by Vi Carter
“Thank you.” His body freezes, and I look up at Connor, blinking as the spray keeps interfering with my view. But the pain in his eyes catches my breath.
CHAPTER TWENTY
CONNOR
She’s asleep in bed and I can’t seem to find the strength to leave her. But the idea of getting to hurt Brian all over again has me slipping from her room. Russell had a new door put on and is gone now. Outside, Darragh sits on the boot of the car smoking a cigarette. Opening the front door, he turns to me and walks over.
“I need you to stay with her.”
“I’m not that good with women,” Darragh says as he throws the fag on the ground.
“She’s asleep, and I can’t leave her alone.” Darragh nods.
“Yeah, go on. What do I say if she wakes up?”
“Tell her I’ve taken Brian to Navan Gardai station. But if she wants to talk to me, just ring me.”
“You’re not really taking him to Navan?”
I don’t answer his question but pat him on the back.
“Thanks, Darragh. I owe you one,” I tell him handing him the set of keys. He takes it with a grin. “Just be careful.”
***
I drive to Kells. An old bakery that’s closed down and is owned by Michael. It was in the works for plan and permission to turn it into flats, but right now, it was abandoned. The locks are easy to break as I push up the shutter and back the car into the space. Pulling the shutter back down, we are plunged into the darkness. Once I’m back in the car, I turn on the car lights.
The area is open, with large cement pillars I veer the car around. Large plastic sheeting hangs from one wall where they had started reconstruction but had to stop. Some people in the town objected to the bakery being turned into flats. It was still tied up in legal issues, but no doubt Michael would bribe whoever he had to. My gloves sit along with my gun in the glove compartment. I remove both and put on the gloves.
The sheet of plastic pulls away easily, and I drag it to the middle of the room, keeping it within the range of my car lights. Thumping sounds come from the boot.
“Good, just in time,” I tell Brian as I open the boot. He glares up at me, trying to cover his face. I don’t give him a moment but drag him from the boot. He hits the ground heavily, and I don’t pause but grab one leg and drag him towards the plastic, his cries and pleas don’t make me pause. Once he’s deposited on the plastic, I return to the car and get my gun before turning on the music. Some country music singing blares from the speakers. The noise has Brian looking around him. One eye is sealed. The other darts around the space before he stares at the plastic under his hands.
“Noo, man.” He’s shaking his head. Blood drips from face. Kneeling down in front of him, he looks at me.
“Please.” His teeth are red with blood.
“Did Ava say please?” I ask, and he drops my gaze.
“You know what this is?” I ask, and he looks at the gun in my hand. His one eye flickers around the space again.
“A gun.”
“Well done, Brian. It’s not just a gun. It’s a silencer. So no one will hear when I empty it into you.”
Horror has his eye widening, and I soak up his fear. “It’s not fair, me with the gun you with nothing.” I tell him while tucking the gun into the back of my jeans.
“Since you like beating on women. I’m going to give you a chance. You fight me, and I’ll let you go.”
“I can’t win.” Tears make a pathway down his face.
“You don’t want to try?” I ask, taking the gun back out and pointing it at his forehead. His hands rise into the air.
“Jesus. Please I’ll do anything you want. This isn’t just about Ava is it? It’s about Harry?”
I don’t respond but let him talk.
“I’ll tell him to back off.”
I’m standing now, my finger trigger ready. “Don’t mention her name again,” I tell him, and he looks up but ducks his head down again while keeping his hands in the air.
“I won’t. I’m sorry.”
“Why did you get men to beat up Neill?”
“He told Shane I was trying to do a deal with a new guy, and Shane beat me up. So I got Neill beaten up.”
“Would you do that to me Brian? Would you hire men to hurt me if I let you live?” I’m on my hunkers again, and he’s shaking his head.
“I swear. I’d disappear. You’d never see me again.”
“You mentioned Harry? Tell me about the deal you have with him.”
He’s more alert now, maybe thinking he needs to be careful. A wave of my gun has him making his mind up quickly.
“I told Harry about the body we buried in the bog.” Ah, so we had our rat.
“You helped Shane bury a body?”
He’s nodding. One hand that’s mangled reaches up and wipes blood from his chin.
“The dealer who tried to move in on his turf, they knew each other and Brendan, I think his name was, made a reference about Shane’s mother. He lost it and killed the guy.”
I lean out as Brian’s eye starts to close. His words send dread dripping down my back.
“Describe Brendan to me?”
He shakes his head and whimpers. A slap to his face has him speaking again. “Tall, brown hair, northern Ireland accent. I think he was attached to the Ra. Yeah. He mentioned the Ra.”
I’m standing and walking away from Brian before returning.
“Bernard,” I say more to myself.
“Yeah, yeah not Brendan, Bernard. He was his cousin or something. Look I’ll tell Harry to drop it.”
I’m kneeling again as my heart tries to break free from my rib cage. “You saw Shane kill Bernard?”
He’s nodding. “Look, I can unsee it. You know what I mean.”
I’m standing again. Shane killed my brother.
“How did he kill him?”
Brian tries to stand, and I send him sailing back to the ground. Red splatters across the plastic as he coughs up blood.
“Answer me.” He’s on his side now, his breaths fogging up the plastic under him.
“Bernard made a statement about his father being with his mother. He lost it and hit him.” Brian rolls onto his back, his breathing becoming deeper.
“Bernard hit his head. I think that’s what killed him. It was an accident.”
I’m picturing Bernard, dying at the hands of Shane.
“Where did this happen?”
Brian starts to whimper again and pleads with me to take him to a hospital.
“I will. You have my word. I’ll take you to the hospital just answer me.”
“You’re lying,” Brian cries.
“Nah, you have my word.”
“Smyths,” he tells me with a snivel. I’m struggling to wrap my mind around this. Shane killed my brother.
“Was anything else said between them?” I ask, and Brian looks panicked as he scurries to think. I don’t think that Shane knows I’m Bernard’s brother. But Bernard mentioning Mam and Tom together was odd.
“No that’s it.”
I nod, and Brian starts crying.
“Can I go now?”
“You really think I will let you go after what you did to Ava?”
“I told you everything.”
“You did. But you’re still going to die.”
I don’t hesitate as I put three bullets in Brian’s body. One in each kneecap before firing the last one between his eyes. Blood pools fast, and I move, grabbing the plastic and tightening it around his body. I grab a silver roll of duct tape from the car and tie both ends until the roll is gone. Dragging Brian to the car, I get him in the boot before I let the betrayal sink in.
I needed to tell Da, but I also knew what he would want me to do. The area looks clear as I make one final sweep of the room before getting into the car and lowering the music. I remove the gloves and gun and put them in the glove compartment.
“How is she?” I ask the moment Darragh answers.
“
She’s asleep.” I’m nodding as I start to reverse up to the shutters.
“Okay, I might be a few more hours. You good there?”
“Yeah, you do what you need to do.”
I end the call and jump out of the car pushing up the shutter. The light has me blinking after the stark darkness of the bakery. Traffic moves by in the same pattern as it always does, people walk up and down the street and it all feels normal. Pulling out the car, I close the shutter.
Can you put a lock on the bakery shutter on John’s street? My dad owns it, and I see someone broke it. I’ll sort you out soon for everything man. Thanks
I’m driving towards home, trying to think of my next move. I need to get rid of the body in my car and my car. I can burn out the car later. Getting Brian out of the boot is vital. The Loch Leigh mountains spring to mind, but I think of a better place. When I arrive home, I curse myself. My hands are caked in blood, the last of the red liquid disappears down the drain.
“Hey, have you seen Darragh?” I dry my hands while turning to Finn.
“He’s on a job. Don’t worry. He’s fine.” Finn stares at me, and now I wonder if I have blood on my face.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just out last night.” I throw the paper towel into the bin.
“With Darragh? That will give you one hell of a hangover.” Finn’s grinning, and I just want him to leave.
I smile. “Mother of all hangovers,” I tell him. Finn walks with me as I go to my room. “Shower and some sleep.” I grin, and he smirks at me.
“And you have Darragh working today,” he laughs.
I close the door and lean against it for a moment before opening the door. Checking the hall confirms that Finn is gone, and I make my way back to the garage. The hum of the engine sounds like it’s roaring, and I pull out of the garage and make my way to the back of the house. Grabbing supplies from the shed, I throw them into the back seat before I drive around the sheds and out of sight.
I sit and wait an agonizing twenty minutes. I just need to make sure no one saw me. When the twenty minutes are up, I leave the sheds and drive across the fields towards the forest. I keep to the outline of the forest until the field is cut off by a ditch. Veering into it, I drive as far as the forest will allow. I’m not very deep, but I’m hidden. This would be handy with another person, but I’m on my own.
I drag Brian across the forest floor until my arms ache and burn. When I look around me, I can’t see anything but trees. Returning to the car, I get out the shovels and the black paint and brush. I pull my body up high into a large oak tree and paint a thick lair of black paint onto the trunk. It will be my only marking of where he is buried.
The burn in my arms is severe as I continue to dig. I’m only half way down when I have to stop. A tremble has entered my hands. My limbs not co-operating anymore. My stomach lifts, and I close my eyes trying to make it settle. I’ve never killed anyone before, and it scares me how easy it was. Brian deserved to die. The thoughts of him hurting Ava has me continuing to dig until the hole is deep enough. Clay crumbles under my fingers as I pull myself out the grave. My boot connects with Brian’s body as I kick and push his body to the grave. The heavy thud is satisfactory, and the plastic soon disappears under the grave of clay.
I don’t stop at the house but make my way back to Ava.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
AVA
My heart pounds, and a pool of sweat sits on my chest. My mind is jumping around, not settling on anything. Water spraying on my body, gentle hands, Brian’s roars, and Connor’s rage. I tighten my eyes to stop it all and sit up. My stomach twists painfully. My abused face screams at me, and my head pounds. I don’t move as tears stream down my face. He tried to rape me. His rough fingers have me swallowing bile. I can’t stay here. I’m out of the bed and pause at the door. The smell of smoke has my stomach twisting again.
Connor’s brother. It’s only Connor’s brother.
The door opens slowly, and I step out into the living space. Blue eyes focus on me. He doesn’t speak and neither do I. I tighten my arms around my waist.
“Where is Connor?” My throat burns and I clear it. Darragh is up now, moving towards the kitchen. I don’t move but watch him. I hate how I flinch when he walks toward me with a glass of water. It takes me a moment to take it from him.
“He’ll be back soon.” He smiles, but I nod and give him a wide berth as I move to the couch and sit down. He stays standing, giving me some space, and that makes me relax a bit more.
“Thank you.” I take a deep drink of water, and it feels nice on my aching throat.
“So, you and Connor are dating?”
I shrug. I’m not sure how to answer that question. I don’t know what me and Connor are. “I don’t know.” I finally answer, and Darragh leans against the wall.
“How did you meet?” Darragh checks his phone, and I feel his questions are to keep me occupied.
“Where I work and then later in the supermarket. He asked me out for coffee.”
“Can’t picture Connor in a supermarket.” Darragh grins, and I find myself smiling.
“Yeah. He was buying a swiss roll,” I tell Darragh, and he laughs. “Do you live with Connor?” His brother being here reminds of how little I know about Connor’s life.
“Yeah, in Whitewood house. None of us have fled the nest yet.”
I’d heard of Whitewood house. Surprise flitters through me at the thoughts of Connor living there.
Darragh’s phone rings, and I don’t know who’s more relieved, me or him. Our conversation is strained. Right now, all I want is Connor. Darragh smiles at me.
“He’s here now.” He leaves and opens the front door. The overwhelming urge to cry bubbles up in my throat when Connor walks into the room. His eyes land on me.
“You’re awake?” He’s beside me, pulling me into his arms, and I let him.
“Yeah. I feel a bit better,” I say. Soft lips brush my forehead. Darragh moves across from us and sits down.
“You get all sorted?” he asks Connor, and Connor’s arms stiffen around me.
“Yeah.”
I’m looking up into brown eyes. “What did you do with Brian?” I really want to ask if he was still alive. He didn’t look so good when he was dragged from here. Now that I look around the living area, I don’t see a trace of what happened. I wonder if it was Darragh or Connor who cleaned it up.
“I took him to Navan Gardai station.” My throat closes, and I nod.
“They need me to make a statement.” This is the part I hated.
“Not right now. He’s being held on a list of charges. I think it will be a long time before Brian gets out.”
“Did they tell you when they need me to go in. I’d prefer to do it when I visit Nan soon. Get it done and over with.”
“They didn’t say, but please don’t worry about it.” I was going to worry about it, but for right now I nod.
“I’m going to take the car and head home. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Maybe you could air her out when you get home.” Something passes between the brothers, and Darragh stands.
“I can do that.” Darragh takes the keys from Connor.
“Ava, you take care of yourself.” I smile at him for the first time.
“Thank you for everything, Darragh. I don’t know what I would have done if you and Connor hadn’t arrived.” My voice closes on the last words, and Darragh shifts uncomfortably.
“Don’t mention it,” he says, giving me a salute as he leaves the room. Once the front door is closed, I sink further into Connor.
“I don’t want you to be sacred, Ava. He’s gone now okay.” I turn in Connor’s arms so I’m looking at him. His fingers move across my cheek.
“You know what was even scarier?” My lip trembles, and I bite it. “Losing you. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop-“ My words are cut off as Connor presses his lips against mine. His kiss weaves its way through my veins, rushing all th
e way to my toes.
“I’m going nowhere.” His words against my lips have me opening my eyes.
My heart is galloping, and my pulse flickers in my neck. “I’m falling in love with you, Connor.” I’m in love with you.
Connor’s smile is instant, and it’s a balm on a wound as he reaches me again and kisses me. I’m on his lap now straddling him, and he’s all I want. He’s all I need.
I’m pushing my body against his, and he looks at me, his eyes a deep brown. His breath brushes me face. “Are you sure? We don’t have to?”
I answer his question with a kiss. My fingers move under his shirt. Muscles coil under my touch. I let myself forget everything and lose myself in Connor.
***
Three days we spend holed up in the apartment blocking out the world and it’s perfect. Each morning, I wait for him to tell me he has to leave, but he doesn’t. Each moment with Connor heals me.
“How about we get out today?” Connor is eating toast at the breakfast bar. He’s a sight for sore eyes with no top on, and I could handle a few more days locked in here with him, but getting out would be nice too.
“Yeah, I suppose we can’t stay in here forever,” I pout, and my stomach twists as Connor smiles at me.
“Did you ring your nan?” He puts the toast in my mouth, and I take a bite.
“Yep, told her I was bogged down with a new job. She’s doing good.”
Connor takes another bite of toast. “Speaking of jobs, my friend Russell was wondering when you can start. Gunnes in town have a position if you want it.” I’m in his arms because he’s the best.
“Thank you so much.” I kiss him before stealing his toast.
“Maybe you could thank me tonight?”
I’m grinning. “We’ll see.” I tell Connor, but I couldn’t keep away from him even if I wanted to.
***
It’s weird to be walking the streets of Kells. When people look at me, I think the marks on my face are visible and immediately duck my head.
