Surrender

by D H Sidebottom

  Her eyes lit up. “Oh really? Thank God, I’m knackered.” She squinted at me, her lip curling with disgust when she took in my dirty jeans and t-shirt. “Maybe we should change first if we’re off to lunch.”

  I narrowed my eyes. I knew she was mocking me. We always said ‘dinner,’ ‘lunch’ to us was a posh word. But I agreed with her, looking down at my dirty clothes.

  I spun round to Benny, holding a finger up to him. “We’ll be five minutes.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”

  “Good man!” Leah declared as she raced up the stairs in front of me, her belly obviously as eager as mine for food.

  Exactly seven minutes later we ran down the path, clean and changed. Benny exited the car to open the door for us. “Thank you.” I smiled at him.

  I liked Benny. He had been fun to hang out with yesterday when the monotony of shopping had clawed its way in and I had become irritable with the staff at Grant’s, no matter how nice and polite they were to me. Benny had brought me a Starbucks hazelnut and caramel cappuccino and a greasy doughnut, one of those with jam in and sugar covering it. We bonded over laughter at the snooty assistant’s face when she had whipped all the ridiculously expensive clothes out of my reach as I sat on the changing room floor, stuffing my face with the yummy sweet dough and swills of hot coffee. We had then upped and left, my disgust at their prices made me refuse to spend my boss’ money. We’d ended up at a retail discount park, where I managed to buy nearly the same outfits for a fraction of the price, which Benny thought was amazing. According to him, whenever Adam sent him out for ‘ladies’ clothes, he was always sent to Grant’s so he was a virgin to shopping on a budget.

  “Where are we off to, Benny?” I asked as I settled into the plush leather seats in the back of his Bentley and Leah climbed in beside me, her eyes all over the luxurious interior.

  “Mr Devine has reserved a table at Frederic’s for you and Miss Gent.”

  “Uh, what?” My mouth fell open, shocked at two things. Frederic’s for one. It was the most prosperous restaurant in London, both securing a table and actually paying for the meal was impossible. And then I was sure he said Mr Devine. “You mean Mr Marshall?”

  “No, Miss Cormack. Mr Devine. He arranged the removal men and your lunch. He also said to tell you that lunch has been paid for, and you are both to order whatever you want. But there’s a catch.”

  I thought there might be. My heart sank a little as my nerves escalated. “Oh?”

  Benny nodded and eyed me through the rear view mirror. “You are to bring him a piece of their salted caramel tart in a doggy bag.”

  I stared at him. He shrugged. “That’s what he said ma’am.”

  I scowled at him playfully. “Stop calling me ma’am. I told you yesterday, it’s Isla, you make me sound like a school teacher.”

  Leah snorted beside me and I elbowed her. Turning my face to the window to watch the world go by, I wondered why Jake had set up lunch. He hated me. It didn’t make any sense. My eyes snapped wide and I spun in my seat to face Leah. “Kris!”

  She reared back at my sudden excitement when my mind allowed me to remember who the removal guy was. “The moving guy you were practically dry humping, it was Kris. Jake’s best friend in college.”

  “That’s right,” Benny interjected. “All four of the men were Mr Devine’s personal friends. He refused to allow some random company to go through your personal possessions.”

  Now it made even less sense. He was up to something, he had to be, otherwise it made everything wrong. Jake Devine didn’t do nice. The world must have started rotating the wrong way. That was the only plausible explanation.

  THE HEAD OF HOUSE who greeted us when Leah and I walked into Frederic’s didn’t bat an eyelash at our clothes. Not realising where we were going when we got dressed, both Leah and I had just pulled on some fresh jeans and tops. However, our waitress didn’t show us the same diplomacy. Her lip curled at the corner as she waited beside our table after George, the maître d,’ led us over. Her eyes showed her disgust as she dragged them over us. Leah stood with her hand on her hip, facing her ready for a battle as I blushed.

  “Is there a problem?”

  The waitress, Imelda, as her name tag announced, looked Leah straight in the eye, her arrogance as big as her crooked nose. It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone had broken it in the past if her attitude was anything to go by. “There isn’t a problem,” she said, and I blew out a breath of relief. Usually, Leah’s fighting never bothered me, but we were in Frederic’s. It wasn’t exactly a popular place for fights. “But I’m afraid the menu may be a little . . . out of your price range.”

  My jaw dropped as Leah’s eyes narrowed and a snarl rumbled from her. Oh shit. I placed my hand on Leah’s arm, attempting to hold her back as I glared at Imelda. “You do realise that we are Mr Devine’s guests and if he heard what you just said . . .”

  “Oh, he heard.”

  Imelda’s eyes widened as they locked onto something, or someone, behind me. Recognising the voice I turned quickly to find Jake standing behind me, glaring at our waitress. Annoyingly, my breath hitched when he stood so close to me I could smell his familiar scent of spice and mint. His cold green eyes showed every bit of his fury as his chest heaved deliciously, his long dark blue tie lifting and lowering against his pale blue shirt, this time with dark blue piping detail.

  His eyes dropped to mine for a second, and softened slightly before they whipped back to Imelda. “I apologise, Mr Devine. I certainly didn’t mean any offense to your guests.”

  “Well you did offend them,” he barked making all three of us jump. “Go and tell George we need a replacement waitress then go and empty your locker.”

  Her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “Please, Mr Devine . . .”

  “Get out, Imelda. Now!”

  She nodded and hurried away, Leah and I following her with our eyes across the room. I felt a pang of sympathy for her. “You know,” I said quietly. “I don’t think she meant to be rude, I think she was worried we couldn’t pay.”

  I stared at Jake as he pulled out Leah’s chair for her to sit then pushed her in. She smiled up at him gratefully. Next he offered me a chair and didn’t reply to me until he took a chair from another table as ours was only set for two, and sited himself between Leah and me.

  “Oh, are you joining us?”

  A small smile played on his lips and he tilted his head at me. “You look worried, Isla.”

  “No, not at all, but . . .”

  “But?”

  “Well, I really wanted to enjoy my lunch. I’m concerned you’ll spoil it by saying something mean to me again.”

  He winced at my honesty but held my gaze. “That’s the reason I came to join you. To call a truce, so to speak. We are going to be working together. We need to at least be civil with each other. Adam likes you and I trust his judge of character.” I was sure he actually meant it as an apology and an approval but his words had a sharp edge. “Can we start again, Isla?”

  I smiled at him, glad he was actually trying. “I’d like that, very much.”

  He smiled back, his eyes roaming my face for a moment. Leah coughed, calling for our attention. Breaking our gaze Jake looked up to find a new waitress patiently waiting.

  “Good afternoon, sir.” She turned to me and Leah. “Ladies. Would you care to order drinks while you peruse the menu?”

  “No need,” Jake told her firmly. “We’ll take a bottle of pinot noir and three wild mushroom and truffle risottos.”

  Leah flicked a glance at me, as if to say ‘arrogant bastard.’ I lowered my face. She had no idea.

  Our waitress nodded. “Anything else, sir?”

  “No.”

  She nodded politely and disappeared into the door at the back of the restaurant.

  “Well.” I sighed, fiddling with my napkin. “I hope you like mushrooms, Leah.”

  She smirked and lowered her head, hiding her
amusement at my chastisement. “I dunno. They can be a bit spongy sometimes. I’d have preferred a juicy steak.”

  We both stared at Jake when he shoved back his chair. “Excuse me for a moment, ladies.”

  We both watched his back as he retreated through the restaurant and whispered something into George’s ear. “Oops. You think I upset him?”

  Leah chuckled. “Well if he wants to start again with you, he’ll need to get used to your honesty.”

  We both quietened when Jake walked back over to us and took his seat again. Taking a sip of his water, he turned to me. “So how was college after I left, Isla?”

  Leah shot me a glance as I swallowed and shifted uncomfortably in my chair. Jake’s eyes narrowed when he sensed my apprehension. “Uh, I left a couple of months after you.”

  He frowned. “Why? You were holding the top ratings for our class.”

  Jake had never taken notice of anyone in college, including me, so how he knew I’d had good grades was a surprise. He didn’t appear to be anxious with his disclosure; he just waited patiently for my answer.

  “I just . . . had some personal problems.”

  I sighed in relief when my phone rang from the depths of my bag. Everyone stared our way when I pulled it out and the loud sounds of Rita Ora filled the room. I groaned, closing my eyes for a second when I saw the caller’s name on my screen. Sliding decline, I shoved my phone back in my bag.

  It continued to ring and I pressed my heel against my bag, hoping to silence the fucker. No such luck.

  “Are you going to answer that?” Jake asked as he watched me struggle with the damn thing. “It sounds important.”

  “Oh, it’s not important.”

  Leah regarded me sceptically, mouthing his name to me. She sighed when I nodded, reached under the table and drew out my phone from my bag. I scowled at her when she answered. “I’m afraid Miss Cormack is busy at the moment.”

  Jake glanced from Leah to me then back to Leah.

  “What, again?” She pinched the bridge of her nose then sighed and looked at me. “You better take it.”

  “Fuck!” I hissed and snatched it from her. “What now?”

  “Leah?” His voice was tight and full of emotion. I knew before he said another word what he needed.

  “Where are you?”

  “No, you can’t come here. It’s not safe.”

  I shook my head then turned to the side when I felt Jake’s eyes studying me with deep curiosity. “They want my money, Seb, then I come to you. You did this before,” I whispered. “You’re not doing it again. Now, tell me where you are.”

  He hesitated and I heard his heavy swallow. “Fine. I’m at Johnny’s.”

  “What are you doing there?”

  “I just needed a bit, Isla. I’m sorry, they . . . they won’t let me go until I’ve paid.”

  “You stupid fuck!” I hissed out. “Fine. I’ll be thirty minutes. How much this time?”

  I gritted my teeth when he whispered, “Two K. I’m sorry . . .” I stabbed the disconnect icon and slammed my phone back into my bag.

  “Isla . . .” Leah warned but I shook my head.

  Turning to Jake I ignored the heated blush crawling up my face. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me.”

  He frowned when I pushed my chair back to stand. The waitress blinked at me when she appeared by my side with a plate of fluffy risotto. It smelled delicious, my mouth watering when the aroma wafted up my nose. The wine that was placed on the table seemed more appealing right then though.

  “Where are you going?” Jake asked as he leaned back to allow the waitress to place his plate in front of him.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off Leah’s lunch. Sat in front of her was the biggest plate of steak and chips. The sight caused me to smile gratefully at Jake. Catching on to what I was smiling at, he dipped his head faintly and smiled back.

  “Thank you for that,” I said quietly.

  He nodded but scowled at me when I picked up my bag. “Isla, I’ll ask once more. Where are you going?”

  I stilled and stared at him, his tone edgy and on the verge of something sinister. I knew no one ever held back their secrets from this man. However, if he thought because he’d bought me lunch that I would want to open up to him, then he had another thought coming.

  “I apologise, Jake,” I replied. “But I have to go.” Ignoring him when he opened his mouth to say something else, I turned to Leah. “I’ll see you back at the cottage.”

  She shook her head and stood up. “You’re not going on your own, missy, no—fucking—way!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Leah, I don’t have time for this. I’ll see you later. Jake has been kind enough to buy our lunch. Please stay. I promise I’ll ring you as soon as I . . . I’m on my way back.”

  She glared at me, her face reddening as her anger with me grew but she held up her hands. “We’ll discuss this when you get back.”

  I nodded to her and smiled at a seething Jake as he pierced me with the angriest stare. “Thank you for lunch.”

  “Why thank me for something you refuse to enjoy, Isla. That’s a waste of a sentiment.”

  “Okay.” I leaned down so my mouth was at his ear. I smirked when I felt him stiffen beneath me. He turned his face slightly so his nose was virtually touching my face. I frowned when he inhaled ever so gently. Blinking the curiosity away, I whispered in his ear. “Well to me, manners are important and are something that nobody has managed to take from me. Unfortunately, I find them to be underused by so many people.”

  He understood my sentiment, quirking an eyebrow at me with a small patronising smile on his face. When I made a move to walk away he grabbed my wrist and pulled my ear to his mouth this time, causing me to be the one to stiffen. “There are so many things underused, Isla. And as far as taking something from you, I have no intentions. Giving is so much more my thing.”

  I swallowed when his voice deepened, a shiver ripping through me. Tearing my arm away from him, I refused to look at him before I scurried away.

  I SHOVED A TWENTY-POUND note into the taxi driver’s hand and he looked at me anxiously. His eyebrows crashing together a down turn in his lip. “You sure you’ll be alright going in there alone?” His reference to the boarded up terraced house caused me to shiver when I glanced at it.

  I nodded and climbed out. “Will you be alright waiting?”

  He grimaced, looking around the run down area that housed various gangs on each street corner and numerous houses with either shattered windows and broken doors or iron plates covering every available entrance. All eyes in the vicinity looked our way. “I’m not sure, love. I’ll try and wait for you but any trouble then I’m outta here.”

  “Thank you, I understand. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  He nodded, a look of worry crossing his face distorting his features as his eyes scanned me. “Please do. We don’t usually come into this area as a rule.”

  “Well, I’m very grateful.” He nodded again, scanning our surroundings glumly.

  Bracing myself, I walked up the overgrown pathway, pushing back the brambles that tried to snatch at my ankles. The door slowly creaked opened before I even made it to the end of the path. Johnny grinned at me, his smile full of rotting yellow teeth and what appeared to be something growing on his front incisor.

  “Come in, oh bank of Sebastian.”

  Glaring at him, trying to fight back my nerves I shoved past him and winced at the smell that greeted me. Without giving him a chance to be rude, I turned to him and pulled out the envelope that was in my pocket. “You’ll find it all there.”

  He chuckled, pouting as he took it from me. “Aww, Isla. I was hoping to have a little chat with you.”

  “I don’t like chatting. It’s a waste of tongue muscles.”

  He barked out a laugh, dragging me towards his filthy body with an arm around my shoulder. “Oh, don’t be silly. Spending time with Uncle Johnny would never be a waste of muscle usage.”

 
; I stuck my feet into the sticky carpet when he attempted to pull me towards a door. “No, just let me take Seb home. You have your money, Johnny. But for God’s sake, please don’t give him any credit again.”

  His leer made my stomach revolt. “Why wouldn’t I allow him credit when he offers you up as the interest payment?”

  I whipped my face up to his, staring at him in shock. “What?”

  “Mmm,” he answered casually. “Sebastian owed me two K, which makes me one and a half thousand in interest, Isla. So here you are.”

  “What? No. Just give me time and I’ll get you the extra.”

  “But then, see, by the time you get me the extra, I’m afraid you’ll have gained interest on the interest. It would be never-ending, sweet.” I shivered at his pet name, my eyes furiously skimming the hallway for an exit.

  “Look, Johnny, I’m afraid I’m not part of the payment. I have paid Seb’s debt. Please just take it.”

  He tutted and grabbed my upper arm, squeezing enough to make me wince. “Too late.”

  He hoisted me over his shoulder. He laughed when I tried to punch his back, my legs kicking furiously in attempt to hurt him enough to drop me. However, I froze when he hauled me into a room where Seb was tied to a chair. Blood ran from every orifice on his body, his head hung low and his arms were tied behind his back. His breathing seemed laboured, his chest struggling with each compression of his lungs.

  “Oh my God, what have you done?”

  “Oh, relax. He’s still breathing. But we can alter that if you care to refuse me my interest payment.”

  “Johnny, please. I can’t . . .”

  I cried out when his fist connected with my cheekbone and I fell sideways, my head bouncing off an old table that cracked under my weight.

  I was going to kill Seb if we got out in one piece. Enough was enough.

  “Get up!”

  I knew there was no way out, even though my mind refused to believe that, my eyes still hunting for a way out. “Look, Johnny. I can get you the money by teatime . . .”

  He grabbed my throat, pulling me close to his face, enough for his rancid breath to cause my breakfast to revolt against the bile in my stomach and threaten to explode all over him. “I don’t want the money. Not when your lovely little ass is available.”