Reckoning (17 page)

“And what would you have said if I’d asked? Dithered about for weeks, probably months until Jake did something to really hurt you.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“He already had,” she exclaimed. “For someone who is so sharp you can be really blind. Jake was putting it about the prison that you and Jez can’t hold the throne for much longer and people were starting to believe it. If you’d arsed around any longer he would have done you some serious damage.” When he looked down at the floor she exclaimed, “you knew.”

“Keep your voice down,” he hissed. “Of course I knew, I know everything that goes on in this city.”

“And you did sod all about it. I did the right thing and I will not apologise for it.”

“Your arrogance astounds me.”

“It’s not arrogance, it’s about survival. You have got to get it into your head that you’re not a lackey anymore, you’re the fucking big man and you have to make decisions that aren’t always pleasant. If you’re not up to the job then say now and step aside.”

He thrust his face into hers. “Think you can do better?”

“I don’t want it but if you haven’t got the balls to make the hard choices then get out now, while you still can.”

His eyes lit up with fury. “This is fucking mutiny.”

“No, this is me doing my job and watching your back. If you don’t like the way I operate then maybe I shouldn’t work for you anymore.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” he snapped. “I should have let Ryan bury you in Devon when he wanted to.”

The pain cut Jules deep, deeper than she would have thought possible. She felt closer to Mikey than either of her brothers, especially after the talk they’d had in the café. Now he’d thrown it all back in her face. “Fine, I’ll fuck off then. Good luck,” she yelled before marching to the door.

“Jules, wait,” he said, grabbing her arm.

“Get the fuck off me,” she said, shrugging him off.

“I said wait,” he snarled, grabbing her by the shoulders and slamming her up against the wall. “When I say wait you fucking wait.”

“Why? It’s obvious you don’t want me around.”

His eyes pierced her. “We both know that’s a lie.”

They stared at each other in silence, painfully aware of the others just on the other side of the door, they could hear them talking and moving about.

“I did it for you and Jez,” she whispered, not wanting the others to overhear.

“For Jez, really?” he said, eyes clouded with doubt.

She shook her head. “No, for you.”

Mikey exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening on her arms, leaning so close their foreheads touched.

“You promised not to do this again,” she said. “That kiss in Devon was the one and only.”

“I don’t know if I can keep that promise,” he whispered back.

Involuntarily he pressed his body against hers and Jules went rigid when she felt his hardness pressing against her. The old Jules wouldn’t have failed to respond but now she found herself hesitating, thinking about how sweet Amber had been to her, even if she was a bit daft. There was Jax too. But there was something deep and delicious between her and Mikey and it was becoming harder to resist. The fact they were first cousins didn’t seem to make a dent with either of them.

Jules rocked forward on her feet, going up on her tiptoes so his hardness pressed between her legs instead, putting pressure on that sweet spot. Her lips parted to released a quiet gasp. Mikey released a grunt, hands sliding down her body to cup her buttocks, his blood surging when he felt how round and firm that backside was. He pulled her tighter against him while rocking his hips forward. Jules released another quiet gasp, parting her legs wider as he pushed up harder. Still they didn’t kiss, both telling themselves it didn’t count if they didn’t kiss. Instead they continued to stare at each other, Mikey’s gaze positively ferocious. Desperate to explore her, he slid one hand up her back inside her t-shirt, the other keeping a firm hold on her backside and releasing a heavy breath at the feel of her bare, soft skin. His fingers brushed her bra strap and he considered snapping it open, but he knew if he did he’d have the rest of her clothes off in seconds so he left it alone.

“I want you so bad,” he whispered in her ear, just allowing his lips to brush her skin. “There’s just a thin piece of material separating us.” He pressed his hand between her thighs.

Jules released a louder gasp and gripped onto his shoulders, eyes slowly rolling open to stare into his. “You won’t do it.”

He pressed harder with his hands and hips, smiling when she bit her lip. “Don’t challenge me because you will lose.”

Her lips curled into her trademark malicious smile. “I dare you.”

His fingers flicked open the button of her jeans. “Dangerous,” he whispered.

A loud hammering on the other side of the door caused them to hastily release each other.

“Oy, you going to be much longer in there?” yelled Jez.

“Yeah, we’re done,” called back Mikey, buttoning up his suit jacket to hide his desperate erection, which only strained even harder when he saw how flushed and breathless Jules was.

“He has really bad timing,” she commented.

“Or he’s suspicious.”

“No problem, we’ll just front it out,” she said before pulling the door open.

Jez stood before them, hands on hips, suspicious eyes flicking from Mikey to Jules. “What was that about?”

“My brother’s dead,” said Mikey.

The suspicion was replaced by surprise. “Jake, how?”

“Why don’t you ask her?” he said, folding his arms across his chest and nodding sternly at Jules, attempting to look cool and menacing while inside his heart was hammering.

“Jules?” said Jez, turning to her.

“I arranged for a little parcel to be delivered to Manchester Prison. A friend of mine applied it and it was successful.”

“Package?” demanded Jez.

“One of her specialist injections, just like she gave Uncle Terry,” said Mikey. “Made it look like a heart attack.”

“So no one’s sussed anything?” said Jez.

“No and no one will,” replied Jules. “I am a professional.”

“Because he was gobbing off in prison?”

“Yep,” said Mikey. “She just went right ahead without bothering to check, in typical Jules fashion.”

“If you ask me she’s done us all a favour, he was one big fucking liability. Sorry Mikey, I know he was your brother but after what he did to you I’ve no sympathy for the bastard.”

“It’s done now and there’s nothing anyone can do to change it,” said Mikey.

“Have you told your mum yet?” said Jez.

“No, I’ve not had time,” he mumbled, although it was a lie. Things had been hectic but not that hectic. He was putting it off and he knew it. Still, on the bright side this news had distracted Jez from his suspicions about himself and Jules. He glanced sideways at her, grinning inwardly when the corner of her mouth lifted into a smile. She was thinking exactly the same thing.

“Has Ryan gone?” said Jules.

“Yep,” replied Jez. “He had to carry Estelle out, she was comatose. Oh what now,” he sighed when his phone started to ring. He glanced at the screen before answering. “Alright Babe, what’s up?”

Both Mikey and Jules listened with interest when he paled. “I’ll be right there.”

“What’s up?” said Mikey as he hung up.

“That was Cathy’s mum. She’s at the hospital with her, apparently Cathy’s had some bleeding. It might be a miscarriage.”

“Shit, get yourself to the hospital sharpish,” said Mikey. “Take Mark and Grant with you.”

“They’re needed here. Declan’s with Cathy,” replied Jez before jogging for the door.

“Take Shane, let him cut his teeth doing some bodyguarding,” Mikey called after him. He gave Shane a hard nod, who nodded back and followed Jez outside, looking a bit bewildered.

“I hope Cathy’s okay,” said Jules. She was very fond of Cathy already, she was smart and sassy, a lot more than Amber. Jules wasn’t sure if her slight dislike of Amber was for genuine reasons or simply because she was Mikey’s wife, she didn’t like to analyse her thoughts too closely, Jules wasn’t used to feeling jealous of other women, in fact it was a first for her.

“Me too,” said Mikey.

He looked to Jules, who stared right back at him before they both looked at the office door then back at each other, wondering if they had time to go back in there.

“We really need to get back to the compound,” said Grant.

Mikey sighed again. “Fine. I need to call my mum anyway.” He couldn’t put it off any longer.

As they walked to the door, Grant and Mark leading the way, Mikey reached for Jules’s hand. She allowed him to brush her fingers before snatching her hand away.

CHAPTER 17

“Cathy, are you okay? How’s the baby?” exclaimed Jez, rushing to her side. She was in a cubicle in A&E, her mother by her side.

“It’s okay, calm down,” said Cathy, taking his hand. “The bleeding’s stopped. They’ve just done an ultrasound, the baby’s fine.”

“Thank God. So what’s caused the bleeding?”

“That’s what they’re investigating. We’re both okay, so don’t panic.”

Jez released a long, slow breath as he gazed into Cathy’s eyes, reassured she was alright.

He took a moment out of his mild hysteria to say hello to Cathy’s mother Maureen, who gave him a fond smile. Despite his dubious reputation and murky business dealings, Maureen and her husband were very attached to their son-in-law, mainly because his love for their daughter shone through. They had thought they would be continually worrying about him cheating on Cathy, men in his position always attracted gold diggers and tarts but it had never been an issue. When he wasn’t working he was at home with his family. They’d heard all the rumours about the terrible things he’d done but Maureen ignored them. Her little girl was happy and that was all she cared about.

“Where are Jack and Ruby?” Jez asked his mother-in-law.

“With Charlie. He distracted them with ice cream,” she replied. Charlie was her husband and a very doting granddad.

“So they don’t know anything’s wrong?”

“No, we just told them I had a hospital appointment,” said Cathy. “They’re fine.”

Jez smiled down at his wife, stroking her hair back off her face. “You think of everything,” he said before kissing her, Maureen turning her head to give them some privacy.

Outside the cubicle Declan and Shane waited. The latter kept looking towards Declan, trying to mimic his stern, straight presence.

“So,” Shane said when Declan had been silent for some time. “Are you related to Mikey?”

“I’m his cousin.”

“Are you related to Jez and Ryan too, like Jules?”

“Nope. Just Mikey.”

“Oh. What are you looking for?”

“Jared Slattery,” he replied impatiently.

“I saw him back home in Nottingham.”

“Then you’ll know what he looks like. Keep your eyes open.”

Shane nodded and mimicked Declan’s steely gaze, scanning each passer-by suspiciously. “Is he likely to turn up here?”

“You never know. Times like this it’s best not to take any chances.”

“Times like this?”

“War.”

That one word shot a chill down Shane’s spine. Declan looked at him with a small, sympathetic smile. “Scary, isn’t it?”

“No,” retorted Shane a little too quickly.

“Yeah it is. When I first started working for Mikey and Jez a war started. With Alex.”

“Alex Maguire,” said Shane almost with awe.

“Yeah, prick that he was. He had it all and he threw it away. Personally I think he went mental, couldn’t handle the power. It sends some people that way.”

Shane wanted to pinch himself again. This was the closest he would ever get to the legend that was Alex Maguire but this man had known him, spoken to him, he was even related to him by blood. To Shane, it was amazing.

“You ready for what’s going to hit us?” said Declan casually.

“Yeah,” replied Shane, full of bravado.

“It’s going to get rough, really rough. Let’s hope you don’t bottle it.”

“I won’t. I can handle myself.”

“So I hear but this isn’t scrapping on some sink estate. This is going to be brutal, dangerous, life-threatening,” said Declan with relish.

“I’m ready,” said Shane gravely.

Declan smiled and shook his head. “You really have no idea what’s coming.”

Shane opened his mouth to throw a gobful at him, then thought better of it and kept his big mouth shut. This was a Maguire he was talking to.

Brogan and Duane were waiting to greet them on their return to the compound.

“How are the preparations going?” Mikey asked Brogan.

“All done Boss,” he replied. “It’s as safe as houses.” His eyes scanned the four of them. “Where’s Jez?”

“Hospital,” replied Mikey. “His missus has been taken ill.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“It is,” he replied grimly before striding inside, Jules, Grant and Mark following.

Brogan and Duane glanced at each other. “I’ll let Jared know,” said Duane quietly once they’d all disappeared inside.

“And quick,” replied Brogan. “There isn’t much time.”

“We’ve got everyone on the lookout,” said Grant once they were all ensconced in Mikey’s office. “But if Jared is in Manchester he’s laying low.”

“He’s a slippery bugger,” muttered Mikey, something heavy and uncomfortable settling in the pit of his stomach that wasn’t to do with Jake’s death. His shit detector was going mad. The sooner Jared was found the better. “I want you two to double-check the preparations,” he told Mark and Grant. “I don’t trust that lot out there to do it unsupervised.”

They both nodded and left.

“What do you want me to do?” said Jules cheerfully with a suggestive wink.

Mikey’s eyes burned. “Don’t tempt me.” He frowned when she took a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket. “No.”

“Sorry, wasn’t thinking,” she smiled. “I like a smoke when I’m horny. And who’s fault is that.”

He couldn’t resist a small smile. “Fuck me lady, cigarettes or not, I want you.”

“Yeah, well, you can’t have me.”

“I could have back there, at the club.”

“Maybe,” she said, replacing the packet in her jacket pocket.

“Yeah I could.” Just the memory made him go hard again.

Jules smiled wickedly. “Down boy.”

He smiled back, eyes twinkling.

“So, am I forgiven?” she said.

“For what?” He recalled what had happened to his brother. “Oh, yeah I suppose.”

“You know it makes sense.”

“No I don’t. I’m not sure of anything anymore.”

Jules’s smile fell. “Mikey, what the hell is going on here?”

He glanced at his wedding ring. “Buggered if I know.”

“You’ve got a nice wife and a kid. Don’t ruin it for me.”

A variety of emotions raced through Mikey, none of which he wanted to deal with. “I’ll call my mum,” he muttered, snatching up his phone.

“And I’ll go outside for a ciggie,” she said.

Mikey watched her go, eyes fixed on her backside before shaking himself out of it and dialling.

“Wolf, come up to my office, quickly,” said Dane into the radio as he stared at the bank of security monitors. His nightclub - Club Decadence - was open for a special VIP event, the theme angels and demons. Dane himself was dressed up as a devil, wearing his traditional tight black leather trousers, bare torso painted red, a black goatee beard stuck to his face and little red devil horns nestled in his dark hair. Wolf arrived two minutes later, dressed in a smart suit. No matter the theme at the club Wolf always resolutely refused to join in the spirit of things. However he did live up to his name with his wild dark hair and mutton chop beard that ran from his temples to his chin.

“What do you make of that pair? They look a bit suss to me,” said Dane, indicating two men in long black leather Matrix-style coats hanging around the bar.

“Could be newbies?” offered Wolf. “A lot of people coming here for the first time are nervous.”

“I get the feeling there’s more to it than that.”

“They weren’t carrying anything, I searched them myself on their way in because I got a weird vibe off them.” Wolf frowned at the screen. “Why do their coats suddenly look bulky?”

Dane leapt up. “Shit, get onto your men, I want that pair off the main floor right now.”

Wolf got onto his radio as he ran after Dane down the stairs and out onto the club floor.

“Not now Candi,” snapped Dane when a woman dressed as a naughty angel sidled up to him and tried to take his hand. He spotted the two men reaching inside their coats for what Dane thought could only be a weapon. His security team were fighting their way across the dance floor towards them. Dane got back on the radio. “Jim, spotlight on the two dicks in long black coats at the bar. Now.”

The two men jumped when the spotlight flashed on them, squinting into the light. Fortunately they decided to leave whatever was hidden in their coats in place.

A round of applause went up around the club when Dane jumped onto one of the tables and was handed a microphone.

“It’s time to announce the winners of tonight’s cash prize, which amounts to one thousand pounds,” he called to the room. He often ran promotions like this so it wasn’t out of the ordinary, although he’d made this one up on the spot as part of his ploy to get this pair out of his club without scaring his punters. “Every entry ticket purchased this evening was assigned a number, which went into the draw and the winners are these two men standing at the bar,” he said, gesturing to them with a sweep of the arm, hoping no one picked up on the fact that he knew who they were without seeing their entry tickets.

When Dane looked over again his security team had surrounded the men.

“Gentlemen, if you’ll follow Wolf upstairs we’ll sort out your prize,” ended Dane before tossing the microphone back to Jim the DJ and jumping down off the table. He approached the two men, who were still tightly encircled by security, and they looked down at the floor, unable to meet his eyes.

“They were carrying these,” said Wolf, opening his suit jacket to reveal two machetes.

“Jesus, were you going to use them on my customers?” demanded Dane.

The two men refused to answer.

“Upstairs
gentlemen
, it’s time for you to get your prize.”

After being marched upstairs the two men were catapulted into Dane’s office and landed in a heap on the floor.

“Do a thorough check for weapons,” ordered Dane.

He watched as they were searched. Now they were in the light he could see that one was young, probably no more than twenty while the other was a bit older, most likely early thirties. Dane looked out of the vast sea of glass that looked down on the club. Everything seemed to have returned to normal, thank Christ. Despite the massive window no one could see into his office as the glass was one-way. They could do what they liked to this pair and no one would know.

“They’ve got these too,” growled Wolf, throwing a couple of small knives onto Dane’s desk. “Where the fuck did they get them from? I searched them personally and they weren’t carrying anything.”

“It’s true,” said another of the bouncers. “I saw him.”

“That’s because they collected the weapons from inside the club,” said Dane, frowning down at the two men, who had been forced to their knees for the search. “They disappeared into the toilets and when they came out their coats were bulkier. Who planted them for you?”

Both men shook their heads and stared at the floor.

“Look at me,” roared Dane, bringing his fist down on the desk, making their heads snap up. He looked to his men. “Anyone recognise them?”

“Nope,” said Wolf and the others shook their heads.

“Me neither. Any ID?”

“None,” replied Wolf.

“Who are you and who sent you?” Dane demanded of the two men.

Both refused to talk.

“That’s it, I’m not fucking about here,” said Dane, grabbing the elder of the two men and throwing him face down on his desk. He picked up the machete and raised it over his head. “Start talking or I start chopping.”

“I can’t, he’ll kill me,” exclaimed the man.

“Who will?”

The man released a loud groan of frustration before shaking his head.

“Have it your own way,” said Dane before bringing the machete down on the man’s hand, severing it mid-palm. The man screamed but no one could hear, the sound drowned out by the music pumping out down below.

“Is this what you intended to do to my customers?” yelled Dane, yanking the man’s head back by his hair. “Lay into them with machetes, innocent, unarmed people just wanting to have a nice time. You fucking coward,” he said, bouncing the man’s head off the table, bursting his nose, more blood joining the pool running from his hand. With a grunt of rage Dane released him and he slid to the floor. He rounded on the younger man and pointed the bloody machete at his face. “You’d better start talking because I’m rapidly running out of patience. He was the lucky one because I only took his hand but I swear to God I will take your head off if you don’t tell me something.”

The second man stared into Dane’s devil face, the dark eyes burning in the red skin and he was undone. “One of your staff planted the weapons,” he shrieked.

“Who?” he snarled.

“Candi, the barmaid. She’s been seeing Joel Starklaw.”

Dane thought of the naughty angel who had tried to stop him on the club floor and was incensed he’d had a traitor in his camp all this time. He looked to one of his men. “Get her.”