Love on the Menu

by Ellen March

“Do you want me to read it out to you? Your brother’s text?” he said in a quiet voice quivering with icy rage.

  She read the text and paled, tried to swallow but couldn’t. “It’s n-not what you think,” she stuttered, knowing that he always thought the worst of her.

  She’d thought and hoped they’d gotten past that, but obviously not.

  “Isn’t it? Shall we just go upstairs and find out?” He took her roughly by the arm and dragged her along with him.

  “Jago, stop it! You’re hurting me.” For the first time, Riley was truly frightened of him.

  He pushed her into his room and threw the bag on the floor. “Is this what you need?” He flung it onto the bed, the contents spilling out.

  Riley couldn’t believe the amount of drugs Rob had stolen. Tears made their way in a slow meandering path down her cheeks. She nodded her head sadly, knowing she had to give the drugs back to save her brother’s life.

  Worthless as he was, he was all she had left.

  “You bitch,” yelled Jago, unleashing the barely checked temper he’d held in. “How could you? I trusted you! I thought I ….” He was about to say ‘loved you.’ But he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing how much she’d hurt him. Instead he slammed the side of the wall so hard he put a hole in it. The plaster crumbled to the floor.

  “It’s not what you think,” she sobbed brokenly, choking on a wave of fear. “Please, Jago. Please believe me?” she begged, clutching at his arm in desperation.

  Roughly he shook her off. “Don’t touch me.” His full lips were distorted with disgust. “I’m warning you. For your own sake, Riley, stay the hell away from me!”

  “Jago?” she whispered. She knew her words fell on deaf ears but she had to keep trying. “Please? Please trust me?”

  “Get out of here before I do something I regret,” he said, his voice quivering with fury. He refused to look at her.

  She darted past him, into her own sanctuary, thankful that the door had been fixed. Closing it behind her, she threw herself on her bed and cried.

  It was over. The pall of doom she’d dreaded had finally settled over her.

  How long she’d slept, she didn’t know. The room was in darkness. A noise had disturbed her, yet even though she listened intently, she heard nothing more. She had to get the drugs and hoped Jago was out.

  She squinted at the time. Ten o’clock.

  Her eyes were swollen and her face blotchy when she flicked the light on and stared at herself in the mirror. She felt guilty stealing them from his room, but she had no choice. Her brother’s life was at stake. Crossing the short distance, she tapped on Jago’s door and noticed the light sneaking beneath it. She took a deep breath, and steeling her nerves, pushed it open.

  Riley snapped her eyes closed in horror at the scene before her.

  Jago was naked, apart from his boxers, and lying on the bed. Beside him in his arms was the long-haired brunette. Riley put a hand up to her mouth, cramming her knuckles in. He wouldn’t do that to her, would he? Yet it seemed he had. Her stomach knotted and she felt sick, the bile choking, high in her throat. The pain of his betrayal bolted through her entire body. No other emotion existed for her.

  She was dead to him, the knife plunged firmly in her heart.

  He turned his head. His eyes were red and glazed. “What do you want, bitch?” he slurred, attempting to focus on the figure at the door.

  The woman gave her a victorious smirk.

  Shaking her head, Riley backed away slowly. Then, spinning around, she slammed the door behind her. Stumbling into her room, she threw up on the floor. Retching, she held her stomach as the liquid dribbled from her lips.

  All she wanted was to get away. To find shelter and hide or curl up and die—it didn’t matter which. Somehow she’d have to get a hold of her brother and plead with Mick not to hurt him. Pulling her case out, she gathered her clothes, ramming them in. At last the room was bare. The only sign she’d ever been there was the crumpled sheets and the damp patch on the floor.

  Carefully opening her door, Riley gave the room one last glance. Then she shut it quietly, closing Jago out of her life.

  Riley padded down the stairs, struggling with the overloaded case. Pausing at the bottom, she headed into the kitchen. She needed to write a brief note to Emily.

  She couldn’t leave without letting her know what had happened. Finishing the note, she carefully placed the present she’d bought for Jago on top. She wouldn’t be needing it now. So much for waiting for the right moment, she thought with a bitter laugh. Riley swiped irritably at the tears that continued to fall.

  Slamming the boot shut, she stood and gazed up at the house one last time. Then at Farley, who was looking at her from over the door, his ears flickering. She whispered a final goodbye, wishing she could go to him. She didn’t dare; she knew she’d break down. Only one thought drove her on, kept her going. And that was to get away from Jago. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she turned on the engine, and without a backwards glance, left Tyrian.

  Trundling along the road, Riley struggled to see clearly. Her vision was blurred by a veil of tears and the poor lights of her Beetle or she might have noticed the car pulling out and following silently behind.

  * * *

  Tom was seated in his chair, nodding off. The warmth of the fire was hot on his face when he awoke to an urgent hammering on his door.

  “Bloody hell! Who’s there?” he shouted.

  “It’s Riley. Tom, can I come in?” she pleaded, having nowhere else to go. The tears continued to splutter and drip down her cheeks.

  The door swung open and she all but fell inside. “God in heaven, lass, what’s happened?” Her face was pale and tear-stained, her eyes dark and swollen.

  “Oh, Tom!” she sobbed, clutching him around the neck. Her heart was breaking as the tears soaked into his shirt.

  “Now, now,” he soothed, hesitantly patting her back. “Come on, sit. Have a whiskey to calm you down.” He pushed her into a chair and poured a small glass.

  “I don’t drink,” she sniffed.

  “It’s medicinal. Now take it,” he ordered.

  Her hand shook so much she could barely hold the glass.

  Slowly, Riley relayed what had happened. She stumbled over her words when she told him how she’d seen Jago in bed with another woman. But eventually he knew the whole story.

  “Seems like he didn’t give you much of a chance to speak up. Looks to me like he’s already judged you,” Tom said, scratching his grey-whiskered face. “So, where’s your mobile now?”

  “It’s ….” She rummaged in her bag. “Shit, it’s still at the house. Oh well. No one ever phones me. Tom, what am I going to do?” She laid her head on the table and started crying again. “I’m scared, scared that my brother will be hurt, and now Jago ….” She couldn’t continue. Her voice broke and she dissolved into a well of pain and misery.

  Tom looked on, worriedly patting her back.

  * * *

  When Emily arrived in the morning and crossed the yard, she was surprised to see the colourful car gone. She checked her watch. It was early—too early for Riley to go off in that. Pushing the front door, she was concerned to find it open and the house deathly silent.

  Warily she walked down the hallway, searching for signs of life. Usually Jago was up and about by now. The silence was almost haunting. She continued into the kitchen and automatically put the kettle on. That’s when she noticed the folded paper with a small box sitting atop it.

  Curiously, she opened the box first. Admiring the bracelet, she dabbed at her eyes as she read the inscription. Carefully putting it back in its case, she unfurled the piece of paper.

  Em,

  Sorry about leaving but I can’t stay here, not now, not ever. It’s over between us. He’s chosen what he wants, and it’s not me. I’ll never be good enough for him, I tried but I can’t meet his standards. He’ll forever think the worst, and trust me Em it can’t get much worse than this
. Give him his present, tell him I was waiting for the right time. And now that will never come.

  Love, Riley

  Some of the words were smudged from her tears. Emily wiped at her own eyes in disbelief. But, needing to see for herself, she trod with heavy steps up to her room.

  Swinging the door open, she looked about her for any sign the girl had existed.

  Then she noticed Riley’s mobile, vivid pink and vibrant against the stark whiteness of the mattress. She picked it up, and closing the door quietly, went back down the stairs.

  * * *

  Jago woke to a blinding headache and wondered what had happened the night before. He felt the warm body beside him and nuzzled her neck. Then he realized it wasn’t Riley and stiffened.

  “Afternoon,” greeted Felicity with a lusty smile. Her hand grazed over his chest.

  “What happened? How did you get here?” he asked. His mouth might have had mothballs in it, and his head felt battered. Groaning, he pushed himself up.

  “You were drunk, very drunk in fact,” she said with a grin. “Called me over and here we are. Except you, er, fell asleep before we could do anything.”

  Thank God for that, thought Jago. Swinging his legs out of bed, he tried to remember what had happened. Bit by bit, snippets drifted back, and his temper returned when he thought of the fool Riley had made of him.

  A vague image nagged at his peripherals of someone else in the room.

  “Did anyone come in here last night?” he rasped.

  “Yes, your friend—the girl with the dark hair. Think she was a bit upset when she saw us.” She swept the sheet away to reveal her nakedness.

  “Oh, Christ, no,” he moaned. He’d been livid with Riley. Still was. But he hadn’t wanted her to see that. He worried about what she’d think after his harsh words. “Look, sorry, but you need to get dressed. I’ve got things to sort out.” He shrugged into his jeans and lumbered into the bathroom. Splashing his face with cold water, he tried to wake himself up. Jago stared into the mirror. He didn’t like the reflection that gazed back. His green eyes were red-rimmed and his face was pasty white. He looked and felt like shit.

  Coming out, he caught the back of the girl disappearing down the stairs.

  Then, taking a deep breath, he turned the handle of Riley’s room and walked in, awaiting her tirade. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it was empty. A wave of panic hit him. His frantic gaze scanned the room; then he crossed quickly to the window and saw that her car was gone.

  “Riley!” he screamed. A tortuous agony sliced through him. He knew he’d sent her away.

  Emily looked down into her tea, stirring it nervously. She’d heard his agonised cry and glanced up as he strode into the kitchen.

  “Where is she, Em?” he demanded, daring her to keep it from him.

  “She’s gone. I don’t know what you did to that girl, but you won’t see her again,” she said quietly, handing him the note. Then she pushed the box at him.

  His eyes glazed as he read the note. Then, slowly, he opened the box, staring in disbelief at what she’d bought him. Selfless, generous Riley. He hadn’t given her a chance to explain. As usual he’d ridden roughshod over her feelings. A sad smile tugged at his lips as he read the inscription. Then he turned it over and paled, clutching it tightly, unable to speak.

  Only Riley could swear to love someone forever and add ‘a day.’ Sitting heavily on the seat, he read her note again.

  * * *

  Rob warily eyed the thin youth with the tattooed fingers, plying his baseball bat and slapping it into his outstretched palm. His preoccupation with the bat was interrupted by the peel of his phone. Still keeping an eye on Rob, he flicked it open.

  “Yeah, he’s still here.” He laughed. “Has she? You going after her?” He chuckled again. “Okay, I’ll tell him.”

  Rob kept his attention fixed on the youth, attempting to control the fear that smothered him.

  “Seems like your sis has done a runner. You’d better hope she has the drugs with her. Or she’s going to meet with a serious accident.” The youth’s bleak eyes razed over him.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, the terror that his sister could be hurt giving him courage. “You touch her and I swear to God ….”

  “I won’t be touching her, but Mick will. He’s wanted her for a while. After he’s raped her then her body will appear somewhere, I’m sure,” he said carelessly. He was enjoying himself.

  “Nooooo!” screamed Rob, launching himself at the youth and falling on top of him. He’d taken him off guard, fear for his twin overcoming his terror. He pummelled him with his fists, punching him over and over. Then, snatching the bat, he hit him hard across the head, knocking him unconscious.

  With shaking hands, he dialled Riley. He had to warn her.

  The mobile rang and Emily jumped. Pulling it out of her pocket she handed it to Jago.

  He raised it to his ear. “Who is this?”

  “Rob, Riley’s brother. Where is she?” He sat on the coffee table, carefully monitoring the unconscious youth to make sure he stayed out. “I need to speak to her. It’s urgent.”

  “Yeah, I bet it is. Nothing to do with the drugs she hid, is it?” He waited for the denial. Jago still didn’t know what he was going to do about that, but he needed to see her again, had to explain what she’d witnessed. And that he hadn’t meant the words he’d spat at her.

  “She’s in serious trouble,” he said, his voice breaking with panic.

  “Yeah, I gather. Dealing in drugs is serious business.”

  “Riley’s not a pusher. She’s dead against drugs.” His voice hitched in surprise, wondering who he was talking to. Because he seemed to know an awful lot about what was going on.

  “So, why does she carry a shitload of cocaine around with her? For personal use?” His voice dripping with sarcasm, Jago paced back and forth in the kitchen.

  “She didn’t know about it. I stole it off Mick and hid it. Thought he wouldn’t guess it was me. And if he searched the flat and didn’t find it, well ….” He left the sentence open.

  Jago felt physically sick. “So what about your text to her?”

  “I was trying to warn her, but it’s too late now.”

  The breath sucked out of his chest. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve got to speak to her. Mick just rang his minder, said he’s going after her. And he’s intending to kill her. That’s after he ….” Rob swallowed, unable to say the words.

  “After he what?” whispered Jago. For the first time in his life, he was terrified.

  “After he rapes her,” Rob said quietly. “Look, I don’t know who you are, but you’ve got to help her.”

  “I’d give my life for her,” he swore, clicking off the phone. A muscle ticked at the side of his cheek. He tried to work out where she’d gone and who she knew close by.

  “Look after this, Em. I’m going to find Riley.” Jago snatched his keys and raced out of the house. With a skid of wheels he sped out of the yard towards Tom’s.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tom was pottering in the barn when the black Mercedes pulled up outside. Wiping his hands against his baggy trousers, he ambled over and squinted at the big man stepping out.

  “What can I do for you?” he asked, his pale, watery eyes straining in the glare of the light. He knew he should wear his glasses more often.

  “I need to see Riley.” Mick glanced dismissively at the scruffy old man, sneering at his missing teeth and loose trousers tied up with baling cord.

  “She’s not here,” lied Tom without hesitation. Her car was parked in back of the cottage, out of sight.

  “Don’t play games with me, old man.” Mick moved towards the door.

  Tom struggled to get there before him. Cursing his arthritis, he limped towards him. But the door swung open and Riley emerged.

  “What do you want?” she asked without fear. She didn’t care about anything now that Jago didn’t want her.

&nb
sp; “You know what I want. So, unless you’ve got my drugs, you’re coming with me,” he said, halting inches from her. He leaned against the door frame.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you. Now, get lost!”

  “And what about your brother’s little theft? I want paying for that.” His beady eyes dropped down to her heaving chest.

  Riley stepped back in horror, shaking her head. She knew damn well what he wanted. “You stay away from me,” she whispered.

  He advanced with a feral gleam in his eye, the sun glinting off his gold tooth. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

  Tom cannoned into him, trying to get between them. “Run, lass!” he shouted, grunting as Mick lifted a fist and punched him in the face. Raising a booted foot, he followed it with a kick to the side. Blood spurted out of Tom’s nose, and his body crumpled to the ground, where he lay groaning yet still conscious.

  “Tom!” screamed Riley, bending down beside him.

  She felt herself lifted. Mammoth arms encircled her waist, holding her easily as she yelled and kicked. Then Mick’s fist slammed against her head and she collapsed in his arms. A steady stream of blood dripped on the floor, making a trail to the car. Mick threw her roughly into the backseat, and reversing the car, quietly stole away from the farm.

  Tom groaned, trying to stand. His vision was blurred, and his ribs hurt, making it hard to breathe. He cursed the day that son of a bitch had been born. Tears of frustration scrolled down his cheeks at his uselessness.

  He didn’t know how long he’d been lying there when Jago’s Jeep screamed into the yard. Slamming the brakes on, he leapt out, leaving the door ajar.

  “Tom.” He ran to him and knelt beside the old man, his mouth dry. “Where is she?” Fear squeezed his vocal cords.

  “He’s taken her,” Tom gasped as Jago helped him to his feet. “And you’d better find her, but don’t mess up this time. Because by Christ you don’t deserve her.”

  Jago nodded, his gaze following the trail of blood. Riley’s blood. All he could think of was that it was his fault.

  Jumping into the Jeep, he turned the opposite way. Slamming his foot on the accelerator, he surged forward. He knew the roads and this one went on for miles without turning off. His foot flat to the board, he sped along, determined to get to her in time. He was terrified at the amount of blood he’d seen and at the thought of what he’d find.