The Downfall Series Box Set

by Edie Baylis

  “Well I was hoping you’d let me take you out for a drink?”

  “Me?” Anna had squeaked. “Well, erm...”

  “Please say you will,” Aiden had moved closer, his tall frame towering above Anna.

  Feeling heady from the scent of his aftershave wafting over her and knowing her face had heated, Anna had hoped her uncontrollable habit of blushing wasn’t too obvious. “I-I don’t get much time off,” she’d answered, annoyed at her quick rebuff.

  Aiden had looked disappointed. “Oh, if...”

  “But...” Anna had quickly interrupted before she’d lost her nerve, “I get some evenings off when my bosses are at home. The only problem is I’m never sure when that will be.”

  Aiden had smiled widely once more. “That’s ok. Here.” He’d pulled out a scrap of paper and handed it to her. “Here’s my number. As soon as you find out when you’re free, call me and we’ll meet up.”

  “I-I don’t get much notice,” she’d stammered, still unable to believe a man like this was asking her for a date.

  “That doesn’t matter. I’ll happily drop whatever I’m doing if it means I can take you out. Call me anytime – last minute, whatever and I’ll be there.”

  Anna had smiled and held her breath waiting for him to say he’d been joking, but he hadn’t.

  “Right, I’d best be off. I don’t want to hold you up. Really looking forward to seeing you Anna,” Aiden had said, reaching out and gently touching her face with his fingertips.

  Anna had remained rooted to the spot and watched Aiden continue down the road. She’d raised her hand to her face and touched the place where he’d put his fingers, leaving a searing heat. Only when he’d disappeared around the corner did she trust herself to walk on, surprised her shaking legs still held her up.

  It had all been unexpected and she hadn’t a clue what to do next. As she’d walked she’d glanced in a shop window and caught her reflection. She needed an image revamp. How could she expect someone like Aiden to take her seriously looking the way she did?

  On impulse, Anna had determinedly walked into the nearest boutique, convinced the slim and fashionable shop assistants had been scrutinising her whilst she’d attempted to casually browse the myriad racks of clothes.

  Anna stared at the bag of clothes she’d purchased. She hadn’t tried them on in the shop. She’d been too embarrassed and desperate to get away from the badly concealed whispers, giggles and smirks aimed at her.

  Slowly untying the carrier bag she fished out a short stretchy skirt and two low-cut tops and looked at them in horror. They were very nice and all that, but as well as being extortionately expensive, they weren’t her sort of clothes.

  Picking up a dark halter-neck top boasting a deep plunge neckline, Anna held it up gingerly against her. She’d never have the confidence to wear something like this would she? But didn’t this sort of stuff made men desire women?

  The thought of having a man want her in that way was alien. Especially a man like Aiden. She’d no idea how to attract a man’s attention and even less of an idea what she’d actually do if she did.

  Slipping her pink blouse off, Anna nervously put on the black halter neck and eyed herself in the mirror. Astounded by the reflection of her large breasts pushed up to create a deep and generous cleavage, she gasped. Could she really wear something like this?

  Hesitatingly she slipped her black trousers off and pulled on the skirt. She didn’t believe she had anywhere near the sort of figure to be able to wear this type of clothes. However...

  Anna looked back in the mirror once more and risked a slight smile at what she saw. Her mind moved towards imagining what Aiden would look like naked and a shiver ran through her. How it would feel to touch him. To touch his....

  What would it feel like if he did to her what she’d heard Seth doing to Jane?

  Sensing a throbbing twinge between her legs, Anna frowned. This had to be wrong. She needed to stop this and concentrate on what she needed to do keep her job.

  And were her employers so vicious to have shot that poor man Dennis? Could it possibly be true? It had to be. She’d seen it with her own eyes. Well, virtually...

  Anna sighed. She had no idea how she’d hold her nerve to call Aiden, let alone meet up with him. Still he seemed eager. Didn’t people say life worked in mysterious ways? And to think she’d been moaning about having to go that party! Perhaps her life was finally beginning to liven up?

  Anna glanced at the clock and realised she’d been locked in her room far too long. She needed to find that card and put it somewhere before Jane or Seth came back, plus she needed to locate that shirt.

  She was in no way happy about doing something which could cause a problem to people who had been nothing but good to her. She’d just have to swallow the overall uncomfortableness of the whole situation because if she wasn’t careful, she’d lose her job and screw up her mother’s life even more.

  Tina was a bitch and this was horrible!

  STEVE LOMOND SCOWLED listening to Eliza’s response. “What do you mean she’s not available?” He’d booked another session with his favourite only to be told she wasn’t about. “I hope she isn’t busy servicing someone else? You know I take fucking preference. That was our agreement was it not Eliza?”

  Eliza refrained from scowling at the ugly fat bastard opposite and instead leaned provocatively against her desk, knowing it accentuated the cleavage of her over-pumped chest. “Of course I haven’t Steve,” she purred. “Lacey’s not well that’s all. She’s got the shits and I didn’t think you’d want that as part of your session.”

  Both her and Digger had agreed Lomond was not to be told of Lacey’s disappearance being as he had a thing for her. At least not yet. Not whilst there was still a chance they could locate the bitch and bring her back to get on with her bloody job. They didn’t want anything to put him off what he was doing for them. His part in their plan was imperative.

  Lomond smiled exposing his rotten teeth. “Oh, I don’t know... She’s such a darling I think I’d forgive her even if she cakked on me!”

  He leaned across the desk and squeezed Eliza’s breast painfully with his meaty hand, well aware she was attempting to sugar-coat his disappointment. “You’re too fucking old for my tastes, so you can put those away.” He knew he could push the limits right now because they owed him.

  Eliza scowled. The fucking prick! She had no time for this greasy fat jumped-up twat at the best of times, but they needed his help even if it meant having to put up with his sarcastic and rude comments. Once this was over she’d make sure he was offloaded.

  “Do any of the other girls take your fancy?” she asked, forcing her voice to remain amicable.

  Lomond sniffed in disapproval. “Not particularly, but if Lacey’s not back on form in a day or so then I’ll have no choice but to get shat on. I’d rather that than any of the rest of them that you’ve got.”

  Eliza swallowed nervously. This wasn’t great. She’d hoped she could at least tempt him with one of the others. A lot of them were, or at least looked young enough to suit his tastes, but apparently not. It seemed he’d got himself fixated with Lacey, which made it even more galling that she’d done a bloody runner. Not only had the bitch fucked up her plan of some easy extra cash, but she’d also binned off the needs of a bloke who had the power to help her in her personal vendetta. She had to find Lacey and get her back. Pronto.

  “I’ve got a bit of news regarding Wright,” Eliza said, hoping to steer the focus of the conversation away from his obsession with the only girl she couldn’t provide.

  “Oh yeah?” Lomond leant forward to help himself to a glass full of whisky from the decanter on Eliza’s desk.

  Trying not to stare at the ultra-large measure the man poured from her best whisky, Eliza smiled. “Tina’s silly bitch of a sister works for the Wrights. It couldn’t be better. She’ll be getting gen we couldn’t possibly hope to glean from outside, not to mention putting in place certain thing
s I’m orchestrating.” Eliza paused, pleased to see she had Steve Lomond’s full attention.

  “Aiden as well as you are working on the case from outside to upset the apple cart,” she continued.

  “So what have you got so far?” Lomond asked, taking a long gulp of the whisky.

  “Well...” she smiled. “We’ve learnt Seth Wright has been getting his own hands dirty again and got his guns of out mothballs,” Eliza said gleefully, hoping Lomond would be impressed with her findings. “We’re not sure yet as to who was the recipient of this, but we’re working on finding out.”

  Lomond looked thoughtful. “That’s interesting and fits what I’ve been informed of. A runner who’d previously worked for Miller has been put out of action by getting a kneecap blown off.”

  “By Seth by any chance?” Eliza questioned.

  “I don’t know, but the guy has been grilled about who was sticking their nose into Miller’s club. They were very insistent in trying to discover who I was...”

  “And did he spill?” Eliza asked warily.

  “No. He doesn’t even know it was me! He hasn’t a clue! It sounds like he’s fitting someone else up, so I take that as red. People don’t tend to be stupid enough to lie to me.”

  Eliza hoped Lomond wasn’t aiming that last comment at her. “It makes sense that Seth was the perp. Just his style and we know from Tina’s sister he was covered in blood and carrying.”

  Lomond nodded. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it yourself,” he jibed.

  Eliza grimaced. So was she. Why wasn’t anyone doing their fucking job around here and keeping her informed? The fact this twat was telling her made it look like she was a bastard amateur. It certainly wasn’t the impression she wanted to give. Especially to him.

  Eliza scornfully watched Lomond top up his glass yet again. For fuck’s sake. That stuff cost a fortune.

  Lomond smiled widely. “I’ve changed my mind. You might as well grab me one of those other girls Eliza. I’ll waste half an hour until your other half gets back to take me out for a few drinks.”

  SETH REPLACED THE HANDSET on the cradle and stared at the phone for a few seconds longer. He hated answering the phone only to get it put down when he’d spoken. That sort of stuff never failed to get on his tits. He hated bloody cold callers.

  If he was in need of double glazing or a new kitchen, did these people not think he’d phone somewhere up himself rather than wait on the off chance some random person might happen to call offering what he needed? It was ludicrous and even more ludicrous their sales tactics included not speaking when he answered.

  Seth glanced at the coat stand. Jane and that girl still not back yet? They’d better hurry up because he needed to go to the Glint tonight and he wanted Jane to accompany him.

  He felt they should show their face in the actual club for an evening. Not just him – he wandered through there enough as it was, but together. Jane was very much part of the Glint and lately she’d been so busy she hadn’t spent much time on the shop floor. They spent half their time at functions these days and he fancied a nice drink with his wife in their club.

  He wanted to show her off as much as he could. Jane got more beautiful every day that passed. Every year that went by subtracted nothing from his desire for her and he never got tired of being seen with her on his arm. Walking with his wife – everyone seeing them, knowing she belonged to him. This alone gave him more satisfaction than he’d dare to admit out loud. Seth smiled. Every minute he questioned his good fortune and that would never change, not with Jane by his side.

  Seth glanced at the antique grandfather clock standing proudly in the tall hallway. Surely they would be back soon? He wanted to know if she’d managed to get the promised information from Lacey and furthermore what she intended to do going forward. He hoped she didn’t suggest the girl remain here indefinitely. He didn’t mind her staying for a while, but certainly not for any great length of time. It was out of the question.

  Seth made his way down the hallway, walked into the kitchen and stared at the fridge. Sod it. He’d have a quick beer or two whilst he waited.

  Opening the fridge he pulled the door, but it got stuck and glanced down at the floor, seeing a scrunched up piece of paper. Tutting, he picked it up. Wasn’t that was bins were for?

  Glancing at it as he moved towards the bin, Seth’s eyes focused on Jane’s name at the top of the crumpled card. Frowning, he straightened it out and began to read.

  FIFTEEN

  JANE FIRED THE ENGINE on her BMW and sped off down the drive. She needed to put some space between her and Seth for an hour or so.

  She could see why he was angry, but she didn’t have an explanation she could give him to appease the situation. Two days she’d put up with his attitude and after he’d returned after disappearing for a full twenty-four hours with no explanation, he’d barely said two words to her. She’d told him countless times what he’d read in that card was untrue, but also knew she couldn’t prove it.

  When Seth hadn’t returned last night Jane had felt physically sick. It had only been Lacey’s presence which had enabled her to keep her mind slightly off the situation and stopped her going crazy.

  She’d tossed and turned half the night and in the morning when she’d woken exhausted, finding his side of the bed still empty she’d locked herself in the dressing room and stared at herself in the large mirror.

  The image of Seth being surrounded by beautiful slim strippers pawing him wasn’t the greatest confidence booster. It wasn’t exactly a secret people found Seth attractive and if he wanted to hurt her in that way, she was sure he’d have no problem finding hordes of takers. Based on the anger he’d displayed towards her, the club would have been exactly where he’d gone.

  Reaching the end of the drive, Jane glanced to the left and saw a dark blue saloon. That was the same car which had been parked there before....

  She hadn’t thought too much of it earlier even though it was unusual to see anyone hanging around, but seeing the same vehicle again rang alarm bells.

  Jane squinted as best as she could to try and work out who was in the driver’s seat, but thanks to the car’s tinted windows and because it was twilight she couldn’t see any details of the person at all.

  Not liking the situation, she rapidly pulled out of the drive and accelerated up the road, checking her mirror to see if the car tailed her.

  “I’LL JUST FINISH THIS fag and then I’ll be off bro,” Aiden said as Alan stood up from his seat in the staff break room at the Limelight. “I’ve got some prep to do before tomorrow’s meeting.”

  Alan stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray and slapped his brother on the back. “No worries. We’ll meet up for a proper drink next week shall we? Isn’t it about time you got a free car from your place considering all these meetings you have to go to? From what you’ve said you never seem to be in the showroom these days.”

  Aiden grinned. “I know. That’s why I keep saying there’s no point trying to catch me at work because I’m always on the road! Give me a call soon, yeah?”

  Keeping the smile fixed on his face until his brother had left, Aiden sighed. It wasn’t that he was always on the road at all. The truth was he hadn’t worked at the car salesroom for over a year since he’d started working for Digger, but he couldn’t tell Alan that.

  If Alan knew where he worked then he’d ask questions which would put them both in a bad position. He loved his brother and didn’t want to jeopardise him in any way.

  It was especially awkward now Digger and Eliza wanted him as well as Lomond to stir things up at the Limelight. As to exactly why, Aiden wasn’t sure and most certainly hadn’t been made privy to that information. Without insulting the man who paid him, it wasn’t like Digger was in the same league as the Wrights and Millers of this world.

  Aiden glanced at his watch. She should be here any second. Digger had made it clear which woman he should target and he’d been instructed to give the girl a slap, ma
king out it was to do with wanting information about the club’s coke suppliers. He wasn’t happy about what he had to do, but he couldn’t afford to have a conscience. As long as Alan didn’t get dragged into the crossfire he didn’t much care.

  Hearing a door open Aiden quickly pulled the balaclava from his pocket and slipped it over his face.

  When Billie-Jo walked into the small break room seeing the man in the balaclava lurch towards her, her mouth hung open to form a perfect ‘O’.

  Wasting no time, Aiden clamped his hand over the girl’s mouth and pushed her out of the door back into the small corridor. Shoving her against the wall, he pressed his weight up against her. “Tell me who you arranged the delivery with today?” he hissed. “If you call for help, I’ll fucking kill you.”

  The girl’s frightened eyes darted around in abject terror as she shook her head vehemently.

  Aiden stared at the girl. Damn, she was pretty. He could feel her large breasts against his chest and the sensation of her soft body crushed into his aroused him.

  Forcing his concentration back to the job in hand rather than the growing hardness in his jeans, Aiden removed his hand from her mouth, whilst keeping the other gripped tightly around her neck. “Tell me what you know...”

  “I-I don’t know anything!” she whimpered, terrified. “What delivery?”

  Aiden’s irritation escalated. Did the silly cow think because she was a pretty one she could deflect him? “Don’t play dumb,” he snarled. “Tell me who did the delivery. What firm supplies this place and the Glint club?”

  Billie-Jo began to cry. “I-I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about! The beer delivery? It’s the usual brewery.”

  Aiden’s teeth set on edge. Digger wouldn’t be happy if he didn’t get the point over well and good. Angrily his free hand painfully squeezed the girl’s right breast, before trailing up the inside of her thigh. “Do I have to force you to tell me?”

  “P-Please don’t do that,” the girl sobbed, tears rolling down her face. “I’ve got a boyfriend. Well, fiancé actually.”