by Martina Cole
Patsy crashed into the room with his usual aplomb, and Aiden started laughing. He loved his brother but Patsy was about as subtle as a fucking twelve-gauge shotgun.
‘All right, Patsy.’ It was a form of address.
Patsy sighed heavily as he said, ‘I’m all right, but you ain’t, bruv.’
Aiden stopped short. Opening his arms out in a gesture of supplication, he said seriously, ‘Explain yourself?’
‘You are such a fucking mug, Ade. Do you even know that?’
Aiden looked at his brother in surprise. Today had been the day they had been waiting for. He had told Patsy earlier that, from now on, they were on a fucking roll. They were so close. Now his brother had burst into his office calling him a mug.
‘You fucking talking to me, Pats? Are you on a death wish or what?’
Patsy O’Hara looked at his brother with absolute disgust. ‘You know what, Aiden? You really are a grade-A cunt.’ Patsy knew his brother better than anyone. He knew everything about him − the good as well as the downright fucking snidey. ‘You spoken to your Jade yet? I’m assuming that’s a fucking negative. Only I think you might have finally fucked it up with her.’
Suddenly Aiden wasn’t smiling any more. He had been trying to get her on the phone but he had not been able to. Until now, it had not occurred to him that she might be avoiding him. ‘What the fuck are you on about?’
Patsy loved his brother, but he wished that Aiden could see himself as others saw him at times. He was so fucking disloyal to the people who really mattered and that bothered Patsy because he believed that if you could completely disregard the mother of your child, you could not be trusted by anyone else. Patsy liked and respected Jade Dixon. Without her his big brother could not run everything as well as it was run now. ‘What am I on about? Fucking Destiny, of course! Once more you have picked a fucking slag bag. And another mouthy one at that. She is telling all and sundry that you love her! That you are going to marry her. Will you ever fucking learn, Aiden?’
Aiden felt sick. This was why he couldn’t get his Jade on the phone, why his mum was swerving him. Today of all fucking days. If Eric Palmer got wind of this he would be like the Antichrist. Everything they were being given was because Eric trusted Jade to run it as she always had. He knew that Eric didn’t believe that he was capable of running the day-to-day business because he didn’t have any interest in that shit. It bored him. And that was the one thing that Eric Palmer had always been wary about. Without Jade onside, Eric believed that Aiden would lose the edge, that he would not bother to chase things up and keep on top of it all.
Aiden turned on his brother angrily. ‘Well, she’s talking out of her arse. Jade ain’t stupid. She knows that’s a load of old fucking fanny.’
Patsy shook his head in absolute disbelief. It aggravated him that his brother could kid himself as and when it suited him. It was at times like this when he really could smack him one. Aiden was so arrogant, and so sure that he could worm his way out of anything. Which of course, where Jade was concerned, he usually could.
‘You were always the clever bastard, Aiden. We knew that and accepted it. But for someone with so much fucking so-called intelligence, I don’t get how you can pick up with an idiot like Destiny. She rang Jade today, telling her everything about you and her. She has Jade’s number and she rang Mum’s place as well. But, as luck would have it, Tony answered and then he called me. You are a car crash, Aiden. You know when you can see it about to happen but you can’t stop it? That is you. Jade is the best thing you ever fucking had. You’re a great team. She has your son and, more to the point, Jade is the only person who can run the businesses on a day-to-day basis. Because you fucking couldn’t organise anything without her standing beside you. You need her for more reasons than you could ever realise. You know that as well as I do.’
Aiden was angry at his brother’s words, at his accusations. He wasn’t a man who could ever accept criticism. Especially when he knew it was the truth.
He was aware that Destiny was waiting for him in a flat he owned in Manor Park. She was twenty years old, pretty as a picture, and she had the body of a porn star − his usual fucking outside squeeze. He had never given her any reason to think she was that special in any way. In fact, he had told her from day one that he could never offer her anything other than his time, and obviously he had made sure that she didn’t lose out financially by being with him, even though he knew that she would use the relationship to further her career in some way. They all did the same and, if he was honest, that appealed to him. He liked that he was seen as a man’s man. He liked that he was known to have other women on the side. He saw it as part of his persona. He was a scallywag, a womaniser. But he also made sure that people knew that it didn’t take away from his love and respect for Jade. Most of his outside girls were just happy to be noticed by him. Why did people like Destiny think they could fucking force him into wanting them? Why did they think they were in with a chance?
Patsy could see that he had really annoyed his brother and he was glad. He said as much. ‘Did you really think that putting that girl up in a flat and giving her a wage wouldn’t make her think that she might actually be in with a chance? She believes you are going to marry her.’
Aiden looked at his brother for a long moment. He knew that what Patsy was saying was absolutely right, but that didn’t mean he wanted to listen to him. He was irritated. Today should have been his fucking triumph. He had felt today that Eric Palmer was ready to give him what he wanted. That he was finally willing to walk away. Now he had his brother on his case − and it looked like Jade was going on the trot. It was his own fault: he pushed things to the hilt, especially Jade. She accepted him taking fliers but when he kept the girls in his life for a while, he knew that it really vexed her. And that was partly the reason he did it − he wanted to see how far she would let him go.
He also knew that there was a viciousness in him that made him feel the need to prove to her that he didn’t need her. Even though he really did need her. There was a nasty streak in him where women were concerned. But he loved his Jade. She was his girl. He felt that when they had found each other it had been written in the stars. Together they were a force to be reckoned with. They complemented each other in every way that mattered; not just sexually − they worked together beautifully. She understood him, and she had taught him everything of relevance that he had needed to know. That was something he could not, and would not, ever forget. Even today, he knew that, without Jade, Eric Palmer would not walk away with such ease. Eric saw them as the perfect partnership. And it was. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. She was the mother of his son, and she was the only woman he would ever love. But his brother’s criticism had hit a nerve. He didn’t have to take anything off anyone any more.
‘Listen, Patsy. I know you love all this fucking drama . . .’
Patsy held his hands up in defeat. He was tired and he couldn’t be bothered to argue any more. His anger suddenly left him; he was wasting his time − Aiden didn’t give a shit either way. But it grieved him seeing Jade brought so fucking low. He liked her, respected her – they all did. Even his mother had changed her tune. Yet his older brother treated her like dirt.
‘I’m done, Aiden. I am only trying to help you. You can sort your own shit out this time, because I ain’t threatening Destiny, all right? You’re on your own, mate. But be warned. Mum is backing Jade to the hilt.’
Aiden sat in his chair after his brother walked out on him and he looked around his office. He usually loved the feeling of being here, being in control of everything and everyone around him. But right now all he felt was a great anger towards Patsy. He would never forget that he had spoken to him with such disrespect, even allowing for his brother’s insistence that he was only helping him and trying to make him see the error of his ways.
Aiden could never allow that kind of disrespect to go by without some kind of punishment. He swallowed down a large brandy and then, wh
en he felt calm enough, he left the office determined to sort out his household arrangements once and for all. But he was shaking with anger, and that never augured well for anyone.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Destiny Smith was feeling nervous but, thanks to a few vodkas and a couple of lines of cocaine, she had convinced herself that she had done the right thing. She loved this flat; it was large, spacious and really well furnished. It was her home now − thanks to her Aiden, who footed the bills. He had told her that it was hers and she had been so thrilled. She had liked him from the first time she had met him and now she believed that she loved him. Her big worry was that he had never allowed her to bring up anything to do with that Jade − every time she mentioned her he batted her off and changed the subject.
She sighed in annoyance. Jade was as old as the hills! Of course he would rather be with her − she was young and gorgeous. The problem was that Aiden had a child with Jade. She had ensnared him when he was a young lad − it was common knowledge.
So, today, Destiny had finally decided that she had to take matters into her own hands. Like her mum always said, you had to take what you wanted from life − no one was going to give it to you.
She studied herself in the mirror, and the reflection made her smile. She was really lovely. Aiden O’Hara came to her regularly and she knew that he enjoyed her. She didn’t exactly enjoy him as such, but she believed that would come in time. The fact that he had set her up here told her everything she needed to know.
The other girls at the club had been bitchy, telling her that he would never leave Jade, that she should get what she could out of him. That had really offended her − they were just jealous.
Nevertheless she was beginning to worry because he had not been in contact since she dropped the bombshell on Jade. She could only think that it was going to be harder than she had thought for him to extricate himself from the relationship; after all, they did have a kid together. But she could do that as well − she was younger, years younger, and she could produce a whole family for Aiden if needed. She hoped that wouldn’t be the case, though − two kids max was her limit.
She reapplied her make-up, and brushed out her long, blond hair. She was wearing nothing but lacy black knickers and a lacy black push-up bra. She knew exactly what he wanted from her and she made a point of providing exactly that. What was between her legs was the real interest for him. And she knew enough about men to know that, for the majority of them, that would be more than enough.
She heard a key in the door and smiled contentedly. She had known he would come; she couldn’t believe that she had doubted him.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Eugene was worried, but he followed his brother Patsy without a word. Patsy was clearly annoyed but he knew better than to question him. Patsy was a lot more like Aiden than he realised − both of them were determined to do what they wanted when they were angry enough. Tonight Patsy was angrier than Eugene had ever seen him before.
Patsy looked the typical Jamaican; he had the Bob Marley look going for him. Eugene, though, had a unique look that women loved. He was the darkest of them all − with his mother’s startling blue eyes. He could be hard when necessary but, unlike Aiden and Patsy, he didn’t see his life as just a series of violent acts. He always joked that he was more a lover than a fighter, even though, when pushed, he could hold his own with the best of them. He always made a point of sorting out his own shit, instead of going to his brother. He had his own reputation − he just didn’t see the need to look for trouble. ‘Look, Patsy, what is going on tonight? Where the fuck are we going and why?’
Eugene had been having the time of his life in one of the clubs they owned, and he wasn’t impressed with being dragged out without any kind of explanation.
Patsy stopped the car, a brand-new BMW that Aiden had given him for his birthday. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Like everyone around him, he had Aiden to thank for his good fortune.
‘Have you really not heard anything today?’
Eugene shrugged. ‘Such as, Patsy?’
Patsy closed his eyes in annoyance. ‘About Aiden and that fucking thing he’s been shagging, Destiny?’
Eugene laughed. ‘It’s hardly a fucking secret, is it?’
Patrick looked at his brother with disgust. ‘Well, Jade knows. Destiny rang her today and gave her the full fucking bifta.’
Eugene still didn’t understand what was going on; he honestly didn’t really care. ‘And that matters because?’
Patrick grabbed his brother by his shirt and, pulling him towards him roughly, he said angrily, ‘That matters, Eugene, because Aiden will kill her. Jade wants us there and so that is where we are going, OK?’
Chapter Sixty-Four
Jade smiled gently as she saw the shock on Destiny’s face. All her instincts were telling her to smack this stupid girl from one end of this flat to the other. But she knew that would be a pointless exercise.
Instead she said kindly, ‘Destiny, sweetheart, my advice to you is to get yourself dressed as quickly as possible.’
The girl was young and very beautiful. Jade had known that already, but it didn’t stop it hurting.
Destiny recovered faster than Jade would have given her credit for. ‘I’m going nowhere, Jade. I’m waiting for Aiden. I’m sorry if you feel hurt but I love him, and he loves me.’
As she spoke she was dragging on her dressing gown; she had never felt so exposed in her life. Jade in the flesh was not as old-looking as she had let herself believe. In truth, she looked fucking amazing and, even in her shock and horror, Destiny had the nous to see that this was a woman who had a presence.
Jade shook her head sadly. ‘Listen to me, sweetheart. Aiden doesn’t give a flying fuck about you. Take it from me, darling, I am here to help you. Believe me, if I was here to teach you a lesson you would be spark out on the floor now. So go and get yourself fucking dressed.’
Destiny stood in front of her nemesis. She was so stunned that she didn’t know how to react. But the woman’s voice was very serious, and it sounded very honest.
Then Jade bellowed, ‘Now! He will be here soon and, take it from me, he won’t be as fucking easy-going as I am. You fucked up, lady, you committed the cardinal sin: you made him feel bad about himself. The minute you made yourself known to me you became his mortal enemy. Now, get moving.’
Something in Jade’s voice, in her demeanour, told Destiny Smith that she was telling her the truth. She could hear the underlying fear in Jade’s voice, and she knew then that it was all over for her. She did as she was told.
Five minutes later they left the flat and Jade walked her quickly to her car. Jade found it in her heart to feel sorry for this young girl who, unlike her, had not found out yet that the men in the world they inhabited were not worth the proverbial wank, that tonight was the first heartbreak in a long line of heartbreaks and this girl would never understand that until it was too late. She would give her a few grand, and hope that she made some kind of life for herself in Spain. She had a few addresses for her, and a few contacts. Because Destiny couldn’t stay here after tonight’s debacle. Her Aiden, who she thought loved her so very much, would not let her walk away from this night’s fucking aggravation. He would harm her. He would cheerfully wound this girl because he would think she had crossed a line and caused him problems.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Aiden arrived home as the dawn was breaking. Jade was sitting in the kitchen waiting for him patiently, and when he saw her she could see the fear on his face.
‘I assume you saw Patsy and Eugene.’
He nodded calmly. She looked so beautiful to him. Sitting there, she was ladylike and perfectly groomed, as always. She was everything he could ever want in a woman. If only she knew how much he adored her, how much he loved her.
‘I took Destiny away, Aiden. She was just a lovely girl who you wanted, like you have always wanted these girls. But I am warning you now, once and for all: you had better not ever
humiliate me again. I don’t give a shit about you fucking the staff. But the next time I hear you have singled one out I will make it my fucking goal in life to destroy you. I am the mother of your child and I think that I am pretty easy-going. But this is the last time you ever make me involve myself in your fucking mess.’
Aiden sighed deeply, looking for all the world like he was the wronged party in this debacle. ‘I was going to make her understand that tonight. I don’t know why she thought she could cause so much upset. I could never love her, Jade, you know that.’
Jade closed her eyes. She was so tired, so fed up with him and his antics. ‘This is the last time, Aiden. You can fuck who you like, I really don’t care. But if you ever bring this kind of trouble to my door again, I will drop you like a fucking hot cake. Do you understand me?’
He wiped his hand across his face, and that told her just how bothered he was about her and about what she had done this night. That he would have harmed that girl without a thought bothered her more than she would ever admit − it told her what she had always known and tried to resist. The fact he had put Destiny up in one of their properties, and allowed her to believe that he loved her, was something Jade couldn’t get her head around.
But that she loved him, Jade couldn’t deny. Even knowing what he was capable of, that he was completely without any kind of moral compass, didn’t make her love him any less. That was how broken and warped she was.
Aiden knelt in front of her and, taking her hands in his, he said sincerely and with tears in his eyes, ‘Honestly, Jade, I can’t fucking tell you how bad I feel. You know I love you, darling. You are everything to me. I would fucking kill myself if that would prove to you how much you mean to me.’
