Reckoning (32 page)

Jared’s fist knocked her off her feet, sending her rocketing back onto the couch where she lay unconscious, skirt riding up her thighs, legs splayed.

“Even unconscious she’s still unladylike,” said Tanya, voice shaky with anger. “Get her out of my sight before I give up on her altogether.”

“She’s got fight Mum.”

“Too much of it.”

“I didn’t think that was possible,” he said with a small smile.

Tanya was unable to resist returning his smile. She leaned in to kiss him on the lips, so tall in her heels she was almost the same height as him. “Perhaps not but she needs to be tamed. If she can’t be controlled then you take her back down to the basement and you put a bullet in her head for real.” She ran a weary hand through her hair. “Take her away, I’m sick of looking at her.”

Jared scooped Jules up and carried her limp form upstairs to the bedroom that had become her new cell, Irina still standing guard on the door. He laid her down on the bed and stood over her, staring. He prodded her in the shoulder but she didn’t move. When he prodded her harder she released a groan and put a hand to her aching head.

“Bastard hit me,” she muttered. When she slowly opened her eyes and realised the bastard in question was standing over her she frowned. “My head hurts.”

“That’s because I hit you hard.”

“No shit. Oh sorry, wasn’t that ladylike enough for you?” she said sarcastically.

“Look, I had to hit you, alright? If I hadn’t she would have ordered me to shoot you.”

“You don’t want to shoot me?”

“No.”

“But you would have done if she’d said so?”

“I don’t know. She is my mum.”

“You really need to cut the apron strings Jared. Ow,” she said as she pushed herself upright.

“Don’t try anything, I’ve still got the gun,” he said producing it.

“Try anything? I’m seeing double here. You’ve concussed me. There’s two big blond buggers standing over me.”

“You’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ve had much worse.”

“Actually I have.” Gently she probed her left cheek, which was swollen. “What’s going on here Jared? I don’t get it.”

“Just play along and you’ll be fine. If you keep shouting and throwing her expensive sherry onto her expensive carpets you’re going to end up dead. Is that what you want?”

“No,” she replied sulkily.

“Then do as she says. It’s not so hard is it, drinking sherry and wearing those clothes?”

She pulled a face. “I don’t know which is worse.”

“I think you look really pretty in pink.”

Jules saw her escape route sitting in front of her. “Thank you. Do you like it more than all the black?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, eyes sliding down her exposed legs. He sat on the bed beside her and took her hand. Jules was too bewildered to object. “I like you Jules, more then I’ve ever liked anyone.”

“Because I tried to blow you up?”

“That’s one reason. And we had fun earlier?”

“Yeah we did.”

Tenderly she slid her hand into his hair before viciously pulling. He screwed his eyes tight shut and hissed out air but made no attempt to free himself.

“This is what you like?” she said, smile malicious. Finally she was starting to enjoy herself in this house.

He squeezed her hand until she released his hair. “For starters,” he said before leaning into her.

Despite everything, Jules felt her insides tighten with excitement. Yes, he was weird but he was bloody handsome - just her type with all those bulging muscles and if she was going to die in this house of horrors then why shouldn’t she have a bit of fun first?

Her puzzlement only increased when he got to his feet and abruptly left the room. When he’d gone she ran to the door and tried to pull it open but it was locked.

“What the bloody hell is he playing at now?” she said to herself. She wandered over to the window and strained her eyes in an attempt to peer through the bars. It appeared that she was on the back of the house overlooking a lot of greenery. Not a road in sight. Marvellous.

Jules sighed and sank onto the bed, wondering what everyone in Manchester was doing, if Mikey and her brothers were okay. She hated being stuck here, she wanted to be with her family, helping them fight all the bastards who had done this to them. But they didn’t even know she was alive. Jules buried her face in her hands as despair crept over her. At least the headache she’d woken up with was wearing off.

To her surprise the door opened again and Jared entered carrying the hated stilettos that had fallen off her feet when he’d punched her. 

“Put these on,” he said, holding out the shoes.

“You know I can’t walk in them.”

“Then you need practice. Put them on.”

When she sighed and rolled her eyes he drew the gun.

“Jesus,” she exclaimed. “You don’t have to pull that thing on me every time I do something you don’t like.”

“You’re a stubborn woman who needs showing how to behave.”

“You sound like your mum.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Put them on.”

She snatched them from him and slipped on the heels.

“Now stand up.”

“You do know this isn’t going to end well?”

“Just do it,” he barked.

With another sigh she pushed herself up to standing then stood there, wobbling, wondering what he was getting out of this. He must have got something because his eyes did that weird bulging thing again.

“Walk up and down,” he said, gaze riveted to her feet.

“I can’t.”

His gaze was cold. “Try.”

She needed this man on her side so she didn’t ram the heel of the shoe into his bollocks like she wanted to and instead gripped onto the bed for dear life, feeling her ankles tremble as she walked. When she’d completed one lap of the bedroom without breaking anything she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Again,” said Jared.

“They hurt.”

“Deal with it.”

“I don’t know how your mum copes.”

His eyes filled with pride. “That’s because she’s an amazing woman. Again.”

She shuffled to turn around, dragging the heels across the carpet, making him frown. In the middle of the second lap she fell at a calculated moment, ensuring she landed right in his arms.

“Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it,” she said with her most enticing smile.

He tossed her onto the bed and she just managed to roll out of the way as he tried to dive on top of her.

“Get back here,” he said, pulling her to him.

“This time I go on top,” she said, straddling his lap with a grin.

“Fine by me, as long as you keep the heels on,” he said before thrusting his tongue into her mouth.

CHAPTER 32

“Jesus Christ,” gasped Franco Cipriani. When he realised who it was his anger dissipated. “Ryan?”

“Yes,” he said, emerging from the shadows.

“You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry. We need to talk. Can I come in?”

Franco looked past Ryan to Mark standing behind him. “What is this?”

“I hate to drag you into this mess but I need your help.”

Franco had known Ryan a long time, they’d done business together and Franco had even stepped aside when Ryan and Rachel had wanted to purchase a casino Franco had been interested in. He was still a striking-looking man, his hair black with silver streaks, an equal to Ryan in size and stature, although Ryan thought he looked to have lost a little weight.

“You ran a risk coming here,” said Franco.

“I know but you’re a smart man and I’m trusting that you’re going to use that intelligence now.”

“You know I was nothing to do with the attack on the compound.”

“I’m fully aware of that, we know who was really responsible.”

Franco glanced at Mark, running a hand over his dark designer stubble before nodding. “Alright, come on in. It’s safe, there’s just me here.”

Ryan liked Franco, he’d always come through for him when he’d needed him but that didn’t mean he trusted him and he was grateful for Mark’s back-up as they entered the rear of the restaurant Franco owned. It was closed for business, no staff were present and the smell of cleaning fluid mingled with garlic permeated the air.

“I bet you could use a drink?” said Franco, going behind the bar.

“No thanks, I want to keep a clear head,” replied Ryan.

“Mark?”

He just shook his head and took up sentry duty by the door.

“Well I could use one,” said Franco, pouring himself a shot of vodka and dropping in two ice cubes. “These are strange times Ryan,” he said as he joined him at a table in the corner of the room nearest the kitchen and furthest from the windows. All the blinds were drawn so no one could see in but it was instinct in both these men to go to the most private place possible. The restaurant had been handed down to Franco from his father and served the best Italian food in the city. It was Franco’s refuge, where he came when he wanted to escape the stresses and strains of business as well as family life. In these uncertain times Ryan had been sure he’d find him here.

“So what’s going on Ryan? I thought you’d retired to Devon,” opened Franco.

“I had, until someone tried to kill my brother.”

“So Jez is still alive?” Franco smiled. “Good. I always liked him.”

“You sure you’re so happy about that?” said Ryan, studying him carefully.

“I’m happy with what I’ve got. I never wanted the big seat of power, I wouldn’t have the energy for holding onto it.”

“I can certainly understand that,” sighed Ryan.

“It’s why you got out?”

He nodded. “I’m much happier living the quiet life in Devon, unfortunately I keep getting dragged into things up here.”

“Jez is going to have one hell of a fight on his hands, especially with Mikey gone.”

“Mikey’s still alive.”

Franco’s eyes widened. “Everyone’s saying Slattery’s men shot him and he got incinerated in the explosion.”

“They did shoot him. In the shoulder. And he got out before the explosion. He’ll live.”

“So Slattery’s been bullshitting. That’s going to come back and bite him on the arse big time.”

“It will. Soon everyone will realise he’s a liar. That’s not good for business. His takeover’s built on sand, which is why it won’t work.”

“I take it you’ve got a plan?”

“Yes but it’s not mine. Jez is fielding this one and doing a good job of it.”

“Yeah, I heard about the ghost,” chuckled Franco. “I thought Denny was just pissed.”

“He probably was but he did see Jez in the flesh.”

“How’s Mikey? Is he fielding this one too?”

“He’s in on it but he’s recovering from his injury,” he said, trying not to think about how weak he was.

“I heard they took Jules. I’m sorry. She’s mental but I like her.”

“They killed her,” said Ryan, jaw tight.

“Oh Christ Ryan, I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing to be said. Jules is gone and we just have to get on with things.”

Franco wasn’t fooled by Ryan’s coldness, he understood his ways.

“I’m sick of my family shrinking Franco,” continued Ryan. “It stops now.”

“What do you want from me? Backup?”

“That would be most welcome, if we end up requiring it, but my main aim in coming here is to find out which side of the fence you’re on.”

“Yours of course and you’ve got the back-up of my crew if it’s needed. No one wants Bobby Nilsen and the Starklaws running things under the yoke of a fucking southerner. But I’m going to be honest with you Ryan, I personally won’t be able to get involved in this one.”

“Oh yes, hedging your bets?” he said, cocking an eyebrow.

“I’ve got cancer Ryan.”

Ryan was rocked in his seat. “I’m so sorry.”

“Testicular. The bastards lopped off one of my bollocks. They think they got it all but I’m still recovering, so I hope you’ll understand why I can’t be a part of this.”

“Of course.”

“My men are at your disposal though and they’re all fighting fit, with their tackle intact,” he said bitterly.

“You’ll get through this Franco, you’re a tough bastard.”

“Yeah,” he said with a tight smile. “Anyway, any idea where Nilsen and the Starklaws are?”

“We won’t need to find them, they’ll come to us. Jared’s lies mean they think Mikey and Jez are finished, so they’ll reveal themselves soon enough. Once they’re gone we’ll make a journey down south and pay Slattery back for what he did to Jules.”

“Sounds like a plan. I understand you lost quite a few of your men at the compound?”

“But we still have good men working for us.”

“So I see,” said Franco, glancing at Mark. “I tried to get you to work for me for years. How did Mikey Maguire achieve it?”

“Good timing,” was all Mark replied. His mother had been diagnosed with dementia and he’d been forced to place her in a pricey care home. Contract killing work could be sporadic at best so the hefty regular wage Mikey offered him had clinched the deal.

“Those Maguires are bloody jammy,” said Franco. He turned his attention back to Ryan. “If I do this I want it known that it’s an alliance to get rid of unwanted pretenders to the throne. My crew and my businesses are not to be absorbed into yours.”

“The thought never even crossed our minds. As you said this is just an alliance, nothing more.”

Franco held his hand out to Ryan. “In that case, we have a deal.”

Ryan nodded and accepted his hand, glad he was so good at hiding his emotions. If Franco had turned against them they could well have been fucked.

Jules lay naked in Jared’s arms, perfectly content. She thought it a shame he was her enemy and a bit of a loon because she was starting to really like him. They went well together and they bodies fit even better. She ached for a cigarette but daren’t ask for one. After he’d thrown water all over her when she’d asked for a drink she was worried that asking for a smoke would result in him setting her on fire. Besides, they’d only think smoking was unladylike.

“How’s your back?” she said.

“Sore,” he smiled into her hair. “You’re getting the hang of those high heels.”

“It’s about time,” she yawned, stretching.

Jared ran a hand down the body of the snake.

“You like Venom?” she said.

“I fucking love her, which is weird because normally I hate tattoos on women.” He stroked the tattoo on her left shoulder, the name
Cara
framed with roses. “Who’s Cara? An old girlfriend?”

“She was my adopted little sister. She died when she was nine.”

“How?”

“Leukaemia,” she said, blinking away the tears. Even now, so many years later, the memory of that little blond angel was a knife in her heart.

“You loved her?”

She nodded into his chest. “A lot. We weren’t related by blood but she was still my sister.”

“I had a sister once. Kelly. She died too,” he said.

“How old was she?”

“Seventeen. Drug overdose. She got in with a bad crowd. Dad killed the boyfriend who got her hooked on heroin. I was only thirteen at the time. I remember all the shouting and screaming and Mum collapsing on the floor. It was horrible.”

“That must have been awful for you at such a young age.”

He nodded. “Mum blamed Dad. She warned him that Chris - he was Kelly’s boyfriend by the way - was a wrong ‘un but he did nothing, said she’d grow out of it. But she didn’t and now it’s too late. Mum lost the plot, she adored Kelly, she looked just like her. I’m the only child she has left.”

“I guess that explains why she let you kill your dad.”

He looked down at her, eyes narrowing. “How do you know I topped him?”

“Everyone knows. A lot of people were surprised you didn’t do it sooner, your dad wasn’t well liked and I can’t imagine you doing something like that without Tanya’s approval.”

“You’re right. Ever since Kelly died I just want her to be happy, she was miserable for so many years with Dad.”

“She’s one of the hardest women I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you,” said Jared, taking it as a compliment. He snuggled down with her, perfectly happy.

“Jared?” she said, running her hands across his toned stomach.

“Hmmm?”

“What’s going to happen with us?”

“You mean me and you?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re going to stay here, like this.” He suddenly sat upright, nearly knocking her off the bed. “Why, do you want to leave?”

“No,” she said, hastening to assure him. “I like it here with you. I’m just worried about your mum.”

“I won’t let her hurt you. She’ll come round then we can be one big happy family.”

Jules thought his dream was quite a sweet one, but it could never happen. She and Tanya would end up killing each other. The matriarch didn’t live in a dreamland like her son, she saw only stone cold reality and that reality was she had a Trojan horse in her immaculate house.

He glanced at his watch and sighed. “Sorry Babe, got to go.”

“Do you have to?” she purred, “I thought we’d just got warmed up.”

“I’ve got some business to take care of.”

He kissed her then jumped out of bed and started pulling on his clothes.

“Jared, there’s something I need to ask you and I hope you understand why, after what you said about Kelly.”

“What’s that?” he said, fastening up his jeans.

“My brothers…are they…”

“They’re both alive. Mikey too.”

She forced herself not to look relieved. Instead she just said, “thank you.”

“But they won’t be for much longer. Ryan I don’t really have a problem with, I’m happy for him to go back to Devon and live the quiet life.”

“Back to Devon? You mean he’s in Manchester?”

“Yeah and probably out for revenge because he thinks you’re dead. If he becomes a problem I will take care of him.”

“Please leave Ryan alone,” she said. “He’s not in the life now.”

“Sorry, I might not have a choice.” He pulled on the t-shirt and frowned at her suspiciously. “This better not change anything between us.”

Jules wanted to beat the shit out of the bastard but she was close to winning his trust. Spoiling that now would be stupid.
Control your big gob Jules.
“No, course not. I’m just thinking about my niece and nephews.”

He smiled and kissed her quite roughly. “Course you are, I like it that you care about them so much. But I’m sorry, your brothers and cousin will end up dead.”

“But…”

He bent over her, planting his hands on the bed either side of her. “Don’t piss me off Jules. We’re getting on well. Don’t fucking spoil it.”

They stared at each other hard, Jules feeling her temper rise before she forced it away and smiled. “You’re right. Sorry.”

“That’s better. I’ll be back later and we can pick up where we left off.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, giving him her most lascivious look. “Venom will be eagerly awaiting you.”

“Oh baby, you’re so sexy,” he said, planting one last kiss on her lips before leaving.

When he’d gone her smile dropped. “My brothers are so going to kill you,” she hissed at the door.

It was an effort for Irina to look Jared in the eye when he exited Jules’s room, she was terrified he’d see the emotion in her eyes and send her away and that she couldn’t bear.

“Keep a close eye on Jules,” he told her. “I can’t lose her. Do you understand?”