Reckoning (33 page)

“Yes Jared.”

He wandered away without so much as a backwards glance and Irina’s heart tore in two. It had been difficult enough listening to the sound of the pair of them frantically fucking but he’d actually stayed with Jules and talked to her, for hours. He’d never done that with her. Once he’d had his fun he’d left her all alone. What did Jules have that she didn’t? Her hair was a mess, she was violent and she had a horrible mouth. She had thought he would have tired of her by now but his obsession with Jules only seemed to be getting stronger. Even now as he was walking to the stairs he kept looking back over his shoulder at the door to her room. Not for the first time Irina considered going in there and killing her, but that would only push her even further from Jared, in fact he’d probably kill her. So she was going to have to put up with it. Hopefully Jules would do something to annoy him and he would kill her himself, then Irina would be at the centre of his affections again.

At the sound of footsteps she thought it was Jared returning, but instead she saw Tanya approaching.

“Take a break Irina,” she told her. “I want a word with our guest.”

“Yes Ma’am,” she said before walking away, smiling inwardly. Tanya’s eyes held murder, she was sure of it. Hopefully she would do the job for her.

Jules wasn’t really surprised to see Tanya. “What do you want?” she said.

“It seems my son’s become quite attached to you,” Tanya replied, closing the door.

“Yeah and in one particular area,” she grinned.

“How crude. You really are an appalling woman. What does he see in you?”

“Well, he’s seen pretty much everything.”

“You’re only talking in this dirty way to annoy me. I won’t rise to your cheap bait. If I had my way you’d be back downstairs being tortured then shot in the head for real. Unfortunately Jared has his heart set on keeping you.”

“What, like a pet?”

“I assume so seeing as how you’re a dog, although admittedly you do have certain skills. Thank you for Damien by the way, he was a real pain in the neck.”

“You’re welcome. Anyone else you’d like disposing of?”

Tanya’s look turned thoughtful. “Perhaps you could be useful after all? Do you still refuse to tell us about your family’s business operations?”

“What do you think?”

“You’re pretty cocky now Jared’s taken a shine to you but let me tell you, his shines don’t usually last long. He had a thing for that prossie bitch he’s got guarding your door and now he hardly notices she‘s alive. When he gets bored of you he won’t think twice about getting rid of you.”

“Then it’s fortunate that I’m really good at keeping men interested.”

“Why? Are you a prostitute like that thing on the door?”

“No, just skilled in many different ways.”

Tanya’s mask of make-up set into a grimace. “I don’t want you around my son. Things are delicate right now and he can’t afford to be distracted,” she said, drawing a large knife from the back of her skirt. “You have to go.”

“You really think you can take me on?” laughed Jules.

“I know I can little girl, I was using these before you were born.”

“Only one?” she said scornfully.

Tanya produced a second knife. “No.”

Jules was starting to feel nervous, just from Tanya’s stance she could tell she was adept at wielding a knife. All she could do was hope she was more skilled in defence than Tanya was in attack. Jules just had time to snatch up a magazine Jared had brought her to read that she had absolutely no interest in - it was one of Tanya’s glossies about celebrities - which fortunately was thick, hopefully thick enough to ward off a knife blade.

Tanya lunged at her with frightening speed, Jules only just managing to keep her at bay by blocking her with the magazine. She managed to get a foot to Tanya’s stomach and kicked her away but Tanya didn’t go down, in fact she seemed to be enjoying herself. She came right back at Jules, who went low, trying to knock her off balance, but Tanya anticipated the move and lashed out at her with her stiletto heel, Jules only narrowly avoiding a punctured eyeball by rolling out of the way and springing to her feet.

“You weren’t always such a lady,” commented Jules as Tanya launched another attack, side-stepping one of the blades as she lunged at her with it. The knife missed Jules but went into the wall and when Tanya tried to retrieve it Jules punched her in the ribs and kicked her backwards then dragged the knife out of the wall.

“That’s evened things up a bit,” grinned Jules maliciously. “Let’s see how tough you are now.”

Before they could continue the fight the door erupted open and Jared stormed in.

“Mum, what the fuck are you doing?” he thundered.

Calmly she pocketed the knife. “Just seeing what she’s made of. You’re right, she is skilled.”

“She tried to kill me,” exclaimed Jules.

“When I set out to kill someone I don’t try, I succeed,” retorted Tanya.

“Bollocks, you couldn’t get near enough.” Jules looked to Jared. “She’s lying, she really was trying to kill me.”

“Do not call me a liar,” said Tanya, drawing herself up to her full height, which was two inches above Jules.

Jules went to Jared’s side, planting a hand on his chest. “She frightened me,” she told him, looking up at him with big, vulnerable eyes.

“Oh please,” muttered Tanya. “He might fall for that crap but I don’t you sly bitch.”

“You had no right to attack her Mum,” said Jared. “Jules is here as my guest.”

Tanya ran a hand through her hair to smooth it out. “Like I said, it was just a test. Calm down.”

“Well the test is over so now you can leave,” he barked at her, putting an arm around Jules.

Seething, Tanya marched from the room, making sure to snatch away the knife Jules still clutched before leaving. She paused to look back and almost erupted with fury at the sight of her son cooing over that rough slag. She almost considered attacking her again when Jules smiled deviously at her over Jared’s shoulder. That bitch was so dead.

CHAPTER 33

“Go and see who that is,” ordered Dane when there was a loud banging on the door of his club. “And be careful,” he called after Wolf, who made his way to the door fearlessly. Dane sighed and knocked back another shot of tequila, wrestling with his pain. He and Jules had got tanked together once on tequila then had sex at least twice - he could honestly say they’d never made love, even though he’d really cared about her - he was sure they’d done it more than twice that night but that was all he could remember clearly. Tequila didn’t really agree with him but it reminded him of her.

“Boss,” called Wolf.

“What?” he barked. He didn’t want to keep being bothered, he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. They were all he had left of her.

“Jackson Driscoll’s at the door. He says he has to see you.”

“Let him in,” he replied before knocking back another shot with a grimace. God tequila was manky.

In the mirror over the bar he saw Jackson steamrollering his way towards him, hands fisted and jaw set. “Where is she?”

“Where’s who?” sighed Dane, wishing he’d go away.

“You know who. Jules. She’s disappeared ever since the compound blew up. I don’t want to get involved in the gang warfare crap, I don’t care about that. I just need to know if she’s okay.”

“She’s dead.”

Jackson went absolutely still. “What?”

“I said she’s dead,” muttered Dane, refilling his glass.

Jackson gripped his shoulder and spun him round on his stool to face him. “You’re lying.”

Dane shrugged his hand off and shot to his feet. “Don’t fucking grab me.”

“She can’t be dead.”

“Well she is,” he yelled. “I had to watch her being shot in the back of the head by Jared fucking Slattery.”

Jackson took a step back from him, as though he was poisonous. “Jules is not dead.”

“She is. Accept it like I’m trying to.”

Jackson sank onto a stool “How did you see it?”

Assured Jackson wasn’t about to attack, Dane retook his seat beside him. “Slattery sent Mikey a video of him killing her.” The memory of that crumpled body returned and he knocked back another shot, desperately trying to replace it with the one of her lying under him, smiling up at him, alive and warm.

“I want to see it,” said Jackson.

“No you don’t, believe me.”

“Yes I do and stop downing that, it’s not going to help,” he said, knocking the glass from Dane’s hand, splashing tequila across the bar top

Dane shot to his feet again and towered over him. In response Jackson leapt up and the two men glared at each other, Dane’s men standing close by, not sure what to do. Jackson was very highly respected in the city as a great MMA fighter. Plus they’d seen what he could do and were reluctant to tackle him.

“Do not come into
my
club and disrespect me like that,” thundered Dane. “The only reason I’m not throwing you out head first is because I know you cared about her too.”

“Cared about her,” he scoffed. “I loved her, which is more than you ever did. You just used her for sex.”

“I think the using was a two way street. Me and Jules never had any illusions about our relationship.”

“Yeah because it was just fucking but with me it was more.”

“What makes you think you’re any different?” sneered Dane.

Jackson stood nose to nose with Dane. “Because she told me.”

“Told you what?” he snapped.

“That she loved me.”

It was like a slap to the face for Dane. “What?” he said, the anger draining out of him.

“It was that day at her shop, when I went for my tattoo and you were there. She told me that’s why we could never be together, because she was afraid she’d mess up my life.” Jackson’s shoulders slumped and he hung his head. “I told her that was bollocks but she wouldn’t listen.”

Dane sighed and sank back onto his stool and Jackson sat beside him. They remained in silence for a couple of minutes before Jackson said, “I want to see it.”

“See what?”

“The footage of her…you know.”

Dane shook his head. “No, you really don’t.”

“They’ll never give her body back. She’ll be stuck in a shallow grave somewhere, all alone.” Jackson swallowed hard as tears filled his eyes. “I have to see it or I won’t believe she’s really gone.”

“If you see it you can never get rid of it. It’ll always be stuck in here, replaying over and over,” he said, tapping the side of his head. “Take my advice and don’t watch it.”

“I have to. Please Dane, I’m fucking begging you here.”

“Fine, if that’s what you want, just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He took out his phone to call Mikey.

“What?” said a slow, depressed voice.

“Jackson Driscoll wants to see the footage of Jules,” replied Dane.

He grimaced when Mikey barked something inaudible down the phone at him then hung up.

“Well?” said Jackson.

“I’m not sure,” replied Dane, staring at his phone. “Oh, looks like he sent it,” he said when his phone bleeped. He looked from the phone to Dane. “Last chance.”

“I want to see it.”

“If that’s what you want,” he replied, handing it over. “But you’ll regret it.”

Dane retrieved his glass, which lay on its side on the bar and filled it to the brim with tequila, wincing at the sound of the gunshots. When it was over he turned to look at Jackson but instead of the expected horror, he looked puzzled.

“That’s not Jules.”

“Stop deluding yourself,” muttered Dane.

“I’m serious. Look at her back where her vest rides up. Where’s the snake?”

Dane snatched the phone from his hand, trying to ignore all the blood and gore. “Jesus, you’re right.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice?”

“To be honest, I looked away after the first shot was fired. I didn’t want that to be my last memory of her.”

“She’s still alive,” said Jackson exultantly. “Where are you going?” he called when Dane raced for the door.

“To tell Mikey and Jez.”

“I’m coming with you,” he said, rushing after him.

Dane abruptly stopped, forcing Jackson to skid to a halt. “You are not. They’re in hiding.”

“So they are still alive then. Everyone’s saying they’re dead.”

“Yes they’re alive but you’ll keep that nugget to yourself.”

“I want to help get her back.”

“There’s nothing you can do.”

“Dane, you owe me this.”

“Why do I owe you?”

“Because…oh I don’t know but you’re not going to stop me.”

“Okay, I’m not going to waste time arguing but you wear a blindfold all the way there. It is supposed to be a secret hideout.”

“Fine, I don’t care. Let’s just get there quickly.”

Dane banged on the door of the bungalow, Jackson standing beside him blindfolded. Dane had refused to allow it to be removed until they were inside. Eventually the door was opened by Declan.

“We need to talk to Mikey and Jez. Now.”

“Jez isn’t here but Mikey is.”

“That’ll do,” said Dane, stepping inside.

“What’s he doing here?” said Declan, pointing at Jackson.

“He’s got valuable information about Jules.”

“Jules?” called a voice from further inside the house.

Dane was shocked by Mikey’s appearance. It wasn’t so much how pale and unshaven he was, more the look in his eyes. Mikey looked haunted.

“The woman being shot in the video Jared sent you,” began Dane excitedly. “It’s not her.”

Mikey’s demeanour changed in an instant. The haunted look fell away from his eyes, which suddenly burned with hope. “How can you tell?”

Dane produced the phone from his pocket and brought up the footage. “There,” he said, pointing to the back of the body. “Where’s her snake tattoo?”

Mikey didn’t dare get his hopes up, this was just too good to be true. “Maybe it’s hidden in shadow?”

“I’ve seen her bare back enough times to know that the tattoo should be there,” said Jackson. “Can I take this bloody thing off now?” he said, tugging at the blindfold.

Mikey wrenched it free. “You’re sure?”

“Positive. That woman is not Jules.”

Mikey turned on Dane. “How come you didn’t spot this? You’ve slept with her too.”

“Because I didn’t look, alright? I looked away when the first shot was fired. I couldn’t stand to see it,” he said, feeling silly. If he’d just looked he could have saved himself a whole lot of heartache.

But Mikey had stopped listening. “She’s still alive,” he said, his words making it seem more real. He broke into his first smile since the attack on the compound. “Holy fuck, she’s still alive.”

“We’ve got to get her back,” said Jackson.

“What are we waiting for?” said Dane.

“I’ve got a contact in Essex who can help us,” said Mikey. “Just give me a minute to call him, he can be trying to find where she’s being held while we head down there. Wait here,” he told them.

Mikey walked straight into the kitchen and shut the door. Gingerly he pulled off the sling supporting his injured shoulder and tossed it onto the table then carefully slid on his suit jacket, wincing at the burn in his shoulder. He checked his wallet was in the pocket, picked up his car keys and left by the back door, quietly closing it behind him.

He jumped into his BMW, started the engine and was off down the drive, hitting the main road just as Dane and the others charged outside, watching him go in consternation.

Mikey rigged up the hands-free kit as he drove, tapping the steering wheel impatiently as the sound of ringing filled the car.

“Isaac, it’s Mikey. I’m on my way down to Essex. Jules is still alive.”

When the door to her room opened again Jules really wasn’t sure what to expect and the strain was getting to her. It could be Jared wanting sex or to kill her after finally giving in to his mother’s demands. It could be Tanya come back for a second try. In fact she wouldn’t be surprised if it was the fucking Easter Bunny with a machine gun. This house was completely insane and it was doing her head in. If she didn’t get out soon she would lose her mind but escape seemed impossible, the Homestead was airtight and she couldn’t see a way out, not without help.

“So they sent you to do the dirty deed, did they?” said Jules flatly when Irina walked in.

“I am not here to kill you. Do you see a weapon?”

“No but that doesn’t mean you’re not carrying one.”

“I’m here to set you free.”

Instantly Jules was suspicious. “Why?”

“Because I want you gone.”

“You’re in love with Jared, aren’t you?” When Irina’s jaw tensed and she looked at the floor Jules added, “I saw the way you looked at him. He’s going to kill you for letting me go. He’s not worth that, no man is.” The death of that innocent woman was preying on her mind and she didn’t want another woman to die because of her.

Irina’s head snapped up. “Everything will be okay if you’re gone, he’ll look at me again.”

“Jesus, that’s crazy.”

“I don’t care what you think. Just go.”

“Don’t you get it, he is going to kill you.”

“Not if he thinks you overpowered me, I hear you are very strong, you can do it. Hit me.”

“That won’t fool him.”

“Yes it will, he will believe me.”

“Fine, if that’s what you really want but I don’t think it’ll work.” Jules didn’t have time to convince this madwoman that her barmy plan would only lead her to a shallow grave and not Jared’s love, she had to get back to Manchester and warn her brothers and Mikey. She drew back her fist and punched Irina in the face, knocking her to the floor.

“That was a good punch, thank you,” said Irina, dabbing at her bleeding lower lip. “Turn left out of the door, there’s a second staircase that goes down to the laundry room. No one is there. You can go through there into the garage.”

“Thank you,” said Jules before punching her twice more and delivering a kick to her back. “Sorry but he wouldn’t have believed I got away after punching you once. At least this way you might stay alive.” With that she took the phone sticking out of Irina’s jean’s pocket, leapt over her saviour and pelted down the corridor, wishing she had a weapon. Part of her was sceptical about all this, it seemed too easy but it was her chance and she was going to take it.

Just as Irina had said, no one was in the laundry room and the door leading off it led directly into the garage.

“Oh hello,” she said, smiling at the gleaming dark blue sports bike.