Carnage

by Heather Atkinson

  “Looks can be deceiving.”

  “I know you were planning on returning to Manchester tonight but why don’t you stay here? We’ve got plenty of room for you all. You can have the guesthouse.”

  “Actually, that sounds pretty good,” he replied.

  “Excellent,” she smiled. She loved having them around. “Why don’t you turn it into a little holiday? You didn’t get your honeymoon.”

  “I don’t know. What do you think babe?” he asked Jules when she returned clutching a plate of food for them both.

  “About what?” she replied, dumping his plate on his lap and tucking into a vol-au-vent.

  “Rachel’s invited us to stay for a few days as we didn’t get a honeymoon.”

  “Why not? It’s half-term anyway so we don’t need to worry about Josh and school.”

  “Excellent,” grinned Rachel.

  “If it’s okay with big brother?”

  “It was his idea.”

  Jules glanced at her older brother who smiled back at her. She couldn’t help but think back to all those years ago when she’d first discovered he was her brother. Of course she’d heard of Ryan Law. She’d followed him about, asked everyone she knew about him, delved into his life. Part of her had raged against him that he hadn’t been there to protect her from her abusive adopted parents. After all, wasn’t it an older brother’s duty to protect his little sister? Of course she’d realised how wildly unfair that was of her, he hadn’t even been aware of her existence, Estelle had told him she’d been stillborn. But back then her thinking hadn’t exactly been logical. She’d wanted to kill him in the hope that it would take away some of her own pain. Now she was so glad she’d never followed through on that insane urge. She couldn’t imagine life without him. Or any of the others in fact.

  “How are you holding up?” Mikey asked Rachel, taking her hand.

  “I’m okay,” she said, forcing a smile.

  “I know Battler’s death has hit you hard.”

  She looked down at her hands and nodded, swallowing back the tears. “Yeah but he went out fighting, like he would have wanted. He wasn’t the type to die quietly in his bed of old age.”

  “He died a hero and you made him proud, killing all the fuckers who were responsible for his death.”

  “Except Amber and Katia.”

  “Because you’re not a monster. You’re not like them.”

  “Thanks,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze.

  “Oy you,” Jules told her husband. “Eat. You need to build up your strength.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Eat the sausage roll or I’ll stuff it down your throat.”

  Mikey looked to Rachel with an amused smile. “I thought marrying her would make her less prickly but it didn’t work.”

  “If you want molly-coddling you should have married Florence Nightingale.”

  “You’re more like Nurse Ratched.”

  “Who?”

  “You know, that sadistic cow from that film.”

  “What film?”

  “It’s got a bird in the title.”

  “You mean that Alfred Hitchcock film?”

  “No, it was set in a hospital.”

  “Black Swan?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve not seen it but it’s got a bird in the title.”

  “No, that’s not it.”

  “That cartoon with all those pissed off fluffy birds?”

  “Eh?”

  “You know, that film Josh loves.”

  “Oh yeah, Mad Birds, wasn’t it?”

  “No, that’s not it.”

  “Oh God, you two are giving me a headache,” said Rachel, thinking how nice it would be having them around.

  Rachel left them to their debate about films and headed over to Bruiser, who was slumped in a chair in the corner with Daina, his arms wrapped around her waist and his head resting on her shoulder. She was loathe to disturb them, until Bruiser beckoned her over with a nod.

  Rachel knelt before him and took his hands. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded once, squeezing her hands tighter before releasing them. “So hard. Without him.”

  “I know, it really is but you’ll get through it, with Daina and the kids.”

  He gave his wife a gentle smile, who hugged him tighter.

  “Battler left his half of the business to me,” he continued.

  “He doesn’t know if he wants to carry on without him,” said Daina. “I say he should. He needs to do something or he’ll get bored.”

  “She’s right,” Rachel told him.

  “I know but hard going in. His desk there but not him.”

  “What would you do with yourself without the business?”

  He shrugged.

  “It will get easier, going in without him there.”

  He nodded. “Michelle good. She can handle the job. Belle’s staying on too.”

  “Why don’t you see how it goes?”

  “Yeah,” he sighed. “Might.”

  Rachel kissed his cheek then got up to continue circulating the room.

  “Thanks,” she told Beth when she handed her a glass of red wine.

  “I can’t believe Amber’s involvement,” said Cathy. “All the time that bitch was trying to make nice to us she’d been in on killing us all.”

  “You don’t need to worry about her again. She’s left the country. Mark put her on a plane to Spain personally.”

  “And if she comes back?”

  “She’s stupid but not that stupid.”

  “Well I’m just glad it’s over,” said Cathy. “As it’s half term we’re taking a holiday, reconnecting.”

  “Everything okay between you and Jez now?” said Rachel.

  “Yeah. He drives me nuts sometimes,” she said, smiling across the room at her husband who was chatting with Ryan and Riley. “But I couldn’t be without him for the world.”

  “I’m so glad you’re staying together,” said Rachel.

  “I won’t wuss out again. It was horrible being without him.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Rachel looked to Beth. “How’s Archie been with all this upset?”

  “Okay. I was worried he’d have a setback but he’s stayed pretty calm. No tantrums, thank God.”

  “That’s great,” said Rachel, glancing across the room at Archie, who was sat in the corner with Alfie, Ethan, Aaron and Jack playing on the X-Box. Since he and Ethan had tackled that armed man at the barn together their relationship had improved, although they’d never be best friends. It came as a shock to see Archie staring straight at her.

  “He’s a bit overwrought with the funeral and all the recent upset,” said Beth, catching his look.

  When he realised he’d been caught out by his mum, Archie looked back at the game.

  “Yeah,” said Rachel, thinking of Alex Junior and wondering if one day she was going to have two of Alex Maguire’s sons coming for her.

  As the wake drew to a close Mikey, Jules, Jez, Mark and Shane headed out into the back garden for a business chat.

  “When we get back to Manchester,” began Jez. “You need to pack Shane.”

  His eyes widened. “Have I done something wrong?”

  “No. Quite the opposite in fact. You’re moving to Liverpool.”

  “Liverpool?” he frowned. “Why?”

  “Because you’ll be running things down there. We’ve taken over all Clayton’s illegal businesses, his men have come to heel but we need to make our presence felt otherwise they might rebel.”

  “You’re kidding?” he said, delighted.

  “Nope. You’re ready, more than ready in fact.”

  “Surely Mark would be the logical choice?”

  Mark held up his hands. “I don’t want the hassle. I’m happy taking orders then going home and putting my feet up. I’ve never wanted to be in the driving seat.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe this,” he beamed. “But I’m going to mis
s you all.”

  “You’ll only be an hour away,” said Mikey. “And we’ll be back and forth discussing business. You’ll still see us all the time.”

  “Aww bless,” grinned Jules, hugging him. “Going to miss you Squirt.”

  “Squirt?” he said, offended.

  “Only kidding. You’re a bossman now.”

  “I am, aren’t I?” he smiled.

  “Make your presence felt as soon as you get down there,” said Jez. “You show the fuckers who’s in charge. We don’t care how, just as long as you get the message across.”

  The hard look in Jez’s eyes sobered him and he nodded. “I will.”

  “You’ll do well,” said Mikey. “We have absolutely no doubt about that.”

  Shane hoped he didn’t let down these people who had given him the life he’d always dreamed of. They’d put a huge weight on his young shoulders but it was all he’d ever wanted.

  Rachel was relieved when the last of the guests departed, only Jules, Mikey and the boys remaining. Jacob was staying the night too and he and Leah were curled up on the big armchair together.

  “Thank God that’s over with,” said Rachel, sinking onto the couch.

  “I’m so glad you’re staying,” Leah told her aunt excitedly.

  “Me too,” said Jules. “It’ll be fun.” Her eyes flicked to Jacob and she smiled. “This looks to be going very well. Staying over already, are we Jacob?”

  Her knowing look made him blush.

  “Not all family functions are like our wedding,” she continued. “Sometimes they can be fun.”

  “Why not have the blessing while we’re here?” Mikey said to Jules, sliding his arm around her shoulders and running his fingers through her hair.

  “Is that the second wedding Daddy?” said Josh.

  “Yes.”

  “Yay,” he exclaimed.

  “There’s some beautiful venues around here,” said Rachel.

  “I’ll bet,” said Jules. “Just no more barns, please. We want something quiet and simple.”

  “Like Aaron,” grinned Ethan, getting a whack on the arm from his brother.

  “I know a lovely place on Exmouth seafront,” said Rachel. “We went to a wedding there last year, it was gorgeous. They had a medieval theme. The bride was an Elizabethan queen and the groom a king.”

  “I could be a knight,” said Josh, making them all laugh.

  “Ethan can be the princess,” said Aaron, likewise earning himself a whack on the arm from his brother.

  “The beach sounds lovely,” said Jules, glancing at Mikey, who nodded. “But we can do without all the dressing up.”

  “Do you want to come?” Leah asked Jacob.

  “As long as I don’t have to drive any cars,” he grinned, smile falling when they all looked at him. “Sorry, just trying to, you know…sorry.”

  “Poor lad,” said Jules. “That’s okay. A sense of humour’s good with stuff like this, it helps get you through.”

  “Okay, I’ll come. If you’ll have me?” he added, looking uncertainly at Ryan.

  “You’re always welcome,” he replied.

  Rachel couldn’t help but smile when Jacob beamed at Ryan’s approval. Their family had lost a vital member of their group but it seemed they’d gained another.

  Rachel’s heart ached. Battler was irreplaceable.

  CHAPTER 51

  Shane strode into his new office in Liverpool city centre the next morning and sized up the men who would be working for him, all eleven of them. This was just the core of his team. There were many more in his employ who had no idea who they worked for. He was younger than them all, except for two, who stood at the back of the room looking uncertain. Some of the older men appeared positively hostile, no doubt thinking they could easily run rings around him. Well he wasn’t about to let Mikey and Jez down. Fuck that for a game of soldiers. He was going to put the lot of them in their place and enjoy himself at the same time.

  Mick was the one who made the introductions and Shane nodded, imprinting each name and face on his memory. Mick had met him in reception and seemed to have placed himself as his number two, as though he were entitled to it.

  “So, what’s first Boss?” said Mick cheerfully once the introductions had been made and Shane had had the chance to size up his workforce.

  “First,” he said. “We need to set boundaries.”

  He reached into his jacket pocket, drew a gun with a silencer on the end and aimed it at Mick’s head.

  “What are you doing?” exclaimed Mick, his hand automatically going to the charms around his neck.

  “Showing my men what happens to traitors.”

  He pulled the trigger, Mick knocked onto his back by the force of the bullet entering his forehead.

  The rest of the men stared with their mouths hanging open from Shane, to Mick’s dead body and back again.

  “There’s only one rule here,” announced Shane, lowering the weapon but keeping it in his hand, so they could all get a good look at it. “You don’t betray me or the Maguires and Laws. If you do then that will be your fate. You keep your mouths shut, your heads down and get on with your work. If you do you’ll earn more money than you ever saw in your life. If you don’t like those terms then you can fuck off now and never darken my door again.” He smiled inwardly when no one made a move. “Good. Let’s get to work then, shall we? You can start by cleaning that shit up,” he said, pointing to Mick’s body with the gun.

  “Yes Boss,” said the oldest of the men who Shane had thought would give him the most trouble.

  The others hastened to follow his example and set about disposing of the body.

  “Excellent,” said Shane, shoving the gun back into his jacket and taking a seat at his brand new desk.

  God this felt good.

  Toni McVay swept into the back room of The Wherry Tavern, the pub that had been in the Maguire family for decades and that now belonged to Mikey. She’d gone for the businesswoman look as opposed to one of her preferred slinky dresses and fur coat, her cleavage as always hanging out of the tight black power suit she wore, indicating the situation was serious.

  “Now I want to know what the actual fuck has been going on,” she said, striding into the room, followed by her second-in-command and lover, Caesar.

  “Hello Toni,” said Mikey cheerfully, not bothering to get up when she walked in. “Nice to see you.”

  Jez, sat beside him, merely nodded in her direction.

  “You think I’m here to play about, do you?” she hissed, eyes dark and full of fury. “Well I’ve heard some very disturbing reports about the huge amount of fuckery your family has been involved in again, bringing unwanted attention on us all. Now that’s not good for business and I don’t like things that aren’t good for business.”

  “I admit we had a bit of trouble,” said Mikey. “But none of it interfered with our business arrangement, which still ran like clockwork.”

  “Trouble? Do you call being blown up, gassed in hospital, war in the streets and the murder of a police officer a bit of trouble?”

  “Why yes, I do,” he said, his smile infuriating her. “We’ve come through the other side and all is well again.”

  “No Mikey, all is not fucking well because I am fucking livid. Now I want to know what recompense you’re giving me.”

  “Recompense, for what?”

  “For the ball ache of my business partners getting themselves involved in another fucking war. Do you have a fetish for them or something? Is that it?”

  “If you recall Toni we told you we wanted to take out Katia and Hayden before they attacked us but you vetoed that. Some of the blame lies at your door too.”

  “Don’t you dare heap this fucking mess on me,” she yelled in her deep, husky voice. “If you’d handled things properly in the first place there wouldn’t have been any need to take them out because they would have already been dead but you fucked that up didn’t you when you tried to snatch her kids.”


  “I admit that did go wrong but we’ve sorted it now.”

  “So Katia’s dead?”

  “No.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Why not, in the name of Satan’s ball sack?”

  “We came close but her kids shielded her with their bodies.”

  “So?”

  “We don’t kill kids.”

  “And that’s what makes you weak and why you keep getting attacked. Well it’s made me have second thoughts about our business arrangement. Perhaps I should find Katia and make a deal with her?”

  “Katia’s finished. All her men are dead and the businesses of hers we haven’t seized we tossed to her competitors. They’re currently fighting over the scraps but they know not to fuck with anything that’s ours. It’s funny the superstitious fear people in our line of work can get. I suppose it’s only natural when you deal with death on a regular basis. No one’s willing to take on a family that’s eradicated everyone who’s gone after them.”

  “Is that a threat?” glowered Toni.

  “No, merely a statement of fact. Especially now we hold Liverpool as well.”

  “You…hold Liverpool?” she said, attempting to hide her surprise and failing.

  “Well of course. What do you think we were going to do with it after we killed Clayton? It’s securely in our hands - all the cash, businesses and all the muscle,” he ended with a smile.

  Mikey looked to Jez when Toni turned to Caesar, for the first time in her life lost for words. Now that they held Liverpool they were finally stronger than her and her crew.

  The silence stretched out as Toni patted her hair and tugged at the hem of her skirt, giving herself time to formulate a reply. “Well, it seems I was rather hasty. Clearly you have everything under control down here.”

  “We certainly do,” replied Mikey. “Our arrangement can only be strengthened with our takeover of Liverpool. We can run the distribution line through there too and down into London, through the new contacts we’ve got there.” He flashed a humourless smile. “Between us Toni, we own the whole fucking country.” He couldn’t help but see the irony of the situation. This was what their enemies had dreamed of and by attempting to take it they’d inadvertently handed it to them on a platter.