by Jane Keene
Victoria stood up and started pacing the room, “I had a really bad day yesterday, a bit of a crazy night and I just needed a little time without distraction, so I left my phone downstairs, took a sleeping pill and went to bed. With all that’s going on, the last thing I wanted to do was check my phone messages.”
They were distracted by a knock on the door, Victoria went over to open it, Ryan had two cups of coffee, the smell was heavenly, but what was more heavenly was the sight of him, she wanted to run her hands all over his muscled torso, he was so close she could see him draw breath. His presence was so disturbing, but in another way, she was truly relieved to see him.
“I thought you ladies could do with some coffee,” he handed Victoria a cup of the steaming hot liquid, their fingers brushed slightly causing Victoria’s breath to catch and she looked straight into Ryan’s eyes, the message she read in his look was loud and clear, he was more than willing to take up where their antics of the night before had ended.
Victoria blushed, and quickly moved to the other side of the room. Liz looked on with curious interest, the electricity between Ryan and Victoria was ridiculous. She stood up and declined Ryan’s offer for coffee.
“Ryan, you drink it. You look like you need it! I better head back to the office, Dermott has texted me three times already, I can’t wait until you get back I could just hit his stupid face with my laptop every time he is in the room.” Liz hugged Victoria and left.
Chapter 15
Maisey, was completely “done in” when her shift finished later that day, she wanted a hot bath and early night. She hoped that Billy would not be too difficult this evening, especially since he had not seen her since the night before. She would make him his favorite for tea, pork bangers with spring onion mash, and then they would settle in and watch a movie together. She picked up her handbag from her locker and headed for the door. “Goodnight, Mick, see ya in the morning”.
“Erm, Maisey before you go can I ask you something?” Mickey became all awkward. Maisey had that uneasy feeling again.
“Sure Mick, what’s up?” She asked hoping she sounded casual.
“I have this function. I have to go to, down in Cork and I was wondering,” Maisey held her breath, please don’t ask me to go with, she said silently to herself.
“If you would hold the fort for me while I was away? Ryan has some stuff going on, and I need a second in command that I can rely on.” Mickey finished. Maisey was so relieved; she gave herself a start when she shouted her answer back at him.
“Of course, Mick, I would be happy to!”
“Thanks, Maise, I knew I could count on you!” Mickey walked towards Maisey and gave her an awkward embrace.
That uneasy feeling washed over Maisey again, why was Mickey hugging her? Was she right in her initial feeling that Mickey had feelings for her? She hoped it wasn’t the case, she loved Mickey with all her heart as a father-figure. She would hate for anything to ruin that. But she suddenly realized that Mickey had entrusted her with the Cafe. She felt so proud of herself, she knew she could run the place with her eyes closed. The business course required actual practice in the business place, maybe she could use this time.
She felt quite excited as she walked towards the bus stop, it all seemed to be coming together for her, first her opportunity to study again, Billy making progress and now a chance to prove herself.
The bus stop was quite crowded, a queue of people started forming waiting to get onto the bus that had just stopped. Maisey took her place in the queue. While waiting for the people to get off the bus, suddenly Maisey was pushed forward. To stop herself from sprawling to the ground she stepped to the side, as she stepped, she accidentally trod all over a strange man getting off the bus. The man let out a yelp of pain and started hopping around on one leg. “Oh, my goodness, I am terribly sorry, but they pushed me from the back. ” Maisey indicated to the queue of people behind her. The man mumbled something under his breath took one scathing look at Maisey and hobbled off in the opposite direction.
Maisey finally found her seat on the bus, but she couldn’t help thinking about the rude and disturbing man who she had trod on. At least he could have said something, he looked as if he was about to strike her. She shuddered and rested her head against the window, at least the trip home to Blackrock was short.
***
Mickey was in his office; the cafe was quiet, and everybody had left for the night. He sat staring into space, he was grateful that he had such trustworthy people in his life; Ryan and Maisey were like family to him. Just then, his thoughts were disturbed by a knocking sound. Who the devil could that be at this hour? Mickey said to himself. He got up from his chair feeling very disgruntled. He got up slowly, wincing slightly as he straightened up. He walked over towards the door, when he reached the door he couldn’t believe his eyes, he fumbled for the key to the door and shouted, “Aaron, what in all that’s true and holy, are you doing here!”
Chapter 16
After Ryan left, Victoria had felt a renewed surge of energy. She had gone to gym and when she got back she had received a surprise phone call from Bruce McCarthy. She had agreed to meet him the next morning. She went to bed early in hope that the next day would bring her good news. After a restless night’s sleep, she had a quick breakfast. She was on her way to Bruce McCarthy’s office. He said he had something important to discuss with her.
After the antics of the past 48 hours she needed to focus on getting her life back on track. Ryan was a distraction. An understatement! The biggest distraction. When Liz had left them alone in her bedroom yesterday, it had been so awkward. She didn’t know if she wanted to tackle him onto the bed and beg him to take her or high tail it out of there and keep running without looking back.
In the end, after an even more awkward silence, Ryan made the first move, he made her promise to be careful and then made some excuse and left.
This was the wrong time to become involved with someone, her focus should be on clearing her name and getting revenge on Dermott, but her mind was a foggy mess at the moment.
She felt so confused; she grabbed her biker jacket and headed out the door. It felt good to get back behind the wheel of her metallic baby blue Mini Cooper; she started the car and pulled off into the traffic.
Further down the road, a black SUV pulled out moments after her.
This damn traffic! Thought Victoria, Bruce Mc Cathy’s office was all the way over across town, why hadn’t she taken the motorway; she felt she had been on the road for hours. She looked in her rearview mirror and she noticed the same black SUV, which had been behind her 20 minutes ago had reappeared. She would have never noticed anything like this before, but with all the craziness lately she couldn’t help but feel unnerved. Maybe she should let Ryan know. Before she could reach for her phone, the traffic started moving again, and she was forced to abandon her phone and drive on. She put on some music and sang away her troubles.
Finally, after being in traffic for an hour Victoria was seated across from Bruce in his comfortable wood paneled office.
“So, these documents prove that you have nothing to do with Dermott’s dodgy dealings. He made the big mistake of signing off on these business lunches, which places him with the director of Steelcor’s opposition on the day that the information was leaked about your involvement.
Bruce, leaned over his desk with his arms stretched forward and said, “Frankly, I thought Dermott was smarter than this, only an idiot would leave a paper trail when trying to frame someone else.”
“So, does this mean I can get my job back and I am in the clear? I need to get back to work. The Steelcor deal was nearly signed and sealed.” Victoria said hopefully, her hands were red and sore; she had been sitting and wringing them while Bruce was talking. “That’s the good news. I spoke to your boss and sent over all the proof. He is ready to reinstate you and kick Dermott to the curb. I wanted to tell you myself, as I wanted to reassure you that the deal had not been compromised.”
“I’m sorry for that unprofessional display, but you have no idea what I have gone through this past week. I promise from now on I will revert back to the same no-nonsense solicitor you hired to do the job.”
Bruce McCarthy let out a booming laugh; he was rather taken by surprise. Victoria was not one to display emotions, something had changed in her, maybe it was the threat of losing her livelihood, she appeared softer, not in the wimpy kind of way, but in a more human, more approachable way.
“Well that’s reassuring, if I ever had to tell anyone what just happened now, they would think I was hitting the sauce.”
Victoria laughed, said goodbye and left.
She felt as if she was walking on a cloud, she could get her life back; everything could go back to normal. But as she walked towards her car she had a nagging feeling that she might not want everything to go back to normal. Normal meant work 100% and definitely no Ryan. But did she want that? She reached into her bag for her keys, but never found them because all of a sudden, she was staring into a dark abyss.
***
It took every inch of restraint in Ryan’s body to leave Victoria yesterday. He could see the want in her eyes, but he could also see the mistrust and uncertainty. He had put her in so much danger; he needed to sort the situation out before anything seriously happened. He had called his security company as soon as he got back to the Café,’ he needed to know that Victoria was safe, they had been tailing her since she left her house this morning. It was 13:15 he was a due an update at one.
What the hell was going on? He was getting impatient. He had left the coffee making duties to Cormac for the day; he couldn’t focus on anything, but Victoria’s safety. His phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Why the hell are you getting back to me so late,” barked Ryan down the phone.
“Listen,” said the voice on the other end of the line “I have just found Victoria’s bag next her car, she is gone. And, another thing, there seems to be drops of blood on the parking lot floor.”
Chapter 17
That morning had been a busy one in the Café, Maisey was sitting quietly in the back of the Café, she was on a break, she was still reeling from the chaos of the morning, and it had been hectic.
Without Ryan making coffee, she felt she had to work a bit harder to get the orders out, Cormac was great, but he didn’t have the speed of Ryan. She looked into her handbag and took the manila envelope out. It was addressed to her; it displayed the stamp of the college she had applied to. She was so nervous; slowly with shaky hands she tore it open. “Dear Ms O’Brien, we are pleased to …..”, She had got in, Maisey jumped up and let out a huge whoop, the Café was not very full, but the few customers still there turned to look at the distraction.
Maisey rushed into Mickey’s office, she couldn’t wait to tell him the good news. “Mick, you will never believe…” she never finished her sentenced, because it wasn’t Mick in his chair behind the desk. The coldest eyes of the bluest azure connected with hers, throwing her off.
“Excuse me, I don’t think you should be back here, this is the manager’s office.” Maisey warned in an authoritative voice.
“Well, I think I am going to remain here, because my feet feel safe behind the desk, or are you going to come over here and jump all over them?” The cold eyes spoke, the voice almost as icy as the eyes.
Maisey could not believe her eyes and her bad luck, she suddenly realised this was the rude creature who almost assaulted her when she “accidently” stood on him. Ok, he didn’t almost assault her, but the taciturn wuthering look could definitely be counted as hostile. Still holding Maisey’s gaze, he got up and walked across the room. Maisey couldn’t help but look at his tall and athletic frame; she shook her head and gained composure. “Regardless of what you think I’m going to do, I demand to know what you are doing back here?” That will teach him, who the hell did he think he was any way? She worked here and she will be managing the place soon, even if it’s only for a week while Mickey was away. Before the tall intruder could answer, Mickey walked into the room, he looked at Maisey and looked at the stranger, a deep shade of red rushed over his face. “Aah, Maisey! I see you have already met my son, Aaron.
***
Ryan was in a panic. He had never felt so helpless before. He ran out of the Café. He didn’t have time to tell Mickey, he got to his car and phoned his solicitor. He also made another phone call, he never thought he would ever have to dial this number, but he had no choice. “Shane, it’s Ryan; I need your help, where can I meet you?” Ryan wrote the address down.
Shane “The Knuckle” Sweeney, otherwise known as Shane Sweeney, ran in the same gang as Ryan many years back. Lucky for Shane when Ryan’s gang was bust, he had been laid up in hospital with a broken leg. Shane stuck to the gang life, and over the years they both had lost touch, especially since Ryan had betrayed his fellow gang members.
Ryan drove like a maniac to an industrial side of town, down a narrow alley way with warehousing on each side. He parked his car and walked over to a doorway cut into the large corrugated steel gate. The alley smelt faintly like old alcohol and urine; litter sat lazily in the street.
Ryan opened the makeshift door, it led into another narrow alley. Ryan walked down the path, he was fully aware that Shane could have sold him out and that he could be entering into a trap, he felt his left pocket, he had come prepared. He could feel the outline of the gun and somehow this gave him some comfort. Trap or no trap he needed to do this it was the only way he could get to Victoria and get her to safety.
Shane watched Ryan from his office window, walking down the path towards the door, he had to admire him. He still had that cocky air of someone who just didn’t give a shit. Ryan had aged well. Unlike him, I suppose doing what he did he would look older more lined, gang life wasn’t for wimps.
Shane always had a soft spot for Ryan, believing that if he ever had the moxy to do what Ryan did he would have given the crime life up ages ago. But regardless of how he felt personally, business was business and he had to get on and do his.
Ryan walked into what he thought was a warehouse, which he realised, was actually the back entrance of a pub, empty draught kegs lined up against the wall. Two rough looking men appeared in front of him, they patted him down and removed his weapon, and they gestured towards the steps. Ryan drew in a hard breathe, he had no choice but to follow them. The staircase made creaky noises, definitely not made for stealth. The two men indicated for Ryan to go through a door at the top of the steps, he walked into the room and they closed the door behind him.
The office was dark and dingy, heavy green velvet curtains hung on the windows adding to the drama of the room. A large black leather couch lined the one wall. A dark wooden desk took up the middle of the room.
Behind it sat Shane; he was staring at Ryan waiting for him to make the first move. Ryan knew this was Shane’s thing; he was good at unnerving people by just looking at them. Ryan also knew Shane’s name “The Knuckle” was given to him for a reason. Before Shane moved up the ranks he was used as an “intimidator,” often having to use his knuckles to get what was needed.
Ryan stood firm and began the exchange.
“Something tells me you know exactly why I am here, but I am not going to mess around with you, I need to get a message to Jack, he has something of mine and I want it back!”
Shane tapped his thick, rough index finger on the desktop.
“Let’s take this down a notch; you were the one who called me, what makes you think I know what you are on about?”
“Shane don’t act dumb with me, you would have phoned Jack as soon as the call ended with me, there was no way you would meet with me without him knowing”.
Shane took a deep breath in and said, “So, let me get
this right, so what you are saying is that I am loyal and I would never sell my kin out, rat them out to the Garda”.
Ryan knew his past would come up, but he was ready for it.
“I’m not here for a trip down memory lane, Shane. Victoria has nothing to do with this, if Jack has an issue with me, then let him take it up with me and me alone.”
“Tell Jack I will meet him but only on the condition that Victoria is not harmed”.
“I’m glad you said that Ryan, because I wasn’t in the mood to “convince” you, despite what I have to do here, I remember all the times you protected me and you never named me as one of the gang members in Jack’s trial. That is the only reason why you are not sitting at the bottom of the canals.”
Ryan nodded an understanding, “Let Jack know what we agreed to and make sure he doesn’t even make a scratch on Victoria, or he will see himself at the bottom of the canals” warned Ryan.
Chapter 18
Maisey could feel her cheeks burning, “I wouldn’t say we have formally met yet, but I will leave you two alone to talk.”
Maisey almost ran out of the room, she stood in the passage outside of the office and lent her shoulder against the cool of the wall, why was she feeling so embarrassed, it should be that rude Aaron who should be feeling humiliated. She fanned herself with her docket book. She was interrupted by Mickey coming out of the room.
“Maisey, I am glad you are still here, was there something you needed me for? You ran out of there so fast you left this envelope.”
“Oh, ehm, I just wanted to let you know I was accepted to do the course”.
Mickey clapped his hands together and enveloped Maisey into a bear hug, with all that had happened lately Maisey would have felt uncomfortable with Mickey’s display of affection, but somehow the hug was genuine and extremely comforting.