Rachel paused for a heartbeat as a variety of replies ran through her mind. She didn’t want this man anywhere near her daughter. His actions had already taken one child from her. “I suppose we could bring her up to visit.”
“I was thinking more of us coming down to you.” He smiled that strange emotionless smile again. “We’ve not seen your new place yet. I know Beth can’t wait.”
“We’ll have to see,” was all she was willing to reply.
“Not good enough for you, are we?” he said, voice lowering dangerously.
“That’s not it.” She lowered her own voice in response. “I’m afraid of what you’ll bring to my door.”
Instead of the expected anger, he gently took her hand. “Our families will always be connected by blood.”
It suddenly struck her why he was making this effort. Frankie McVay was hovering nearby, probably after some assurance that the Maguire’s personal problems wouldn’t affect business again. If she played along then hopefully she’d get out of this excruciating conversation. She covered Alex’s hand with her own. “We must make the effort to visit and not let Martina’s death divide us.”
It was the assurance he wanted Frankie to hear and this time his smile was genuine. “I’m so glad you feel like that too.”
“I really do,” she said, patting his hand. “Would you mind if I took a look around the kitchen? That’s the room I always associate with Martina. She was always in there baking or cooking a big family roast.”
“I know what you mean,” he smiled. “That was her domain. Woe betide my dad if he tried to interfere. Go for it.”
“Thank you.”
Trying not to look relieved she got to her feet and breezed into the kitchen, making straight for the alcohol on the countertop and pouring out a large glass of white wine.
“Hello Rachel,” said a Glaswegian accent.
She sighed inwardly and turned to face Frankie McVay. “Good to see you again Frankie. It was nice of you to come down for the funeral.”
“I liked Martina, she was a feisty bird.” He took her hands and regarded her with concern. Rachel’s throat went dry, she knew what terrible things those hands had done. “How are you holding up? I know you and Martina were close.”
“We were.” Rachel wished she was here now. It was only just hitting her what a buffer Martina had been between the Laws and Maguires. Without her the two families would grate against each other, fracturing the fragile truce Frank had bartered with Ryan and Frankie had always been on the side of the Maguires. She was tempted to grab Leah and Ryan, jump in the car and race back to the airport.
“Do you think you’ll ever come back to Manchester?” he said.
“No. We’re happy in Devon. Turns out that after years of living in the city we love the countryside,” she said, trying to keep her tone light but it wasn’t working. Frankie was being polite, friendly even, but there was something lethal in his eyes. This was probably how he looked right before he chopped someone up with an axe, his favourite hobby. What if Alex had been dripping poison in his ear about her and Ryan?
“I noticed you scarpered pretty quick after the Jordan incident,” he said.
Incident was too mild a word for the hell that had almost ended with Ryan being beaten to death by Nick and Robbie’s mad cousins, led by his diabolical mother, Jan. The majority of the Jordan clan were now lying in a deep hole somewhere on Saddleworth Moor. Nick had turned against his mother and cousins to save himself and his younger brother.
“I almost lost my husband that night and if it hadn’t been for Nick Jordan I would have been raped and murdered.” Nick had gone out of his way to protect her against the rest of his family, who had been a twisted bunch of incestuous bastards. She was surprised they hadn’t played the banjo.
“So you won’t be getting back into the family business?”
The mood had changed, the danger had evaporated and she was relieved. Frankie was furious at someone but thank God it wasn’t her.
“No. I’m very happy as I am.”
“That’s a fucking shame because you and Ryan are naturals. I can’t tempt you with offers of untold wealth, can I?”
“Already have it,” she replied light-heartedly.
Instead of responding with a joke, which she’d expected, he just nodded. Rachel had never seen Frankie so serious before. When he’d chopped off Jan Jordan’s hand to add to his collection of enemies’ body parts he’d cracked a joke. Now he looked so troubled he couldn’t be bothered. His eyes suddenly filled with burning fury and fixated on her. “I hope this new life of yours won’t lead to a loose tongue.”
Rachel recalled Danny telling her about an enemy of Frankie’s who’d lied to him, so he’d cut the man’s tongue out and kept it in a Tupperware box. “There’s absolutely no chance of that. I don’t want to go to prison, which I would for the rest of my life, Ryan too. Even though we’re not in the life anymore never doubt our loyalty. You’ll always have it.”
She said it with such heart that he nodded. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down Sweetheart.”
Ryan entered the room and she wanted to throw herself at him and beg him to take her home.
“Leah needs an orange juice,” he said by way of an explanation, clutching an empty glass but she knew he’d only come in to check on her. Ignoring Frankie he took her face in his hands. “How are you holding up?”
“It’s so hard being here without Martina,” she replied, willing away the tears wanting to well up in her eyes. Showing weakness in front of Frankie could be fatal.
“Alright Frankie?” said Ryan, wrapping his arm around Rachel and pulling her close.
“Fucking fantastic Pal,” he grinned, then he recalled the occasion and adjusted his expression to a more solemn one.
“I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t know you were that close to Martina,” continued Ryan.
“I wasn’t but I liked her and I want to show Alex my support.”
Ryan nodded in understanding, grey eyes scrutinising every subtle expression that ran across Frankie’s face. Ryan was afraid of no one and Rachel was so proud of his strength.
“Yes, quite right. Are you staying for a while?” said Ryan pleasantly.
“No, I’m heading back up north in an hour. It was good to see you both again,” he said before strolling out of the kitchen, hands in his pockets.
“Thank God for that,” breathed Rachel after he’d gone. “I’ve never seen Frankie like that before.”
“Did he threaten you?”
“No but he did ask if me and you were getting back into the family business. I told him no.”
“Good. Something strange is going on and the sooner we’re back in Devon the better.”
Rachel picked up her wine glass, her hand shaking slightly. “I couldn’t agree more.”
CHAPTER 4
True to his word, Frankie left the funeral an hour later and this seemed to unleash something in Alex. His whole demeanour grew darker and more threatening, as though a storm was gathering around him, his narrow eyes continuously flicking between Ryan and Rachel as they mingled with the other guests.
Beth sat on the couch nervously sipping a glass of wine, cold dread permeating every part of her. Her husband scared her. She’d never had any illusions about who and what he was but he used to be so gentle and tender towards her, ensuring his other life didn’t intrude on their home life. But Alex was becoming dark and violent. He never had a kind word for her anymore, neither did he have time for the kids. Whenever she complained he yelled at her, called her fat, useless and stupid. She couldn’t understand why he called her fat because she weighed less than she did when they first met. But this didn’t stop his words hitting their mark, so she continued to diet. She took another swig of wine, which was starting to go to her head because she hadn’t eaten all day, wincing as pain shot through her ribs. Alex had finally hit her the day his mother died. She was surprised it had taken him so long, it had been building for a wh
ile, the tension filling the house like a smothering fog, upsetting the kids. He’d hit her three more times since then. With Martina gone the restraints had been removed. Now it was no holds barred. She glanced at him, careful to keep her gaze low. He was sat at the head of the room like he was king, listening to his acolytes making obeisance and she felt sick. She had once loved this man more than life itself but now he terrified her because she knew that one day he’d go too far and kill her. Then what would become of her boys, who he was trying to mould into smaller versions of himself? Poor little Holly didn’t get a look in, he couldn’t care less about her because she was a girl. She loathed his stupid, archaic way of thinking. Rachel was living proof that women were just as capable as men.
Rachel came out of the kitchen with Ryan, his arm around her waist, talking quietly together. There was such a connection between them, such a closeness. Ryan would never hurt Rachel and vice versa. Tears spilled down Beth’s face. That’s all she wanted, a loving husband. She’d do anything to have back the man she married but that Alex didn’t exist anymore.
“Here,” said a gentle voice.
Nick Jordan sat beside her and held out a tissue.
“Thank you,” she replied, taking it from him and dabbing at her eyes.
“Have you eaten?”
She nodded.
“No you haven’t, you’re shaking. Here you go,” he said, placing a plate of bread, salad, coleslaw and chicken on her lap.
“I can’t eat all that.”
“You need to, you’re so thin.”
“Thin?” she snorted. “You don’t need to lie Nick.”
“I’m not. Now eat it, for me, please.”
He always spoke so nicely to her, treated her gently. Beth was relieved that Alex had appointed her such a sympathetic babysitter because that’s what he was to her. When Alex took her out to pubs or restaurants she knew it was just for appearance’s sake, he liked to represent himself as the doting family man. Then he’d dump her on Nick, who would drive her home so he could go off and do God knew what. She knew Alex was cheating on her. When she’d first realised all those late night meetings weren’t just business her heart had broken, however a strange sort of acceptance slowly settled over her. What could she do about it? If she challenged him he’d hit her because Alex didn’t like to be challenged.
She took a small bite of bread to please Nick.
“Thank you,” he smiled.
Even his smile was gentle. He was a lovely soothing balm after Alex’s harshness. He was so good-looking too, she had been noticing that a lot lately with his dark eyes and blond hair, an attractive combination. He was tall and well-built, his expensive suit clinging to the muscles in his arms.
Stop it, she told herself, taking another big glug of wine.
“Nick, over here,” called Alex.
He gave Alex a nod before turning his attention back to Beth. “Finish up your food, won’t you?”
It felt nice to be fussed over. “I will.”
He gave her hand a soft squeeze then got to his feet and walked towards the king. Beth was alone again. Rachel and Ryan had moved into a corner of the room to talk in private, standing so close they could have kissed, their fingers entwined. Beth was desperate to confide in her oldest friend. They talked on the phone a lot, more than Alex realised, but she’d managed to keep his treatment of her secret. She recalled all too well that horrible night in this very house just over a year ago when Rachel was supposed to turn up for the weekly family dinner and never arrived. Beth had been told to stay upstairs with the kids and Cathy. They’d listened to the men arguing and Martina crying. Ryan had shouted at Alex, his voice too muffled to make out the words but it was clear his anger had been directed at her husband. Then they’d all rushed out and Alex hadn’t returned until the following morning covered in bruises. Something horrible had happened that night but they’d all refused to talk about it. Even Martina had told her to leave it alone when she’d asked. Whatever it was had been bad enough to scare Rachel, who she had always thought of as fearless. Beth had never questioned Rachel about it, afraid of upsetting her, afraid too that whatever Alex was involved in had led to Thomas’s death. Besides, the way Rachel and Ryan were whispering together made her think they had problems of their own. Her heart skipped a beat when Alex’s eyes slid across the room to them. Slyness lifted one side of his mouth and those cunning eyes moved off them to scan the room. They settled on Leah.
“Leah Sweetheart, come and sit with Uncle Alex.”
Leah, who had been playing with her cousins, looked a bit miffed but she was a polite girl and obeyed. Alfie followed her and stood by her side protectively, regarding his dad with suspicion. Beth worried about him too, he’d been so quiet and withdrawn lately, not the bright happy boy he usually was. Leah’s presence had perked him up a bit.
“You’ll miss your gran, won’t you?” Alex said sympathetically.
Leah sniffed and nodded.
Beth glanced over at Ryan and Rachel, who were anxiously watching.
“She loved you very much,” he continued. “She loved your brothers too, even though they weren’t her grandchildren.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know your dad’s not your real dad? My brother was.”
Beth closed her eyes, mortified. The bastard.
“We’ve already told her,” said Rachel, her cold voice drawing everyone’s attention.
Leah was defiant. “He is my dad,” she said, pointing at Ryan.
Ryan’s eyes filled with pride while Alex’s expression grew positively black and Beth couldn’t suppress a smile. She knew exactly what he was thinking; that Leah was just like her mum.
“No he isn’t, not really,” pressed Alex. “You’re one of us Leah, your name should be Maguire, not Law. It used to be Maguire.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks and she shook her head. “No it’s not, it’s the same as Mum and Dad’s and my brothers’.”
“Stop it Dad, you’re making her cry,” objected Alfie.
Alex ignored his eldest son. “No, it should be Maguire,” he told Leah gleefully. “He stole you from us.”
“That’s enough,” snapped Ryan, picking up Leah and cuddling her to him. His angry eyes settled on Alex. “What’s wrong with you?”
Alex reclined back in his seat with a smirk. “Just telling her a few home truths. I didn’t mean to upset you Honey.”
“Do not speak to my daughter.”
“She is not your daughter,” Alex spat back at him.
Rachel thought it was time for her to step in because it looked like the two men could go at each other at any moment. “Leah’s tired. I think it’s time we left,” she told Ryan. Then she looked to Alex. “You can forget about that invite now.”
“I’m devastated,” he said sarcastically.
She ignored the quip and walked past him to embrace Beth. “Can you meet me at the hotel at ten tomorrow morning?” she whispered in her ear so Alex wouldn’t hear.
“Yes,” she whispered back.
While Ryan stormed out of the house clutching a tearful Leah, Rachel said goodbye to Mikey, Battler, Bruiser and Franco. She just gave Nick another nod, unable to bring herself to speak to him after she’d cut his mum’s one remaining hand off with Frankie’s axe.
When they’d gone Alex reclined back in his chair, sipping a beer, looking very pleased with himself.
“That was mean,” Alfie told his dad.
“Don’t backchat me boy,” he glowered.
Beth admired her son’s courage but was still frightened for him. “Alfie Love, come sit with me,” she said, trying to keep her voice light.
With one last frown at his dad he went to sit beside his mother, who hugged him.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered in his ear.
The boy gave her a sad smile followed by a cuddle.
Alex drained his beer and let the bottle drop to the floor. “Get us another beer will you Mikey.” It wasn�
��t a question.
“Get it yourself,” he replied coldly.
“Who gives the fucking orders around here?” growled Alex.
“We’re not at work now and you were bang out of order speaking to Leah like that. Martina would be ashamed of you. This is still her house.”
Alex flew to his feet and stood nose to nose with Mikey. “You cheeky little fucker. What right have you to talk to me like that?”
“I’m sick of your bullying. What a big tough man you are, picking on a nine year old girl.”
“Shut it before I ram my fist down your throat.”
“That’s all you’re capable of these days, threats and violence,” said Mikey, thrusting his face into his cousin’s.
Battler and Bruiser hastily put themselves between them.
“Alright lads, emotions are running high. Why don’t you get some fresh air?” Battler said to Mikey.
“I think I might. It’s a bit rank in here,” he said, throwing Alex a disgusted look. He took a frightened Amber’s hand, who cradled their son to her, and led her to the door.
“Why don’t we have a drink to Martina?” said Battler, trying to diffuse Alex’s anger.
Alex rounded on him, eyes burning with fury and grief. “You ever stick your nose in my business again old man and you’re fucking dead.”
Battler was so shocked he let Alex walk away. He looked to his brother, whose brows were knitted together with rage.
“He’s grieving,” said Battler by way of an explanation, but he felt sad. The boy he knew was gone, replaced by someone he didn’t like and who was on a certain path to self-destruction.
Back at the hotel Ryan brooded in silent rage until they’d settled Leah down in bed, so overwhelmed with exhaustion and emotion that she fell asleep a few minutes after they returned.
“Can you believe the front of that wanker?” seethed Ryan once Rachel had closed the door to Leah’s bedroom. He threw off his jacket and wrenched open the top button of his shirt, skewing his tie. “It’s lucky we’d already explained to Leah about Danny or his little outburst could have caused a serious problem.”
Fractured (Dividing Line #4) Page 3