I drove to Shadow’s house, parked in the drive and went to the back door. They lived about fifteen minutes away from me and given the snow on the drive, I knew the kitchen door was the answer with my snowy boots.
“Shadow it’s me,” I called out as I went in. I kicked my boots off and made my way to the living room, looking for my friend.
“I’m upstairs, you wanna help me bathe Maria?” he called down. I laughed as I heard her string of answering curse words.
“Nah, I seen it all before, she ain’t got nothing,” I called back up. The level of profanities rose as I headed back to the kitchen to get us beer.
About ten minutes later he came jogging down the stairs and grinned in greeting. “She wants a cup of tea,” he explained as he headed to the kitchen. I was sitting on his couch watching a replay of last night’s game.
“Such a good husband,” I joked at him. He flipped me the finger, but his smile was huge.
“You better believe it, I’d die for that woman,” he answered. I felt my own smile lessen a little, he really would. Shit. I couldn’t involve him in the move from Seattle. I couldn’t run the risk.
A few minutes later he had served Maria tea and was back downstairs with me. He uncapped his beer.
“How’s the houseguest?” Shadow asked me.
“A pain in the ass. I swear I’m gonna kill her soon.” I caught him up on events and he laughed heartily as I told him about the latest temper tantrum.
“Aw man, I can’t wait to meet her,” he laughed as he took a drink.
“You don’t want to meet her, she’s going to be a problem. I know it.” I leaned back in the chair. “So, Gregor came by the gym.”
“Uh-huh, what he want? Want some muscle on that stringy body of his,” Shadow joked whilst flexing his own biceps.
“No, his cousin is boosting cars from Lafayette to Denver, offering ten grand per respray.” Shadow’s eyes narrowed as he listened. “Wanted a sixty/forty split, but I put him right. I also asked for details of who boosts and where do they go.”
“We want to get involved in that?” he asked with a furtive glance up the stairs. Maria knew about the matches – but she wasn’t very enthusiastic about shady stuff. Respraying stolen cars would be a problem for her.
“I told him eighty/twenty, that way even once you and I split between us, two cars a week at four grand a car gives us both thirty-two grand a month. Ain’t too shabby, even if we only do it for a year.”
Shadow studied his beer bottle. “My kid will go to college, he won’t be like me.” He started to peel his label off, he had done it since he was a kid, it was his thinking mechanism.
“Nice little nest egg then,” I commented taking a sip of my own beer.
“You’ll need to keep it. She’ll notice and go batshit crazy.” He jerked his head to the stairs, and I grinned.
“Are you sure I won’t spend it?” He barked out a laugh in answer. “Alright, I’ll keep you posted on the details. I need to know a lot more before we commit to this.”
“How you going to get it past Jim?” Shadow enquired.
“Easy, I’ll make sure Daisy books them in. Jim can’t make head nor tail of her booking system.” It had taken me a while to figure it out too, I only got there because I persevered. I had tried to teach her a simple uncomplicated system, but she hadn’t been able to grasp it. Her weird and wonderful approach worked for her, and it worked for the shop. She had never double booked; every customer knew what was happening and she ran the bookings smoothly.
If you wanted to find the ‘98 Chevrolet in for tyre and oil check, you didn’t look under the year or the make of the car, hell sometimes it wasn’t even the work to be done. I had found a booking once under ‘B’ for a blue car. Another time I had found a car filed under ‘O’ for old. Yes, it was infuriating, but as my mom says, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Once I got into Daisy’s mindset, I could easily follow her filing system.
“That’ll definitely keep him off the scent,” Shadow agreed. I clinked my bottle against his.
“I also think we need to get a proper trainer in the gym. Skinner getting Malcolm involved has led to more attention. The guys we have are good, but I don’t want them to get hurt because we didn’t look after them properly.”
Shadow nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing after you left this morning. We were never supposed to be getting this level of attention.” I huffed out my agreement. Fucking Jay. “I agree we need someone.”
“You know anyone that won’t mind the extra fights?” I enquired.
“I think I might, leave it with me.” I nodded as I stood up and picked up my empty bottle. He rose with me.
“I better go see the wife, I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t,” I joked as I took the stairs two at a time. I popped my head round the door. Maria smiled.
“Took you long enough, what you been plotting downstairs?”
“Baby shower,” I answered glibly.
She laughed in delight as she clapped her hands. “As if I would let you near a baby shower. Shadow’s still recovering from his bachelor party! He’s still not able to eat cucumber!”
I was doubled over with laughter as Shadow protested loudly from the other room. His bachelor party had been tame in comparison to what I could have done to him. Unfortunately, the stripper had been a bit eager to please and had performed certain ‘tricks’ that were definitely hair raising.
“Hey, your friend Matt called by after you left,” Maria added. I instantly sobered up as I glanced at Shadow. Why hadn’t he mentioned it to me?
“He’s not my friend, he’s a kid.”
“Trust me, that guy’s no kid. Have you seen those biceps?” Maria mock shivered and giggled at Shadow’s protests. “Anyway, he came around this afternoon, just before we got checked out to see how I was. He brought his friend. The strong silent one with the amazing green eyes.”
“Seriously Maria, can’t you keep it in your pants?” I snapped at her. She cackled with glee, delighted that she was needling me. “What did they want?”
“To see how I was of course. Absolutely lovely boys, the pair of them.” Maria beamed at me.
“You can’t adopt them like you adopt animals,” I chided. Maria had a bad habit of feeding all the strays.
“You’re just grumpy they didn’t ask about you,” she mocked me.
“Why the fuck would I want them to be asking about me? I told you, my use for them is over.”
“I thought it was nice,” she mumbled. I sighed.
“Yes, it was very nice of them,” I placated her. “Now, please don’t talk to them again.” She instantly looked guilty. I placed my head in my hands as I groaned.
“What did you do?”
“I told them they were always welcome at the gym.” Even Shadow was looking at her with wide eyes.
“Why would you do that?” I asked her. She shrugged.
“You said they were good, better they train at our place, where we can look after them rather than go somewhere that may take advantage of them,” she defended herself.
“You crazy woman! They’re millionaires. They have home gyms and personal trainers if they need that kind of exercising. Are you out of your mind?”
“Hey now, calm down, she wasn’t thinking like that. She’s just all hormonal with the baby,” Shadow said as he rubbed her hand.
I heaved out a sigh as I looked at her. “Well, they will probably never come anyway.”
My phone started ringing. It was Gregor. I stood up and made my way out the room. “What?”
“Hi Aaron, it’s Gregor.”
“Yes, I know – you got the updates already?” I asked as I headed down the stairs.
“Er…no. I’m at the Roadshack.” The Roadshack was the bar we liked to hang out at just on the outskirts of town. I didn’t know that Gregor went there but that was none of my business. More importantly, I didn’t know why he was telling me he was there. “Um…I thought you were
here?”
He sounded hesitant. Shadow was coming down the stairs and I held my hand up to stop him from speaking as I focused on Gregor. “Why would I be there? What’s going on?” I asked, I kept my tone conversational, but I had a bad feeling brewing deep in my gut.
“This morning when I picked up Lela, I got her number.” I tilted my head back in resignation, I knew what was coming. “She called me earlier and asked if I wanted to go out? I, well…I said yes.”
“What has she done?” I asked as I started walking to the door. Shadow had realised what was going on and was shaking his head as he chuckled, heading back up the stairs to his wife.
“She’s fine, but she’s talking to some guys that I don’t think you want her to be talking to. I can’t make her leave and she is getting real cosy with one of them.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen.” I hung up on him. “Shadow, Maria! I have to go, the Brat’s escaped!” I shouted up the stairs, I heard them both laughing as they called goodbye. I slammed the door as I headed out the house to the truck.
That little Brat, I was going to wring her neck.
The road out to the bar was quiet and I imagined that the bar would be too at this time of night on a Tuesday. I pulled up outside, the regular bouncer was outside as normal. I shot him a greeting as I walked inside. Lela was easy to spot, with her bright white blonde hair, she practically shone in the lights. She was wearing an off shoulder white top and a pair of black jeans. My eyes narrowed as I saw she was in deep conversation with someone I didn’t instantly recognise, but he seemed familiar. I needed to play this right.
I made my way over to Gregor first. He was standing against the wall, holding two beers and watching Lela. His face brightened when he saw me. I took one of the beers and rested my hip against the bar.
“How the hell did she convince you to take her here?” I asked quietly.
“She called me and said you had told her to meet you at the bar later, she asked if I wanted to come with her. I asked what bar, she told me it was the one that you always went too.” I narrowed my eyes at the back of her head. Conniving bitch. “I came and got her like she asked, and we came here. I asked on the way over why she hadn’t gone with you and she said you had something else to take care of first, and that she wanted to spend some time alone with me.” He shrugged as he blushed. It was all feasible, poor bastard. “We got here and she asked me to get her a drink. Within minutes she was on the jukebox and then that guy caught her attention and she’s been talking to him ever since.”
I nodded as I listened. I scanned the bar, there were a few people here that I knew. I noticed Kayleigh hanging back by the pool table. She was sweet on my brother. I considered her. I wasn’t a big fan of her, but I could find out what she knew about Jay since I was here.
I walked over to the pool table, taking Gregor with me. “Can you play?” I asked him as we made our way over.
“Not as well as you.” I nodded, that would do, there were few who were as good as me.
I exchanged greetings with some guys, asking if anyone wanted to play a game of doubles, as I shrugged out of my jacket. As guys were arranging pairs, I wandered over to Kayleigh.
“Hey there Kayleigh, how you doing?” She was petite, with dirty blonde hair and an impressive figure, she had been hanging around one or more of the guys since before I could remember. Pretty sure she had slept with most of them.
“I’m good Aaron. Hey, have you seen Jay?”
I flashed her a smile. “He’s not around at the minute, what you needing him for?” I enquired lazily. I ran a finger over her shoulder and down her arm. Her face flushed and she glanced around quickly.
“Um, has he gone to Seattle to see your mom?” I almost snapped the bottleneck; my fist crushed the bottle so tight I wouldn’t have been surprised if it broke.
“No, he’s off on a road trip,” I explained. She didn’t realise I was speaking through gritted teeth. “Tell me, when did he tell you my mom was in Seattle?” I enquired softly.
“Oh, well you know, we spent some time together after that girl humiliated him,” Kayleigh stuttered. I nodded encouragingly. “He was really down, he really cared for her and she just…ugh she’s such a bitch. Just interested in that guy for his money.”
Seriously?
“Mhhmmm. So, he told you in the last few weeks?” I asked her again, without pressing her. I wanted to shake her but that wouldn’t solve anything.
“Yeah, you know, as I said – he was down, said he missed his mom.” Kayleigh blushed and looked away. “It was really sweet. He was…finally letting me in,” she almost whispered.
He was pathetic, I wasn’t sure she was much better. I kind of felt sorry for her. Too bad she had fallen for my jackass brother.
“I’m sorry Kayleigh, he took off. I can’t believe he used you like that.” Her eyes flashed to me. I nodded solemnly. “Yeah, he obviously didn’t care as much for you as you did him. I mean he didn’t even say goodbye right? So, he wouldn’t have even told you where he was going?” I prodded, it was worth the chance after all.
“No.” Kayleigh was finally getting onto the right track of thought. “He left my bed in the morning, told me he would see me later and I haven’t seen or heard from him since.” Good, now she looked pissed.
“That’s cold.” I took a drink of the beer. I slipped my arm round her shoulder. Kayleigh leaned in just like I hoped. I turned back to the bar, I had been watching Lela in a mirror and she hadn’t moved. I watched her laugh and drink beside her new friends. I had no idea what she was playing at. I kept Kayleigh snuggled in beside me and won the toss to break. I took the pool cue from Gregor who was watching me intently. I knew he was confused with my behaviour although he was hiding it well. Kayleigh went to step away and I caught her hand.
“You want to stay close and be my good luck charm?” She flushed with excitement and eagerly nodded her head. I was a bastard for treating her like this; I was no better than my brother.
The game started with me to break. I noticed some of the other guys at the table with Lela take notice that a game had started. I recognised a few of them now that I could see their faces clearly. I clenched my teeth as I took my first shot. They were guys that had been coming to the Warehouse. Now that I recognised a few, I realised who Lela was chatting to. Kyle Marshall worked for Malcolm, I hadn’t seen him or his guys here before and I didn’t like that I was seeing them now. I especially didn’t like that Lela had made friends with them.
I pocketed some spots and left the ball tucked neatly behind the black so my opponent couldn’t pocket any stripes. I stood up and took a drink as Kayleigh slipped in under my arm again. I watched the game unfold as I kept her table under a watchful eye.
Lela stood up and I watched as Kyle tugged her hand. She laughed as she broke free and turned to look for Gregor. Her eyes scanned the room. Finally landing on Gregor. She gave a wave as she walked over. She was utterly clueless to her surroundings, I noted. She jogged up the few steps and as she made her way over to him, she finally saw me. I grinned at her as she stopped dead. Her eyes flicked to Gregor and then with resolve, she kept walking.
I made my way over and took a drink of my beer. “What a nice surprise.” I greeted her. Kayleigh was still moulded to my side. Lela looked her over and dismissed her. I felt Kayleigh stiffen beside me and absentmindedly squeezed her shoulder.
“You called him?” Lela asked Gregor incredulously. Gregor shrugged and said nothing.
“Why wouldn’t he call me, when you told him you were to meet me here?” Her face turned scarlet as she realised that I knew the lie. “Who are your new friends?”
Lela shrugged. “Just some guys that wanted to buy me a drink.”
“I bought you a drink,” Gregor reminded her. She had the decency to look guilty.
“Hey man, it’s your shot,” one of the guys said. I turned and grinned at him; he took a step back. I could feel my control slipping a little. I was slightly on edge. I played
my shots and pocketed the black. We shook hands. I declined another game. The whole time she fidgeted beside Gregor.
I mock checked my watch, “Well, I’m going to call it a night. Gregor, see you in the morning?” He nodded miserably.
I took Kayleigh to the side as I got my jacket. “I’ll catch you later yeah? You hear from Jay, you let me know alright?” She nodded enthusiastically. Good girl.
I turned and faced Lela and I walked past her. Her hand snagged my arm. “Aren’t you taking me home?”
I looked at her, my eyes ran the length of her. I smirked. “Seriously?”
She glanced furtively left and right. “Ok, so I know you’re pissed, I just wanted out for a little while. It’s been a fucked-up couple of days. I needed to unwind.”
“Well I hope it was worth it,” and I left her there. I walked out of the bar, nodding at the table where Kyle and his friends were sitting. The others didn’t greet me, but he dipped his head in acknowledgement. I made it to the truck when I saw her running across from the bar. I started the engine and shifted into gear. As I went to pull out of the space she leapt in front of the truck, I slammed my foot on the brake and got out.
“Are you stupid?” I demanded. She was panting as she glared at me, her hands on the hood of my truck.
“You’re not leaving me here. I told you I needed out, now I want to go home.” Lela moved to the passenger door. Resentfully, I locked the doors. She turned and glared at me.
“Don’t be a dick, open the car and let’s go home!”
I walked up to her, she backed against the door. “It isn’t your home. I can leave you wherever the fuck I like. I told you what would happen if you left.”
She stared up at me, her eyes wide. “Please Aaron, I just needed out for a little while.”
“Everything ok here?” I turned and watched as Kyle came across the lot. I turned back to Lela and opened the Raptor.
“Keep your mouth shut and get in the truck.” She nodded as I turned from her. I heard her open the door and get in. I pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
“Everything’s cool,” I said. “Not like you to be around here, is it?” Kyle stood a few feet in front of me. He was tall with dark hair and a thick beard. I didn’t like him, true I didn’t like most people, but Kyle had been in a few matches at the Warehouse and he liked to hurt people. He fought dirty.
Dark Heart Page 8
