Duality

by Heather Atkinson

  Isaac thought his proposal over before nodding. “Alright Hayden, you’ve got a deal. You get Jared and Tanya out of the way then we can do business.”

  “Great,” said Hayden, extending his hand for him to shake.

  “When will you do it?”

  “Soon. I never know when the next meeting will be called, obviously they’re playing it cautious, not wanting to be predictable. But as soon as Jared calls that meeting then he’s sealed his own fate.”

  Isaac smiled his disturbing smile, scars twisting. “I can’t fucking wait. That bastard’s had it coming for a long time.”

  “It’ll be a relief for us too,” said Hayden. “We’re sick of constantly looking over our shoulders.”

  “How will you do it?”

  Hayden’s smile was grim. “Quietly and painfully.”

  “Sounds fucking marvellous.”

  “Well, I’d better be off before I’m missed,” said Hayden.

  The two men got to their feet and shook hands across the table.

  “Nice doing business with you Hayden,” said Isaac. “This is the start of something big, I can feel it.”

  “Me too. I’ll be in touch once it’s done.”

  Without another word Hayden turned and left, heading back to his car parked directly outside the café.

  Isaac left a minute later and returned to his own car, where his brother waited in the driver’s seat.

  “How did it go?” said Marcus.

  “Good. He’s going to top the Slatterys.”

  “About time someone did. You trust him?”

  “Yeah, I think so. He wants them out of the way as much as we do,” Isaac replied, watching Hayden drive off and disappear into the stream of traffic. “We need this, Mikey and Jez are really pissed off that we haven’t managed to do the job ourselves yet.”

  “And what will they say when they find out Hayden did it? He betrayed them,” said Marcus, steering the car out of the car park.

  “They won’t find out because once he’s done the job we’ll top him too, as well as that Slovakian slag he’s with. We’ll give her boys back to Mikey, that should make it up to him for us taking so long to get rid of Slattery.”

  “I fucking love it,” said Marcus, relieved when they hit the road that would take them back to the motorway and then home. This meet had made him nervous “Then we can finally get back to making money, I’m sick of this war.”

  “Wars don’t do anyone any favours and this has been long and drawn out enough.” Isaac closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. “Wake me when we’re nearly home.”

  “Did sitting there drinking coffee take it out of you?” Marcus said with a wry grin.

  “Actually I had a gorgeous brunette on my cock all last night and she wore me out.”

  “My heart bleeds,” he said sarcastically, making Isaac grin his twisted grin.

  Isaac settled himself back in his seat for the drive home, dreaming of the time soon to come when all his enemies were dead, he was in Mikey and Jez’s good books and he was king of Kent.

  The sound of breaking glass caused him to jump awake. “What the fuck are you doing?” he demanded of his brother when he saw he was steering them towards a ditch at the side of the road. Frantically he grabbed at the wheel and tried to steer it back onto the road but it was too late. The car rammed into a tree, there was a crunch of metal and the seatbelt tightened painfully around him. He released a groan and forced his eyes open, everything hazy. The front of the car had crumpled and his brother was slumped forward in his seat, not moving.

  “Holy fuck,” exclaimed Isaac.

  The back of Marcus’s head was hanging open, blown apart. It took Isaac a moment to process that a bullet had probably done that to him.

  “What the fuck is going on?” he cried.

  Through the broken side window he saw Hayden approaching, rifle raised to his shoulder and fixed on him.

  “Oh shit, oh shit,” gasped Isaac, shaking hand fumbling for the seatbelt. He managed to unfasten it. Fortunately the door opened and he fell out onto the grass verge.

  “You’re a fucking traitor,” he cried, staggering to his feet. “To everyone.”

  Hayden jogged round the side of the car, weapon still raised. “There’s only three people in this world I care about and you’re not one of them,” he said before pumping two bullets into the back of Isaac’s head when he tried to run. The gun was silenced so no one heard anything.

  Hayden looked behind him to his men, who were dressed up as police officers, standing by their patrol car. A tow truck was behind that. “Get them in the car before someone comes along.” Hayden had chosen that café for a very good reason. One, it was busy so Isaac would have been reassured about meeting him there and two, he had to drive along this quiet country road in order to reach it. But they had to move fast, someone would be along soon no doubt.

  Two of his men bundled the bodies into the boot of the patrol car along with the rifle while another two quickly and efficiently cleaned up the blood left behind. Fortunately it was forecast to rain that evening so by tomorrow morning all trace of what had happened here would be gone. Tarpaulin was wrapped around the car so no one would see the blood inside and it was loaded onto the tow truck. They’d just completed their grisly task when a car drove by holding a family of four, gawping at what they thought were the remnants of a car accident.

  Hayden and Katia had been going to switch their allegiance to Isaac but then they’d considered what use they would be to him once they’d got Jared and Tanya out of the way. Isaac knew Hayden had betrayed Mikey and Jez. Turning on Jared too would prove he couldn’t be trusted and once he’d served his purpose he would have been bumped off along with Katia too. So they’d changed their minds. Isaac had hoped to use him but they were going to use him and his brother instead.

  Robbie swallowed nervously, not so certain he was doing the right thing now he was confronted by Jared Slattery, who looked as pissed off and mad as ever, glaring at him with his manic, bloodshot eyes. The Slatterys had found another safe house in another part of the Kent countryside after the attack by Isaac and Robbie had driven out here to share what he’d learnt about Hayden.

  “Fucking spit it out then,” said Jared. “I haven’t got all day.”

  “I think Hayden’s up to something.”

  The fury in Jared’s eyes waned slightly, replaced by a hunted look. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know,” lied Robbie. He could give the game away but he didn’t want to land Katia in the shit. He had to play this just right to make sure he instilled the right amount of paranoia in Jared, a paranoia that would drive him mad and hopefully push him to top Hayden. “But he’s gathering men around him, building a crew.”

  Jared’s eyes narrowed. “So why are you coming to me? You’re part of that crew, or are you being pushed out?”

  “Hayden’s a slippery bastard and he proved he can’t be trusted after he betrayed Mikey Maguire.”

  “Yeah, don’t I fucking know it.”

  “If he is up to something I’m sure Katia doesn’t know about it.”

  “How can you be so sure? Thick as thieves them two.”

  “Because she’s not stupid enough to betray you. But he is.”

  Jared thought carefully before nodding. “Alright, keep an eye open and if you find anything out you come straight to me. Understand?”

  Robbie nodded, trying not to look too pleased. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Good. Now bugger off, I’m busy,” he said before turning back to the window to continue wallowing in his memories of Jules. But what Robbie had said niggled at him. He hoped the little sod was wrong, Hayden was by far the best man he had at his disposal, his efficiency had only highlighted just how seriously lacking his own men were. He had been contemplating putting him in charge of his security, after all he did save his mum’s life and for that alone he would be eternally grateful. If Jared lost his mum too he’d be completely alone in the world and that thou
ght terrified him more than anything.

  When he heard a car engine approaching he jumped into life. No one outside his inner circle knew he was here and he wasn’t expecting anyone. He peered out of the window and saw a dark blue car winding its way up the dirt track that led to the farmhouse.

  “Someone’s coming,” he bellowed, flinging open the study door and stepping out into the hallway.

  All his men assembled around him, including Robbie Jordan, weapons drawn, just like they’d rehearsed in case of an emergency.

  Tanya appeared from the kitchen brandishing her own gun. “Who is it?”

  “No fucking idea. Stay here Mum while we check it out.”

  Jared took up position at the window, cautiously peering out, watching as the car rolled to a halt at the front door. Surely this couldn’t be an attack? Whoever it was was being a bit fucking blasé about being here.

  He was almost relieved when Hayden got out of the car, until he remembered Robbie’s words. He glanced at Robbie, who stood beside him at the window.

  “What do you think?” Jared asked him.

  “I really don’t know,” he quietly replied, secretly hoping Jared would just shoot him.

  “He doesn’t look armed.”

  “He was a soldier, I’m sure he knows how to hide a weapon.”

  The sound of the doorbell ringing echoed through the house and everyone looked to Jared for confirmation.

  “He’s a mad bastard if he starts an assault by ringing the doorbell first,” said Jared, stuffing the gun into the back of his trousers and pulling his shirt over it to hide it. He was sick of being afraid, of cowering. It was time to be a man and face up to shit.

  His men followed as he walked to the front door and pulled it open. “Hayden, we didn’t arrange for you to come here.”

  “I know but I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  Just for a moment Jared considered pulling the gun and shooting him but instinct told him not to. “What surprise?”

  “I’ll show you.”

  Jared hung back as Hayden returned to his car and opened the boot but, not wanting to look like a girl in front of his men, he shrugged his shoulders and followed, feeling buoyed by the gun at his back as well as all his men. Hayden was good but not even he could take all of them down on his own.

  Robbie was very concerned when Jared peered into the boot and burst out laughing. “Is that fucking mess Isaac Jones?”

  “Yep and his brother,” said Hayden. “Delivered as promised.”

  Jared threw back his head and laughed. “Mum, come out here. You’ve got to see this.”

  Tanya strode out of the house, a frown on her face. “What is it? Why are you all standing out here like a bunch of lemons?”

  “Look at this, it’s fucking beautiful.”

  Tanya peered into the boot and a smile lit up her face. “How perfectly wonderful. How did you manage it Hayden?”

  He decided to go for honesty. Tanya especially had a finely-honed shit detector. “I made him think I wanted to change sides. Silly bastard fell for it, he seriously thought he could go up against you.”

  Just as he knew it would this spoke to both their egos, which were huge.

  “It’s over,” said Tanya. “We can come out of hiding.”

  “There’s still the Maguires and Laws,” said Jared.

  “And they’re miles away,” said Tanya. “Isaac was their only contact down here. Everyone else is with us, well they certainly will be once they learn how we took down Isaac.” She looked to Hayden, as though questioning whether he was going to try and claim the glory for himself.

  Hayden wasn’t stupid. “Yep,” he said. “You’re free and clear now. It’s business as usual, finally.”

  Jared clapped him on the back and steered him towards the house. “Let’s go and have a drink and talk about your future as our new head of security with a fucking huge pay packet.”

  “Sounds great,” smiled Hayden. He noticed Robbie standing at the back of the group, trying to become invisible. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just checking up on things,” he said, glancing at Jared, who ignored him.

  As Hayden passed Robbie on his way into the house his eyes darkened. He knew exactly what the little weasel was up to.

  Nerves shot through Robbie at the glower Hayden threw him. He’d been rumbled and Hayden would get rid of him. It wouldn’t happen immediately, after all Katia was very fond of him but it would happen. He just had to make sure he struck first.

  CHAPTER 27

  TWO MONTHS LATER

  “Bloody hell Rach, will you help me with my dress?” said Jules. “It won’t fasten because I’m so fat.”

  “You’re not fat,” said Rachel, assisting Cathy to lace up the back of her wedding dress. “You have a small bump, that’s it.”

  “Then why do I feel like a whale?” she sighed, planting her hands on her hips.

  “You look gorgeous,” said Cathy.

  “Hitting on me on my wedding day?” grinned Jules, giving her a wink.

  “Stop being a minx,” said Cathy. “There we go,” she said as between them she and Rachel managed to fasten up the back of her dress.

  “Great, now all I have to do is not breathe for the rest of the day.” Jules closed her eyes and grimaced. “I feel sick.”

  “It’s just nerves. You’ll be fine,” said Rachel.

  She released a small burp and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. “I’m going to throw up in front of the vicar, I just know it.”

  “Urgh, don’t do that Aunty Jules,” said Leah in her bridesmaid dress, who was absolutely thrilled to be here.

  Jules’s grin returned. “Don’t you worry honey, tough as old boots me. Who would have thought I’d have a church wedding? What if I burst into flames at the altar?”

  Amber watched from the back of the hotel room, sipping orange juice as they all laughed, Leah clearly not getting the joke but laughing anyway. It was a relief this day had finally come, she’d been afraid it would be called off at the last minute but Jules seemed very happy that she was marrying Jackson. Once she was safely married Amber might feel secure in her own marriage, she was painfully aware of her husband’s feelings for his own cousin. It was sick. Just looking at Jules made her feel queasy. But she’d kept up the pretence of ignorance for long enough and now all she had to do was get through today and everything would be okay. Besides, she had a bit of news for Mikey that she would reveal at the right time to steal some of Jules’s thunder.

  It also irked her how much Rachel and Cathy liked Jules, in fact they seemed to prefer her to herself, why she hadn’t been able to work out yet. She was crude and common but they seemed to find her fun. Still, she’d been surprised to be asked to be a bridesmaid and Jules had looked a little uncomfortable asking her but Amber supposed she was forced to after Rachel and Cathy had been asked. Amber had graciously accepted but inside she was being burnt up with hatred, unable to stand the sight of Jules. It was because of her she’d been forced to lie next to her husband while he tossed and turned in his sleep, murmuring her name before waking up with a jolt, drenched in sweat. At first he’d explained it away as trauma after the explosion at the compound with Jules inside. Then she’d realised he was waking up with an erection and that his cries were morphing into distinctly sexual moans. She’d never told him about that and she never would, afraid if she brought it out in the open he’d end their marriage. She was sure that if she could just get through today everything would be alright and her marriage would miraculously get back on track.

  “I could really use a drink and a fag,” said Jules, taking in a deep breath.

  “I thought nothing could scare you,” said Rachel. “And look at you, trembling over a wedding.”

  “That’s because I can’t believe this is happening to me. Who’d have thought I’d ever settle down?”

  “You’ll be fine,” said Rachel. She glanced at her watch. “We need to be leaving soon or you’ll be late.�
�

  “And we don’t want to give poor Jackson a fright,” said Cathy.

  “He’s going to get one when he sees this dress,” she said, gesturing down at herself. The top half of the dress was composed of silk and tapered tightly to her curves but she’d gone over the top with the bottom half, which was huge and covered in taffeta supported underneath by a giant hoop, purposefully chosen to hide her baby bump. “Anyway, I can’t go anywhere without my escorts. Where are they?”

  In response to her words the door opened and Ryan and Jez walked in, looking very smart in matching dark blue suits with light blue cravats.

  “Really?” was all Ryan said, gesturing to the cravat smartly tied at his throat.

  “Blame Jax for that one,” said Jules.

  “Look on the bright side, no one will notice the cravats when they see your dress,” said Jez.

  “Like it?” she said, giving them a little curtsey. “I wanted to go for the fairytale look.”

  “The Evil Queen?” said Jez, earning himself a slap around the back of the head from Ryan. “Ow.”

  Ryan stood before Jules and - to everyone’s surprise - kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”

  “I feel like an idiot.”

  “Don’t. Any man would be proud to have you as his wife.”

  Jules was genuinely touched. “Thanks,” she smiled up at him.

  He held his arm out to her. “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  She smiled at Jez, who offered her his arm and she walked out between her brothers, Cathy, Rachel and Leah gathering up their bouquets and following.

  When they’d gone Amber picked up her own bouquet - white lilies and black roses, to her disgust - and reluctantly followed.

  When Jules saw Jackson waiting for her at the altar, looking knee-knockingly gorgeous in his suit and cravat, her nerves miraculously fell away. As the music started up - Marilyn Manson’s version of Sweet Dreams, her choice - she kept her eyes riveted on him, knowing she’d made the right decision. Mikey was sitting to her left with Declan, Mark, Shane and Grant but she didn’t look his way. He was the past and Jackson was her future.