Shattered (Dividing Line #5) (17 page)

“Ryan, long time no see. Good to have you back,” said a deep voice muffled by the mask. Dane extended an enormous hand.

Ryan got to his feet and shook the hand heartily. “And you Dane.”

“Have you all got drinks?”

“Yes thank you.”

“Good.” Dane unclipped the leashes from the women’s necks and smacked their exposed behinds. “Off you go my bitches. Have fun.”

The women, both blond and very beautiful, sat up on their haunches like puppies and looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Aw,” they both said.

“I have some business to attend to. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Jez and Mikey were even more amazed when the women went crawling off on all fours and disappeared into the crowd. They were both relieved when Dane sat down and pulled off the mask. Beneath the black leather was a strong chiselled face with a dimpled chin and chocolate-coloured eyes. His thick dark hair was the exact same colour as his eyes and was ruffled after being stuck in the mask. A waitress in black leather corset, stockings and suspenders hovered by his side, adoration in her eyes.

“Ah Salome, I will have my usual,” said Dane. “Gentlemen, would you like another drink?” They all refused the offer. Dane shooed away the waitress then looked to Ryan with amusement dancing in his eyes and nodded at Jez and Mikey. “Newbies?”

“Stick out like sore thumbs, don’t they?” Ryan smiled back. “Dane Black, this is Mikey Maguire and my younger brother, Jez. He runs things since I retired.”

“That’s right, you’re living the good life in Devon.” Dane’s smile fell. “I heard about what happened to your wife. How is she?”

“On the mend. Rachel’s tough.”

“So I’ve heard. I must admit your wedding surprised me. I never thought I’d see the day a Law married a Maguire. Sorry I couldn’t make it to the ceremony by the way, I had some in-house trouble.”

“No need to apologise, believe me I understand.”

They paused as Salome deposited a whisky before Dane and flashed him a smile.

“Thank you Salome, you may go,” said Dane.

The girl appeared disappointed and slunk off dejectedly.

“I take it you’re here because of recent events?” continued Dane.

“Yes.” Ryan leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “Despite what the police think, the man responsible for what happened to Rachel is still alive.”

Dane leaned forwards too, intrigued. “Who?”

“Alex Maguire.”

He released a low whistle. “Why would he do that?”

“Because he’s lost his mind. It’s been a long time coming, he’s been getting worse and worse. For some reason he’s got it into his head that me and Rachel are trying to steal his throne.”

“Are you?”

“No, we’re happy in our new life in Devon, or we were until he ruined it.” He then launched into a full and frank explanation as to what had exactly happened, leaving nothing out. Dane was sharp and would know if he was holding something back, which wouldn’t be conducive to gaining his trust.

When he’d finished Dane sat back, brain busy assessing everything he’d just learnt, working out the best angle. “So you’re fighting for control of the Maguire empire?”

“I’m not, they are,” said Ryan, jabbing a thumb at Mikey and Jez. “All I want is to protect my family because as long as Alex Maguire lives they will be in danger. We’re winning too, we already have the compound and Frankie McVay’s on our side.”

“So, what do you want from me? I take it you want my help, that’s why you’re here?”

“Alex has got Lucifer’s Shadow onside.”

Dane went completely still, so still in fact that Mikey and Jez started to become concerned for his health, but Ryan knew better. When Rachel was angry her eyes turned black, when Frankie was angry his eyes rolled back in his head. When Dane Black was pushed to the edge he turned into a statue as the rage contracted every muscle in his body.

Dane’s dark eyes gleamed. “You want my crew to back up yours?” Only his mouth moved, the rest of his body remaining stock-still and the effect was disconcerting.

“Yes,” Ryan replied steadily.

“I’m in. I’ve been after another shot at Jasper fucking White for a long time.”

“Thank you Dane,” Ryan replied sincerely. “You should know, Riley Cutter is helping us with this.”

Dane took in a deep shuddering breath and his body unwound and relaxed. He settled back in his chair as though nothing had happened. “I heard he’s your brother.”

“So it turns out,” replied Ryan. “He was staying with me in Devon when Alex attacked us and the fire started. He saved my family’s lives more than once.”

“He’ll be after Jasper.”

“He is. In fact he wants to take down the whole club and I’ve no doubt he’s more than capable.”

Dane was troubled. “I wish I’d left the split from Jasper just a few months later, I could have stopped all that happening to Zoe. I knew her, not well, but I’d seen her around the neighbourhood. I can’t believe what they did to her and she was heavily pregnant too. Jasper never used to be like that, he used to have honour but the power went to his head.”

“Sounds just like Alex.”

Dane considered the situation, weighing up the pros and cons before nodding. “Alright, I’ll back you up.”

“Thank you Dane. I don’t want to sound like a cheeky bastard but I could use your help ASAP.”

“What do you need?”

“I need to get Rachel out of that hospital and into a safe place without Alex or any of his men seeing. He’s already tried to get to her once in there. He also has Jasper’s dogs guarding him.”

“You already have a plan, don’t you?” smiled Dane. He was pleased to help, he wanted his biggest rivals gone and he held Ryan Law in high esteem.

“Oh yes and I think you’ll enjoy it.”

CHAPTER 17

“So, Kenneth and Oliver?” Rachel said to Battler and Bruiser, her lips twitching.

“Yeah,” replied Battler, embarrassed.

“Longbottom,” she added.

They both nodded, avoiding her eyes.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thanks,” said Battler. “We had enough jokes from the bastard coppers.”

“I’m curious, where did you get your pseudonyms from?”

Battler looked to Bruiser and they nodded, not needing words to understands each other’s thoughts. “We had only one holiday when we were kids,” said Battler. “We were shunted between foster homes and children’s homes but one family we got put with for a few weeks were alright. They took us on holiday to Largs on the west coast of Scotland. One day we visited the dock at Greenock and there were two tugboats there called Battler and Bruiser, which we thought were brilliant names. We never forgot those boats or that holiday. So when Frank took us on we decided we needed tougher names than Kenneth and Oliver and we remembered those boats, that one happy time in our childhood.”

Rachel had never known the brothers talk about their lives pre Frank Maguire before and she was touched that they’d opened up to her. “You should be proud of those names.”

“We are,” said Battler, expression uncharacteristically gentle.

The conversation was ended by Ryan entering the room and for the first time since they met Rachel found herself wishing he’d stayed away just a few minutes longer, she was curious to learn more about the brothers’ lives.

Ryan thought Rachel looked much stronger and more alert. She also seemed a lot happier now her beloved bodyguards were back, which made him benevolent towards them.

“It’s good to have you back,” Ryan told them.

“We keep letting you both down,” said Battler. Bruiser hung his head and nodded in agreement.

“No you don’t, I wish you’d stop thinking like that,” said Rachel. “The first time was my fault and the second was the police’s. You’re the best at what you do and don’t forget it.”

They both gave her soppy smiles, rarely seen on this pair. “Thanks,” said Battler.

Rachel smiled back at him then turned her attention to Ryan. “How did you get on with Dane?”

“Very well. He’s going to help us.”

“That’s a relief.”

“We knew Dane Black when he was a lairy teenager finding his feet,” said Battler. “He’s intelligent, resourceful and a good ally.”

“And his men should be making an appearance…” Ryan glanced at his watch, “…in about ten minutes. Rachel told you what to do?”

Battler and Bruiser both nodded.

“Good. You’d better get moving, the ambulance is waiting outside.”

“See you soon,” said Battler, standing and patting Rachel’s hand.

Ryan watched them leave with a raised eyebrow. “You’re really bringing out Battler’s soft side.”

“He’s turning into my second dad.”

“Ready to move?”

“I can’t wait. My bag’s all packed,” she said, gesturing to a backpack on the floor by her bed.

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” he said with concern.

“Absolutely. Staying here will not be good for my health. Where are Mikey and Jez?”

“Jez’s tech guy came through and managed to get some more footage off those discs. He found some of Christopher Greenacre, our friendly local MP. You really don’t want to know what he likes doing to women. I’ve sent them to visit him.”

“You let them do that alone?”

“Don’t you think they’re up to it?”

“I do but do you?”

“I think they can handle it. They’re both natural leaders but when I’m around they seem happy to defer to me and I’m not having that. I don’t want them regressing while I’m here because as soon as this is over we’re going back to Devon and that pair will be left to pick up the pieces.”

“You sound like a teacher.”

“I suppose I am, to Jez anyway. Mikey learnt from you and he learnt well. I’m bloody amazed he managed to take over the compound. All those men who were once so loyal to Alex are now his. He’ll do well leading the family, what’s left of it.”

“I’m frightened for him. Look what happened to Frank then Danny and now Alex.”

“I understand your fears but he’s the only viable option because we are not moving back here.”

“No way, I would never dream of getting back into the business, I hate it more than ever now.”

Ryan thought of Frankie McVay. Rachel still didn’t know what he wanted of them and he fully intended to convince him he was wrong before she had to find out.

“I don’t want Mikey to share their fates,” she said sadly.

“I’m sure he won’t.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s time. Sit back and enjoy the show.”

Ryan raised the blinds to reveal the four Lucifer’s Shadow members, who were still on sentry duty. Derision filled all four pairs of eyes when they saw Ryan and Rachel watching them and they started flipping them indecent gestures.

They watched this childish display indifferently.

“How many brain cells do you think there are between them?” said Rachel in a bored tone.

“I doubt if it runs into double figures,” replied Ryan. “Looks like the party’s about to get started. Get ready to move Babe.” His eyes swept to the five angry members of Angel’s Wrath MC striding down the corridor towards them then to the wheelchair he’d bribed a nurse to leave next to the door of Rachel’s room.

The burly Angel’s Wrath men stopped when they saw their rivals and the two groups sized each other up. Lucifer’s Shadow stood their ground while Angel’s Wrath rushed them.

“Time to go,” Ryan told Rachel, opening the door and reaching for the wheelchair. The nine men tussled, shoving each other in the chest and issuing threats, but a decisive attack had yet to be launched. Ryan dragged the wheelchair into the room backwards and shut the door. He lowered the blinds then rushed to Rachel’s side. He slid his hands beneath her and she put her arms around his neck.

“This might hurt I’m afraid,” he said.

She gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay.”

He kissed her then scooped her up and gently placed her in the wheelchair. Rachel grimaced as pain shot through her body but she refused to make a sound. He tucked a blanket around her knees and another around her shoulders. Although it was quite warm outside he knew she’d feel the cold. He slung the backpack containing her things over his shoulder then pushed her to the door. The nine men were still shoving each other and trading insults, security guards tearing up the corridor from both directions. The blinds in Alex’s room were closed in a futile attempt to distance him from the mayhem.

In the chaos Ryan pushed Rachel out of the room - careful to close the door behind him - and hurried down the corridor, leaving the yelling behind. Rather than use the lifts next to the ward where they would be easily seen he continued on through two sets of double doors to a quieter part of the hospital. He jabbed at the buttons, tapping his foot while they waited for the lift to ascend, fearing someone would see them making their escape. If word got back to Alex before they could make a clean getaway then they could never be completely sure that Rachel’s safe place was actually safe.

Finally the lift pinged and the doors slid open. The journey to the ground floor was even more fraught, the lift seeming to stop on every level, Ryan carefully searching the face of every person who entered to assess what threat they posed.

When they reached the ground floor he rolled the wheelchair out and checked left and right before steering left, through one of the less used parts of the hospital, the same way he’d taken Katia. He picked up the pace as the exit appeared before him, the daylight filtering in through the glass most welcoming. He looked furtively over his shoulder, afraid someone would impede their exit before he could get Rachel to safety.

“Slow down,” said Rachel. “Are we in the Grand Prix?”

“Sorry Babe but I’m not stopping until we’re outside.”

They rushed through the automatic doors and out into the sunlight.

“Where’s the fucking ambulance?” he said, gaping at the empty bay where it had been parked. “And Battler and Bruiser. Shit,” he exclaimed.

“Relax, they’ll be here,” said Rachel, quietly confident.

Just as he took out his mobile phone the ambulance appeared, Battler and Bruiser in the front, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“See, I told you they wouldn’t let us down,” said Rachel as it rolled to a halt before them.

“Sorry to scare you,” said Battler, hopping out of the cab, “but there was some shifty parking inspector having a shufty.”

“You’re here now,” said Rachel as the wheelchair was put on the loading ramp and lifted into the ambulance. Ryan got in the back with her while Battler and Bruiser got in the front.

In the rear of the vehicle Ryan helped Rachel lie back on the stretcher then loosely strapped her down to keep her safe in case of any sudden stops. He banged on the partition dividing them from the front and the engine started up. They watched through the glass in the rear doors as the hospital gates were left behind.

“I feel better already,” said Rachel, settling back for the journey. “So can you tell me where we’re going now?”

“A private hospital a couple of hour’s drive from here. Can you manage that?”

“Yeah, I’ll think I’ll sleep most of the way. Our escape tired me out.”

He smiled when her eyes twinkled with the excitement of it all.

“The Angel’s Wrath members won’t get into trouble will they?” she said.

“Dane’s got a very good lawyer who’ll smooth it all over. They’ll be fine. They’ve come through much worse.”

“It feels so good to be out of that place,” she smiled, reaching for his hand.

“The next thing you know you’ll be fighting fit and this will be over.”

“I hope so. I want to go home,” she whispered as she drifted off.

Ryan sighed and pressed a hand to his eyes, praying he could change Frankie’s mind.

Christopher Greenacre, wealthy and well-respected pillar of the community, was in floods of tears.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone but I can’t help it,” he wailed. “It’s like a compulsion that takes over and I have no control over it. I’ve had to pay off two ex-wives to stop them going to the police and the newspapers.”

He’d been going on like this for about five minutes and Mikey and Jez were sick of it.

“Just shut the fuck up for a minute will you?” snapped Jez. “I’ve had enough of your self-pity.”

The man went abruptly silent at the aggression in his voice.

“Now, we promise to hand this footage over to you.”

“Thank you,” he screeched with joy.

“I haven’t fucking finished,” he snarled.

“Sorry,” whimpered the man.

“We will hand it over if you tell Alex Maguire to sod off if he calls you asking for a favour.”

“Alex is going to ask me for a favour?” he said, eyes wide with shock.

“It’s possible,” replied Jez.

Mikey and Jez grimaced when the man vomited all over his expensive Barbour carpet.

When Christopher cradled his head in his hands and started to cry Jez slapped him across the face a couple of times.

“Pull yourself together and listen.”

Christopher looked back at him with terrified eyes, his cheeks bright red.

“He might, it’s not definite. If he does you tell him no then call us immediately and let us know what he wanted you to do.”

“You want me to tell Alex Maguire no?”

“Yes, we do.”

Christopher threw back his head and released a loud maniacal laugh. “Me, tell Alex Maguire no, that’s a good one.”

Growing impatient, Mikey took out a gun and aimed it at his face, causing the man to literally wet his pants.

“Oh dear, this carpet is going to need a good clean when we’re gone. Let’s hope we don’t add blood to the list of bodily fluids,” said Mikey coldly.

“Don’t kill me.”

“I don’t want to kill you but you’re pissing me off. Now act like a man and pull yourself together.” Mikey’s expression turned nasty. “Only you’re not a man, are you? You’re a fucking dickless loser so inadequate he has to treat women like shit to make himself feel good. I ought to shoot your cock off,” he said, aiming the weapon at the man’s crotch.

“No, please,” he cried, falling to his knees and clasping his hands together in prayer. “I’ll change my ways, I swear.”

“You’d better because we’ll be keeping an eye on you and if we find out you’ve raised your hand to a woman again we’ll come back, cut off your testicles and shove them down your throat.”

“I’ll see a psychiatrist, get proper help,” he assured them. “I was molested as a child and because of that I have all this anger…”

“Shut it, we’re not here to listen to all that shit,” said Jez. “Now, do you remember what you have to do?”

Christopher nodded.

“Say it back,” snapped Jez.