by K A Sands
“Yes! I missed you.” He threw the blanket from his small body then dove into me, almost knocking me to the floor. “Can I stay this time?”
“Remember the lady with the green shoes?” Another enthusiastic nod accompanied the tightening of his arms around my neck. “She’s got you your very own room.”
His eyes grew wide and his fingers pinched into my skin. “Really?”
Tony tapped me on the shoulder and twirled his finger in my peripheral. “Hurry it up. Time to go.”
“Where’s your shoes, buddy?”
Actually, fuck it, the shoes didn’t matter. It was time to get the hell out of there. I scooped him closer and rose to my feet, huddling the blanket around him. Was I really going to do this? Steal my son from his mother without a single word? She loved Kieran, she did, but the dangerous game she was playing would get him hurt. I couldn’t have that.
When I turned, Tony was unzipping a holdall I hadn’t noticed over in the other corner of the room. Another sat beside the one he was peering into. “She fucked him over,” he muttered. “We don’t want to be here for that showdown.”
Oh, hell no. I’d seen that fuckers handywork up close and personal, no way was I wanting a repeat. Taking a glance around the room, I wondered where his Blue teddy was. “Where’s your dude?”
“Mummy said I couldn’t bring him.”
“Now, Warren. Time’s up.” Standing, Tony made his way to the side of the window. “Shit. Too late.” Frantically dragging out his phone, he called a number. “She’s here.” A pause and a grimace. “So’s Warren.”
I could hear the shouting from where I stood, Ryder was well and truly pissed. Another glance out the window, then he quickly moved to the living room door. “I see Shaun.” Hanging up and pocketing his phone, he took another look at the holdalls. “They might be all that save you. It’s what he’s looking for, not you.”
God, I was so fucked. Wrong time, wrong place. “Hey, buddy,” I said to my son. “You listen to me and do everything I say, okay? Don’t let go of Daddy unless I tell you to, you keep cuddling into me all right?”
“I promise. Is the scary man coming?”
“Yes, but Daddy’s got you. You’re a good boy.”
“Get in the bathroom and lock the door.” Tony’s command was urgent.
I took heed, moving out into the hall only to be met by a naked Clive blocking my path. “Cover your eyes,” I whispered to Kieran who was wrapped as tight as a spider monkey around me, I knew he’d never let go unless I told him to.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Standing in place, I glowered at the man who’d once been my best friend and no longer recognised him, wondered where had the bloke gone, because he sure as shit wasn’t standing in front of me.
“Getting Kieran safe.”
“He was watching a movie, perfectly fine where he was.” He had the decency to cup his junk, remembering he had no clothes on. “What you doing in my flat, prick?”
“Door was open. Came to collect what’s mine.” I shrugged as if it was no big deal.
“Kay!” he hollered. “Get your fucking arse out here, woman!”
At that point, Tony stepped into view and Clive retreated back into the bedroom. The split-second hesitation I made in leaving was a mistake. Kayleigh came launching at me and I barely managed to sidestep in time so she couldn’t barrel straight into me and Kieran.
“You’re not taking him,” she screamed, her hands extended and trying to pry him from my grasp.
“Stop it!” I barked. “Stand fucking still. You have bigger problems than me, Kayleigh, you stupid bitch.”
“Who you fucking calling a bitch?” Clive was back, jeans on but unbuttoned, a scarred baseball bat clenched in his hand and all up in my face.
Kieran clung on for dear life, his little body trembling so hard, his head tucked into my neck. He was crying and chanting ‘scary man, scary man,’ over and over while his tears soaked my skin. Clive was the scary man, not Yannick. This fuck was going to regret coming face to face with me again. My blood boiled ferociously, I clutched at Kieran tightly vowing he’d never feel scared ever again.
“You scare my kid?” My voice was low, lethal. If Kieran hadn’t been in my arms, I would have punched his goddamned lights out, then carried on pummelling the piece of shit so he had to suck his food through a straw. I wanted to kill the miserable fucker.
I didn’t take my eyes from Clive. Kayleigh was screaming something at me I had no mind to listen to, my attention all on the cocksucker before me. He was making his intention clear with his threatening stance, but I wasn’t going to be a pussy anymore. I’d beat his arse once before and if he was going to stand in my way, I’d do it again. Bat or no bat.
Someone was going to get hurt, I knew what was likely half way up the stairs by now and I didn’t relish being on the receiving end of that sorry mess. My priority was Kieran and currently the biggest threat stood toe to toe with me, gritting his teeth and looking murderous. Cheeky bastard, like he had a right to feel aggrieved.
“Put him the fuck down,” he growled menacingly, ignoring what I’d asked. “You’re not taking him.”
Movement to the side caught my eye and I glanced quickly in that direction. Tony had moved, stood between me and Kayleigh, his hand on her shoulder keeping her against the wall. One less distraction I was grateful for, I couldn’t be doing with her in my face right then.
“He’s my son, Clive. He shouldn’t be here right now.”
“Fuck you,” he snarled, bringing the bat up and taking a step back. The gnarled wood was pointed in my face, less than an inch from the end of my nose. “He should never have been yours.”
“But he is,” I reasoned, “and I need to take him home.”
“One last time. Put him down.” He bumped the end of the bat against my nose, not enough to hurt but more than enough to convey the warning.
Turning to Kieran, I gently wrestled his head from his hiding place in the crook of my neck and smiled. “When I put you down, you go straight into the bathroom and lock the door behind you. Don’t come out until I say. Got me?”
Clive laughed, and Kayleigh started up her incessant shouting again. The front door banged open, a frantic Shaun tumbling into the hallway where Clive’s showdown was taking place. “Right behind me,” he motioned, and I knew time was up. Clive had no idea the shit storm about to descend down upon him and Kayleigh.
“Now, Kieran.” His arms loosened, and I set him down pulling him behind me and angled my back to the bathroom. He didn’t need to see what was happening here, didn’t need to come face to face with the fucked-up scene about to go down.
When I watched the bathroom door close, I shifted quickly, anticipating the swing of the bat, Clive’s reflexes too slow to catch me on the first swing.
Second swing, I wasn’t so lucky. The bat smashed into my side with a horrendous force and pain burst immediately across my side, knocking the wind from my sails. It put me on my knees, every breath a struggle. A loud roar whooshed through my ears and bile rushed up my throat.
“You took her from me, you piece of shit.”
Was he high? Kayleigh had been my wife when he’d decided screwing around with her was a good idea. I wheezed out those words, but it made no difference. The bat came down on me again, smashing into my arm causing me to cry out in pain as I heard the sickening sound of bone crunching.
Clive thudded to the floor next to me, Shaun climbing on top of him and wrestling the bat from his grip. Punches were traded but it was all I could do to keep count and see who was coming out on top. My vision blurred, and my body heaved then I threw up as the pain became too much to endure. Falling to the side, I lay on the floor unable to move.
I had to get to Kieran, I had to get him out of there. Tears stung my eyes as I looked up and saw Kayleigh grinning down at me, the sick bitch gleeful. Tony still had her pinned to the wall and she didn’t spare a single glance at Shaun and Clive still going at one
another further down the hallway. Her attention was all on me.
“Enough!” The booming voice ringing through the flat made my eyes slide shut and I hoped like fuck I’d be able to leave this flat in one piece and breathing. The chances seemed slimmer than ever with the appearance of Yannick and his men.
Every last ounce of effort I could muster spurred me forward and toward Kieran locked in the bathroom until a boot connected with my back and pushed me down to the floor.
“Don’t fucking move.” I recognised the timbre of that terrifying voice and shuddered. “Well, boy. We meet again.”
I managed to incline my head to the side, but I didn’t see beyond yet another gun being pointed at my head. I was so fucking sick of this shit already, just wanted to take my kid and get home to Chrissie who was waiting for me.
“Clive, boy. Stop your carry on.” The gun swung in an arc and he pointed it down the hallway.
Silence. All that came was silence. I tried to count the amount of feet in the flat to determine how many other guys had come in with this monster, but my head was too fuzzy to think straight, and I gave up, thumping my head back to the floor.
“Ah, Gripp. A man who precedes his reputation. I didn’t think I’d ever get the honour.”
“It’s Shaun,” I heard him grumble non-too kindly.
“Now it is, yes. Charlie had many a thing to say about you, a choice word or two if you like. Traitor. Snitch.”
“No. I wanted other things.”
“Ah, your young man. And how did that work out for you?”
“Peachy,” Shaun snarled, nothing and no one intimidating him.
“Shame. Could have used a man like you. Instead I have me a Clive.” He looked pointedly at the prick Shaun still had pinned down.
“I’m not for hire.”
“No, I guess your not,” he sighed as if aggrieved.
His boot left my back and I turned over as carefully as I could. Not sure how this was playing out, I needed my eyes on everyone.
“You, Clive,” he cocked his head to the side, “are a source of great disappointment.” His eyes flitted to Kayleigh for a second then turned back to Clive, who was now leaning against the wall, blood dripping from his nose, Shaun having let him up.
He sat at the opposite wall, bat in hand and resting over his knees. He looked far from the calm but gruff man I normally saw, and I thought maybe I was getting to see a glimpse of the ‘Gripp’ he’d once notoriously been. He was a scary motherfucker and I was so glad he was on my side.
“Where’s your boy?”
I inadvertently glanced at the bathroom door and wondered where this was going to end up. “I’m not leaving without him, I’m taking him home.”
He laughed heartily. “Of course, you are. It’s the least I can do for you. I’m sorry about this uneasy coincidence. I wasn’t aware until recently that you were married to a whore.” He sneered at her sideways. “You might want to get looked at on the way home.” He pointed down to my arm and the blood oozing through the sleeve of my jacket. “Clive get you with his bat, hhmm?”
“Daddy?” I hadn’t noticed the door opening and Kieran’s head peeking around into the hall. I did, however, notice the gun being pulled out of sight. He rushed out and fell to his knees at my side crying daddy, daddy again and again.
“No!” Kayleigh screamed but the man standing over me silenced her with a look so deadly I had the decency to feel sorry for her. Whatever that look meant, it was nothing good for her. She’d betrayed him, and he would collect. I’d seen the way he extracted those punishments first hand. I felt nothing knowing the fate awaiting my ex-wife. His hand would be worse than when it had fallen on Chrissie, Kayleigh had betrayed him.
“Everyone out except you two.” He pointed to Clive and Kayleigh. “We still have some business to attend to,” he hissed with displeasure.
Tony and Shaun converged around me, the bat forgotten on the floor. Shaun scooped up Kieran and hugged him close while Tony helped me from the floor with great difficulty. I was struggling to keep the black from creeping in, struggling to take a decent breath. Clive had done some pretty serious damage with that fucking bat of his, I had to get to the hospital before I went anywhere else. Chrissie would have a fit if I went home to her in this state.
Once I was up on my feet, Tony slipped an arm around my waist with surprising gentleness, but I tensed when the man who’d hurt Chrissie stood up in my space.
“You and the Princess give him the home he deserves. My wife will be happy to know no harm came to the boy.”
I eyed him with scepticism, wondering where his compassion had been for my woman. I couldn’t hate him in that moment though, he was giving me the very thing I wanted. He was letting us walk out of there, letting me take my son home.
Without another word, I struggled from the flat with Tony’s guidance, Shaun holding onto Kieran in front of me. The stairs were a challenge, taking a long time getting down the two flights. Once on the street outside, Tony let go.
“Wait here.”
Shaun stood beside me, Kieran still wrapped around him, the frightening man long gone as he gazed at my little boy with something akin to love.
“You have an ouchy, like Daddy,” Kieran noted, his childish voice making my heart sing.
“I’m okay, little dude. We’ll get your dad fixed up in no time.”
“You hit the scary man.”
“I did. He was hurting people and that is never all right.”
“Where’s Mummy?”
I sucked in a shallow breath that hurt like a bitch and contemplated my answer, looking to the least likely person to give me any help.
He shrugged. “She’s staying with the scary man.”
Kieran scrunched up his cute button nose then started to cry again. I hadn’t thought about how to explain this to him, if he would even understand. His crying cut at me; I didn’t have a clue how to navigate this situation.
“Can I stay with you, Daddy?” my son asked in between hiccups.
“We’re going home soon.”
“To the lady with the green shoes?”
“Yeah, Kieran. To Chrissie.”
I saw Shaun grin wide and knew he approved. For all the hard man he was, he had the softest heart, you just had to know what to look for. Kids, it seemed, were his Achille’s heel.
Tony pulled his Range Rover up to the kerb in front of us and jumped from the driver seat. “Hospital. You need to get your story straight, so they don’t ask questions.”
Fuck. Another inconvenience. It was the last step before getting back to my life. A life I desperately wanted now that I had the two most important people with me.
Shaun
“Front or back, dude?”
“Can I go in the front? Mummy and daddy always put me in the back.”
“No problem. But I have to put you in the back for a minute until I get the seat in.”
I hoped like hell I could clip the damned thing in. Depositing Kieran into the back seat of Ayden’s car, I took another look around the area. I wasn’t exactly worried, just wanted the fuck out of there.
Dragging the new car seat from the boot, the one my boyfriend had bought for Sophie’s kid a few days ago, I then struggled for a solid ten minutes figuring out how to get it situated. Kieran was quiet the whole time, thumb in his mouth and hanging on to the blanket he’d been clutching when we left the flat.
Poor fella. Thank God he’d been shut in the bathroom, he hadn’t seen that bastard whack his dad with the bat. I was still kicking myself for getting there a minute too late to have avoided that happening.
“Aha!” I cried out in triumph when the seat was in position. Kieran jumped at the noise and I winced. “Hop on through here and we’ll get you strapped in.” I patted on the side of the seat.
I was no stranger to kids. Emily, Ryder’s daughter, held a special place in my heart along with my niece, Jessie. But the poor boy climbing through to the front of the car was a different kettle
of fish. More fragile, lost.
Tony taking Warren to the hospital to get his arm seen to was no problem, I didn’t mind being left to get Kieran to Chrissie. It was best all round. Warren’s arm was busted up good and he’d be there for hours. Not a good place for a frightened kid to be.
“So,” I said once we were both comfortable. “Green shoe lady?”
His smile was shy, but it was a smile all the same. “Daddy’s coming?”
“He sure is. He’s going to get his arm fixed up first, then come on home.”
Truthfully, my heart swelled. Chrissie had finally done it. If I could get my second chance to start over, then why couldn’t she? The woman deserved it probably more than anyone else. Chrissie was the product of a lifestyle she’d had little choice in, the death of her father had been the catalyst to helping her cut ties. She could finally breathe easy. Hell, I could breathe easy, no more looking over my shoulder wondering when the prick was going to come for me. Because I knew one day he would have. Now that threat had gone for good and for the first time in years, I had no need to look ever my shoulder every five minutes. It made all the difference.
I couldn’t hate Chrissie. I’d spent so many years with her and despite the things she’d done, especially the wedge she’d tried to jam between me and Ayden, she wasn’t bad. She hadn’t succeeded in ripping us apart, her father had failed miserably, forgiving her felt like the right thing to do. I’d sensed her involvement that time had been the last straw for her, I simply waited for her to catch up. Besides, I’d been no better once upon a time. Leopard’s can change their spots, both her and I were perfect examples.
And Warren? Well, the quiet chef who was buttoned up tighter than a nun’s coochy had been the biggest surprise. He had a kid. A cool kid who was currently telling me to get a move on in the only way a kid could. With exaggeration.
Clenching my knuckles around the steering wheel trying to wring out the tightness, I grimaced. Ayden was going to go ballistic at the state of my hands. He’d make a fuss over the split knuckles and ream me a new one for fighting. Such a mother hen at times. There had been no way I was letting that prick take another swing at Warren, the guy had been through enough and he just wanted his kid. It was instinct to jump into the fray, frightening that a dark part of me I hadn’t allowed out in over a year had reared up and fought.