“Yeah. She was nothing to do with what happened to Zoe, I realise that now. I was actually pretty impressed with her. Yes she’s a bit cuckoo but I think she genuinely cares.”
Ryan was taken aback. “High praise indeed from someone who doesn’t give it lightly.”
“I’ve let go of the past, I’ve had to if I want to move on with Beth, which I really do. I can highly recommend it,” Riley said meaningfully.
“I don’t think I’d be standing here if it wasn’t for her.”
“No you wouldn’t.” He patted him on the shoulder. “If you need to talk give me a call.”
“I know, thanks mate. When are you flying back out to wherever you came from?”
Riley couldn’t tell anyone about his sensitive work, which meant his family never knew where he was. That was another reason why he wanted to leave the army, it was very isolating.
“I’ve got a couple more days. Beth’s taking me to meet her parents and the kids.”
“Good luck with that one.”
“I’m really nervous,” he admitted with a smile.
“Just be yourself and you’ll have no problem.” Ryan turned to Jules. “I’d like a word,” he said severely.
“We’ll wait for you outside, we’re sharing a taxi to the airport,” explained Beth.
After they’d gone Ryan addressed his sister. “I’d like to say thank you for what you did. I appreciate it very much.”
“You’re welcome,” she said in that irritatingly cheerful way.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’d like us to start again, if you’re willing to try?”
“I’d like that very much,” she said with a genuine smile. “I’d like a real family, for the first time in my life.”
“You and Riley have put your differences aside, so I see no reason why we can’t. When everything up here has settled down why don’t you come and stay for a few days, meet the kids and see how we all get on?”
“Wow, that would be great. Thank you,” said Jules. She’d never expected this much. “Why don’t you give your little sister a hug?” she said, opening her arms.
Rachel smiled when Ryan shuffled tentatively before embracing her, as though suspecting a trick.
Jules leaned back slightly and clamped his face between both hands, making him frown. “My big brother. I’m proud of you.”
“May I enquire as to why?” he said, arching an eyebrow.
“Because you are one hard bastard and you’ll get over this fine, you’ll see.”
Ryan looked at his wife, who was still here even though she knew full well what he’d done. “I think you might be right.”
“Course I am.” Jules turned to Rachel. “I’m not normally into hugs so if you want one you’d better get me now while I’m in the mood. Ooh, not too tight, you’re turning me on,” said Jules when Rachel hugged her back.
“I beg your pardon?” demanded Ryan.
“She knows I’m joking, don’t you Rach?”
“Yes I do,” she smiled. “I’m getting used to your ways.”
“I do make jokes at inappropriate times and I am working on it with the help of my therapist,” said Jules. She eyed Rachel up and down. “But you are seriously hot. Lucky big brother.”
“I’m the lucky one,” said Rachel, smiling at her husband.
“Alright, I’m out of here. Things are getting too soppy for me.” A beep from outside made her grin. “Sounds like Riley’s getting impatient. He probably wants to get back to Manchester and roger Beth silly, the lucky sod. Who would have thought the day would come when Riley Cutter and I would be sharing a taxi without killing each other? Life is funny.”
“Hilarious,” said Ryan dryly as she picked up her bag and headed for the door.
Ryan and Rachel stood together and waved the three of them off. Rachel was sad to see them go, even Jules, she’d enjoyed having them all around, even if it was under the direst circumstances.
“She is so like you in some ways,” said Rachel as they watched the taxi disappear down the drive.
“Please tell me you’re not referring to Jules.”
“She said Riley Cutter and I. You and her are the only people I’ve ever heard talk like that.”
“Then from now on I shall endeavour to use the more common, vulgar version.”
“No you won’t because it’s part of who you are. Don’t change yourself.”
“I thought all wives wanted to change their husbands.”
“Not me, you’re completely perfect.”
“There’s no need to flatter me because I’ve been through an…ordeal.”
“I’m not, I’m speaking the truth. Now we’ve finally been left in peace and if you’re feeling up to it of course, why don’t you take me to bed?”
“Music to my ears,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the stairs.
CHAPTER 30
It was with great reluctance that Mikey let himself into his own house. He used to look forward to coming back here and seeing his family again but now it was cold and unwelcoming and he wasn’t sure how he’d handle Joyce. The mood he was in he would either simply ignore her or throw her bodily out the door. Everything he’d seen in Devon had been so fucked up, Rachel’s and Ryan’s lives thrown into turmoil again. It was far from over, there would be a court case. He and Jez had made sure they’d stay out of that but no doubt Rachel and Ryan’s pasts would be raked up in court by the defence to make them look less credible. Everyone in their new lives would know who they really were, what they’d done. All the nice, respectable people in their nice, respectable new lives would know they were drug dealers and killers, although to be fair Rachel had never actually killed anyone herself, but she had ordered it. What would happen to them then? It wasn’t fair, despite the dark deeds they’d done they were both good people at heart, the best.
“Hello, I’m back,” he called through the house, which looked and felt empty.
He was wrong. A squeal of excitement from somewhere in the house was followed by running footsteps and Jamie tore out of the lounge and straight to him, arms outstretched. With a grin Mikey scooped up his son and cuddled him tight. He’d given no warning he was on his way home, he’d wanted to take them by surprise.
“I missed you,” he said into the boy’s dark hair. Here was another reason to sort out his relationship with Amber. The last thing he wanted was for Jamie to suffer.
Mikey moved Jamie onto his hip when Amber appeared before him, looking radiant as usual, if a little sad.
“Hello,” he said.
“Hello,” she quietly replied. Unusually for her she wore no make-up, not that she needed to. Her skin was like flawless. “Is Ryan okay?”
“Physically yes but he was kept chained up for over twenty four hours by two serial killers, so he’s not exactly jumping for joy.”
“I’m glad he’s okay. Really,” she added when he appeared doubtful. “And Rachel?”
“Just relieved Ryan’s home. You were out of order saying what you did Amber.”
“I know and I’m so sorry. Rachel’s my friend. She helped get us together, she was matron of honour at our wedding. She’s shown me nothing but kindness and I forgot all that. I won’t again.”
“Good. Where’s Joyce?” he said, unable to keep the derision out of his voice.
“She left. I told her to go home to Dad.”
“Just hold it there a second,” he interrupted. He didn’t want Jamie to hear this. He took him into the living room and placed him in his little play pen. He was quite happy to sit down with his toys, banging two cars together. He returned to the hallway, trying to ignore his guilt about that kiss with Jules when his wife looked up at him with her big, beautiful green eyes.
“That is a surprise,” he said coolly.
“After you’d gone I realised she was coming between us. She kept saying mean things about you, telling me you were cheating on me, that you’d probably been sleeping with Rachel, if you still weren’t.”
“That is ridiculous,” he growled, trying to keep his voice low for Jamie’s sake. “Rachel’s like my sister, I would never…”
“It was stupid of me. I know how in love she is with Ryan, she’d never look at anyone else.”
“Me and Rachel are close but it always has been and always will be platonic.”
She nodded and looked down at her hands sheepishly.
“I meant it when I said I’ve never slept with another woman,” said Mikey, praying she didn’t recognise the distinction between slept and cheated.
Fortunately she didn’t. “I know that too,” she said, looking up at him, eyes filling with tears. “I’ve been looking through our wedding photos, we were so happy, so in love. It all seems to have gone wrong so fast and I don’t understand.”
He took her hands. “It’s not gone wrong, it’s just a glitch, that’s all. Every couple has them.”
“I love you so much Mikey but I let Mum come between us so easily.”
“Why do you think she did that?”
“I spoke to Dad. You were right Mikey, she was greedy and she wanted more, even though you already give her so much. I suppose I suspected it all along but I didn’t want to think the worst of her, after all she is my mum.”
He kissed her forehead. “It’s okay, I understand.”
“I told her to stay away for a while, let everything calm down and that if she ever said anything mean about you again I’d disown her.”
This was his Amber, the sweet innocent woman who hated to say a bad word about anyone.
“I want us to work Mikey, I really do,” she continued. “I won’t let anyone come between us again, I promise, that’s if you’ll have me back?”
“Babe, I never let you go in the first place. You’re my girl, you always will be and if I don’t tell you things it is to keep you safe. You know the nature of my work, we have to be so careful and there’s no other woman, I promise you.” That was true, he thought he’d finally got Jules out of his system.
A tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t deserve you.”
He held her tight. “It’s me who doesn’t deserve you.”
“Let’s never fight again, please, I can’t stand it.”
He kissed her. “Me neither babe.”
He took her up against the wall in the hallway, gently and quietly so Jamie, playing obliviously in the lounge, wouldn’t overhear. When she came around him he buried his face in her beautiful hair.
“I love you Amber,” he groaned.
“Love you too,” she gasped, nails digging into his shoulders.
He smiled into her red locks and planted a kiss on her neck. Finally they were back on track and he would do everything in his power to ensure they stayed there.
“Mum,” cried Alfie, throwing himself into Beth’s arms.
“Hello sweetheart. I missed you,” she said, cuddling her eldest boy.
“Is Uncle Ryan okay?”
“He’s fine and they got the bad men who took him. Don’t you worry about that.”
Beth looked to her parents hovering in the background, disapproving that she’d been anywhere near the Laws. Fortunately they didn’t say anything in front of the children. “Hello Holly,” she said, cuddling her daughter. The little girl cooed and giggled and hugged her tight. At least two of her children had missed her.
She put Holly down and turned to Archie standing sulkily in the corner. “I missed you too Archie. Did you miss me?”
He just shrugged and went to stand by his grandparents.
Beth swallowed down the lump in her throat. She had thought giving him a break from her would do their relationship some good, make him miss her, but she’d never felt further from him. “There’s someone I want you to meet,” she said.
Her parents’ jaws fell open when Riley walked into the room, both convinced their daughter had lost her mind and brought Ryan Law home with her.
“This is Riley Cutter, Ryan’s half brother.”
They were still appalled. “You’re related to Ryan Law?”
“We only found out recently that we share the same dad,” he said politely, unaware of their loathing for the Laws. Beth had told him they weren’t their biggest fans but she hadn’t explained how much they despised them.
“Riley’s in the army,” said Beth.
Just as she’d hoped this relaxed them. “So you’re not in the same business as your brother?” said her mum.
“No, I never have been,” he said, quickly catching onto what was wrong. “I’m leaving the army soon and branching out into the security business, all completely legitimate,” he hastily added.
“I see, well there’s some good money to be made in that,” said Beth’s dad. “So you’re on leave at the moment?”
“I’ve only got a couple of days left but I’m working out my notice.”
“He’s an SAS trooper,” said Beth, brimming over with pride. “Oh dear, is that a secret?”
“I do need to keep it quiet but I’m sure we can trust your parents with it,” he smiled.
Realising he was nothing like his brother, Beth’s parents began to warm to him.
“You’re a soldier?” said Alfie. “Cool. what’s it like?”
“Sometimes it’s very long and boring, waiting for something to happen, sometimes it’s exciting.”
“Have you ever killed anyone?” said Archie with genuine interest.
The room went silent and they all turned to look at the boy.
“Archie, that’s not a nice question,” said Beth.
“Why not? That’s what soldiers do.”
Riley knelt before him and the boy glared back at him with challenge in his eyes, which quickly wilted beneath the force of Riley’s gaze. “Actually what we do is protect those who can’t protect themselves,” he patiently explained. “And we protect our country too. It’s a very important job.”
“Have you shot anyone?”
“Archie, please,” said Beth, hating the despair in her own voice.
“I can’t talk about what I do in the army,” replied Riley, to Beth’s relief.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s top secret.”
“Like James Bond?” offered Alfie.
“A bit like that I suppose,” smiled Riley.
“Are you Mum’s new boyfriend?” said Archie.
“We’re good friends and I like your mum very much,” said Riley while Beth looked on in silence, hardly daring to breathe.
“She was good friends with Nick too and Dad killed him.”
“What do you think about that?” he said, looking Archie straight in the eye.
Beth released a small gasp and clung onto her mum’s arm, who was staring at the scene with her mouth hanging open. Beth was glad she had broken down one evening when the strain had got too much and told her parents everything. They hated Rachel, who they’d once loved like a second daughter, because they blamed her for introducing Beth to Alex in the first place. In their minds every ill that had befallen Beth and the kids was her fault. The fact that Rachel had almost been killed seemed to make no odds to them, which Beth thought desperately unfair.
No one had ever asked Archie that question before, they’d never dared.
“Sad,” Archie eventually said after some pondering. “I liked Nick. He took us on holiday, he bought us toys.”
“Nick was a good guy.” Riley had never met him, everything he knew about the man had come from Beth, but it had all been very positive.
“If you’re a soldier then Dad won’t be able to kill you, will he?”
“Oh Archie,” said Beth, starting to cry.
“No, he can’t,” said Riley, thinking it strange that Archie spoke as though Alex was still alive.
“Dad tried to hurt Aunty Rachel, I saw him,” said the boy, lowering his voice to a whisper so only Riley could hear.
“I know Archie, but she’s okay now, she’s safe.”
“I like Aunty Rachel. She’s always nic
e to me.”
“She’s a nice lady. She’s married to my brother.”
“So she’s like your sister?”
“My sister-in-law, yes.”
When Archie studied him thoughtfully Riley realised he was being assessed and tested. It was tough going because he needed this boy’s approval if he was ever going to make a life with Beth.
“Do you like X-Box games?” Archie eventually said.
“Yes but I don’t get the chance to play very often.”
“I’ve got a new one, do you want to see?”
“Yes please.”
Beth watched in astonishment as Archie led Riley to the games console set up in front of the television and sat down on the floor with him. He handed Riley a controller and they started to play as though they’d known each other for years.
“Oh my God, that’s amazing,” whispered Beth.
Her mum put her arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “For the first time in your life I think you’ve picked a good ‘un.”
“I have, haven’t I?” she said, watching them together with tears in her eyes. Alfie sat on the other side of Riley and picked up the third controller while Holly looked on, sucking her thumb. Beth started to cry softly but for once her tears were happy. Her family.
CHAPTER 31
Katia woke, a cry on her lips.
“My babies,” she screamed.
Robbie Jordan and Jared jumped in their seats. Both had been on the point of dozing off by her bedside. Katia had been unconscious, on the brink of death, so this reaction was extremely unexpected.
“Katia, it’s okay, calm down,” said Robbie, taking her hand.
Her eyes were open but she saw nothing, not Robbie’s face, nor her hospital room. All she could see was that man walking away with her children. “Where are they? Where are my babies?” she wailed.
“I don’t know,” said Robbie helplessly. He looked to Jared, who held out his hands and shrugged. “We’re looking, we’ll find them.”
“The man who took them said Mikey Maguire was taking them to Manchester, to be with their family. I’m their family.” She clutched at Robbie, tears rolling down her face, eyes wild. He was the person closest to her in the whole world. He’d worked for Alex and when he’d died he’d become her protector, brokering the deal with Jared that meant they could stay in Essex. She’d never needed him more than she did right now.
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