by Edie Baylis
“Anna?” Jane placed her hand on Anna’s shoulder, making her jump.
Realising she’d been off with the fairies, Anna quickly swung around and looked into Jane’s dark eyes. “Sorry. Yes?”
“Photo!” Jane smiled, grabbing Anna’s hand. “Come on, up you get. The press want a photo and you and Toby should be in it.”
Anna felt nausea rush over her. “Oh not a photo! Surely not with me?” she blabbered. “Why not just take Toby?”
Jane smiled. “No, come on. You need to be in it too?”
“But I look...”
“Anna! You look fine,” Jane replied sternly. “Now hurry up!”
Anna pushed herself nervously up from the table, horribly conscious the wine was having an effect on her legs and readjusted Toby into position on her hip. She carefully followed Jane over to where Seth was standing with Jason and Linda Miller. This was worse than awful.
Four or five press photographers gathered in a semi-circle in front of where the others stood against the curtained side door of the club’s stage area where the name of the club was prestigiously emblazoned on the heavy velvet drape.
Jane took her position next to Seth, who placed his arm around her waist once more and the photographers beckoned Anna over to stand next to them.
Nervously shuffling into position, Anna forced a smile for the myriad of flashbulbs and Toby, photogenic as ever, grinned his gummy smile perfectly.
“Relax!” Jane whispered sideways into Anna’s ear, evidently sensing her nervous discomfort.
Anna smiled gratefully, knowing she really must try to chill out. Jane’s patience with her would only last so long.
Thankful once the photographs were complete, Anna scuttled back to her seat, noticing her glass of wine had been replenished. She’d really have to make her excuses soon. Besides, Toby was getting tired. She glanced up once more, her eyes finding Seth and Jane dancing closely to a slow number on the dance floor. Her body was pressed tightly up to his and she could see his mouth moving as he spoke in her ear, his hand caressing the small of her back.
She watched Seth’s muscled legs move fluidly within the material of his expensive trousers and felt an unfamiliar stab of desire from inside her. Swallowing nervously she tried to pick up her glass, but found she couldn’t quite reach it. Anna attempted to shuffle forward in the chair without disturbing Toby who had begun to drop off in her arms, when a hand picked up her glass and passed it to her.
“Here you go,” a man smiled. “I can see you’ve got your arms full.”
Surprised, Anna stared up at the blond-haired man and took the glass gratefully. “Thank you,” she said nervously.
“Do you mind?” Aiden said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her.
“Not at all,” Anna said, secretly wishing there were no spare chairs. She was hopeless at conversations. Everybody knew that. She studied the man. He was tall, well-built and in his late twenties from what she could guess. He was also very attractive – apart from the edge of a tattoo on his neck poking out from under his collar. She didn’t have much time for tattoos and wondered if the rest of his body were covered in them.
Knowing her eyes were tracing over the man’s shirt and down to his waist, Anna felt a flush creep up her neck. Dear God. What was the matter with her? Twice now in the space of half an hour she’d felt herself get uncomfortably hot under the collar.
Aiden forced himself to smile. He’d only sat down because he was trying to avoid the attentions of a woman who’d made a beeline for him the minute he and Alan had arrived. He wasn’t sure who she was, but did know she was old enough to be his bloody mother and could do without being stuck with her half the night.
When he’d seen this empty chair he’d been quick to move in on it but this girl was about as interesting as a fly swat, so he wouldn’t be hanging around. Not much of a looker either. He glanced around and saw the woman he’d been avoiding deep in conversation the other side of the room. It was probably now safe to move off.
Aiden raised himself to his feet. “I’d best carry on mingling,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
Anna swallowed down her hurt, resigning herself that it was hardly surprising that the man had decided to disappear. She was so uninteresting he hadn’t even asked her name. No change there then.
Grabbing her bag, Anna got up from the table, careful not to wake the now sleeping Toby. She’d go and let Jane know she was taking Toby home to bed.
SETH TRIED TO IGNORE his erection and concentrated instead on Jane as she slept next to him. As much as he wanted to he wouldn’t wake her up purely so he could satisfy himself.
He sighed, glad the party was over. He hadn’t enjoyed himself at all.
He’d got several things playing on his mind. Firstly he’d had to thank Miller for giving him the info on his private investigator. He’d already spoken to Carl Mulligan and given him the details required to try and locate their daughter and the man said he’d be in touch as soon as he had some information.
Seth hadn’t wanted to bring the subject up again with Miller, but regardless of anything else, the right thing to do was thank the man. If it meant they could get their daughter back it was worth it. Anything was.
Secondly, Miller had confirmed someone had been asking questions regarding the club’s suppliers on Wednesday, but no one could say who this person was.
Seth’s initial suspicions of it being something to do with the Cox Brothers had been unfounded. He’d already paid them a visit in person and it was safe to say they were definitely not the perpetrators. Even if they had been considering doing something along that vein at some point, they wouldn’t be now. He glanced at the dressing table when he’d temporarily stashed the spare revolver on his return.
He frowned. He’d have to be very careful with what he was involved in. Although he’d taken a back seat with the hands-on side of things since Toby was born sometimes there was no option but to get involved. Like his lawyer said, when they’d located Grace and the case came to court, it was imperative there was nothing suspicious outstanding which could impact in gaining custody of their child.
Seth wrinkled his nose. He liked and respected Jason Miller and their joint dealings. Working together had proved very lucrative, but he was still a little uncomfortable with the man. He’d seen the way Miller had always looked at Jane and knew beyond any doubt the guy had a thing for her.
He was always asking after her, of which of course had been nothing less that polite but all the same, Seth could read between the lines. He knew Jason wouldn’t hesitate for one second, given the chance, to take his place between Jane’s legs.
Seth had done well keeping his jealousy under wraps like he promised Jane he would, but his outwardly controlled behaviour did not reflect how he felt inside and his rage burnt as fervently as it always had.
At the end of the day, Jane was his and his alone. He stared down at her perfect face, her long lashes casting spidery shadows on her flushed cheeks as she slept soundly. Even devoid of makeup she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.
Letting out a soft murmur she turned slightly, her hand resting against his arm. Seth’s arousal throbbed silently as he looked at her lips in and so wanted to press his mouth down onto them and taste her.
His eyes trailed down her naked body to her breasts and unable to help himself, his lips found her throat. God, he loved her so much he felt he may burst.
“Seth?” Jane murmured in a sleepy voice as she ran her hand through his thick wavy hair.
Lifting his head away from her, Seth smiled. “Sorry beautiful. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing you.”
Jane pulled Seth back towards her and sighed when his mouth found hers.
“I didn’t want to wake you,” Seth whispered against Jane’s lips. “You’re tired.”
Jane could feel Seth’s hardness against her inner thigh and she moved so his hot tip pressed against her. “I’m never too tired for you,” she smiled and yielded once more to his leng
th.
SIX
ELIZA HAD BEEN IRRITATED and angry to learn Lacey Garner had been so incompetent in allowing herself to get knocked up. What the fuck was the point of her going to the trouble and expense of getting all the silly tarts contraception if they weren’t going to use it properly?
The stupid bitch had an allergic reaction to the contraceptive injection the first time she’d had it so Lacey’s only alternative was condoms, but surely the thick cow must have put it on wrong for it to split? Eliza scowled. The girl was constantly chewing on her nails so she’d probably torn the fucking thing, the useless slag.
Eliza had been initially really angry, but after calming down, found to her surprise she wasn’t anymore. Now she had a way to earn extra money because Digger had a rich foreign couple willing to pay a shedload of money for a kid so it couldn’t have turned out better.
She pulled the brown envelope she’d received earlier from her handbag. She’d brought it with her just so she could keep looking at it.
Another wide smile broke across her face. The officially printed letter informed her and Digger that they had passed their adoption assessment. Admittedly Digger hadn’t appreciated being scrutinised by social workers countless times, nor had he enjoyed having a police check or medical, but it was par for the course.
He’d just been fortunate his years of working with Seth and Phil had left no marks on his police record - aside from a few cautions, but they never counted for much anyway.
His injuries also hadn’t been frowned upon. It had been easy to pass them off as resulting from a ‘work accident,’ which of course could be backed up by the hospital records as that had been the story they’d used at the time. Besides, his injuries wouldn’t affect his ability to help care for the child, not that she suspected he’d be part of that once they’d got her. It wasn’t his thing, but then neither was it hers. That’s what nannies were for was it not?
Eliza though had been easy to check out – she had no blemishes on any record and her infertility only served as a plus point, making her a perfect contender for adoption. At least it had achieved something – apart from saving on contraception of course. Her only worry had been that her past and connection with the Elipse would be exposed, putting a massive kybosh on everything, but even that had slipped through the net.
To be honest, they probably hadn’t even looked too closely. There were thousands of kids needing adoption so the authorities couldn’t afford to be too picky. All that remained now was to be introduced to a potential child.
Eliza grinned smugly. There was only one child she was interested in and she’d made sure she’d discovered exactly where that kid was.
Eliza smiled. Taking a big gulp of her gin and tonic she smoothed her tight black top over her inflated cleavage and waited for Lacey to get to her office. She sighed impatiently. She’d sent Tina to fetch her a good ten minutes ago, so where the hell was she?
She cleared her throat irritably. Tina was another one. Actually having the cheek to ask for a pay rise! Who was she trying to kid? She got paid enough as it was. The greedy cow even insinuated people would demand more money for what they asked of her, but Eliza disagreed. People like Tina wouldn’t usually be given the chance of a job, let alone whine they weren’t being paid enough.
She’d laughed at Tina’s complaints and stated that if she managed to triple the number of girls on site over the next three months then she’d get a raise. Failing that, she should shut the fuck up or get out. Simple as that.
LACEY GARNER WALKED timidly into Eliza’s office and shut the door behind her. She stood uncomfortably, shifting uneasily from foot to foot.
“Sit down,” Eliza barked, gesturing towards a plastic chair the other side of her desk. She studied the young girl. “Tina’s informed me you’re pregnant?”
Lacey’s eyes remained fixed on her feet as she nodded silently. She knew Eliza and Digger’s take on this. Pregnancy equalled lost work which was unacceptable. Luckily she had in no way shape or form any desire to remain so.
Eliza scrutinised Lacey’s face, seeing her bottom lip trembling and felt like punching her. “How did you manage that then?”
Lacey looked up quickly. “I didn’t plan it! A condom split. I didn’t worry too much about it at the time as it was only the once.”
Eliza snorted. “It only takes once though doesn’t it? And condoms don’t just split - especially the expensive ones I buy you. You must have done it on purpose. Trying to get out of working were you?”
Lacey felt her eyes brim with angry tears. “I did not do this on purpose. It’s the last thing I want.”
Eliza eyed her suspiciously. “How far along are you?”
Lacey shrugged despondently. “I don’t know exactly. A few weeks?” She’d missed her second period a week or so ago and had noticed her breasts had got disturbingly bigger. Her stomach was no longer flat, but there was nothing really obvious - for now at least, but she didn’t think it would be too long before it was clear that monster’s baby was growing inside her.
She couldn’t wait until it was gone. The knowledge of being pregnant at sixteen was bad enough, but pregnant by that man sickened her further.
“I’m ready to go for the procedure as soon as there’s an appointment,” Lacey said quickly.
Eliza raised her eyebrows. “Procedure? What procedure?”
Lacey stared confused. “The abortion of course. I know pregnancies mean lost work and I don’t want that, so the quicker I can get this done the better.”
Eliza smiled nastily. “Ah well, you’ll be glad to know my attitude has softened on that subject somewhat.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s been said I’ve been unfair in the past pushing girls to get rid, so in this instance I won’t be doing that.”
Lacey looked horrified and a wave of nausea rose in her throat. “But I want to get rid of it! I need to get rid of it!”
Eliza raised herself from her chair and slapped Lacey hard around the face. “You ungrateful little whore! Some people can’t have children and there’s you bleating you want rid. How dare you!” She actually didn’t give a flying fuck if people could have children or not - including herself, but it sounded better if she put it like that. It wouldn’t then arouse any suspicion when her and Digger were granted custody of that kid.
Lacey raised her hand to her stinging face. “B-but, I can’t have the baby. The father, he....”
“I don’t give a fuck about the father. He’s got nothing to do with it. Apart from the obvious of course!” Eliza laughed cruelly. “Lacey you’re having this baby.” She sat back down at the desk. “I’ll be honest. I was angry until I realised you’ve unwittingly given us an opportunity to make a few more quid.”
Lacey looked up at Eliza in horror. “You’re not suggesting I keep this baby purely to give some twisted blokes a kick?”
Eliza smiled. “You really are stupid sometimes sweetie aren’t you? That wasn’t what I was suggesting, but now you’ve mentioned it, it could be another idea... I’ve heard some blokes get off on that sort of thing and with your makeup scrubbed off and a bit of downplay on your hair you could easily pass for twelve or thirteen. You’d be a knockout with the perverts.”
Lacey was speechless. She’d expected to get shouted at about the cost of an abortion, not informed she had to go through with the pregnancy. A wave of despair flooded over her and she began sobbing hard. “Eliza, I can’t. I really can’t. I hate it. I don’t want the baby. Please!”
Eliza grabbed Lacey’s wrist and twisted it painfully. “I’m not suggesting this – I’m telling you that’s how it’s going to be, so stop being so fucking childish you selfish bitch. Besides, you won’t be stuck with the kid. Believe me, I’m not forking out for that. It will be gone the minute it pops out because we have a buyer for it.”
Lacey felt sicker than she thought possible. “And what if I won’t do this?”
Eliza’s eyes narrowed menacingly. �
�I wouldn’t advise that. You’d be stupid going against us.” She exchanged her expression for a patronising smile once the point had been made. “You’ll be pleased to hear you’ll get a nice few quid for your inconvenience and of course we’ll make sure you’re looked after medically.”
Lacey sat motionless on the seat unsure of what to say or do.
Eliza clapped her hands together. “Off you go now. You’ve got a client in half an hour.”
STEVE LOMOND SAT HAPPILY in the bar at the Golden Lion and smiled when Digger placed a fresh pint on the table. Loosening his collar around his large neck, he lit a cigarette and smiled. He knew Eliza and Digger were relying on him for a lot of things recently. He liked having control over people.
Lomond studied Digger’s large frame and watched him lower himself onto the opposite chair, taking a long drink from his pint. The man was a veritable mountain and even made him look small in comparison.
He tried not to stare too much at the thick scar running the length of Digger’s face, nor the ear which had obviously been hacked off at some point. He’d also been unable to miss the guy’s fingers on one hand were no longer resident. He frowned, inquisitive to know how this had happened to such a beast of a man. He didn’t look the sort who would take any prisoners and was genuinely interested to know how he had befallen this fate. In fact, truth be known, there were a lot of things he was interested in.
Lomond rested his hands on his rotund belly and smiled. The gaff which Digger and Eliza ran was certainly a dump, but in all truthfulness it wasn’t important. He’d fallen on his feet nicely here. Somewhere to live with the added mega-bonus of a selection of young flesh on tap, courtesy of Digger and Eliza’s generosity. What more could he ask for?
One in particular was his favourite and he made sure he had a good go with her as often as possible. He’d book Lacey at the very least once a week and sometimes more if time allowed. Yes, that was definitely a perk. Plus more young ones were being sourced every week, but none had taken his fancy as much as her.