The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy

by Melissa Devenport

  “I’m going to kill that fucking asshole!” his scream was thick with pain.

  “He might already be dead… we don’t know who the body belongs to.”

  It felt bizarre to Jennifer that she had now become the voice of reason. Maybe that’s because I want to believe it myself? Maybe it’s because I’ll never be able to live with myself knowing that Ace has been killed over me?

  “We need to call them. Now.”

  Red dug his mobile out his pocket and turned the screen on. He had his brother’s on speed-dial and tapped on Ace’s name. The phone kept ringing but went to voicemail. He tried calling Van’s afterwards but it went straight to voicemail without ringing.

  He looked up agitated, “What the fuck are those two up to?”

  He started to pace, constantly checking his phone. Jennifer pulled out her mobile and tried to ring through to Ace but with no success. They both stewed in anxiety and hopelessness waiting for a call back. They winded up in the living room, gripping cups of coffees, their phones laid out on the table in front of them, screens facing up.

  “There’s no point jumping to conclusions just yet. They will give us a call back,” Red murmured, sipping his brew.

  Thinking he was most likely reassuring himself rather than her, Jen kept quiet, her eyes focused on her mobile screen. Minutes turned into hours and fear gnawed at the back of her head. She started nibbling on her lip again to the point she drew blood. She didn’t care. I deserve this pain and more. If something has happened to one of Red’s brothers then I’m sure he’d agree. He’d never want to see me again. If Ace is alive, he’d probably never want to see me again either. I have caused so much pain to this family, a family which has already suffered through so much.

  Suddenly, Red’s phone started buzzing. The caller ID belonged to Ace. Red leaped forward, snatched the ringing mobile from the table and placed it to his ear. Jen leaned forward to listen in on the one-sided conversation.

  “What the fucks going on, Ace?” Red clearly didn’t have the time or patience for niceties.

  Pause.

  “Yes, I’m with Jennifer at her house and she’s safe. You were right, she surely did put up a fight to get back to you when we got out of the church. Anyway, you do realize it’s all over the papers?”

  Pause.

  “No, they don’t know who the body belongs to yet or the massive pool of blood next to it. Who else was fucking bleeding out in there? Are you okay? Where’s Van?”

  Pause.

  “What?! Holy shit! Is he going to be okay?”

  Pause.

  “Fuck. I’m heading over now. Jen is safe. She’ll be okay on her own. You coming here soon?”

  Pause.

  “Fine, I’ll let her know. See you soon.”

  Hanging up the phone, he stood up and shoved it back into his pocket. He locked eyes with Jennifer across the table.

  “Seth is dead. That’s the body they found. However, Van was shot and he’s lost a lot of blood. The hospital don’t think he’s going to pull through. I’ve got to go see him.”

  Van is going to die because of me?

  She jumped up as he went to leave and grabbed hold of his arm, spinning him around to face her once more. Tears welled in her eyes.

  “I am so sorry, Red. This is all my fault. I should never have got your family involved in this. I didn’t realize Seth would go to these lengths to get me.”

  Red brushed her off, “You were just a job that went wrong. I’ve got to go. Goodbye, Jen.”

  Hopelessly, she watched as he ran upstairs to get ready. She collapsed back onto the couch, sobs wracking her body. Her face was soaked by the time she heard the front door slam as Red left the house to go see his older brother in hospital.

  What have I done? Red will never forgive me. Ace will never forgive me. They’ve already lost their parents and now they’ve lost one of their brothers because of me. I have managed to destroy their little family even further and now they’ll hate me for the rest of my life. I shouldn’t even be alive. It should have been me that got shot. It should be me in hospital right now. It was my stalker and now people are dead because of me. Fuck my life.

  Guilt, pain and sadness tortured her in waves of relentless torment. Her body was devoid of self-control as she lay stretched out on the couch, shaking violently. Ace would be coming to see her soon and she dreaded what he was going to say. What if he blamed her for everything? What if he could never bare to see her again? What if the sight of her made him sick? She was terrified of what was going to come out of his mouth, knowing that if he said any of those things, she would die inside. It wouldn’t even be worth living knowing I’d harmed Ace.

  Eventually her tears faded away as her body shut down. There was no resistance as her eyes drooped beneath the weight of her pain. She did nothing to fight it and she was soon asleep.

  Chapter 17

  ACE

  Pressing the remote on the key, the roller shutters lifted and Ace pulled inside the driveway. He stayed in the car as the shutters closed behind, staring out the rear-view mirror. Taking a few deep breaths to steady his nerves, he popped open the door and climbed out. He went around to check the trunk one last time. Clean as a whistle. The crew did a good job erasing any signs of evidence.

  Now it was time to deal with Jennifer Jacobs.

  Ace was surprised to find the front door unlocked as he walked in. I guess she no longer has to worry about Seth showing up unannounced. He strode through the rooms, wondering where she was and why she hadn’t come out to greet him. The car would have emitted some form of sound parking up at least.

  He finally lay eyes on her lying fast asleep on the couch. He could tell she was tired from the dark rings underneath her eyes. Her eyelids were also swollen. Has she been crying over Van or over Seth? She was curled up in the fetal position, clearly she hadn’t fallen asleep peacefully. As Ace sat down next to her she stirred from her sleep and blinked.

  “Ace?” she mumbled, her voice hoarse from crying.

  “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  She quickly sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She shifted over, giving him more space to sit on the couch.

  “Are you okay? What happened to your arm?” she reached out to his bandaged arm, but he pulled back.

  “I’m fine. The fucker tried to shoot me but he skimmed the side of my arm. It’s just a flesh wound. Don’t worry about me. Did Red tell you what happened?”

  “He told me Seth is dead and Van is in hospital. Is he going to be okay?”

  “The doctors don’t think so. There was a lot of blood. I was surprised he was still alive by the time I managed to pull him in. I told the staff he was involved in a bar fight. They don’t question much when we look the way we do. All of them think we are just asking for trouble. Fuck them.”

  “Ace, I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I didn’t realize Seth would shoot anyone. I thought he was just waving it around for show. If I had known he was so dangerous I would never have agreed to the plan.”

  “Fuck the plan and fuck Seth. None of us knew what he was going to do so don’t apologize. Apologies won’t help Van right now. I had to carry him in the back of your car along with the head. I’ve had the guys clean it up. Not even a forensic team of experts would be able to find evidence in that vehicle.”

  Jen was shocked, “You carried a severed head in my car? But what happened? Why did you cut his head off in the first place?”

  His voice was tense, “After you left, things went south. The fucking guy managed to disappear it seems and Van and I split up to look for him. Next thing I know I hear a gunshot. I go running over to find Van bleeding out on the floor. The cocksucker had got him right in the gut. I was trying to sort out my brother when Seth appears out of nowhere and gets a couple of knocks in. I didn’t even have time to react and next thing I know, I’m flat out on my back and I’ve got a gun aimed directly at my chest. Somehow I managed to roll out the way in tim
e and just sustained this little bitch.”

  He pointed at his arm then continued.

  “It appeared that he had underestimated my reaction time and was in shock, in which time I had knocked out a couple of his teeth and broken his arm in several places. The bitch was squealing like a pig. I told him it was my brother that he had killed, but the motherfucker was stone cold. Didn’t even bat an eyelid. Next thing I know the cunt said he was going to kill Red and you. He said if he couldn’t have you, no one could. At that point, my brain just flipped and I couldn’t control what I was doing. His body was practically pulp by the time I was finished. I took off his head to hand into the twins as evidence of a completed job and seared the fucker’s fingertips so they won’t be able to identify him. I wish I could have done more considering what he’s done to my brother and you.

  I was so blindly filled with rage I forgot to even check on my brother. I took that little shit’s word for good and believed Van was dead. When I went over to collect his body, it turned out he was still breathing. If I hadn’t been so focused on mutilating the prick, my brother would have a better chance of surviving. I loaded Van into the backseat and put the head in the trunk of the car. I got him into hospital and I sent a couple of guys to collect our bikes. It was Joe’s idea to call the police, makes it look like a hiker stumbled across the carnage or something like that. I doubt they’d ever know it was Seth and Van who got fucked up in that church and if they do, the mafia have their hands in enough places to make the issue go away. Some guy picked up the head outside the hospital and then a clean-up crew sorted out your car. I didn’t even have a chance to call you or Red. I saw Red at the hospital before I left to come see you. This whole job has turned into a right shit show.”

  A single tear rolled from Ace’s eye.

  Chapter 18

  JENNIFER

  Jennifer was shaken by the story but managed to gain her composure. She looked at Ace and could see a storm of emotions brewing behind those aquamarine eyes. Even Ace couldn’t hide his pain this time. She knew he was worried about his brother and she knew she was the one to blame.

  “Ace, please forgive me. I can’t believe this has all happened because of me. Van is dying and it’s all my fault. How can you even bare to stand in the same room as me? You must despise me right now and I fully understand if you never want to see me again.”

  “Jen, I…” Ace started but there was a loud buzzing at the door.

  “You expecting anyone?” he raised his eyebrow.

  Jennifer shook her head, clearly as bewildered as him as to who would show up at her house at this point. What if it’s the police? What if they worked out what happened in the church? Is Ace going to get arrested? Am I? Shit, shit, shit!

  Ace must have assessed her panic and took control of the situation. He walked over to the intercom and answered. She watched as he listened to the person at the other end and then buzzed them through. Who is it? Why is Ace letting them in?

  He opened the door and in walked Joe and Pearl Romano. The sight of the mafia twins took Jen by surprise and for a moment she was speechless.

  “Nice place you got here, I’m surprised it’s so small for an A-lister like you. I would never have guessed Jennifer Jacobs would slum it out in a place like this,” Pearl sneered as she stepped through.

  Pearl wore heeled thigh-high boots over tight leather pants. Just like before she wore a tight red top, her breasts bursting from the top. The crimson smile sent shivers down Jen’s spine. I do not like this bitch.

  Next was Joe, wearing his usual suited attire, a frown plastered over his face. He peered around the room as he entered before following his sister through to Jennifer. Ace just stood to the side to let them in before joining them.

  Biting her tongue, Jennifer tried a tactically polite approach, “Coffee anyone?”

  “Ah, look at the starlet playing the perfect host. Both of us will have it black. No sugar,” Pearl clearly wasn’t going to play nice today.

  Jennifer directed them into the living room while she went to go make the coffee. She could hear the murmurs of conversation as she carried a tray with the four cups back into the room. Everyone went silent upon her arrival as she set the tray down on the table. Pearl was sharing a couch with Ace opposite Joe, so Jennifer awkwardly sat down next to the silent twin. A smile lingered over Pearl’s face. The bitch thinks she’s won a mini battle by getting to sit next to Ace. Ace probably never wants to see me again after what happened to his brother, so why am I getting jealous?

  After taking their coffees, Joe decided to speak, “I’m sorry to hear about Van. He was one of our best and we are deeply saddened to hear we will be losing him. Of course, the crew will pay for the funeral service, no expense spared.”

  “He’s not even dead yet,” Ace mumbled.

  “Yes, but we heard what the doctors had to say and his condition isn’t looking good. During these tough times, we want you to know we are here for you and Red.”

  Ace looked across at Joe in disgust. Jen knew that he probably wanted to punch the asshole in the face at that moment, but found some level of self-restraint. Pearl laid a hand on Ace’s thigh.

  “If you need anything, and I mean anything, then please let me know. Your brother was one of a kind, all you Bailey brothers are.”

  Jennifer felt sick to her stomach. Is this bitch seriously trying to flirt with him when his brother is dying in hospital? What kind of sick fuck even does that? Now it was Jennifer’s time to practice self-restraint from jumping across the table and strangling the bitch. Ace appeared to have similar thoughts, but satisfied himself by forcefully removing her hand from his thigh. She looked at him in surprise, but seeing Joe glaring across the table at her, appeared to put her in her place. The atmosphere was rife with tension.

  “Did you receive the head?” Ace’s voice was monotonous as he tried to hold back any emotions.

  “Yes, quite the showstopper, I must say. I didn’t expect you to kill the poor boy, but I’m not entirely surprised after all the trouble he’s caused. His face was barely recognizable when we received it. I presume that was your doing? Jenny must be happy that it’s all done and dealt with now, right?” Pearl raised her eyebrows at the actress.

  “I am relieved that I will no longer have that freak following my every move, but happy? No, far from happy. Two people have been killed because of me.”

  Pearl’s words were penetrating, “And what did you think was going to happen, princess? You thought that a simple slap on the wrist would stop your lover boy following you around like a lost puppy. Everyone knows the guy was sick in the head. You were so pathetic and weak that you couldn’t handle it yourself so you had to get us involved. Now Van is dead because of you.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Pearl!” Ace bellowed, jumping from his seat, “Stop saying Van is dead and don’t you dare talk to Jen like that. It’s not her fault that this fucking little pervert was following her around. Now unless you have something useful to say then give me my money and fuck off. Both of you.”

  Shocked silence filled the room. Jen was in awe of Ace standing up to two of the most dangerous people, she had ever met. They could click their fingers and Ace would never be found again. Is he really trying to get himself killed? But he stood up for me… does that mean he doesn’t hate me after all?

  Jen was on edge, ready to jump in if anything were to kick off. She examined the faces around the table. Joe was sitting there, silent and unreadable. Pearl looked like she was going to claw either Jennifer’s or Ace’s face off. And Ace standing up, furious.

  “Pearl, give him the money and shut up. I think you’ve said enough today. Let me handle the talking,” Joe was very matter-of-fact.

  For once Pearl did as she was told. She rooted around in her handbag and pulled out a roll of cash. She threw it onto the table where it landed with a thump. Leaning back in the couch, she took a sip of her coffee and stared daggers at Jennifer. Not so tough are you now?

  “Ace,
sit down. We still have matters to discuss regarding the job.”

  The biker stared down at the twin, considering his options before obliging and plonking himself back into the seat. He picked up his cup and took a large gulp before turning his attention back to Joe.

  “Obviously this case could bring a lot of attention our way. It looks like you did a good job on cleaning up the body. I don’t think the boys in blue will be able to identify Seth Michael, at least that’s what my links tell me so far. I have already spoken to David about what we have discovered, and the fact that the movie will now be missing its head scriptwriter. David wishes to share with you his shock over the matter, but I’m sure he’ll talk to you in person on set, Jennifer. I’ve had my guys do a bit of a background check on our stalker and it turns out he hasn’t got any family who would notice he is missing. He was an only child, both parents are dead and his aunt is the only living relative. I have been told she is residing in a nursing home suffering from severe dementia. I doubt she will spill the beans to the police and even if she does, who’s going to believe a crazy old vegetable? Anyway, David has brought in a new scriptwriter to check over the final scene and he will tell everyone next Monday that the filming was delayed due to an argument with Seth over creative influence or some garbage along those lines. Jen, you are to go back to filming and pretend none of this happens. If this gets leaked to the press I will know where it has come from and I don’t need to say what will happen from there. Ace, you are to go home now. I think you need to spend some time with Red during this time and we have taken you off call for the next two months. If you require a cash injection let us know, we take care of our family.”

  Everyone was silent during Joe’s talk. Afterwards Jennifer managed to catch Ace’s eyes and he looked like he was contemplating something. She hoped that whatever he was about to say, didn’t piss the twins off any further.

  “I’m not going.”

  Everyone was taken aback. What did he just say? He’s not going?

  “I’m sorry, can you repeat that, please?” even Joe seemed confused.