“I can make the pain stop,” she whispered in his ear like a lover. “Just tell me what I want to know.”
“I can’t,” he rasped, rapidly paling. Another twist of the knife made him cry out, despite how weak he was.
“Yes you can,” she continued like the devil on his shoulder. “You don’t need to suffer anymore. Just tell me.”
“At…Gordon’s house,” he managed to say before passing out.
With a triumphant smile Katia yanked out the blade, the man’s blood flowing freely now, pooling on the floor as she got to her feet. “I told you he’d tell us.”
Hayden smiled approvingly. “I knew you could get it out of him.” This woman never ceased to amaze him. The ex-mistress of Alex Maguire was proving to be a very formidable woman in her own right. Quietly and insidiously they were taking over in Essex, removing those who stood in their way. Little did anyone know that they’d secretly branched out into drug running, Katia being careful to develop a connection with a dealer in Brighton, which was out of reach of the Slattery family, the top dogs in Essex. They’d managed to keep their activities under the radar, quietly doing business with contacts they’d cultivated over the past couple of years, people who could be relied on for their discretion and who didn’t need to brag about their activities. Katia had set up the contacts and masterminded it all and now this was her final initiation into this life. Hayden was teaching her how to fight and injure for maximum effect. With his army training he was very lethal himself and he had shared his knowledge with Katia, his lover. Today was a huge milestone for her - her first kill.
Katia looked to the man, whose name was Neville and felt nothing for him - no sympathy, regret or guilt for what she had to do. She had wondered how she would feel when it came time for her to take a life, fearing she would be unable to go through with it, therefore causing the crew she and Hayden had so carefully built around them to lose faith in her. But now it was here she had no such qualms.
When she got to her feet Hayden handed her the gun, which he had also trained her to use. She took aim and fired, pitching Neville back in his chair, arms hanging limply by his sides.
Calmly she handed the weapon back to Hayden, who tucked it into the back of his trousers and fastened his suit jacket over it so it couldn’t be seen. Katia looked at their men gathered round, her gaze cool and calm, patting her immaculate blond bob. “Let’s go see Gordon, shall we?”
Hayden beamed with pride. He’d known his girl could do it. Now they were another step closer to their ultimate goal - taking charge of Essex. Only two rival gangs stood in their way - Gerry Cake and his crew and Jared Slattery. Jared however had no idea what they were up to, he thought they worked for him, the fool. He was about to get the shock of his life.
CHAPTER 8
“Do we have to go to this meal tonight?” sighed Riley, buttoning up his dark red shirt.
“Yes,” replied Beth as she applied several coats of mascara to her eyelashes. “Cathy’s counting on us and you like Cathy and Jez.”
“It’s not them that’s the problem. Amber will be there and she gets on my nerves.”
“She gets on everyone’s nerves but we’re hoping this evening might go some way to restoring our friendship with her.”
“We? You mean you and Cathy set all this up just to bring Amber back to the fold? I’m sorry to tell you this sweetheart but that one thinks she’s royalty. The only way you’ll repair that friendship is if you start bowing down to her like she wants you to.”
“Not going to happen,” said Beth, putting down her mascara and turning to watch Riley. Superficially he looked exactly like Ryan, his older half-brother, so much so in fact that he’d even been stopped in the street by people who thought he was Ryan. Physically the only difference was that Riley had dark brown eyes while Ryan’s were grey, other than that they could have been twins. But for Beth the difference between them went way beyond eye colour. For one thing he was and always had been legitimate. He’d never delved into the criminal underworld like Ryan, despite the fact that his father had been a notorious gangster. Riley had left the SAS eighteen months ago and was now managing the Manchester branch of the security firm set up by Battler and Bruiser - ex-Maguire enforcers who had gone straight. Battler and Bruiser’s reputations for providing an excellent security service were known up and down the country, their headquarters in Torquay, near Ryan and Rachel. Riley found himself protecting celebrities, sports personalities, singers, even a couple of minor royals. To be honest he thought they were all arseholes but the work brought in a very lucrative wage and he still got to use his army skills, albeit in a more gentle way.
Beth was proud he’d gone down the legitimate route, it would have been so easy for him to get sucked into the criminal underworld living so close to Mikey and Jez. She glanced down at her left hand, the sight of her wedding and engagement rings making her smile. Their wedding had been one of the best days of her life, the happy ever after she’d longed for after the nightmare that had been her first husband. Alex had beat her, verbally and mentally abused her, abducted her, tortured her best friend and murdered her lover right in front of her. After all that she thought she’d never know a happy day again. Then Riley had come along, had gently coaxed down all the layers of armour she’d wrapped herself up in against the world, particularly men and become the father her three children deserved. His was a strong but fair male presence in the house. He was always there at every school and sporting event and he helped them with their homework, unlike their biological father who had cared about nothing but business and the Slovakian slapper he’d become obsessed with.
She pushed Alex Maguire out of her head. Since she’d married Riley that had become pretty easy to do, it no longer felt like he was a shadow in their lives.
“I was worried you wouldn’t want to go because Jules will be there,” she said.
Jules hadn’t always been on their side. Once she’d belonged to a violent biker gang who had murdered Riley’s pregnant fiancée and almost killed him. Jules herself hadn’t participated in or condoned the violence that had been done that terrible day. At first Riley had been unable to get past that but slowly he was building bridges with her.
“No, I can deal with her now. Jesus, I never thought I’d be okay having dinner with Venom.”
“She’s not Venom anymore, she’s Jules and she’s alright.”
“She’s better than Amber but that’s not difficult because Lady Macbeth is nicer than Amber.”
“You’re a harsh critic,” she said, getting to her feet to kiss him.
Riley sucked in a breath, pulled her to him and pressed her up against the wall, groaning into her mouth when she ran her hand over his crotch.
They both sighed when the sound of arguing started up down the hall.
“Sounds like Archie and Alfie are falling out again,” she said.
He released her. “I’ll sort it out. To be continued when we get home.”
“Absolutely.”
She listened, smiling to herself when she heard the quiet murmur of Riley’s voice. All he had to do was tell them to stop arguing and they stopped, every time. It was amazing. When she told them to stop Alfie usually did as she said but Archie just frowned at her, although he had stopped hitting her, which was a huge relief. But her sweet little boy had been changed into something cold and unfeeling, like Alex.
Beth shivered and forced away the sense of foreboding. She pressed a hand to her abdomen and smiled. She had great news for Riley but she was going to save it until later. She had the feeling he was going to need some cheering up after the dinner at Cathy’s.
“What’s up with you?” said Jez when Cathy stared at the dining table she’d just finished arranging for the big dinner, anxiously wringing her hands. “You’ve even got doilies. I don’t know why, Jules will probably wipe her mouth on one.”
“I just want it all to be perfect.”
“Nothing’s perfect babe.” He kissed her. “Except you
.”
“You old softie.”
“Me, Jez Law, the scourge of Manchester?”
“Yes you.” Her eyes widened when the doorbell rang. “The first guests are here. Would The Scourge be so kind as to answer the door?”
“I think I can just about manage that and please, calm down. I don’t know why you’re getting all wound up about this.”
“Because I hope it’ll help mend my friendship with Amber. Beth’s hoping for the same. It used to be the three of us but now she doesn’t want to know us.”
“Because she’s a prick.”
“I don’t know what’s happened to you since you went to Glasgow. You’ve come back talking like one of them.”
“English say prick too.”
“But they don’t tend to use the words walloper, fud or bawbag. What is a walloper by the way?”
“I’ll show you later,” he winked.
“Go on, get the door before they think we’ve gone out.”
Jez strolled to the door - he hurried for no one - thinking it might be a good idea to pretend they were out. Amber was going to be looking down her nose at everyone and everything and generally being really annoying. If anyone was a walloper, she was.
“Little bruv,” exclaimed Jules when he opened the door.
Jez found himself wrapped in a stifling hug then Jules was moving past him, heading down the hall to treat Cathy to one of her special hugs too.
Jez regarded Jackson warily. “You’re not going to hug me, are you?”
“I’ve not got the urge right now but this little lady probably will,” he smiled.
He put Cara down and she toddled up to Jez on unsteady legs, a huge grin on her face.
“Hello sweetie,” smiled Jez, picking her up and kissing her cheek. They all adored this little girl, who was always so sweet natured, quiet and gentle. They all thought it a wonder given her biological parents were Jared Slattery and Jules, neither of whom were known for being quiet or gentle. She was very affectionate too and she rested her head on Jez’s shoulder, content in her uncle’s arms.
“Are we the first?” said Jackson, stepping inside and closing the door.
Jez knew he was really asking whether Amber had arrived yet. “Yes you are. Come on in and I’ll get you a beer. I’ve got the feeling we’re going to need it.”
“You’re not wrong there,” he replied, making Jez smile. The two of them got on well, both of them the more laidback members of the family.
Jez put Cara down to play with his own children. Ruby was a pretty blond girl of eight and four year old Jack was in contrast a dark haired boy with the Law grey eyes. Cara released a squeal of delight to see them and the older children led her into the corner to play where a huge variety of toys had been laid out. George was with Cathy’s parents for the night to give them a break and hopefully a decent night’s sleep.
“I believe congratulations are in order,” grinned Cathy.
“How did you find out?” said Jules.
“Jez told me.”
“And how did he find out?”
“Mikey told me. Sorry, you can’t keep anything a secret around here but we haven’t told anyone else, we didn’t want to steal your thunder.”
“It’s still early days,” said Jules, putting a hand to her stomach.
Jackson wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Everything will be fine. It’ll be a boy, I know it.”
Cathy beamed at the happiness shining out of his eyes and went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
Riley and Beth arrived next with Alfie, Archie and Holly in tow, who joined the other children playing in the corner. Beth anxiously watched Archie stand just a little outside the group, watching the other children play, his eyes lacking all warmth and enthusiasm, like some kind of robot.
“You okay?” said a voice, making her jump.
“Sorry Cathy, I’m fine,” she replied, kissing her on the cheek and accepting the glass of wine she handed her. “I was miles away then.” She looked to the glass uncertainly. Cathy was the only one she’d confided her secret in but she assumed she’d forgotten.
“Alcohol-free,” Cathy whispered with a wink. “Didn’t want to give anything away before the right time.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Rachel had been Beth’s best friend since early childhood but Cathy had filled the void she’d left in her life since she’d moved to Devon.
“So, you ready for tonight?”
“No,” said Beth before taking a sip of her fake wine. “Mmm, it’s nice.”
“That’s a relief, I haven’t tasted it.”
There was an awkward moment when Jules and Riley came face to face.
“Hello Jules,” said Riley politely.
“Hello Riley,” she replied equally politely.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine thanks. You?”
“Yeah, good.”
The conversation came to an end and they both moved on, Riley to help the kids solve a problem with the game machine they were playing on that stubbornly refused to work and Jules to adjust Cara’s dress, which she was attempting to pull off over her head.
The others relaxed now that moment had passed and the chatter started up again.
Mikey and Amber were the last to arrive. Everyone was sure Amber had done it on purpose so she could make a grand entrance. She looked outrageously gorgeous in a emerald green dress to match her eyes, so short it only just covered her bottom. Her hair had been let loose, red curls all over the place, killer high heels showing her supple legs off to their fullest.
Cathy looked down at her ordinary black dress and suddenly felt very plain.
“Hello everyone,” smiled Amber, tossing her curls about as though she were on a shampoo commercial while Mikey stood behind her looking embarrassed, cradling Zach in one arm and holding Josh’s hand with the other.
“Hi,” said Cathy, stepping forward while everyone else continued to stare in astonishment. “So glad you could make it.”
Amber’s green eyes scrutinised her coolly. “Thank you for inviting us,” she politely replied.
“Anytime. Hello Mikey. Boys,” she smiled, tickling Zach under the chin, making him smile. “What can I get you all to drink?”
“White wine please,” said Amber imperiously.
“White wine it is,” said Cathy, ignoring her superior tone. “Mikey?”
“Lager thanks.”
“I’ve got some juices for the kids.”
“Sugar-free of course?” said Amber, a challenge burning in her eyes.
Cathy was never one to back down from any challenge and she bristled with indignation. “Of course. I always buy sugar-free for the kids.”
“That’s alright then. Riley, Jackson, so nice to see you again,” said Amber, ignoring Beth and Jules to talk to their men.
Beth looked furious while Jules stifled a laugh. Amber thought she was the belle of the ball, little realising Riley and Jackson couldn’t stand her.
“Will you look at that?” hissed Beth, moving to stand beside Jules.
“Just ignore her. She’s only doing it to try and get a rise out of us. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”
“Tonight is supposed to be about building bridges but she’s made it quite clear she’s not interested in that.”
“So what? It’s her loss.”
“I wish I could be more like you.”
“Don’t let Riley hear you say that.”
“I wish I didn’t care what people thought of me.”
Jules shrugged. “What does it matter? If they’ve got a problem with you that’s their problem, not yours. If they think something bad about you it doesn’t make it true. Says more about them than it does you.”
“I never looked at it that way before. Thanks Jules.”
“Glad to help,” she grinned, taking a sip of wine. “Urgh, this alcohol-free stuff is horrible.”
“Alcohol-free?” smiled Beth. “You’r
e not…”
Jules grinned and nodded, eyes shining with happiness. “Don’t let on to anyone though. Jax wants to make a grand announcement at dinner, bless him.”
“Wow, congratulations. I’m so pleased for you, I know how much you’ve both wanted this.” She held up her glass. “Alcohol-free too.”
“You mean you are too?”
Beth smiled and nodded. “Riley doesn’t know yet, I’m saving it as a surprise for when we get home. Only you and Cathy know. My two best friends.”
Jules positively beamed. It was the first time she’d been called anyone’s best friend. “That means a lot to me. How far gone are you?”
“About two months.”
“Me too.”
“So we’ll be having our kids at about the same time. This is going to be great.”
“It is. We can compare notes.” She took another sip of wine and grimaced again. “That’s it, I’m getting an orange juice.”
Beth spied Amber backing an uneasy-looking Riley up into a corner and she scowled. “I’ll come with you before I knock her silly head off.”
As they passed Mikey, Jules’s eyes briefly locked with his before she disappeared into the kitchen with Beth.
“You got a lasso or something,” Jez said to Mikey, nodding at Amber, who had turned her attention to Jackson.
“I was going to ask Cathy if she could slip a sedative into her drink.”
“Is she pissed or something?”
“I wish. She just loves being the centre of attention.”
“She didn’t used to. When we first met her she was so shy.”
“I’m not so sure about that anymore,” frowned Mikey.
“You think it was a front?”
He nodded. “And I fell right into the trap and now I can’t get out.”
“Are things that bad?”
Mikey nodded in Amber’s direction, who had managed to corner two large, powerful males. “What do you think?”
Riley managed to slip by Amber, leaving Jackson to his fate.
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