Reckoning

by Heather Atkinson

  Keeping a tight hold on his trusty bat, he pushed open the door and stepped into the most terrifying situation he’d ever seen. One of the southerners, a big shaven-headed gorilla, was unconscious on the ground, blood trickling from a cut to the forehead. Jez had both arms locked around a man’s neck and appeared to be attempting to throttle him, the man’s face bright purple, while fending off a second man by kicking out at him, keeping him at bay. Jules was in the process of plunging one of her knives into the back of another man’s knee, making him scream and Ryan had taken on two of them, punching one in the face, knocking him to the floor. The second man released a bellow and charged at him, slamming him up against the wall. Estelle was huddled in a corner, her arms wrapped around her head, looking petrified.

  Shane didn’t pause to think, if he did he knew he’d bottle it so he just charged in and whacked the man Jez was kicking round the back of the head with the bat and he dropped.

  “Thanks,” said Jez before squeezing the other man’s neck harder, whose eyes slid shut. Jez let him drop to the floor and kicked him in the ribs. “Don’t worry, he’s just unconscious,” he said, clapping Shane on the shoulder.

  “Jez, down,” called Jules.

  He just had time to duck before a knife spun through the air, embedding itself in the shoulder of the man who had been sneaking up on him. The man fell back to the ground with a cry of horror, gaping at the knife sticking out of him. Jules kicked him under the chin with her booted foot when he tried to rise, knocking him out. She yanked the blade from his shoulder with a sickening squelch and wiped it on his shirt.

  “But what about…,” began Shane, pointing at Ryan, who was still struggling with the last man.

  “Don’t worry, he can handle it,” said Jez confidently.

  Ryan drove his fist into the man’s chest, who released a gasp and crumpled up before driving his knee into his face, smashing his nose. He too slid to the ground to join his semi-conscious, injured friends.

  “I said they were a bunch of poofters,” grinned Jules.

  “There’s one more,” said Shane. “He went in the back way.”

  “If he’s any sense he’ll be hiding in a corner somewhere,” said Jules. “Let’s go.”

  They jogged for the door, Ryan leading the way. As he opened the door to the second stairwell a figure lunged at him. Ryan leapt back as a knife was swiped at his stomach. Shane watched with awe as Ryan grabbed the hand holding the knife, head-butted the man, picked him up bodily and hurled him down the stairwell where he landed with a crash. A scream followed a second later.

  “Oh dear, sounds like he landed on someone,” said Jules.

  They all pelted down the stairs - Ryan dragging a dazed Estelle along with him - to find the man creased up on the concrete floor, groaning, eyes flickering in his head. A little old lady was pressed back against the wall, gaping at him, her small shopping trolley tipped onto its side, the contents scattered across the filthy floor.

  “Sorry Mrs McGoohan,” said Shane.

  “Is this your doing you little sod?” she cried.

  “No, not me,” he said as the others skirted round her and out the door. “Sorry,” he added before following them outside.

  “What happened to him?” said Jules, pointing to the unconscious man on the ground by their car.

  “He was going to mess with it, so I knocked him out,” Shane growled in his best hard man voice, amazed when it didn’t wobble.

  Jules released a laugh and grabbed his arm. “You are such a little star. Come on.”

  “Wait…,” he began when she opened the door and pushed him into the back of the car before climbing in beside him.

  “You can’t hang around here, they saw you with us,” said Jez as he hopped into the front passenger seat. “They’ll kill you for helping us.”

  “Oh shit,” said Shane, face paling.

  Ryan pushed Estelle into the back seat next to Jules, slammed the door shut then hopped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Where are you going?” he asked Jez when he opened his door.

  “To fuck with their cars like they tried to do with ours so they can’t follow us.”

  “I already did it Mr Law,” said Shane respectfully from the backseat. “I slashed their tyres. They won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

  Jez closed his door and turned in his seat. “I’m impressed.”

  Shane beamed broadly.

  “Seatbelts on everyone,” called Ryan as he steered the car out of the estate. “The last thing we need is to be pulled over.”

  “Yes Dad,” called back Jules sarcastically, pulling on her own belt. Then she turned to help Shane with his.

  “I can manage,” he said as deferentially as he could.

  “Yes, you’re very capable, aren’t you?” she said, running her fingers through his hair, making him retreat further into his seat. “He’s so cute,” she called to her brothers. “Can we keep him?”

  “He’s not a poodle,” called back Jez. “Stop stroking him, he’s just a kid.”

  “I’m eighteen,” he retorted, unable to help himself.

  “See Jez, he’s a man,” she said in what Shane thought was a very predatory way.

  “Sorry Jules, he’s got a cock,” said Estelle. “You probably don’t know what one is.”

  To Shane’s relief she relinquished him, whipped round, grabbed Estelle by the throat and slammed her back in her seat.

  “Stop it,” rasped Estelle as she started to squeeze.

  “Jules, stop it,” said Ryan, eyes intent on the road as he steered them into the dense city traffic. “This car doesn’t have blacked-out windows. Do you want everyone in Nottingham to see you strangling the woman who birthed you?”

  Jules squeezed harder for a moment before releasing her, making her gasp and lean forwards in her seat, clutching her neck. “She should learn to keep that big fucking gob shut, especially in such a confined space.”

  “That’s good advice,” he replied. “If I were you Estelle I’d take it.”

  “How are you friends with her?” said Estelle. “She attacked your precious Rachel.”

  “And Rachel knocked her front teeth out for her trouble,” he replied.

  Shane recalled his gang’s first and only encounter with Rachel Law and he wasn’t surprised.

  “You wouldn’t understand Estelle,” said Jez. “It’s called real, human relationships and you’ve never had one. Any relationship you’ve had has been based on sex, drugs and cash.”

  When she opened her mouth to retort she was silenced by a furious glare from Jules, whose fingers twitched over the hilts of her daggers.

  “They set a trap,” said Jez. “How?”

  “Chug,” piped up Shane from the back seat, not sure whether he should be interrupting Jez Law.

  “What’s a Chug?” said Jez.

  “He’s my best mate, was anyway. Apparently Jared Slattery turned up and paid him a wedge to let him know if you turned up. He was expecting it.”

  “Jared didn’t care what Estelle knew,” said Ryan. “He just wanted to make his presence felt on the estate, he knew we’d come charging up here to find out what she’d told him.”

  “He kept his men in the area and told this Chug to call him the second we showed up.” Jez’s head snapped round in his seat, suspicious eyes locking on Shane, making his heart race. “How do we know this Chug even exists? You could have taken cash from Jared too.”

  “I didn’t, I swear. Mr Law, you met Chug the last time you came to the estate, he’s the fat boy who slapped your wife’s err, behind. She twisted his balls then head-butted him.”

  “Ah yes, I remember,” said Ryan with a slow smile.

  “It was him, honestly. Look, I even took his phone. It’s got Jared’s number programmed into it.”

  Ryan and Jez grinned at each other. “Alright, you did good lad,” said Jez, taking the phone from him.

  “So, what happens to me?” said Shane, starting to get nervous. He
’d practically been kidnapped, Jules had bungled him into the car before he’d had time to think. He’d seen them fighting those men, seen Jules stab them and Ryan throw one down a stairwell. His throat went dry at the memory. The strength and power in Ryan Law was frightening, no wonder he’d risen so high in the world.

  “You come back to Manchester with us until this is resolved,” said Jez.

  “But I have family here…my mum and dad…”

  “You can call them once we get back to let them know you’re safe. Tell them you’re starting a new job.”

  “A…a new job?” he said, trying not to get his hopes up.

  “You really proved yourself up there. You’re tough and smart, so you’re working for us now, if you want to that is. I’m not going to force you.”

  “No, I do. Wow that’s great, thank you Mr Law.”

  “Call me Jez. Mr Law makes me sound like a copper,” he said good-naturedly.

  Shane studied his profile, he could only see him side-on from the back seat but he did seem to be genuine. He didn’t think it was a plot to lure him into a false sense of security before killing him. Why would they need to? They could just have thrown him into the boot to be disposed of later, they were too powerful to play silly games like that.

  “Yes Jez,” he grinned.

  “Aw, look at him,” said Jules. “He’s adorable. You’ve made him so happy Jez.”

  “I aim to please,” he said good-naturedly, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Now I need to call Mikey and let him know about this almighty fuck-up.”

  Shane thought he might burst with excitement. Jez Law was calling Mikey Maguire. These men were legends. Jez looked younger than he’d imagined him, he must only be in his early thirties, he knew there was a big age gap between him and Ryan, who was the oldest brother. He’d be up there with them one day, on that he was determined. He tried not to cringe when the black-haired woman started petting his hair again, like he was a cat. He had no idea who she was and he didn’t want to offend Ryan and Jez by telling her to get off him, she was obviously close to them.

  He looked to them both for help but Jez was involved in his phone call and Ryan was making his own call through the car’s Bluetooth.

  “Hello?” said a disembodied voice.

  “Rachel, it’s me,” replied Ryan.

  “Hi honey, how’s it going?” she said, her delight audible.

  “Not great sweetheart, we were attacked by Jared Slattery’s men.”

  “Attacked? Is everyone okay?”

  “We’re all fine but they’re not.”

  “Ryan threw one down a stairwell and he nearly landed on an old biddy,” said Jules.

  “I’m glad you used the word nearly,” replied Rachel, making Jules grin.

  “We’re on our way back to Manchester, we need to talk to Mikey.”

  Rachel gave a heavy sigh and everyone but Shane and Estelle knew what that meant. She was afraid of her husband getting pulled deeper into this mess. “Okay, if that’s what you need to do but for God’s sake be careful, all of you.”

  “We will,” said Ryan. “Listen Babe, I want you to get Battler and Bruiser to stay with you and the kids.”

  “Why?” she said tentatively.

  “Jared Slattery wasn’t actually there, one of his lackeys said he had something more important to do and we have no idea what that is. I don’t think he’ll be in Devon, this attack was aimed at Manchester, they seemed surprised to see me there, it’s just a precaution.”

  “I will. Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. Just take care of yourselves, and Ryan?”

  “Yes?”

  “You’d better come back in one piece or I’ll fucking taser you.”

  Shane was shocked by the aggression in her tone but Ryan smiled. “I will, promise. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” she said before the call was disconnected.

  Estelle pulled a sick face and rolled her eyes.

  Jez likewise concluded his call with Mikey. “He went fucking mad.”

  “Can’t say I blame him,” said Ryan.

  “He’s sending men to watch over Cathy and my kids as well as Amber and Josh. Then he’s going on the hunt for Jared. Cheeky bastard has got to be in Manchester.”

  “He’s probably looking to kill Mikey,” said Ryan. “Take you and Jules out down here, Mikey in Manchester then there’s no one left to lead.”

  “There’s Declan.”

  “Come now Jez, I know he’s Mikey’s cousin but he’s nowhere near ready for that. They’d crush him.”

  “Good point.”

  “Err, excuse me,” said a voice.

  Jez turned in his seat to see Jules wrapped around Shane, one hand in his hair, the other playing up his inner thigh.

  “Jules, put him down,” said Jez.

  “But he’s so adorable, I could just eat him up.”

  “Well you’re not. Let him go.”

  With a sigh she released him and sat straight in her seat, arms folded across her chest. “Fighting always makes me horny.”

  “That was something we could all have done without knowing,” said Ryan as they hit the motorway taking them away from the city back to Manchester. “Shane, you may as well be properly introduced to Jules. She’s our sister.” he said, gesturing from himself to Jez.

  “Half sister anyway. None of us have the same dad, do we mummy dear?” she scowled at Estelle, who scowled right back at her.

  “So Shane’s coming back with us,” said Jez. “What about Estelle?”

  “I am here you know,” she snapped.

  “I don’t care,” said Ryan in a cold voice. “Let’s dump her at the side of the road. She can sort herself out.”

  “Don’t bother slowing down,” said Jules. “I’ll open the door and push her out.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” said Estelle.

  “Haven’t you learnt anything about me yet?” she glowered.

  “No one’s throwing anyone out of the car,” said Jez. He turned his attention back to his brother. “Ryan, she’s left everything behind, all her clothes and stuff and she can’t ever go back to that flat now.”

  Estelle’s ears pricked up as she sensed they might soon get round to discussing giving her some cash.

  “Fine, we’ll take her back to Manchester then decide from there.”

  “Why?” exclaimed Jules. “She doesn’t deserve your charity.”

  “She’s still a Law,” said Jez.

  “No she’s not. Laws have loyalty.”

  “We look after each other, no matter what,” said Ryan.

  “She should get nothing.”

  “We’ll talk about it later. End of discussion,” yelled Jez, slamming his hand down on the dash.

  There was a moment of silence before Jules said, “I love it when you’re masterful.”

  Jez and Ryan rolled their eyes.

  CHAPTER 16

  “Mikey, you look terrible. What’s happened?” said Amber with concern. She put down the magazine she was reading and went to him. Mikey dropped his briefcase and pulled her to him, pressing his face into her curly red hair, breathing a sigh of relief.

  “Mikey, what’s wrong?” she said, looking up at him.

  He smiled at the worry in her big, soft eyes. “My brother’s dead.”

  “Jake?”

  Mikey nodded. “Heart attack in the middle of the prison canteen.”

  “Oh my God, that’s terrible. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s just a shock.”

  “It’s awful and just after you went to visit him too…” She trailed off, face turning white.

  “This wasn’t down to me,” he hastened to add. “It was a heart attack, pure and simple.”

  Amber relaxed. “Sorry. It’s just that sometimes I have no idea what’s going on in your life or your head.”

  “I didn’t kill my brother. He had a heart attack,” he snapped. At least he was being half-honest. When her eyes filled with hurt he cuddled her h
arder. “Sorry Babe, I didn’t mean it to come out like that, I’m just shook up.”

  “Of course you are, you’ve had a nasty shock. Do you want me to tell your mum for you?”

  Mikey experienced a most welcome surge of love for his wife. He’d told her all about his mother, so she understood why talking to her would be traumatic for him. “I appreciate the thought but I’ll do it. It’s time I faced her. You never know, it might help me finally get over what they did to me.”

  She grasped both his hands in her own and her eyes filled with a surprising fire that he’d never seen before. “You have nothing to prove to her, just like you had nothing to prove to Jake. You are Mikey Maguire, the most powerful man in the north of England and you fear no one.”

  He gaped at her before saying, “right, okay. Thanks for the pep talk Babe.”

  Her sweet smile returned and she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. “Anytime.”

  Mikey stared down at his wife, getting the feeling he didn’t really know her at all.

  Mikey wasn’t willing to allow either Shane or Estelle into the compound, so Ryan drove them to Martina’s Bar, which had once been gifted by Frank Maguire to Rachel, who then gave it to Mikey before she moved down to Devon. He sat at the bar with Grant and Mark Cameron. Hayden Brody was keeping a discreet watch over Amber and Josh. No staff were about, it was too early for them to begin their shift.

  “Who’s this?” were Mikey’s first words.

  Shane swallowed nervously as Mikey Maguire cocked a digit at him. Fucking hell, he was as big as Ryan and Jez. Shane was tall but he was quite slender, whereas it was clear these three spent a lot of time at the gym. He resolved to do the same. But it wasn’t just their physiques that made them so intimidating, it was the absolute certainty of their own power. Shane’s brain was frantically taking notes. He cleared his throat. “I’m Shane, Shane Wyles.”