Carnage

by Heather Atkinson

  “Sweetheart, you did that years ago. Bruiser’s right, he wouldn’t want this.”

  Rachel nodded and relinquished the knife to her husband, who hastily pocketed it.

  Amber allowed herself to release a shaky breath of relief, remaining crouched on the floor, watching them.

  “We’re not going to kill you Amber,” said Ryan. “Although we should. Only the fact that you birthed Josh and Zach is keeping you alive. You leave the country and never come back. If you ever set foot in the UK again we will know and there’ll be no second chances. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I do,” she said, frantically nodding. “I swear you’ll never see me again.”

  His grey eyes turned steely and he knelt before her, causing her to scramble backwards until she backed up against Jez’s legs. “The last person we told to go and never come back thought they could sneak back into the country and cause more havoc. They’re now lying dead in a shallow grave. If you think you can do the same thing I’ll kill you myself.”

  Ryan Law had always scared Amber, even when he was being nice to her. “Y…yes, I understand,” she gasped, puffing the words out in a breathless stutter. “I’ll go. I’ll go.”

  He nodded and got to his feet. “Mark will take you home to pack some things. Then he’ll drive you to the airport. For God’s sake,” he sighed when she burst into hysterical tears.

  “I can’t get up,” she rasped. Her legs had turned to jelly now she knew she wasn’t going to die.

  Rachel grabbed her arm, pulled her to her feet and shoved her back against the wall. “A parting gift,” she said before slamming her forehead into her nose.

  Amber went silent, slumping to the floor, stunned.

  “What?” she said when they all looked at her. “Don’t tell me her whining wasn’t getting on your nerves too?”

  Mark took Amber’s arm and pulled her upright, so she limply dangled from his big hand.

  Bruiser took Rachel’s hands. “You did do him proud today,” he said, kissing her cheek.

  She hugged him and together they watched as Amber was pulled from the room.

  “Thank fuck for that,” said Jules. “Can I get back to my husband and kids now?” she added with a satisfied smile.

  CHAPTER 49

  Rachel, Ryan, Jules and Jez headed back to the private hospital. Riley and the boys were sat by Mikey’s bedside. When Jules walked in Josh and Zach ran to her and threw themselves at her.

  “I missed you too,” she smiled, hugging them with her good arm.

  “Are you okay Mum?” said Josh, frowning at her sling.

  “Fine love. It’s just a bit sore. I can take it off in a few days.”

  He beamed with pleasure. “When can we have the wedding again? We missed it.”

  “Let’s have a break from weddings for a bit,” she said wryly, glancing at Mikey. “We’ll have it when your dad’s feeling better.”

  “At the barn?” he said, eyes sparkling with excitement.

  “Err, sorry sweetie. It’s shut. It was damaged.”

  “Oh,” he said, casting his eyes to the floor.

  “But we’ll find somewhere else, somewhere even better. We can all look for a new place together.”

  The boys cheered again.

  “You won’t send us back to Amber, will you?” said Josh.

  Jules glanced at the others before replying. “Do you want to see her again?”

  They both shook their heads.

  “She doesn’t like us,” said Josh.

  His words made her wish she’d done to Amber what Rachel had wanted her to do. “Then you don’t have to.”

  Another cheer before they hugged her again.

  Leah was curled up at home in her bed with Jacob, her naked skin pressing against his. The boys were at school, her grandparents had gone home and Michelle was at work. Fletch and Leo were hanging about in the gardens but they never came into the house. She and Jacob were supposed to be at college but they’d bunked off for the afternoon so they could have the house to themselves.

  She was no longer a virgin. Finally.

  Leah smiled and nestled in closer, running her fingers across his bare chest. His caramel skin was so soft and he always smelled good but not of anything artificial like aftershave, it was his natural scent. Her body thrummed with a satisfaction she’d never experienced before. It had hurt at first, even though he’d been so gentle but after that it had felt really good.

  She purred with pleasure as his fingers ran up and down her naked back.

  “Are you okay?” he said, kissing the top of her head.

  “Very,” she replied. “You?”

  “Yeah,” he smiled.

  She rolled on top of him, kissing his chest. He was so beautiful. He’d also done wonders for her confidence and she felt even more relaxed around him. “Have you had a rest?”

  “Yes,” he said, sliding his fingers through her hair. “Why?”

  She looked up at him along the length of his body and smiled.

  Jacob grinned back at her. “Oh yeah, I’m ready.”

  He pulled her against him and kissed her. They both gasped when they heard the front door open followed by the sound of voices.

  “Oh my God,” said Leah, sitting up. “That’s my parents.”

  “I thought they weren’t due back till this evening?”

  “They must have got an earlier flight,” she said, leaping up, cringing at the thud she made. “Where’s my underwear?” she said, scouring the room.

  At the sound of footsteps on the stairs Jacob leapt up too and pulled on his boxer shorts and jeans.

  “Leah?”

  “That’s Mum,” whispered Leah.

  “Hello sweetheart,” said Rachel, opening her bedroom door. She took one look at the two of them half-dressed and promptly closed it again. “I’ll see you both downstairs,” she called through the door.

  Leah and Jacob looked at each other, unsure whether to laugh or be worried.

  “Tell my mum I love her, won’t you?” said Jacob.

  “What do you think they’re going to do to you?” said Leah, slipping on her t-shirt.

  “I don’t know but it won’t be good. Your dad will go mental.”

  “No he won’t. Well, at least I don’t think he will.”

  “Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better,” he mumbled, pulling on his jumper. “Still, it was worth it.”

  She kissed him and took his hand. “Come on, let’s go face the music.”

  Reluctantly they headed downstairs to find Rachel and Ryan waiting for them in the lounge. Judging by her dad’s stony expression her mum had told them what she’d seen.

  “Why aren’t you at college?” began Rachel. “And don’t say it’s a free period. I know you’re supposed to be there this afternoon.”

  Leah sighed. Lying would only make things worse. “We both bunked off because, well we…” She blushed and glanced at Jacob, who appeared equally flustered.

  “You wanted to take advantage of the fact that the house was empty?” said Rachel.

  Leah looked down at the floor and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Please tell me you took proper precautions?”

  “Yeah, course we did,” she said, cheeks now positively burning with embarrassment.

  “Good. I’m glad you’re being sensible because we are not ready to be grandparents yet. You two are serious about each other, aren’t you?”

  They both nodded.

  “Right. We’re booking you a doctor’s appointment young lady and getting you on the Pill.”

  “Oh God. Mum,” she cringed.

  “If you’re old enough to have sex then you’re old enough to talk about contraception. Condoms can be unreliable. What are you doing?” she added when Leah stomped on the floor.

  “I’m hoping it’ll open up and swallow me.”

  Jacob was unable to stop himself from laughing. He went silent when Ryan Law’s hard grey gaze was turned on him. “You’re not going to batte
r me, are you?” he said in his matter-of-fact way.

  “Why on earth would I do that?” he replied. “You make my daughter happy. Keep it up and we won’t have a problem.”

  “Thank God for that,” he said, feeling like he could breathe again.

  “So, everything’s okay in Manchester?” said Leah when she realised her parents were being pretty cool about this.

  “Yep, fine. Your Aunty Jules and Uncle Mikey are recovering well. It’s all good again.” Her eyes filled with sadness. “There’s just Battler’s funeral now.”

  Leah’s eyes filled with tears and she looked down at the floor and nodded. Rachel was pleased when Jacob wrapped an arm around her and hugged her. One reason she was being very relaxed about this was because she recognised the intense affection between them. He genuinely loved her daughter. Leah had suffered so much loss in her young life so it was wonderful that she’d found this close relationship. Riley had told them how he’d defended her against his own father and uncle. For that she would be forever grateful to him. Anger shot through her at the thought of that pair of losers.

  “What’s up Mum?” said Leah, fearing she’d changed her mind about Jacob when her eyes turned black.

  “I was just thinking about two people we have to pay a visit.” She looked to Jacob. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Definitely. They need putting in their place. Just make it hurt, won’t you?”

  “I can safely say that it will. We’re going to sort that out right now. We’ll be gone at least an hour,” she said meaningfully.

  “Thanks Mum,” smiled Leah.

  “And stay safe,” she said on her way to the door. “Jacob, if you like you can stay the night. I’ll run you both to college in the morning, just to make sure you get there,” she added with a smile.

  “Thanks Mrs Law, that would be great.”

  “You may as well call me Rachel. I get the feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

  Rachel headed out the front door. Ryan hesitated before following his wife. “You can still call me Mr Law.”

  “Mr Law,” said Jacob, swallowing hard.

  Ryan winked at Leah, his eyes twinkling, making her smile.

  When the door closed behind them Leah and Jacob locked in an embrace.

  “Come on,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her back to the stairs. “We’ve only got an hour.”

  “Only?” she grinned. “Wow.”

  Dominic and Duncan were sprawled on the couches in what had been the family home but now housed just the two of them, laid up with their broken limbs. Michelle had only been gone forty eight hours but already the place was a tip, a rancid smell emanating from the kitchen.

  “It’s your turn to cook,” said Dominic, prodding Duncan with his crutch.

  “I did breakfast. It’s your turn.”

  “But I cooked twice yesterday.”

  “So? I did the dusting.”

  Dominic raised an eyebrow.

  “Well, I tried,” mumbled Duncan, cradling his arm in a cast.

  “Oh bloody hell, who’s that?” said Dominic when there was a knock at the door.

  “I bet it’s the home help Social Services said they’d send round.”

  “Thank Christ for that, I’m starving. And she can get this place cleaned up too. Come in,” he called.

  The door opened, Dominic and Duncan’s eager grins falling when Ryan and Rachel Law stalked in.

  “Oh shit,” said Dominic.

  “Oh shit indeed,” said Ryan, closing the door behind him. “You attempted to kidnap our children.”

  “Nah,” said Duncan with a nervous laugh. “It was just a joke to wind up Jacob, that’s all.”

  “You’re a thick bastard,” Dominic told his brother-in-law, furious with his feeble lie.

  “We don’t need your pathetic excuses,” said Rachel. “We’re just here to make sure you don’t do it again.”

  “We won’t. Promise,” said Dominic. “It was stupid, we see that now.”

  “Those you conspired with are dead,” she continued, her black-eyed stare freaking them both out. “Do you want to join them?”

  “No,” they shrieked.

  “It was all his idea,” exclaimed Duncan, pointing at Dominic.

  “You lying bastard,” retorted Dominic. “It was yours.”

  Rachel looked to her husband. “They’re giving me a headache.”

  Ryan pulled a roll of duct tape from his jacket pocket, tearing off a strip with a menacing rip. “Then let’s silence them,” he said, clamping the tape down over Duncan’s mouth.

  Dominic was likewise silenced, both men’s eyes widening when Rachel and Ryan produced the short metal bars from inside their jackets.

  “The rest of your joints are going to receive the same treatment Riley gave you,” said Ryan, lips curling into a smile when they both screamed into their gags, eyes bulging.

  “God I’m hungry,” said Leah, jogging back downstairs. “Fancy something to eat?” she asked Jacob.

  “After all that exercise, yeah,” he grinned.

  “Sit down. I’ll make us omelettes.”

  “Sounds good.”

  He couldn’t believe his luck in finding this amazing woman, so happy he thought he might burst.

  They both jumped when the back door erupted open and to his horror Danielle raced into the room, looking even more nightmarish than usual, screaming at the top of her lungs, a huge knife clutched in one hand.

  “Danielle, no,” he cried, leaping up.

  “Oh for God’s sake,” tutted Leah, putting the pack of eggs down on the counter.

  Calmly she grabbed Danielle’s arm holding the knife, twisted it, making her squeal and headbutted her.

  Jacob watched in astonishment as Danielle’s eyes rolled back in her head and she toppled to the floor, unconscious.

  “Bloody hell Leah,” he exclaimed. “Did I ever tell you how bloody awesome you are?”

  “Yes but feel free to say it again,” she smiled.

  Instead he pulled her to him and kissed her.

  “Oh no,” she said when they heard the front door open. “Mum and Dad are back.”

  “Actually, I think that’s pretty good timing.”

  Rachel and Ryan walked into the kitchen, frowning when they saw Danielle on the floor.

  “Who’s that?” said Ryan.

  “My sister,” said Jacob.

  “The stabby one?”

  “Yeah, that’s her. She’s been jealous of me and Leah.”

  “And who knocked her out?”

  “I headbutted her,” said Leah.

  “Did she hurt either of you?”

  “No, she didn’t get the chance,” she shrugged. “I was making us omelettes. Do you want one?”

  Ryan and Rachel looked to each other then back at their daughter. “Aren’t you upset by what’s just happened?” said the latter.

  “After the whole barn thing and then men trying to kidnap me, one crazy little girl doesn’t bother me.”

  “Well,” said Ryan, as amused as his wife. “That is good news.”

  “Omelettes then?”

  “Whatever you want to cook will be wonderful Leah,” he smiled. “We’d better call Ashley I suppose. Your sister will be put back in the young offender’s institute for this Jacob.”

  “Thank God for that. She’s insanely creepy.”

  “I’ll call Ashley,” said Rachel, picking up the phone, trying to decide whether her daughter’s calm about the situation was good or bad.

  CHAPTER 50

  The day was warm yet wet, gentle drops of rain pattering down on the mourners gathered around the grave. Battler was being laid to rest in a small cemetery out in the countryside on the edge of Newton Abbot, the old stone church beside it where the service had been held.

  Rachel gripped onto Ryan’s hand, Battler’s coffin blurring as tears filled her eyes and spilled down her face unchecked. She was letting her grief show and she didn’t give a shit what
anyone thought about that. Ethan and Aaron stood beside her, looking handsome in their smart suits, standing with their heads bowed and hands clasped together. They were trying to be brave but both kept sniffing and wiping their eyes. Leah was beside her dad but it was Jacob she held onto for comfort. Once again Rachel thanked God that lovely boy had come into her life, he’d filled the gap that had been left by all those she’d loved who had passed on.

  Bruiser stood opposite her at the grave with Daina and the children, who were doing a great job at getting him through the loss of his brother. Mikey, Jules, Beth, Riley, Jez, Cathy and their kids had come down from Manchester for the funeral. Mark and Shane had come too but were at the cemetery gates on guard duty. Grant’s funeral had been held the day before.

  Bruiser, Jez and Ryan had borne Battler’s very heavy coffin on their broad shoulders. Mikey had wanted to be the fourth pall bearer but he hadn’t been physically up to it. He stood at the foot of the grave, leaning heavily on a cane, Jules linking her arm through his for support. They had a wheelchair in the car for him but he stubbornly refused to use it, to Jules’s annoyance. So Alfie had taken his place as fourth pall bearer and had done a wonderful job.

  Michelle and Belle were in attendance too, the former looking very smart in black trousers and shirt with a long black coat and sunglasses, Belle beside her, swathed in a short black dress, long auburn hair tumbling down her back, sobbing into a tissue. She’d adored Battler and his loss had hit her hard.

  When the vicar had finished reciting his sermon over the grave Bruiser looked across the gaping hole to Rachel and nodded. She nodded back and they both stepped forward at the same time, clutching a rose each and dropped them onto the coffin. Belle let her rose drop next before bursting into fresh tears and hanging onto Michelle for comfort.

  “Goodbye old friend,” Rachel whispered to the coffin.

  Nothing would ever be the same again.

  The wake was held at Ryan and Rachel’s house but only close friends and family had been invited.

  “Are you holding up?” said Rachel, taking the seat on the sofa beside Mikey, who looked pale and unwell.

  “I’m fine,” he said with a dismissive wave.

  “You don’t look it.”