“I did,” replied Rachel, gesturing to the ginger tom, who had fallen asleep on the floor next to Ryan.
“No, I’m not a pet person.”
“Just like Ryan,” said Rachel with an amused smile. “He must have snuck in. I’ll ask around, see if anyone’s lost a cat.”
“Please do it quickly,” said Ryan, lip curled.
“What’s wrong with your face?” said Jules. “You live in the countryside in a farmhouse.”
“Yes but all the animals are outside. That I can cope with.”
“The mighty Ryan Law intimidated by a cat,” laughed Jules.
“I am not intimidated but cats defecate where they like, they scratch, they leave fur all over the place and they like to sleep on your bed.”
“They don’t defecate everywhere,” said Rachel. “Actually they’re very clean.”
“Yeah,” said Jules. “Get over yourself Ryan. Besides, he’s cute,” she said, bending down to pet the animal, whose eyes sleepily opened. “He’s alright for a cat.”
Ryan shook his head as Rachel and Jules continued to coo over the cat, who was purring like a tank. He was sure it looked at him and gave him a sly smile.
Katia calmly listened as Jared paced the floor of the large farmhouse the Slatterys were hiding out in deep in the Kent countryside, ranting and raving. Ever since he’d had his arse well and truly kicked by the Maguires and Laws he’d slowly started deteriorating. His blond hair was messy and unkempt, his face sporting a few day’s growth of stubble, shirt creased and not buttoned up correctly whereas before he’d always been immaculate. How the mighty had fallen, hiding like scared mice, afraid of retaliation from the Maguires and Laws, as well as hounded by the attacks made upon them by Isaac Jones, their main rival in the area.
Katia had switched off to what he was saying about five minutes ago, it was all the same drivel about how he was going to hunt down every single Maguire and Law and make them pay in blood for the wrongs they’d done him. He spoke about Jules too, who he seemed to be obsessed with. He’d fallen for her when she’d been a prisoner in his home and he couldn’t get her out of his head. He talked about her all the time and reminisced about how amazing they’d be together once he’d brought her back. It didn’t seem to enter his head that she might not want to come back. Personally Katia couldn’t understand his strange obsession. She thought Jules was rough, common and very badly dressed in all her black leather and big clumsy boots. She was also a devious bitch and had betrayed Katia after she’d promised to help her get revenge on the Laws and Maguires after they’d killed Alex, the father of her twin boys. Just the mention of her name made her furious but Jared never noticed, he was far too wrapped up in himself to notice anyone else. But she hated Jared far more than she hated Jules because he had murdered Irina, the only friend she had ever had. Irina had helped Jules escape from Jared because she was in love with him and couldn’t stand seeing him with another woman and death had been her punishment. Katia had sworn revenge but she was biding her time. Jared had been weakened but he was still too strong for her to take on just yet. She glanced up at Hayden Brody, her lover who had betrayed Mikey and Jez to help her get her twin boys back after Mikey had abducted them - almost killing her in the process. He’d risked his life to help her and she would always be in his debt. She’d thought she would never love another man after Alex had died but she’d fallen hard for the handsome, strapping ex-soldier who had turned to contract killing after he’d left the army and who now worked for her. She was building her own crew around her, quietly, so as not to alert Jared and Hayden was at the centre of all that. He was smarter, stronger and more lethal than any of the other men who worked for her and he could give any of Jared’s men a good run for their money. Together they were plotting to take over everything Jared had but for now they were biding their time, mainly because of the tall, striking blond who walked into the room. Tanya Slattery was Jared’s mother and their odd relationship never failed to give Katia the creeps. They were so close it was almost incestuous. Tanya was stepping up to the plate now Jared was all over the place, taking command of the family and making the big decisions that were keeping the wolves from the door. Other families and gangs in the area - namely Isaac Jones - were circling them, preparing to strike after their humiliating defeat but Tanya had so far managed to deflect all their attacks, to Katia’s annoyance.
“What is going on in here?” demanded Tanya, tossing back her head, hands on her hips. “What’s all this shouting about now Jared? I have a headache.”
“Sorry Mum, I’m just angry,” he replied.
“You’re always angry these days. What is it this time?”
He shrugged. “Just blowing off some steam.”
“I heard Jules’s name mentioned again,” said Tanya disapprovingly.
“No,” he said, feigning innocence.
Tanya glanced at Katia, who nodded once behind Jared’s back, causing Tanya to sigh and roll her eyes. “I wish you’d get over that tart Jared, she was coarse and common. You can do so much better than her.”
“I love her Mum,” he exclaimed.
“No you don’t, it’s just an obsession. You’ll get over it and I for one am glad she’s gone, she was nothing but trouble. You need to get your head out of the clouds and back on the job. Isaac Jones keeps attacking our businesses and I’m getting fed up of him. He needs sorting out and you need to get right on it.”
“Yeah, I will,” he said distractedly.
“Which implies you’ll do something about it in the future. I want it sorted now,” she yelled, slamming her fist down on the top of a cabinet sat against the wall.
Jared just ignored her, continuing to stare out of the window.
Katia felt both uneasy and jealous when Tanya’s gaze settled on Hayden and she smiled. “Well hello there Hayden. You’re a big, strong capable man and I hear you’re a very talented sniper.”
He nodded solemnly, not liking how intently Tanya was staring at him. She knew he was with Katia but it didn’t seem to matter to her.
“Perhaps we could utilise your considerable talents,” she purred, resting a hand on his chest.
Hayden looked to Katia, who was so angry she could have stabbed the bitch in the eyes. She wanted to scream get off him, he’s mine but she guessed her expression must have said it all when Tanya smiled and removed her hand.
“Don’t worry, I know he’s yours,” said Tanya. “God help you Hayden if you ever cheat on her, she’ll kill you and whoever you cheat on her with.”
“I would never cheat on her,” he said passionately.
“Granted she is very beautiful, especially for an ex-whore but she is a psycho of the first order. You do realise that?”
“Excuse me?” demanded Katia, hands curling into fists.
“I don’t mean any disrespect,” continued Tanya, clearly enjoying winding her up. “I just want Hayden to understand what he’s got himself into.”
“I do and it makes me very happy,” he said determinedly.
Tanya held up her hands. “Good, just as long as you know.”
“I thought we were supposed to be talking about Isaac Jones,” said Katia through gritted teeth.
Tanya smiled at Hayden. “Don’t you just love that accent of hers? So sexy and you’re right Katia, we should be discussing Isaac. I want him wiped off the face of the planet, him and his cronies. We’ve had to give up our beautiful home because of that little sewer rat. Do you think you’re up to the task Hayden because it seems my son is far too busy to bother saving this family?”
Hayden glanced at Katia, whose eyes were gleaming, spotting a chance to make Jared look even weaker. He turned back to Tanya and nodded. “Yes, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good. I’m glad we’ve got at least one man of action around here,” she said, glancing at her son who was staring out of the window, paying her absolutely no attention. She sighed again and shook her head before looking back to Hayden. “I’m glad you’re up f
or it because I’ve come up with a plan.”
Katia listened to Tanya relate her idea, feeling sick.
CHAPTER 7
Mikey arrived home and almost tripped over a rake of shopping bags as he walked through the door.
“Jesus,” he muttered as he gaped at the sea of bags, every one with the name of an expensive shop emblazoned on the side.
His wife Amber popped her head around the lounge door. “You’re home.”
“Yes I am and I nearly broke my bloody neck. What’s this lot doing here?”
“Sorry, I’ve been busy since I got home.”
“Doing what?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Seeing to Josh, he’s been grumpy all day. I’ve only just got him off to sleep.”
“No wonder he’s grumpy if you dragged him around the shops all day. Jesus Amber, we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile after the Jared Slattery incident. How much did this little lot cost?”
“I paid for it all on my credit card, which you said I could use for whatever I want,” she pouted.
“The credit card I pay for. Amber, you’ve got to understand we can’t go splashing the cash for a while.”
“Why not? We’re loaded.”
“Like I said, we have to keep a low profile. It’s only a temporary thing, just until something else happens and the city stops talking about the compound being blown up. You know all this, I’ve gone through it with you before.”
Her green eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me stupid?”
“No I’m calling you stubborn. I’m not doing it to be mean or cruel, it’s to protect us all, Josh included. What would happen to you both if I was arrested?”
“That won’t happen, you’re too powerful.”
“Anyone can get nicked if they’re not careful, no one is invulnerable. I learnt that from Alex’s dumb mistakes so please, just stop spending. It won’t be forever.”
She folded her arms and sighed. “Fine. I’ll just sit in the house all day and wither away.”
“There’s lots you can do - go to the gym, do charity work, go out with your friends…”
“How can I do all that when I’ve got Josh to look after?”
“You make him sound like a burden,” he frowned.
“I didn’t mean it like that but he’s so limiting. I want to get a nanny.”
“No.”
“Is that it? Aren’t we even going to discuss it?”
“I am not having a stranger coming in here poking their nose in. It’s too much of a security risk.”
“Security risk?” she snorted. “Some little Polish girl just wanting to earn an honest crust? You’re paranoid.”
“Damn right I’m paranoid. Someone recently tried to kill me. You do remember, don’t you? They blew up the compound and tried to take everything I had, helped by people I thought I could trust. That’s why I’m paranoid.”
Amber went silent, there was nothing she could say to that. “Fine, I’ll just stay at home all the time, alone.”
“That’s ridiculous. You’ve got your friends and your parents. I don’t stop you doing anything.”
“Except shopping.”
“I don’t mind you shopping as long as you’re discreet, no big purchases for a few months. That’s all I ask and I don’t think I’m being unreasonable.”
Amber decided to drop that subject because she wasn’t going to win. “I don’t understand why we have cleaners but we can’t have a nanny.”
“Because I’ve known the women who clean for years, they cleaned for Frank and Martina as well as for Rachel when she was married to Danny. They know the form, they keep their beaks out and they can be trusted. Plus I understand this house is too big for you to tackle alone. But I am not having a stranger coming in here, a stranger who could be bribed by my enemies to nosy around or to plant stuff and I’m not talking about drugs, I’m talking about weapons and bombs that could hurt you and Josh.”
Amber hated the way he could talk her into a corner. She took a deep breath, realising there was no way she was going to win this argument, attempting to contain her rage. “Alright, I get that but I’m getting bored Mikey. I love Josh but I need grown up company too.”
“Then go out with your friends more, there’s Cathy too, you get on well.”
“She’s overwhelmed with kids at the moment. She’s turning into a baby factory.”
“She just loves being a mum and she’d appreciate you going round more, you like Cathy and she could use your help, she’s nearly ready to pop again.”
“I want to get away from kids for a while not be around more.”
“That’s not very nice.”
“I’m going stir crazy Mikey, I need to be doing something.”
“I’m not stopping you. You could always get a job?”
Her eyes filled with ice. “What?”
“You don’t need to do anything that earns cash, there’s plenty of volunteer work about.”
“I could help you out in the business.”
He went rigid with surprise. “Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s far too dangerous.”
“Cathy told me you’ve got rid of Jules because she’s pregnant.”
“I haven’t got rid of her, she’s on maternity leave.”
“Then you’ve got a vacancy.”
“There’s no way you can do what Jules does,” he said, amused by the prospect.
“Are you saying I’m not as good as her?”
“No I’m just saying you don’t have her skills.”
“What skills?” she snorted. “Having a big gob and dressing badly?”
“Jules acts as a bodyguard so that will give you an idea of what she can do. I’m sorry Amber, the idea’s ridiculous.”
Angrily she stamped her foot. “I am not ridiculous. I’m just some stupid little doll you like to keep at home and to look pretty and shut up. Well I’m sick of it.”
Mikey sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know where you’ve got the idea from that I want you to stay at home all the time. I’ve never stopped you going anywhere.” Realisation struck. “Did you go out with your mum today?”
“Yeah, so?”
“She always drips poison in your ear about me. I don’t know why when she was the one who set you up with me in the first place. All she wants is for us to divorce so you’ll get all my cash.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes it is. Whenever you see her you come back having a go at me about something. Well let’s set the record straight right now because I’m sick of the same old arguments. You can go out whenever you like, you spend carefully for a few months, we are not getting a nanny and you most certainly are not filling in for Jules. Any questions?”
“You’re such a Hitler,” she snapped back.
“No I’m not, I’m trying to protect this family. Please, work with me babe.”
The gentle way he spoke soothed her. “Okay, I’m sorry.”
He blinked at her. “Really?”
“Yeah, I shouldn’t have had a go but I’m getting bored, I need to do something apart from look after Josh. I feel so useless.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “What would you like to do?”
“I don’t know, something in beauty or fashion I suppose.”
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I know a lot of people with a lot of businesses. Why don’t I see if I can find something you’d like to do?”
“I’d like that.”
“Great. There we go then.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you Mikey.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, what’s Jules doing now she’s not working for you?”
“She’s gone to Devon to spend some time with Ryan and Rachel, get her head straight. The pregnancy has come as a shock.”
“I’ll bet it has. Cathy said Jackson Driscoll asked her to marry him.”
/> “He did.”
Amber searched his face for any signs of upset. Despite what Mikey thought she was well aware of his feelings for his psycho cousin, thanks to his brother Jake sending her a letter from prison warning her before he died. The pathologist said Jake died of natural causes but instinct told her that Mikey had been behind it and learning that her husband wasn’t afraid of putting an end to even his closest family had come as a huge shock. Mikey seemed quite impassive about the news of Jules’s possible marriage but then again he was good at hiding his true feelings.
“What do you think she’ll say?” she pressed.
“I’ve absolutely no idea. Jules is very hard to predict.”
She noted the smile as he spoke about her but that didn’t mean he was in love with her like Jake had said, did it? Still, at least she was far away in Devon, which gave her a break from worrying whether Mikey was shagging her when he was at work. Truth be told, it was a relief.
She kissed him on the lips. “Let’s not talk about them. Josh is asleep and we’re all alone, finally. Let’s make the most of it.”
She pulled off her blouse and cast it aside and was pleased when his face flushed with desire.
With a grin he picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. “Up the stairs now you,” he said, a smile in his voice.
Amber laughed out loud as he ran upstairs with her, she loved the strength of his body as well as the power he wielded. For those two reasons alone she would stick this marriage out.
Katia stormed into the flat she shared with Hayden and threw her handbag across the room.
“The stupid, insane pigman. How I hate him and his mad mother,” she screeched. “Hiding in the countryside like cowards while they get others to do their dirty work for them. They are so fucking pathetic.”
Hayden put a finger to his lips then hastily checked the lounge and kitchen. “Marie must have taken the boys out.”
“She has, she always does this time of day for their walk.” Her twin sons, Alex and Daniel, were actually Maguires after she had an affair with Alex. He’d been killed by Ryan Law before he’d even had the chance to meet his sons.
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