Aftermath (Dividing Line #6) (32 page)

“The opponent standing to my right has a record of seventeen wins and one loss. Weighing in at one hundred and eighty five pounds, please welcome Benson Barbed Wire Brisco.”

Jules scowled at the leggy blond who sashayed around the ring with a placard announcing it was the start of the first five minute round. “They’re so fucking pointless,” she said, gesturing angrily at the woman. “We’re not stupid, we know what round it is.”

“A little treat for the guys,” smiled Jez.

“Those tits are plastic you know.” She said it so loudly the woman heard her and frowned.

“Jealous she gets close to Jackson?” said Mikey.

“I don’t get jealous,” she practically spat.

As Jackson took his place for the fight he noticed Jules sitting there and gave her a smile and a wink, which appeased her.

There was no dancing around each other. Both men went at each other savagely, a lot riding on this fight. There was no such thing as best friends inside the cage. Both fighters managed to land a few punches and kicks, Jackson constantly switching his stance to make it difficult for his opponent to judge timing and distance.

“We had a little trouble earlier,” said Jez. They liked to discuss business here, all the noise meant it would be very hard for anyone to overhear and impossible for the police to record them.

“Let me guess,” replied Mikey. “Joel Starklaw?”

“Correct.”

“I’m sick of that lairy bastard. He needs a fucking good hiding.”

“Already done. Knowing him though he won’t learn his lesson and stay down.”

Thirty seconds from the end of the first round Benson went in hard, pushing Jackson back against the cage, attempting to get an arm around his neck but he twisted, Benson losing his grip and Jackson freed himself, turned and hooked one of his arms under Benson’s left arm and pressed him up against the cage, fighting to get the second hook in. Benson struggled furiously, driving an elbow into Jackson’s ribs, who released him just as the round ended.

“Shit,” sighed Jules. “Jax was so close then.”

“It could go either way,” said Jez, leaning across Mikey to talk to her. “Both fighters are equally matched.”

They enjoyed a conversation about the fight, Mikey sat silently between them while the fighters went to their corners and prepared for the second round. When they faced each other again both were drenched with sweat but still alert and eager for more. As the time ticked down the fight became ever more brutal until Benson launched himself at Jackson, knocking him flat on his back and the two started to wrestle. Benson got Jackson’s left leg in a lock and twisted.

“Throw him off for fuck’s sake,” Jules screamed, leaping to her feet. “I don’t sleep with losers.”

“Jesus, she is so embarrassing,” grimaced Mikey when a few people looked their way and laughed. “I’m not coming here with her again.”

“I think she’s funny,” smiled Jez.

“You’re not the only one,” he said, indicating the amused faces around them as Jules’s tirade continued. “I hope poor Jackson can’t hear her.”

Judging by the look on his face he was too absorbed by the fight to notice, face screwed up and teeth gritted as he dealt with the pain, the tendons in his leg on the verge of tearing. He managed to grab Benson’s free arm, pull it up along his chest and push his hips into the air, painfully hyperextending the elbow joint. Benson grimaced with pain and both men were forced to release their grips before sustaining serious injury.

Without pausing for breath they went at each other again, arms and legs red and bleeding from the friction with the mat. The punches came thick and fast, but it was when Jackson delivered a punch to Benson’s gut that the tide started to turn. His eyes bulged and it took his body a few seconds to register the pain before he crumpled in two.

“Liver shot,” Jules exclaimed joyfully. “Always causes a delayed reaction.”

Taking advantage of his opponent’s debility, Jackson knocked Benson face down, climbed on his back and attempted to hook his feet into the insides of his thighs while wrapping one arm around his neck. The crowd were on their feet as Benson struggled and writhed, not making it easy for Jackson to get a grip on him.

Jules frowned when they rolled about the floor together in a knot. “For fuck’s sake Jax, are you trying to shag him? Finish him off,” she yelled. “There’s only twenty five seconds left.”

Almost in response, Jackson delivered several rapid blows to Benson’s head, wearing him down before managing to get his arm around his neck, placing the inside of his elbow against his throat, hugging himself and pushing out his chest to increase the pressure. Left with the choice of submitting or passing out, Benson pounded the mat and it was over.

Jackson stood and held his gloved hand out to Benson, who accepted with a gracious smile and leapt to his feet, the two men hugging.

“Fighters to the centre of the ring for the official decision,” called the announcer. “Your winner tonight with a Rear Naked Choke is Jackson The Jackhammer Driscoll.”

“Yes,” cried Jules, jumping up excitedly.

After the two fighters hugged again and congratulated each other on a good match, the champion’s belt was fastened around Jackson’s waist and he leapt up onto the top of the cage to salute the crowd. Spotting a cheering Jules he gave her a big smile and waved her over. She scrambled to the top of the cage and planted a kiss on his lips before dropping nimbly back to the floor. She turned to face the two security guards hurrying towards her with a raised eyebrow and they went away.

“That was fucking fantastic,” enthused Jules. She gazed up at her previous night’s booty call admiringly, who had jumped back down and was exiting the ring, chatting with his opponent.

Mikey looked towards Dane, who had watched Jules and Jackson stony-faced, his body immobile, a testament to how much the kiss upset him. Once again Mikey marvelled at the power Jules wielded over men. It was said she’d been the real influence behind Lucifer’s Shadow and now he was understanding why. She would have found controlling a bunch of hairy-arsed bikers no problem.

“Where are you going?” said Mikey when she started to walk away.

“The toilet.” She pouted when he looked uncertain. “If you can’t trust me to take a piss on my own this is never going to work.”

“You’re right. Just behave yourself.”

Mikey saw Jax watch her go with puppy dog eyes, ignoring the women swooning around him, and he wanted to grab the man and tell him to stop being so pathetic.

CHAPTER 35

After meeting up with Jules again the three of them exited the arena, Mikey and Jez so absorbed in their conversation that they failed to see the approaching danger. But Jules did. She blocked the knife just inches from Jez’s chest, kicked the man in the stomach and punched him in the face. The man staggered away, a hand pressed to his bleeding nose. She tried to make chase but he was swallowed up by the crowd.

“Shit,” she hissed.

“Who the fuck was that?” said Mikey as he and Jez caught up with her.

“Don’t know, didn’t see his face, he had a hat pulled down low but he was a small skinny runt.”

“Ollie Starklaw, Joel’s younger brother,” replied Jez. “He’s a fucking psycho. Joel uses him for all his hits.”

“Let’s not discuss it here,” said Mikey, noting everyone looking at them. Although no one had actually seen what had happened they’d noticed them chasing someone.

They walked back to Mikey’s car and climbed in, not speaking until they’d closed the doors, safely blocking out the rest of the world.

Mikey turned in his seat to address Jules, who was sitting in the back. “Well done, you did good there. We’d let our guards down but you hadn’t.”

“I wish I’d caught up with him but he was too fast.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” said Jez. “You stopped me getting a knife in the chest. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome little bruv, sorry, I mean other boss man.”

“It’s alright big sis,” he replied, making her smile.

“I know the Starklaws,” she said. “A bunch of little scrotes. Want me to go after them?”

“We’ll discuss it later. Right now we’ve got a celebration to go to,” said Mikey, starting the engine. “Stay close Jules, they might make another attempt.”

Jules sat back in her seat, pleased. Take that Grant.

The Wherry Tavern was heaving with people waiting to congratulate Jackson, who hadn’t yet arrived. Fond memories returned to Mikey of his own many triumphant returns here after winning another boxing match, free drinks flowing all night, the women throwing themselves at him. Good days. He’d given it all up because he was worried what would happen to his family if he got seriously injured in the ring. Neither was it appropriate in his current position. He still sparred at the gym but he did miss the pomp and ceremony that went with a real match in the ring. 

He didn’t get any pleasure from being in this pub, not after all the shit that had happened here. In this ordinary-looking pub Alex had plotted against him and Frankie McVay had decapitated a man and hacked his associates to pieces. The bad memories were more vivid than the good. It belonged to Beth now, who knew nothing of its dark history and that was fine by him.

Jules got some strange looks as she prowled the pub, sticking close to Jez in case of another attack. She’d really come through for them, acted very professionally and with discretion. Maybe she would make the cut after all? He hoped so, he didn’t want to kill her. There were a lot of people here well acquainted with the city’s underworld so they all knew who she was and were puzzled to see her with them. They’d accept her, he’d make sure of it. He had to give Jules her due, she clearly didn’t give a shit what they all thought of her. She lounged against the bar chatting with Jez. At least they looked to be getting on.

Everyone was distracted from her by the man of the hour, Jackson Driscoll bursting in with Benson, both sporting bruises but once again the best of friends and followed by their own entourages. Ignoring the dolly birds hanging around him Jackson made straight for Jules, who leaned against the bar watching him approach, knowing full well he would. At least she didn’t resist when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It would have been too embarrassing if she’d given him the cold shoulder but then again, why would she? He was the man of the moment who all the women wanted and she would get a kick out of claiming him in front of all the tarts, even if deep down she didn’t really want him.

Poor Dane was doing his best to pretend he didn’t care as she wrapped herself around Jackson. Women flocked around him too and he pulled the nearest one to him aggressively, the blond obviously delighted by his attention, and kissed her. The daft bint hadn’t realised she was second choice.

Mikey’s gaze was inexorably drawn back to Jules and he noticed Jackson’s fingers linger on the body of the snake twisted around her bare abdomen and experienced the urge to touch it too.

“Stop it,” he muttered.

“What’s that?” said Jez, coming up behind him.

“Nothing,” he sighed, feeling doomed. He was a poor, trapped fly just waiting to be devoured.

“Vic, how nice to see you again,” smiled Katia, greeting him at the door. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” he leered, talking to her chest. “It’s about bloody time.”

She’d finally given in to his incessant demands for sex, she’d no choice if she wanted to stay in his good books.

“I’ve arranged a room upstairs with champagne, roses and a wardrobe full of my special little toys,” she said.

“You can keep the shagging flowers but the booze and toys sound just the fucking ticket,” he grinned, slapping her on the backside.

Katia swallowed down her annoyance. He was so common she couldn’t stand it. “This way,” she said, flashing him a smile.

As they ascended the stairs to the first floor Vic’s big clumsy hand continuously pawed at her backside and she almost fell on the steps when it disappeared right up her skirt.

“Are those kickers silk?” he panted from the act of walking up a flight of stairs as well as lust.

“Yes,” she replied flatly.

“Phwoar.”

Katia rolled her eyes as she continued her ascent, wishing she could turn and push him down the stairs and listen to the snap of his fat neck.

Once they were alone in the room she’d allocated for this purpose she turned to face him, her fingers toying with the buttons of her blouse. “I will strip for you,” she said.

“No need to stand on ceremony with me girl, just get ‘em off.”

“I like to strip, it turns me on.”

“To be honest, I couldn’t give a monkey’s toss what turns you on.”

“A what?”

“Just get your fucking clothes off,” he said, ripping open her blouse. “Fucking hell girl, you’re gorgeous,” he said, grabbing at her breasts. Next he unzipped her skirt and dragged it down her legs. Beneath her clothes she wore a white silk chemise to hide her hips and stomach. Despite the tummy tuck she’d had to remove the loose floppy skin she’d been left with after carrying the twins her body still wasn’t what it was, it would take lots of gym time to tone the muscles back up and lots of make-up to hide the stretch marks. Vic didn’t seem to mind. He pushed her back onto the bed, panting his hot stinky breath in her face, the flab of his body quivering with excitement. Katia hid her disgust well, the picture of arousal as his sausage-like fingers tugged at the delicate silk of her panties.

It was a huge relief when the ligature was thrown around his neck from behind and sank into his soft flabby flesh. His frog eyes bulged and his wide mouth flapped open grotesquely.

“Bi…bi…”

“Are you trying to call her a bitch?” snarled Jared in his ear, “Just like you always call my poor old mum. This isn’t down to her. It’s
my
fucking doing.”

Vic grunted as Jared’s powerful arms hauled him up onto his knees, twisting the ligature so tight it almost disappeared into the folds of skin that made up his neck.

Katia scrabbled out from under Vic to watch him slowly strangle to death. Her painted lips smiled cruelly as she enjoyed his pathetic struggles against his powerful son.

“You’ve had your time old man and now you’re done,” said Jared, sweat standing out on his brow as he put all of his strength into strangling his father. “It’ll be a smooth takeover, everyone’s behind me. They’re all fed up with you, you fat fuck.”

With a loud grunt Jared gave one last pull on the knotted rope. Vic’s tongue lolled, his eyes popping out of his head with the pressure, then he went limp.

Jared let his body drop. Katia watched in silence as he proceeded to stamp on his father’s face with a huge booted foot, crunches and squelches filling the room as the bones crumpled beneath the force, cartilage and muscle turned into pulp.

“Stupid fucking bastard,” yelled Jared until, with one last stomp, he took a step back, glaring at the mangled corpse as though he wished he could kill it all over again.

When Jared’s fevered eyes snapped on Katia her spine rippled with unease. She’d just witnessed him commit murder, he might see her as a threat. Not that she could go to the police anyway, he’d made her an accessory by using her to lure Vic up here. They were bonded by murder.

“You did well,” he said.

“Thank you,” she replied, forcing herself to remain cool and calm. If he detected any fear he might decide to get rid of her in case she lost her nerve.

“My men will clean up this huge useless pile of shit,” he snapped, jabbing a digit at the body. In response two shaved gorillas entered the room carrying a length of plastic sheeting. “Don’t worry, not a trace will be left behind. In the meantime you can get out there and start looking for new premises. You’re moving up in the world Katia.”

“I can’t wait,” she smiled.

“Cover yourself up for fuck’s sake love, you’re distracting these two,” he said, indicating his men who were paying more attention to her exposed body than the body of their former boss.

“Sorry,” she said, pulling the torn halves of the blouse around her. As she passed Jared on her way to the door she hesitated. “I am very impressed. I think we will work well together.”

“You’re cold and merciless.” His lips twitched up into a smile. “So am I.”

Katia forced herself to look him right in the eye and not panic when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Irina sleeps with no one but me until I get bored of her. That is my one condition.”

“I understand.” Somehow Katia didn’t think Irina would find that much of a chore.

He released her. “Good. Don’t let anyone near this room for the next three hours.”

She nodded and left, hurrying across the landing to another room where she’d stashed a spare outfit to change. Vic Slattery was dead and she was delighted. Maybe now she could finally get her revenge on the Laws for Alex. She’d heard nothing from Venom and it was making her edgy. Either she was taking her time, making sure she got it exactly right, or she was dead.

There was a polite knock at the door.

“Enter,” she called imperiously.

Irina came in, closing the door behind her. “Well?” she asked in Slovakian.

“It is done. No one is to go anywhere near that room for the next three hours.”

“I will make sure of it.”

“Jared says I’m to start looking for new premises. We’re getting out of this dump and into the big time. I want you to run things here while I sort that out. There will be a lot of work to do.”

Irina beamed with pleasure. “I will not let you down.”

“I know. Jared says you are to sleep with no one else. You are to entertain only him.”

“I can manage that,” she replied solemnly, although her eyes sparkled.

“He is a very impressive man, is he not?” said Katia as she wiggled out of the skirt Vic had his grubby hands all over and pulled on a clean one.

“Very.”

“And it seems you’ve impressed him. Together Irina we will go far. We will make much money and live good lives. Not bad for two little ladies from Slovakia.”