Pure hatred coursed through Steve Watts as he watched his ex-girlfriend languishing in the lap of luxury, the baby of the bastard who destroyed his face growing inside her. Rachel and Danny Maguire had ruined his entire fucking life, left him with practically no face after Danny and his insane brother took a sander to him. He was an outcast, a reject living alone who could never form a normal relationship with anyone and could only get sex by paying the most desperate of prostitutes while they lived like fucking royalty. He’d conveniently forgotten that his scarred face was punishment for attacking Rachel.
The hatred was almost overwhelming, his fingers twitching over the hilt of the knife hidden in his jacket. He could take her out right now, she was too big to fight back. Let Danny come home to find his wife and child dead, then he’d get a good idea of what it was like to have your life completely devastated. Then, when he was at his lowest, he’d put him out of his misery too. Vengeance could be so sweet.
When he heard a car approach he retreated into the bushes and watched as Danny’s gleaming black luxury Mercedes pulled up the drive and came to a halt. Just the sight of him caused Steve’s bowels to move as horrific memories returned of that sander being brought down on him in that stinking lock-up, of the agonising white hot pain that accompanied it. No, now wasn’t the time. He couldn’t tackle Danny Maguire head on, he’d have to wait until his back was turned and he was off his guard but get him he would, he’d promised himself that much. Everything was already in motion.
“Danny,” beamed Rachel when he strolled through the door.
He perched on the couch beside her and kissed her.
“How did it go with Frankie?” she said.
He saw the worry in her eyes and determined to make it go away. “Fine. He’s still onboard and he’s got someone who can fill Douggie’s shoes. Don’t worry, it’s sorted.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s a weight off. He can be unpredictable.”
“He’s also a smart businessman and knows our arrangement is too lucrative to give up. As long as we keep making him money we’ll stay on his good side.” He rubbed his hand over her belly. “And how are you two?”
“We’re good. There’s been a lot of movement.”
He dipped his head to kiss her stomach. “Does that mean it could be any day now?”
“Maybe but I would like he or she to wait just a little bit longer. I’ve still a couple of weeks to go and the longer this one stays inside the stronger they’ll be.”
“They’ll be strong enough with you as their mum,” he said, kissing her.
“Ow,” grimaced Rachel.
“What’s wrong?”
In response their expensive couch was suddenly flooded with water.
“Have you wet yourself?” he said awkwardly.
“No I haven’t you idiot, my waters have broken. Quick, get my overnight bag from our bedroom. We need to get to the hospital.”
“Okay,” he said, feeling more nervous than he did during his meeting with a psychotic Glaswegian gangster.
He sprinted upstairs and returned clutching Rachel’s hospital bag. She’d managed to pull on her coat, flushed with excitement and nerves.
“Thank God I got back in time,” he said.
“The baby must have been waiting for you to come home.”
He kissed her and smiled. “Let’s go have our baby.”
She smiled back and he helped her to the car.
Any illusions Danny had about a nice serene birth, mopping the sweat from Rachel’s brow while she gazed up at him adoringly, were ripped apart in a whirl of blood and screaming. Then he was handed his new baby daughter and he was hit by a love so strong it almost floored him.
He was still feeling dazed but very happy when the family arrived to see the new addition to the Maguire clan.
“Oh my God, she’s so beautiful,” said Martina, tears shining in her eyes as she gazed down at her first grandchild with the trademark Maguire mop of dark hair. “What’s her name?”
“Leah,” said Rachel with a tired but happy smile.
“That’s so pretty,” smiled Beth, heavily pregnant herself. “Can I hold her now?”
Reluctantly Martina relinquished the baby to her.
“You did good Sweetheart,” said Mikey, kissing Rachel on the forehead.
“Thank you,” she smiled, struggling to keep her eyes open.
“Come on everyone, let the poor girl get some rest. Childbirth is exhausting,” said Martina in her most authoritative tone. “When are they letting you out?”
“Tomorrow, hopefully. I lost some blood and had to have a few stitches so they want to keep an eye on me.”
“Urggh,” said Mikey. “That’s got to be painful.”
“Out you silly boy,” said Martina, clipping him round the back of the head. “Get some rest Love.”
“I will,” yawned Danny.
“I wasn’t talking to you. Honestly, men,” she said good-naturedly, shepherding them all out of the room.
Danny gently replaced a sleeping Leah in her cot and joined his wife on the bed. She nestled into him and he cuddled her tightly.
“Thank you for giving me Leah,” he said. “She’s perfect.”
“She is, isn’t she?” she replied, smiling at the little pink bundle in the cot. Finally she had everything she ever wanted. Life was perfect.
“Shall I call your parents?” he said.
“Yes please. No doubt they’ll want to come and see Leah.” She looked up at her husband uncertainly. He was well aware what his parents-in-law thought of him and it hurt him.
“And they’ll be made welcome. They’re Leah’s grandparents after all.”
“Thank you,” she said, reaching up to touch his face.
He kissed her gently before heading to the Relatives’ Room to make the call.
“Gill, it’s Danny,” he said when she answered.
“Oh, hello,” she replied icily.
“I thought you should know, Rachel’s had the baby. It’s a girl.”
“Oh my God,” she exclaimed, suddenly full of enthusiasm. “What’s her name?”
“Leah Rose Maguire,” he replied, unable to resist emphasising the name Maguire.
“That’s beautiful. Are they both okay?”
“They’re fine.”
“Wonderful. We’ll set off in the morning, if you don’t mind?” she added begrudgingly.
“Of course I don’t mind, you’re welcome to see her,” he replied smoothly.
“Thank you. Well, see you tomorrow then.”
“Bye.”
He hung up, not looking forward to seeing Rick and Gill. He’d lost a lot of respect for them when they’d disowned Rachel simply for standing by him. Rachel was an incredible woman and he thought they were spiting themselves by missing out on her life. Still, it was Rachel’s decision if she wanted to use this opportunity to build bridges. He’d support her and keep his active dislike of his in-laws inside.
Danny wasn’t allowed to stay at the hospital after hours so he was forced to leave by a formidable sister, which he was not happy about, with a promise to return as soon as he could the next morning. That night Rachel didn’t get much sleep, Leah waking every couple of hours for a feed but the hospital was private so she had plenty of assistance from a sweet fresh faced nurse.
But she did receive a late night visitor.
“Ryan,” she said, surprised. “How did you get in here?”
“Me and one of the nurses go way back. You don’t mind, do you? I can go if you want,” he said, placing a bouquet of lilies and a little pink teddy on the table at the end of the bed.
“No it’s okay. Do you want to meet Leah?”
“Yes please.” He gazed down at the beautiful little bundle in the cot, Rachel’s loveliness shining out of her face and jealousy reared its ugly head. How he wished the child was his. Fucking Danny Maguire had everything. “She’s gorgeous.”
Rachel smiled, happiness positively shinin
g out of her eyes. “I can’t believe she’s mine.”
Ryan saw now that he could never have her. She was Danny’s and as far as she was concerned that’s all she’d ever be. He willed the unbearable, frustrating sense of longing away but it stubbornly refused to go. Would he never be free?
“You’re happy, aren’t you Rachel?” he said softly.
“Very. Now we’ve got Leah, everything’s complete. I know that maybe once you hoped things would turn out differently.”
He took her face in his hands and shook his head. “All I want is for you to be happy Rachel and if Danny makes you feel that way then that’s fine.”
“We’re still friends?”
He smiled down at her. “We always will be.”
“Good.”
He dipped his head to kiss her cheek.
“I still dream about you Ryan,” she said softly.
“And I you,” he breathed in her ear before straightening up. He stroked a stray strand of hair back off her face. “Pity though, we’d have been great together.”
“I’m sure we would.”
He took a step back and looked down at the child. “You’ll make a wonderful mother. Congratulations Rachel.”
“Thank you Ryan.”
With that he left, trying to ignore the niggling feeling that he’d missed out on the one woman he could ever love, thanks to Danny bloody Maguire.
Danny and Rachel were back at home with Leah when the doorbell rang. They look at each other nervously.
“I’d better get it,” said Rachel.
She handed Leah to Danny then got up to answer the door.
“Mum, Dad,” she smiled. “It’s so good to see you again.” And she meant it. Seeing them reminded her how much she’d missed them.
She kissed them both on the cheek, which they accepted gracefully.
“Come on in,” she smiled, her face aching with the strain.
They walked into the living room to find Danny stood there with Leah in his arms.
“Hello Gill, Rick,” he said politely.
“Danny,” replied Rick.
Gill peered down at her granddaughter, practically hopping with excitement. “Can I hold her?”
“Of course you can,” said Danny pleasantly, handing her over.
Gill took her in her arms and tears stung her eyes. “Aren’t you an angel?” she breathed. She looked to Rachel. “You did well Love.” Her eyes flicked to Danny. “Both of you.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, surprised
Some of the ice was broken and they sat down to talk over a cup of tea. Rick and Gill also managed to be quite friendly towards Danny, the fact he’d given them Leah endearing him to them slightly. They were over the moon with their baby granddaughter and when it started to get late Rick had to practically prise the baby from his wife’s arms.
“We need to get to the hotel before they lock the door for the night.”
“Oh alright,” Gill sighed.
“You can stay here if you want?” offered Danny and Rachel smiled at him gratefully.
“Thank you that’s very kind but you need your space with a new baby in the house,” said Gill. “But we’ll be back in the morning, if that’s okay?”
“Definitely,” said Rachel
Before they left Rachel’s parents hugged her for the first time in a year and she clung onto them.
“I love you,” she whispered in her mum’s ear.
“I love you too Sweetheart.” She pulled back to touch her daughter’s face. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
She returned inside with a big smile, walking on air.
“Well that went better than I thought it would,” said Danny.
Gill and Rick stayed for a week, visiting them every day and thanks to Leah, Rachel’s relationship with them was restored. Although they’d never be a fan of Danny’s they did see some of the charm in him they’d recognised when they first met him and the week passed harmoniously enough. When it was time for them to return to Devon, Rachel knew she’d got her parents back.
“It’s working,” Benton told the rest of The Coalition, which was comprised of May Roberts, a Crown Court judge, Jeremy Hammond, owner of a national newspaper and Lord Davenport’s replacement, Richard Spencer. “Richard’s ensuring the Maguires are being run ragged just trying to keep the legitimate businesses going that they don’t have time for anything else.”
“But surely they have plenty of back-up in the Laws?” said May.
“Yes but there’s only so much they can do, they have their own businesses to run.”
May glanced at Jeremy, looking sceptical. “I’m not sure how much damage this will cause them.”
“Their legitimate businesses are vital,” explained Benton, attempting to hide his exasperation. “Without them they have no way of explaining where all their money comes from and I’ve found a way to practically paralyse them.”
“How?” said May.
“A witness has come forward who saw Douggie Jones get shot.”
May frowned suspiciously. “Why has he only come forward now? That murder was two months ago.”
“Because he was scared and he’s every right to be when I tell you who killed him.”
“Who?”
“Rachel Maguire.”
May’s frown deepened. “And why would she do that?”
“That’s the question. But my witness saw her shoot him in the head then an unknown accomplice shove his body into the river.”
“But two months ago she was heavily pregnant. When you’re near your due date it’s an effort just to get up off the couch and you think you’ll convince a jury she murdered someone in that state?”
“It just goes to show what an unnatural woman she is. She’s cold enough to do it too.”
“Superintendent Benton, we’re all aware of how much you want to bring Rachel Maguire down, especially as you consider her responsible for the death of your predecessor.”
“She did kill him,” he said vehemently.
“Although a very eminent pathologist said he died of natural causes. No poisons were found in his body.”
“She probably wound him up until he had a heart attack then let him die. I wouldn’t put it past her.”
“And now you’re accusing her of murdering someone while heavily pregnant.”
“It’s what the witness is saying.”
“Do you have anything to back up your claims?”
“I will when I’ve searched her house.”
“You seem very sure of yourself.”
“Look,” he sighed, trying not to sound impatient, “if I get the evidence against her, will you back me up?”
“Yes, of course I will.”
“Good. With Rachel gone Danny will be hell bent on getting her out, leaving his legitimate businesses wide open for Richard to continue attacking. Rachel is the glue that keeps that family together and ensures the truce with the Laws holds. Without her all that might crumble and the families will start fighting each other again. My contact on the inside tells me Ryan’s got a thing for Rachel and Danny’s well aware of it. It wouldn’t take much to set them against each other.”
“So we’re back to another war and blood on the streets,” said Jeremy.
“Just think of your headlines,” retorted Benton. “I need your backing to make sure Rachel gets sent down. It’s vital she be sent to prison if this is going to work and the Maguires have a couple of judges in their pockets. If she gets one of them at her trial the plan won’t work. It has to be you May.”
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
Rachel and Danny were enjoying a quiet night at home with their daughter. She was two months old and had just started to smile and every time Danny touched her chubby cheek her little face lit up, filling them both with delight.
The front door burst open and a team of ten police officers poured into the living room. Rachel instinctively scooped up Leah and retreated to the corner of the room, cradling h
er to her chest protectively, Danny putting himself between them and the aggressive-looking officers. Benton strode out of the middle of the group confidently.
“You’re under arrest.”
“On what charge?” demanded Danny.
“Not you, her,” he spat, jabbing a digit at Rachel.
“Me, why?”
“For the murder of Douggie Jones.”
Rachel’s face fell. “You can’t be serious?”
“Deadly,” smiled Benton. “Put the kiddie down because you’re going out of here in cuffs.”
“You bastard,” snarled Danny. “You’re fucking setting her up.”
He stood nose to nose with Benton, fists clenched.
“Go on Danny, give me an excuse to take you too, I beg you.”
“Danny don’t,” said Rachel softly. “You need to be here for Leah.”
The need to protect his daughter permeated Danny’s rage and he took the baby from Rachel. She just had chance to kiss her daughter’s soft cheek before Benton roughly slapped the cuffs on her and dragged her to the door.
“Search it,” Benton ordered the uniforms, who started tearing the place apart.
Danny rushed to the phone to call his solicitor.
CHAPTER 7
Rachel glared hard at Benton across the table in the interview room.
“So Rachel, what were you doing with half a kilo of cocaine and a gun in the boot of your car?”
“You tell me, you obviously put them there.”
“I expected better from you Rachel.”
Despite how furious she was at being set up she folded her arms across her chest and smiled. “Is this really what you’ve been reduced to? Is this the only way you can get at me, by fitting me up? You’re pathetic and where the hell is my lawyer?”
“She’ll be here soon.”
“I’m not saying another word until she gets here.”
“Come on Rachel, where did the drugs and gun come from?”
She just scowled back at him, refusing to speak.
“We’re having that gun tested. If ballistics prove it was the weapon that killed Douggie you’re going away for a very long time. Little Leah will be married with her own kids by the time you get out.”
Divided Loyalties Page 6