Aftermath (Dividing Line #6)

by Heather Atkinson

  “Careful, it’s only hired,” she told him.

  “Good job you told me that, I was tempted to rip it off you,” he said into her neck as it slid to the floor. “Oh God, you’re so gorgeous Beth.”

  “Get this off, I want to see you,” she said, unbuttoning his shirt.

  He was too impatient to feel her against his bare skin so he pulled it off over his head, the majority of the buttons still fastened, and threw it aside.

  Beth pressed her hand to a rock solid body. Her fingers traced the lines of his muscles, gasping when she felt the ridges of scar tissue.

  “It’s alright, most of them are from work,” he explained.

  It struck her how dangerous his job was and part of her felt scared. She knew they weren’t all from work either. Jasper White had left his mark too.

  “Up against the wall,” she told him when he tried to lead her to the bed.

  “You sure?” he said, thinking this a little odd.

  “Yes,” she said, opening his trousers. “I have to have you. Now.” If she thought about what she was doing she was afraid she’d back out. Nick and Alex were permanently in the back of her mind.

  Riley found her directness exciting and did as she asked, holding her weight in one hand while tugging her panties down with the other. “What about protection?”

  “I’m on the Pill. Fuck me Riley. Now. Oh my God,” she cried when he entered her, thrusting into her with all the passion that had been building up inside him for so long.

  “Are you okay?” he said, looking into her eyes with concern.

  Beth’s mouth hung open, her eyes screwed tight shut, the breath snatched from her throat. This man felt too good. She forced her lungs to inflate and found she could speak. “Yes. More, please. Jesus Christ,” she replied, clinging onto him as he drove into her again.

  “I’ll take it slow.”

  “No don’t. Faster and harder.”

  He obliged and for the first time since they’d died thoughts of Nick and Alex were driven entirely out of her head by this outstanding man. Finally she felt free. Almost joyfully she pulled off her bra and cast it aside, giving him access to her breasts, running her fingers through his hair as he took a nipple in his mouth, intensifying the pressure building inside her. Everyone said how much he looked like Ryan but to her he was completely different, which was fortunate otherwise having sex with him would have been really weird. His breathing grew ragged and she could feel the sweat on his chest rubbing off on her skin. He was hard and frantic but tender too, stroking her hair back off her face and showering her with kisses.

  Beth just relaxed and let the pleasure envelop her, her cries growing louder as the orgasm claimed her entirely.

  In response he gave one final hard thrust and groaned into her neck, Beth tightening around him, revelling in the intimacy, in her hot flesh against his. It was so good to feel the heat of another human being again.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, panting, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. Her weight seemed to be nothing to him. He was still inside her, filling her up. Wanting to feel him again she moved her hips, making him moan.

  “You feel so good Beth.”

  She smiled, she liked it when he said her name.

  Suddenly she was back in that warehouse looking at Nick knelt on the floor, Alex’s gun pressed to his head. I love you he’d called a second before he’d died. The memory of the roar the gun had made as the bullet ploughed through his brain made her physically jump.

  “Are you okay?” said Riley.

  “Yes…I…please put me down.”

  He slid out of her and gently let her down. “What’s wrong?”

  Beth swallowed down her tears. Nick had died because he’d loved her and she was already in the arms of another man. His memory deserved better. “I need to get back to the reception.”

  Understanding filled his eyes. “There’s a ghost in the room with us, isn’t there?”

  “More than one I think.”

  He shook his head. “No. I’ve managed to put Zoe in the past. I will always love her but that part of my life is over, I’ve accepted that. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have been able to do this with you.” He realised his mistake when pain filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, I just meant…”

  “It’s okay. I really should get back downstairs,” she said, pulling her bra back on. “Bridesmaids duties.”

  “Beth, don’t go like this. I really like you.”

  “I like you too Riley but…”

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “But…”

  “But I…I don’t know. I thought I was ready.” She stepped into the dress and pulled it up around her, smoothing down her hair with her fingers. When she couldn’t reach the zip she started to get agitated. “Shit.”

  “Let me,” he said, fastening it up. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t go like this, please.”

  “I have to.” She turned to look at him over her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

  After planting a quick kiss on his lips she hurried out, closing the door behind her, leaving Riley alone.

  CHAPTER 9

  Rachel had her arms around Ryan’s neck as they gently swayed together on the dance floor while the party wound down. Uncle Tam however was on fine form, his round little body surprisingly dextrous as he flung Amber’s mother about, who shrieked with laughter. Tam had worked a miracle and broken through her reserve. Her husband looked on from the bar, sipping a brandy with a disapproving frown.

  “Looks like trouble,” said Ryan as they watched Ken determinedly put down his drink and walk over to them.

  “Daft sod. Obviously he doesn’t realise who Tam is,” replied Rachel.

  Ken tapped Tam on the shoulder, who stopped dancing and whirled round, teeth bared through his crooked mouth.

  “What the fuck you wantin’ pal?” snarled Tam.

  Ken swallowed hard, his overly-large Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “That is my wife.”

  “That?” demanded Joyce, planting her hands on her hips.

  “So?” said Tam, shrugging his bulky shoulders.

  “So…I…” Ken glanced sideways at his new son-in-law standing at the bar with Jez, Battler and Bruiser, pretending he hadn’t noticed what was going on. Like everyone else he was praying Tam put Ken on his arse, it would do him good to be brought down a peg.

  “Go on Tam, hit him,” said Ryan quietly.

  “Ryan,” chastised Rachel.

  “Don’t tell me you’re not thinking the same thing?”

  “I can’t,” she smiled.

  They watched with interest as Toni approached, the eyes of the majority of the men in the room fixated on her bulging cleavage. From her inscrutable expression it was impossible to tell what she was going to do. Everyone watched with baited breath.

  When she put a hand on Tam’s arm he instantly calmed down, stocky body relaxing, then she turned to Ken with a charming smile. “Would you like to dance?”

  Ken eagerly nodded. “Yes please.”

  Joyce watched her husband pull Toni tight against him, her substantial breasts pressing against his chest, and looked put out.

  “Come on sweetheart, get those dainty wee size fives moving,” exclaimed Tam, cocking his head, jaw jutting to one side as he pulled her back into the dance.

  “Well that was disappointing,” said Ryan.

  “No, it’s good. Toni just showed she has tact and restraint. If that had been Frankie then Ken’s severed head would be rolling around on the floor now.”

  “Good point. Maybe she is different to her brother after all? The eyeballs in glasses cases aside. That’s just peculiar.”

  “I know. Let’s hope that’s the only incident tonight. We might be lucky after all. Aw, look at Daina and Bruiser. Cute.”

  Ryan looked sideways to see them dancing together, Daina wrapped in her man’s arms, resting her head on his chest with a big smile on her face, her feet dangling a couple of inches off the flo
or as he waltzed her about the room.

  “They’re for life,” added Rachel.

  “I think you might be right,” smiled Ryan.

  Rachel’s attention was caught by the door at the far end of the room opening and Beth hurrying in, almost colliding with a waiter.

  “That was quick,” she said.

  “What is?”

  “Beth’s back already, alone.”

  “Riley must have no stamina.”

  “She looks upset.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll have a word with her.”

  While she hurried off to attend to her friend, Ryan went over to his brother, who had just slipped back into the room with a dejected look, his hair all over the place.

  “What happened?” Ryan asked him.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that. Rachel and I saw you disappear upstairs with Beth. Now you look really pissed off.”

  “I’m not sure what happened. It was great, she was happy. I was holding her after, you know, when she got all tense and freaked out. She put on her clothes and ran out of there.”

  “That’s women for you. They’re hard to understand.”

  “You’ve no problem understanding Rachel. You don’t even need to talk to know what the other’s thinking.”

  “That’s because we’ve been to hell and back together several times, but for some time before we got together I’d no idea what was going through her head.”

  “I think she felt guilty because of Nick.”

  “It was too soon.”

  “For her, not for me. I really like her Ryan.”

  “I don’t know what to say, this is Rachel’s area, not mine. Maybe she can talk some sense into her?”

  Both men looked across the room towards the two women who were deep in conversation.

  “I don’t know what happened,” sighed Beth. A mischievous smile lit up her face. “It was amazing, the sex was so good. I was really happy. He made me stop thinking about Nick and Alex.”

  “You think about Alex a lot?”

  “Yeah. I was crazy about him once and I miss him, the old Alex I mean, not the psychotic one, but it was Nick I felt really bad about. He died for me and already I’m shagging someone else. It’s not right.”

  “He wouldn’t want you to be alone. All Nick wanted was for you to be happy and Riley’s such a good man.”

  “I like him a lot but it’s too soon. I just can’t, not yet.”

  “Give it a bit of time. I’m sure he’ll wait for you, he’s really keen on you.”

  “It’s not just that. His body’s covered in scars from his time in the army. After what I’ve been through I couldn’t stand to be in a relationship with another man in a dangerous job. It would drive me mad.”

  “I can understand that. Are you saying you could never be with him because he’s in the army?”

  She nodded. “I can’t go through that again. I’ve the kids to think about too. What if they got attached to him and they lost another father figure? It’s not fair on them.”

  “You’re getting ahead of yourself, you’ve only had sex once.”

  “But I have to consider these things. I can’t do it Rach, no matter how much I want to.”

  “I’m really sorry for that,” she said, taking her hand, “because I think you’d be great together.”

  “After what we just did upstairs I’ve no doubt, but I couldn’t take pain like that again. Surely you understand that?”

  “Yes I do. It’s why I made Ryan give up his old life.”

  “I shouldn’t have slept with him, I’m going to hurt him now, but I had to do it to find out how I really felt.”

  “He’ll understand, especially after what he went through with Zoe. Want me to explain?”

  “No, that would be too cold. I’ll do it myself. Thanks for listening Rach.”

  “Anytime mate. You know I’m always here for you.”

  “I do and by Christ I appreciate it,” Beth replied, squeezing her hand.

  Reluctantly Beth walked over to Riley, who was still talking with his brother.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” said Ryan, tactfully withdrawing when Riley and Beth stared at each other in silence.

  Pleased, Riley put his arm around Beth’s shoulders and pulled her close.

  “Wait,” she said.

  He removed his arm, looking hurt.

  “I’m sorry Riley, that shouldn’t have happened between us.”

  “You were the one that instigated it. Just a bit of fun, was I?” he said, irritated by how pained he sounded.

  “It wasn’t like that. I like you, I really do but I’m not ready to move on. I thought I was but it took what happened upstairs to show me I’m not.”

  “Glad I could be of some use,” he said bitterly.

  “Please don’t be like that. What happened was incredible but I’ve lost two people I loved. You of all people know how hard that is.”

  He sighed and nodded.

  “It’s too soon, please understand.”

  He took her hands in his own. “Of course I do. I’ll wait for you. You’re the only woman whose meant anything to me since Zoe.”

  Beth realised how much it took him to say that. Riley wasn’t a man who opened up easily and the last thing she wanted to do was put him off talking about his feelings but she couldn’t lead him on, it wasn’t fair. “There’s no point. I can’t be with you.” She swallowed hard when he looked crestfallen.

  Riley released her hands and took a step back. “Why not?”

  “Alex and Nick died violently and your job is so dangerous.”

  “I’m not a gangster.”

  “But you’re a soldier. I couldn’t take the pressure of worrying if you were going to come home or not. I’ve lived that life and I’m not doing it again. Not only that, the last time me and Rachel were with brothers it didn’t end well.”

  “I am not Alex,” he said vehemently.

  “I know that, believe me I do, but it just wouldn’t work. There’s no point waiting for me.”

  Riley nodded, turning his gaze from her, jaw set.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. I didn’t want to.”

  “No, it’s fine,” he muttered to the floor.

  “If we’d met under different circumstances maybe things would have been different.”

  “Maybe. Please don’t,” he said when she tried to take his hand.

  “I really am sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It was good seeing you again,” he said before striding away, making for the door.

  Beth watched him go, resisting the urge to chase after him.

  Katia lay in bed, exhausted and sore, gazing at her newborn babies asleep in their cots. She’d been right. Two big beautiful boys. A tear rolled down her cheek. Alex would have loved them. It was as though he’d died yesterday, the pain wasn’t letting up. Now her babies had arrived she hoped they would distract her from her grief. In them she had two parts of Alex to love. She’d named the eldest boy Alex in honour of his father and his brother Daniel for the brother he’d loved so much. Not Danny, that sounded common. He would always be Daniel. Both of them were Maguires. That was the name they would have had if their father was still alive and it was the one they were going to get. Alex and Daniel Maguire were back.

  Mikey had stolen Alex’s place and by all accounts he was a strong and ruthless leader and she was frightened for her babies. She was protected but she didn’t know if he’d see two healthy boys as a future threat. It was why she’d booked into this private hospital under an assumed name.

  Robbie Jordan had held her hand throughout the agonising labour. The staff had assumed he was the father and she’d let them. She released a contemptuous snort. As if he could compare to Alex. But she had to admit Robbie was sweet and, if she was honest with herself, she needed him. He was setting up their new business while she was incapacitated with the help of the two Sugar brothers who had survived the war with the Laws. The first shipment of girls was
arriving in four days and she was going to be there to greet them. It was important they knew who was the boss from the off. They were starting up in Essex initially, well away from Maguire territory, with the assistance of Vic Slattery, a business associate of Alex’s and the Jordans’ old enemies. Robbie had buried the hatchet with them and they’d agreed to let them set up, even offered them protection in exchange for a cut. But Katia had grand plans and they didn’t involve Vic Slattery lording it over them for the rest of their lives. When they were strong enough they’d take what he had then return to Manchester and remove Mikey from the position he’d stolen from Alex.

  In the meantime she wanted to deal with Ryan and Rachel Law, especially Ryan who had cut Alex’s throat so savagely he’d nearly taken his head off. The fire of wrath ignited inside Katia and her hands twisted the sheets, her teeth gnashing. How dare he return to his nice tranquil life after he’d destroyed hers?

  Alex started to stir in his little cot, as though in response to her turbulent thoughts. Katia swung her legs over the side of the bed, grimacing at the pain between her thighs. She picked him up and cradled him to her and he went quiet, returning to sleep now he was in his mother’s arms. They were both good boys, no trouble at all, not like the screaming brats she could hear in the neighbouring rooms. Both boys had the trademark Maguire dark hair and they would grow big and strong like their dad. One day they would be the kings of Manchester, as was their birthright.

  Katia was infuriated when the door opened and in walked a woman wearing tight black leather jeans, a black hooded top and black leather jacket.

  “Who are you? How dare you come in here uninvited? Get out.”

  The woman appeared unconcerned by her protests. “Relax, I’m here to help.”

  Her Mancunian accent scared Katia. “Who are you?”

  “Someone who understands what you’re going through,” she replied, throwing herself into the chair at the end of the bed.

  “Have you just given birth to twins too?” she retorted.

  “No but Ryan and Rachel Law killed people I loved. Lots of them actually.”