Takedown

by Heather Atkinson

  Takedown

  Blagger’s Code series #3

  Copyright Heather Atkinson January 2021

  CHAPTER 1

  Dillon Enfield gasped with fear when the tip of the baseball bat was pressed against his chest.

  “J…just take it easy Vance,” he stammered.

  “I’ll take it easy,” he glowered, blue eyes bright with rage. “When I find out what happened to the drugs you were supposed to deliver to Tariq.”

  “I gave them to him, I swear,” he cried.

  Dillon was a squat, stumpy man with a passing resemblance to a beaver and Vance towered over him, using his height to gain the psychological as well as the physical advantage.

  “He’s says you didn’t.”

  “Then he’s lying. Honestly Vance, I put them straight into his hand.” He went silent when the bat was jabbed into his throat.

  “I know you didn’t give them to him because my brother Jason was with him when you were supposed to deliver them and they both said you didn’t turn up.”

  “Then they’re lying.”

  Dillon groaned when the bat was slammed into his stomach and he dropped to his knees onto the dusty floor of the small industrial unit Vance had lured him to.

  “Don’t call my brother a liar,” roared Vance while Dillon gasped for breath. “You’re a fucking thief and my family doesn’t like thieves. Now, are you going to tell me what you did with the drugs or am I going to have to break a few bones?”

  When Dillon remained silent, Vance raised the bat.

  “No, wait,” cried Dillon, holding out his hands in a futile attempt to ward him off. “I sold them at Nightmare, that new club on the north shore.” He sighed with relief when Vance lowered the bat.

  “Did anyone else know what you were doing?”

  He shook his head with defeat. “No. The staff are all numpties, they don’t have a clue how to keep out the dealers. It was easy.”

  Vance studied him hard before nodding. “I believe you.”

  “Thank you. Can I go now?”

  “Do you seriously think I’m going to let you just walk out of here after what you’ve done? If I don’t make an example of you everyone will think they can start taking the piss out of us. Sorry Dillon,” he said before raising the bat again, not looking in the least bit apologetic.

  After dealing with Dillon, Vance ran a few errands around town and met up with an old friend for a coffee before returning a few hours later, just as it was getting dark, to the block of flats where he lived right on the seafront in Blackpool, overlooking the Irish sea. It was a secure community with gated access and a key card was required to gain entry. Rather than go to his own flat on the second floor, he headed up to the fourth floor, unlocked the very last door on the right and stepped inside.

  “Only me,” he called.

  He closed the door behind him and locked it, smiling as he walked through the flat to the kitchen, the smell of something tasty cooking filling the air. Finally he was living his dream. He wasn’t a complicated man. All he’d ever wanted was a warm, cosy home with the woman he loved and now he had it. Officially this wasn’t his flat, it was Faith’s. He was hardly ever in his own apartment, he only kept it for appearance’s sake. This flat was his real home but only he and Faith knew that. To the rest of the world they were brother and sister, even if biologically they weren’t related.

  He walked into the kitchen to find Faith bending down before the oven, peering inside. She closed the door and straightened up.

  “Hi,” she smiled. “Tea won’t be long.”

  “It smells amazing,” he said, sliding his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. “What are we having?”

  “Lasagne.”

  “I don’t suppose there’ll be any meat in it?”

  “No there will not. It’s made with soya mince. You can piss off to a burger bar if you want that.”

  “Okay, I surrender,” he smiled, sliding his hands under her top to stroke her stomach. The feel of the small scars left there when Marlow had stabbed her as always caused his anger to spike. How he wished he’d slaughtered that fucker before he’d almost killed Faith. Fortunately Marlow was dead, killed by the Maguires and she was safe.

  “How did you get on with Dillon?” she said.

  “The little git stole the drugs and sold them on at that new club, Nightmare. I don’t know why he thought he’d get away with it.”

  “And what did you do to him?”

  “I gave him a good hiding.”

  “You didn’t go too far, did you?”

  “He’s alive and he’ll walk again, so he should think himself bloody lucky.”

  “Your eyes are bright blue. I take it you enjoyed yourself?”

  “I wouldn’t say enjoyed.”

  “I would. I know you Vance.”

  “He got what he deserved. Anyway, let’s not talk about him anymore,” he said, kissing her.

  She smiled and pulled away. “That’s going to have to wait. I need to get the lasagne out of the oven before it burns.”

  “Fine,” he sighed.

  He helped her dish up and he was grinning as they sat down together to eat.

  “What?” she said, his smile infectious.

  “I can be happy, can’t I?” he said, digging into the lasagne with his fork and popping some into his mouth. “Actually, that tastes better than it looks.”

  “You can always start doing the cooking.”

  “Oh good. Sirloin steak with bacon it is tomorrow.”

  “Not in this flat you don’t. If you want to eat that you can go back to your own flat then brush your teeth before coming anywhere near me.”

  “That sounds like way too much effort.”

  “Then be a good boy and eat your soya.”

  “And if I am a good boy?”

  “You can help me wash up.”

  “That’s not a big incentive.”

  “All right. We’ll curl up in front of that cheesy action film you want to watch with a bottle of wine.”

  “Better but not what I had in mind.”

  “Then we’ll just have to see where the night leads.”

  The mischief in her eyes made him smile.

  They did indeed curl up together on the couch and tucked into the wine. As the drink flowed, Faith ended up astride him, the film forgotten as they lost themselves in each other.

  “When are you going to marry me Faith?” breathed Vance as he held her to him while they caught their breath.

  “I think our family would freak out if their brother and sister married each other,” she murmured into his bare shoulder.

  “I’ve found a way around that.”

  “Oh yeah?” she said, not taking him seriously as he often spoke like this.

  “We tell them the truth.”

  She sighed and straightened up so she could look into his brilliant blue eyes. Their colour always became even more startling after they’d made love. “We can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it would tear our family apart.”

  “Having to hide everything is tearing me apart.”

  “No it isn’t. You’re strong, you can take it.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to take it.”

  She cradled his face in her hands and smiled as she stared deep into his beautiful eyes. “I know exactly how you feel but think about it - our family is finally doing really well and things are on the up. Our employers are also people who don’t like upsetting the apple cart. If we reveal the truth it will throw our family into disarray, ruining business and our employers might decide to take drastic action, like kicking us out and getting someone else in, only the Maguires don’t tell you you’re sacked and give you your P45. They use a gun and a shallow grave.”

/>   “They wouldn’t do that to us. Jules is too fond of you.”

  “Yes she is but her family’s interests come first with her, which is as it should be and she’s a businesswoman. She wouldn’t hesitate to do what’s necessary to protect those interests.”

  “So where does that leave us? Sneaking around behind everyone’s backs, pretending we live in separate flats and that we’re just brother and sister while inventing fictional partners to fend off everyone’s questions as to why neither of us are in a relationship.”

  “I agree, it is awkward but things won’t always be this way. Let’s just keep doing a good job for the Maguires and once we’re really cemented in as part of their crew then we can break the news.”

  “And how long is that going to take?”

  “Probably a few years.”

  “Years? You do realise that one day we’ll be caught out. It’s inevitable.”

  “Then we’ll just have to be careful,” she said, brushing his lips with her own.

  “Stop trying to distract me. I’m serious Faith, I hate this situation.”

  “So do I but we have to be patient just a little longer.”

  “And then we’ll tell everyone?”

  She nodded. “We will, although have you thought how it will affect Mum, or rather, your mum?”

  “Course I have and she’ll just have to deal with it. I know that sounds cold but she committed a serious crime and we’re the ones paying the price. Plus my relationship with her will never be the same, not after she thought I was a murderer and she refused to visit me in prison. And she treats me differently to my brothers and sister. Sometimes I get the feeling she wishes I was still inside.”

  “Because she’s afraid of someone finding out about our relationship and the truth coming out.”

  “There will come a time when we have to put ourselves first, before everyone, even Caleb and the others. It’s either that or be miserable for the rest of our lives.”

  “I’m not miserable Vance. I never could be with you.”

  “But I want more. I don’t like sneaking around. I want to tell the world that you’re mine.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “Yours?”

  “Relax Faith, I’m not trying to claim you like you’re a mountain or something.”

  “Mountain?” she exclaimed.

  “And I’m not calling you fat either,” he grinned, holding up his hands. “Your body is gorgeous,” he said, running his hands up her thighs. “I just meant…what did I mean? I’ve forgotten.”

  “That’s probably for the best. Anyway, what makes you think I want to get married?”

  “We always said we would one day.”

  “When we were teenagers.”

  “I still want to. Why, don’t you?”

  “Don’t you think it’s becoming a bit of an outdated concept?”

  “No. Thousands of people get married every day around the world.”

  “Does that mean we have to be like them?”

  “I want to marry you Faith.”

  “So I can take your surname?” she grinned.

  “Funny.”

  “At least I wouldn’t have the hassle of changing my name on everything like other newly-married women do.”

  “See, that’s one advantage, apart from the fact that we’d finally be free and could tell everyone that we love each other.”

  Her gaze filled with tenderness. “I know, I want to tell everyone too but just have a bit more patience, please. Now really isn’t the right time.”

  “All right,” he sighed. “But I won’t wait forever. One day we will come out of the closet.”

  “I promise,” she said, kissing him.

  They looked to the door when the doorbell rang.

  “Are you expecting anyone?” he whispered.

  “If I was do you honestly think I’d be naked on the couch with you?” she whispered back.

  “Let’s pretend no one’s in,” he said when the doorbell rang again.

  “Good idea.”

  They both went still, holding onto each other, waiting to see if the unwanted visitor would leave, sighing when the visitor moved on to knocking on the door instead.

  “Piss off,” muttered Vance.

  “Oh bloody hell,” sighed Faith when her phone started to ring, which was sitting on the coffee table. “It’s Caleb,” she said, leaning over to glance at the screen.

  “Faith, I know you’re in there,” called the man himself through the door. “I can hear your phone ringing. Open up, it’s urgent.”

  “Crap,” she said, leaping off Vance and frantically pulling on her clothes. “Well don’t just sit there,” she told him.

  “I hate all this sneaking about,” he sighed, snatching up his t-shirt and pulling it on.

  “Me too but just keep in mind that it’s only temporary.”

  “They won’t believe we’ve been watching a film together. The room smells of hot, intense sex.”

  “Faith,” repeated Caleb louder, banging on the door.

  “Just a minute,” she called back. She looked to Vance. “You’re right. There’s only one thing for it – you’ll have to hide in the bedroom.”

  “I do not hide.”

  “There isn’t time for an argument Vance. Please just do it, for me.”

  “All right,” he said, recognising how stricken she was. “For you.”

  “Thank you.”

  He gathered up the last of his clothes, kissed her and rushed into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

  Faith took a moment to run her fingers through her hair.

  “All right, I’m coming,” she barked when there was another thump at the door. She pulled it open to be confronted by Caleb, Kevin and Jason, her three younger brothers.

  “Why the bloody hell are you bashing my front door in?” she demanded.

  “Sorry Faith,” replied Caleb. “But it’s urgent. We really need to talk to you.”

  “About what?”

  “Not out here.”

  “Come in then,” she said impatiently.

  They stepped inside, three pairs of sharp eyes taking in the room and the bottle of red wine on the table accompanied by two glasses.

  “Entertaining, were you sis?” grinned Kevin. “Is that why you took so long to answer the door?”

  “Yes, so you’d better say what you want to say and then leave.”

  “Is he still here?”

  “We’re in a flat on the fourth floor with only one exit. Do you think I threw him out the window?”

  “Who is he?”

  “None of your business.”

  “We can’t talk with him here,” said Caleb. “Send him home.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “He’s…tied up at the moment.”

  Jason’s grin was full of mischief. “Do you mean that literally?”

  “Yes, so why don’t you go to the club and wait for me there? Then we can talk in private.”

  “We’ll wait while you untie him,” said Caleb.

  “No you won’t. I’ll meet you at Pulse.”

  “Don’t you want us to meet this mystery man?” he frowned. “Ashamed of us, are you?”

  “No, of course not. I just don’t want you to see the things I’m into,” she replied, immediately regretting her choice of words.

  “Woah, what are you hiding sis?” said Kevin. “A sexual torture dungeon?”

  “Or is he dressed up as a gimp?” grinned Jason.

  “Out all three of you and I’ll meet you at the club,” she retorted, wafting them to the door.

  “Have you seen Vance?” Caleb asked her as he was ushered out.

  “No. Why, can’t you find him?”

  “He’s not at his flat and he’s not answering his phone either. We really need to talk to him. You see, it’s about…”

  “Tell me at the club,” she told him firmly, thinking it was fortunate Vance had turned off the ringer on his phone otherwise t
hey would have heard it going off in her flat. “I’ll try and find him and bring him with me. Now go.”

  Finally she managed to get her brothers out the door and closed and locked it behind them. Only when she heard their voices retreat down the corridor did she rush to her bedroom and fling open the door. Vance lay on the bed, hands clasped behind his head, smiling at her.

  “Did you hear all that?” she asked him.

  “I did and it made me wonder what you’d look like dressed head to toe in skin-tight PVC. That’s something I really think we should try.”

  “Never mind all that now. We have to get to the club. I wouldn’t let the boys tell me what’s happened because I was supposed to be hiding a man who was tied up but whatever it is, it’s urgent.”

  “I’m ready to go,” he said, getting to his feet. “Whatever it is, they’re probably panicking over nothing. You remember when Jason went to pieces because a seagull flew into the club? Well, this is probably the same.”

  “I don’t think so. Caleb seemed to be taking it seriously and he’s much more level-headed than Jason. Anyway, we’ll soon find out. I told them I’d look for you. Where should I say I found you?”

  “In your bed.”

  “Please take this seriously Vance.”

  “All right, say you found me at the home of some buxom blonde being massaged with baby oil.”

  “Or I could say you were in the pub.”

  “That’s not as interesting.”

  “No, it’s boring and it means they won’t ask awkward questions. Not Lil’s pub, she might tell Caleb you weren’t there. I’ll say I remembered you mentioned going for a drink in a bar on the front. I don’t want to mention a specific place.”

  He took her by the shoulders and smiled. “Relax Faith. You look really stressed.”

  “Sorry. It’s their fault for turning up unexpectedly like that.”

  “You’ll have to get used to it if we’re going to keep seeing each other.”

  “And I will. I just hate lying to them.”

  “Me too but it’s the price we pay for being together.”

  “And I pay it gladly,” she smiled, kissing him.

  “We’ve got a little time then if you’ve got to go out looking for me,” he said, pulling her down onto the bed, making her laugh.

  CHAPTER 2