew when.”
“That might have been enough.”
“But Amber doesn’t know Katia or Andrew Clayton.”
“How can we be sure?”
“I know she’s a stupid spoilt brat but surely she wouldn’t go that far? She seemed to have come round to the idea of Mikey and Jules being together. She was even spending more time with the boys.”
“What if it was a ploy to throw us off the scent?”
“Possible I suppose. I just can’t see her plotting with Katia or Clayton.”
“A few years ago we couldn’t have imagined her shagging Declan behind Mikey’s back and telling him he was a wife-beater.”
“There is that too but I’m reluctant to accuse her without more proof. As yet there could be an unknown quantity involved. But it’s certainly something to bear in mind.”
“I’d feel better if she didn’t have the boys. For all we know she could have done a runner with them, never to be seen again.”
“I don’t think she cares about them enough to do that.”
“Or she could use them to hurt Mikey, she knows how much he loves his kids.”
“Mark and Riley will be with them soon. I’ll feel better once they’re back with our family.”
“Hayden,” said Katia, throwing herself at him the second he came through the door, dragging a bleeding Eric along with him.
He released Eric, who was caught by Luke.
“Are you okay?” said Katia, taking Hayden’s face between her hands. He looked tired and dishevelled but otherwise unscathed.
“Fine,” he said. “But he isn’t,” he added, indicating Eric
“What happened to our men?” said Katia.
“Bruiser snapped Carl’s neck and Shane shot Fred in the belly. Archie Maguire and Ethan Law nearly beat Eric to death. Actually, scratch that. Ethan managed to get his gun off him but Archie battered him senseless and he bloody enjoyed himself. He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with when he’s older.” He didn’t add that he was going to be a full-blown psycho too. Katia had been Alex Maguire’s lover and he didn’t want to offend her. “Murphy’s still in my car. He got run over and he passed out on the way back.”
Andrew nodded at Luke, who drew a silenced pistol and shot Eric in the head.
They all stared in shock as Eric’s lifeless body toppled to the floor.
“It was a mercy killing,” said Andrew as Luke went outside to take care of Murphy too. “We couldn’t take him to a hospital and it would have taken him days to die. Now I want to know how the hell this went so wrong. They were all sitting ducks.”
Katia glanced at Mick, wondering if he was going to start talking about curses and being blessed but wisely he remained silent.
“If your men had primed the second bomb it wouldn’t have been an issue,” retorted Hayden. “But they failed.”
“Alright, that’s fair enough but there were five of you with guns, one of you a professional sniper and they were all unarmed.”
“There were so many of them, especially those bloody kids sneaking up on people. Plus the wind changed direction blowing all the dust from the damaged building into my eyes. I was lucky to hit anyone.”
These words struck a cord with Mick, confirming his suspicions that the Maguires and Laws were protected by a force greater than all of them. Even the elements had helped shield them.
“But look on the bright side,” continued Hayden.
“Oh there is one, is there?” barked Andrew.
The muscles at the base of Hayden’s jaw clenched and unclenched. He was the one who’d put himself in harm’s way while this wanker had been well out of the firing line. “Grant’s dead. Mikey Maguire is probably dead, Jules not far behind him. Jez and Mark were injured and Shane’s so young his arse will collapse without the support of the others. All the major players are out of the way. We can easily finish them off while they’re weak. But Ryan and Rachel survived and they will be coming for us. Plus there’s Bruiser who will no doubt want revenge for the death of his brother.”
“So what if they do come for us?”
“They’re dangerous.”
“So are we,” said Andrew, smiling with satisfaction when Luke returned, his face splattered with blood, eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Slattery underestimated them and look where that got him.”
“Yes and it would be wise to learn from his mistakes but we’ve got a secret weapon.”
“It’s only a matter of time before the police ID our dead men and with their contacts the Maguires and Laws will find out at the same time. They’ll know you were in on it.”
He shrugged. “Is that supposed to intimidate me?”
“It should. You didn’t see what they did t
o the Slatterys.”
“I’ve heard what happened there and I’ve learnt from that.”
They all turned when the lounge door popped open and out tottered a bedraggled old tart on high heels.
“Oh no,” sighed Hayden.
“Who is she?” frowned Katia.
“Estelle Law,” said Hayden flatly. “Mother to Ryan, Jules and Jez.”
“Hello handsome,” she purred at Hayden, making him grimace and Katia scowl.
“How long has she been here?” demanded Katia.
“Only a couple of hours,” said Andrew. “She approached me yesterday at my casino. Of course I knew who she was, she’s a bit of a legend in her own right in the north of England. She can help us.”
“How?” said Hayden. “Her own kids hate her and I can’t say I blame them after what she’s done. She was the one who told Jared Slattery he was the father of Jules’s daughter, which led to Jules being put in a coma. When they attacked the homestead Jez himself tried to kill her. But the old cow’s a slippery bitch and she got away. So if you’re thinking of using her as leverage to draw them out you’re in for a shock. Neither did her presence help Slattery. She ran away and left them all to die.”
“Do you think I’m thick or something?” said Andrew. “The Law siblings’s hatred for their mother is famous. Estelle can help us out in a much more subtle way.”
“Subtle, that?”
“Oy you,” said Estelle. “Watch your gob.”
“She understands how her children’s minds work better than anyone, making her an asset to us. I think you’ll be pleased,” said Andrew before relaying the plan they’d devised. When he’d finished Hayden actually smiled. It was very clever, an idea worthy of Ryan Law himself and it might just work. At least he hoped it did. They had to move fast before the Maguires and Laws had the chance to regroup.
Amber was extremely tempted to crack open the bottle of white wine in the fridge but she didn’t dare. Someone would come to whisk away the boys and possibly her too and it wouldn’t look good if they found out she’d been drinking when in charge of children. Plus it was important she kept a clear head so she didn’t say anything to land herself in trouble.
The boys were feeling much better, the effects of the potion she’d given them wearing off hours ago. Josh was very good at entertaining himself, happiest when he had some paper and crayons but Zach always needed someone to play with him. He wanted her to play his stupid fish game and her temper was rapidly fraying. He was staring up at her with those big puppy dog eyes and she wanted to scream at him to give her some fucking space. But it was more important than ever that she remained in the family’s good books and having someone turn up to find her yelling and shouting and the boys in tears would not help.
“Come on honey, let’s play,” she smiled, picking up the small plastic fishing rod, fighting the urge to snap it in two. “Just one sec,” she added when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get that then we’ll have a game.”
He smiled, pleased, Amber rolling her eyes when her back was turned. Both boys had been a means to an end. She’d purposefully got pregnant with them both as a way to control Mikey - Josh to get them together and Zach to keep them together but it hadn’t worked. She should never have bothered having Zach then there’d only be one brat to worry about.
“Hello,” she said pleasantly when she opened the door to Riley and Mark, although inwardly her heart was pounding. “Are you here for the boys?”
They both nodded, looking grim.
“I was expecting Cathy.” She frowned. “You’re both hurt,” she added, noting Riley’s sling and Mark’s bandaged arm.
“Can we come in?” said Riley. “Something’s happened.”
“What?” she said with the perfect amount of concern and fear. God she was good.
“It’s better if we explain inside.”
“Sorry, of course. Come in.”
They followed her inside, Amber closing the door behind them.
“Hello boys,” smiled Riley.
In response they grinned back at him.
“Through here,” said Amber, leading them into the kitchen. “I take it this isn’t good and I don’t want them overhearing.”
Riley wondered if the rumour was true and she had actually changed. She never would have been so considerate of her children before.
Amber’s eyes widened with disbelief as Riley told the story. Although she’d briefly been told what had happened by Katia it was still a shock to hear the details.
“So how is Mikey?” were her first words.
“In surgery. Jules is badly injured but she’ll pull through. Jez got nicked on the arm but he’ll be fine. Grant and Battler died.”
“Oh my God,” she said, hands flying to her mouth. She didn’t need to fake this shock because Katia hadn’t told her about that. Not that she would grieve for either of them, Grant had just been a grunt and Battler meant absolutely nothing to her.
“We need to take you and the boys to the police station.”
“Police station?” It wasn’t often the Maguires and Laws could be found in such an establishment.
“The police took all the children there. We want to keep everyone together. Beth has arranged for us all to stay in one of her hotels tonight then we’re flying out to Devon tomorrow.”
Anger shot through her when he bragged about the small empire Beth owned. She’d only got all that because she’d married Alex Maguire, she’d done nothing to earn it. “For how long?”
“I’m not sure.”
“We’re being got out of the way again. It’s another war, isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so,” said Riley. “You need to pack a bag, quickly. Do you have any of the boys’ stuff here?”
“They’ve got their favourite toys and I have some spare clothes for them. I can always buy more in Devon.”
“Good.”
Amber hurried back into the living room, the boys cheering at the news that they were going to Devon with all their cousins. No one told them about Mikey and Jules being injured, they just said they’d meet them down there. It was fortunate they were so young, older children would have asked awkward questions.
Amber ran into her bedroom, leaving Riley and Mark to watch over the boys, smiling to herself as she flung clothes into a suitcase. She’d fooled them no problem. They thought themselves big tough men but God they were thick. She pondered on whether she should tell Katia about where she was going. It would be easy to escape abroad from Devon, especially if her crew was busy up here attempting to win the war. The boys had plenty of family, they’d be fine. Maybe she’d be lucky enough to find a way to top up her bank account before she left? She would need to think about it very carefully.
“Ready,” she said, hurrying back into the living room towing her suitcase. The boys were all ready to go in their coats and shoes.
“You ready for a little holiday?” she said, the boys cheering.
“It’s lucky they’re so young,” she whispered to Riley, fearing that had sounded just a bit too cheerful.
He nodded once. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 27
Everyone went rigid when the door to Jules’s room burst open, relaxing when they saw it was Dane Black.
“What in the name of holy hell have you been getting up to now lady?” he demanded of Jules, striding through them all to her bedside and taking her hand.
Jules, who had been drifting off jumped awake, peering up at him with confusion, flashing a weak smile when she saw who it was. “Someone used me for target practice,” she rasped.
“And I’m going to pull their fucking head off for it and stick it up their own arsehole.”
“Who’s this?” said Jacob, nodding at Dane.
“You employing spotty teenagers now?” Dane asked Jez.
“I am not spotty,” glowered Jacob.
“Jacob, this is Dane Black, a friend of ours. Dane, this is Jacob, a friend of Leah’s.”
“Well you
don’t look in too bad shape,” Dane told Jez.
“Thanks,” he said with a withering look.
“Mikey?”
“Still in surgery.”
Dane sighed, also painfully aware their deal with Glasgow died if Mikey died. “Who was responsible?”
“The Slovakian slag with Andrew Clayton,” said Jez.
“I’ve dealt with Clayton before, he’s a shady scouse twat and if he thinks he’s taking over Manchester he’s in for a bloody shock. Me and my men have got your backs. Just let me know what you need.”
“Bodyguards,” said Jez. “Katia and Clayton will be desperate to finish us off.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll post two men to each of your rooms.”
“They’ve stuck me in a room with three other blokes,” said Jez. “So I’m going to discharge myself. I’ll be a sitting duck out there. Cathy will be pissed off at me but I’ve no choice.”
“It would help if we could get you to a private hospital,” Dane told Jules. “There’s too many people coming and going here.”
“Doc said…can’t move yet,” she whispered.
“Shit. At least you’re in a private room at the end of the corridor. Where’s Mikey? He’ll need a guard as soon as he comes out of surgery.”
“Rachel and Ryan have gone to find out,” said Jez.
“We can cover guarding the injured but we need a plan to take out Katia and Clayton. This won’t end until they’ve gone.”
“We’re working on it,” said Jez.
“You’re still reeling from this shit storm.”
“Exactly. Hayden Brody was the one who shot Jules, Mikey, me and Mark.”
Dane went rigid. “That treacherous bastard.”
“He also aimed his rifle at Jules’s head to draw out Ryan and Rachel. The Slovakian slapper’s done a good job brainwashing him.”
Hayden’s defection had cut Dane deep, he’d known him for many years, they’d been friends. This was the final straw. “I’ll kill him,” he snarled, unconsciously placing his hand over Jules’s, who had drifted off again. Despite their turbulent history he would happily destroy anyone who hurt her.
Jez allowed himself to relax slightly. They had Dane Black and his crew onside. They were far from out. However he got the feeling it was his tender feelings for Jules that were keeping him loyal.
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