by Edie Baylis
The problem was, she didn’t. Lacey still hadn’t the faintest clue and sadly came to the conclusion she was left with very little choice apart from moving on somewhere else. Although she’d paid her contribution for her upkeep to the hostel, she’d still managed to put a bit aside. Another couple of weeks working and she should just about have enough to rent a small bedsit.
Rising from her desk, Lacey picked up her bag and after a quick glance around the shop, flicked the lights off and opened the front door.
DIGGER WISHED HE KNEW why Lomond wasn’t happy to go to one of the pubs around the corner from where they’d been, but instead he’d insisted on getting in the bloody car.
He didn’t much like going too far out of his neck of the woods at night for a jolly for obvious reasons. Not that he’d class drinking with Steve Lomond ‘jolly’.
Digger forced himself to concentrate. He was looking forward to hitting the sack to be honest because he was shattered. Putting a cigarette in his mouth, he flicked his lighter into life and reached towards the window to open it, when it suddenly dawned on him where they were.
As the car came to a halt and Lomond carefully reversed into the mouth of an alley, Digger felt his heart pick up an unexpected thunderous pace. The cigarette dropped from his mouth as Lomond, without uttering a single word or even looking at him, hastily got out of the car.
Digger scrabbled with his seat belt. He was kidding right? The silly stupid fucking ponce!
Throwing himself from the car, Digger lurched after Lomond. “Steve,” he hissed. “You can’t do this. Seriously!” If Lomond attempted to snatch Lacey they’d be fucked.
Steve swung around and yanked Digger’s hand off him. “Oh yes I can and I will...” he growled.
“But...”
Lomond’s eyes were wild. “But nothing. If I hadn’t heard you and Eliza discussing this earlier I’d have still been in the fucking dark!”
Digger paled. So he’d heard? He’d heard their conversation? Bollocks! “But the jump’s sorted for tomorrow night,” he explained, hoping the idiot would see sense. If he tried to pull it off this way they’d all be going down.
Lomond stopped in his tracks and turned to face Digger square on, his expression adopting that of a rabid animal. “Listen you cunt, I’m having that girl. Now! I’d be waiting until the sea froze over if it was for you lot.”
Digger paled further. He was serious alright. “You’ll fuck it up. This isn’t the best place to do it from. We’ve scouted the route out and you need to d..”
Lomond’s meaty hand quickly gripped Digger around the throat. Despite the massive size of his neck, the man’s hand easily spanned it enough to crush his windpipe and he was abruptly cut off in his reasoning.
“I won’t tell you again,” Lomond growled. “It’s happening and it’s happening now. You’d best fucking help me Digger, or I swear to God I’ll chop all your remaining appendages off.”
Looking at Lomond’s manic expression, Digger realised he had little choice in the matter and knew without doubt the man would carry out his threat. Thanks to Seth-fucking-Wright he wasn’t as well able to defend himself as he’d once been.
Sensing Digger’s silent agreement, Lomond smiled nastily. “Now hurry the fuck up!” He strode a few more paces away from the mouth of the alley where the car had been parked before stopping. “Here will do nicely.”
MAGGIE KNEW IT WASN’T a great idea to go to the shop to buy another bottle of wine. Being as she’d already had a whole one to herself, she knew she probably shouldn’t have got into the car to drive half way over town either.
The trouble was she didn’t want to return to the same off licence by where they lived and from where she’d bought the first bottle. She knew what this place was like. It wouldn’t have taken much time for word to get back to Dan and she’d promised him she wouldn’t hit the wine again.
Maggie readily accepted wine only made her more depressed but she couldn’t help herself right now. Dan had promised her it wouldn’t be like this. Promised things weren’t like she thought – whatever had happened in the past, it wasn’t like that now. Seth wasn’t like that anymore and Dan was keeping him under control. He’d tell her if things began to go wrong and if there was any reason for her to worry...
Except there was plenty for her to worry about and Dan hadn’t said a word...
Feeling the tears prick the back of her eyes, Maggie shook her head to try and push the racing thoughts away. Dan was keeping everything from her and there was a lot more going on than he was letting on. She was sick of it.
She’d brought up what was on her mind yet again and Dan hadn’t been able to get out of there fast enough. He’d had to go to the Glint to make sure everything was alright for Seth. That’s right. Go running off for Seth like a good boy!
It was all more important that her. Everything and everybody was more important than her.
Maggie screeched to a halt outside a corner shop. Fuck it. This would do. She couldn’t be arsed to drive too far. This shop was far enough away not to come to Dan’s attention. Besides, why she was so bothered about what he thought anyway?
Getting out of the car she stomped angrily towards the shop, tutting with annoyance as someone opened the door from the inside and pushed past her on to the pavement.
She glared at the man who glanced uninterestedly at her from under his skanky cheap hooded top and quickly loped up the road clutching a four-pack of lager.
Scrubber, Maggie thought, irritably walking into the shop. As she made her way towards the chiller fridge, she stopped dead in her tracks. That was the bloke from the hospital! That Aiden - Lacey’s supposed boyfriend!
Turning on her heels, Maggie raced from the shop and stood on the pavement, blindly looking up and down the road. It was no good. There was no sign of him.
LACEY TURNED THE CORNER, putting her hand in her pocket to search for some change. She might pop into the shop down the road to see if they’d got any pasties left. Continuing down the road, she was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t notice the two men step out of the doorway until it was too late.
Fear lurched through her when her path was blocked and shock spread across her face when she recognised who exactly these people were. Oh Christ!
Lacey opened her mouth to scream in terror, but a large hand covered it. Before she could formulate another thought, she was dragged roughly into the doorway.
“Missed me have you sweetheart?” Lomond growled, an inch from Lacey’s face as he pressed his fleshy body into hers, squashing her against the wall.
Lacey felt herself begin to involuntarily gag from the all-consuming stench of stale cigarettes coming from the hand clamped tightly over her mouth and the confirmation that the person crushing himself against her was none other than that man.
That monster what had put a baby inside her and the one who enjoyed hurting and humiliating her.
Lacey’s eyes burnt with tears and her gaze darted manically around. The large figures in the doorway blocked anything else from her view and even though she could see very little, she knew they were all but invisible within this darkened recess.
As Lacey felt Steve Lomond’s erection pushing against her she tried to focus on the second man in the hope he may possess marginally better morals than this perverted freak.
As her panicked eyes locked on Digger’s recognisable bull-headed outline in the shadows, Lacey’s heart sunk to the pits of despair. Digger as well? This was worse than hell...
“Don’t struggle baby,” Lomond growled in Lacey’s ear. “It will make things more palatable if you play along.” He stuck his hand roughly between Lacey’s legs, pushing his fingers against the denim crotch of her jeans. “I’m sure as hell looking forward to getting these off you. I’ve missed you sweetie. More than you know...”
Feeling the man’s tongue push into her ear, Lacey felt her stomach heave. Realisation dawned she would be returned to the Elipse to be this bastard’s plaything and she began thra
shing around and kicking out.
She couldn’t go back there. Couldn’t and wouldn’t. No, no, NO!
Seeing the girl flailing around like a banshee, Digger stepped forward and painfully twisted her arms behind her back. “Don’t make this more difficult for yourself you little cunt. You seem unaware just how much trouble you’ve caused, so do what you need to do without the fucking hysterics yeah?”
Lacey was deaf to Digger’s words and continued thrashing about in pure panic.
“You know you want me you little slut. Tell me. I want to hear you say it!” Lomond shouted, his hands pulling at Lacey’s top, his fingers running over her breasts. His breathing was laboured, feeling her skin under his touch once more. He’d have to take her now. He’d waited too long...
Lacey hastily slammed her knee into Lomond’s groin sending him staggering back howling in pain.
Digger scowled. He needed to do something. She was going to scream! Raising his good hand, he slammed it into Lacey’s jaw and she crumpled to the floor.
Digger stared at her inert body. Shit! This had all gone tits up! He knew it would with Lomond pulling a bloody stunt like this. Why couldn’t he have just waited and done it his way? For fuck’s sake. Eliza was going to go loco! “Help me get her in the car then for Christ’s sake!”
Lomond leant against the wall, trying to regain his breath from the crushing pain. He stared at Digger, momentarily losing the ability to think of anything other than the uncontrollable need to stick his cock in the girl. Couldn’t he just have her first and then they’d shift her? Feverishly he pulled at the zip of his trousers.
Digger stared at Lomond incredulously. “What the fuck are you doing? You haven’t got time for that! We need to get away from here before someone sees us. What’s the matter with you man?” he snapped, roughly pushing the man out of the way. The fucking idiot! The fucking nonce!
Digger didn’t care if he’d offended Lomond or even if he refused to help them anymore. If they were discovered right now there would be no turning back. He wasn’t going down for this prick.
He eyed the girl lying in an awkward position and could see her jaw was broken. At least she was still out cold. He sighed. Eliza wouldn’t be happy about the state of her face and he was bound to get it in the neck for that, but what was he supposed to have done? Let her scream and get them all nicked?
Quickly scooping Lacey up in his big arms, Digger elbowed Lomond heavily in the ribs. “See if anyone’s around,” he hissed. “And hurry the fuck up.”
Coming to his senses, Steve Lomond forcing his engorged cock back into his trousers, pulled his zip up and stuck his large head out of the doorway. “We’re ok,” he whispered, stepping out onto the pavement.
Lomond walked briskly back to the car, pulling the keys from his pocket. Despite the pain in his groin, he smiled knowing Digger was following with the girl in his arms. He’d got Lacey back and this time he wasn’t going to let her go.
THIRTY THREE
SETH CUPPED JANE’S FACE in his hands and lowered his mouth onto hers. Feeling her soft lips yield under his, he desperately wanted to take her back to bed. “Do I really have to go into the club yet? Can’t I just stay here with you a bit longer?”
Jane would have loved nothing more than to let Seth take her back upstairs, but she knew they’d been absent three days already. He should have checked in at the Glint yesterday once they’d got back, but they’d agreed another day together was warranted.
Reluctantly Jane pushed Seth back to arm’s length and cheekily ran her hand across his crotch. “I’ll still be here when you get back,” she smiled.
“You’re a wicked woman!” Seth replied huskily, not at all convinced he was up for leaving.
“It’s already 11 o’clock and you’ve got to give Dan a break. Besides, you need to catch up with what’s been going on. See if there’s been any developments in our absence and you need to be speaking with Mulligan.”
Seth nodded. Jane was right. He did need to find out what was going on. He hoped there wouldn’t be any unpalatable news awaiting him. Bashfully rearranging himself in his trousers, he smiled. “Don’t you worry about that. It will all be taken care of, but I want to pick this up where we left off later right?”
Seeing Jane grin, he kissed her once more. “Are you coming in today?”
Jane pulled her satin robe around herself. “I was going to see Maggie, unless you need me at the Glint of course?”
Seth grinned. “I always need you, but go. In fact you should take a leaf out of Maggie’s book – be a lady of leisure...”
He laughed seeing Jane’s horrified expression. She’d hate having nothing to do. The concept of being content lounging about all day was not something she’d ever entertain. Still, he did want her to start taking it a bit easier. “I was only joking,” he laughed. “But not about taking it a bit easier.”
Seth gave Jane one more kiss. “I’ll see you later ok.”
Jane watched Seth walk up the hall and shrug his jacket on. He bent down to pick up the post from the mat so he could open the door.
“There’s a couple for you here,” Seth called as he ripped open an envelope.
Jane was about to go upstairs to get herself a shower until she saw the expression on Seth’s face as his eyes ran over the contents of the letter. “What is it?”
Getting no response, Jane moved up the hallway. She leant against him, putting her head on his upper arm, loving the big muscles she could feel underneath the material. “What is it?”
Seth’s eyes were ablaze. “I don’t know what the fuck this is or who it’s from but I’m going to goddamn kill them!”
Snatching the letter from Seth’s grip, Jane’s eyes rapidly scanned the contents and paled.
Do you know what it’s like to have your life ruined?
If you don’t, then you will do shortly.
You’ve already mislaid one kid, so make sure you look after the other. It’s always upsetting when things go missing.
Jane leant against the wall, her breathing coming in short rasps. “Who the hell sent this?” she whispered.
“How the fuck do I know?” Seth raged. He’d kill the fucker, whoever it was. Threatening to take his son? Over his dead body.
Jane’s eyes narrowed, not forgetting Seth’s previous comments. “And this is down to paranoia too is it?”
Seth scowled. “No time for sarcasm Jane,” he seethed, snatching up the phone. “I’m not going anywhere until I’ve got backup. This time there’ll be someone with you and Toby at all times - Anna included when she’s got our son with her.”
“I’M SORRY MR WRIGHT,” Tom said awkwardly. “I’ve been told by Mr Miller that you aren’t welcome here.” He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, wishing he hadn’t been the one on the door at the Limelight when Seth Wright had arrived.
He’d always had great respect for the man and was shocked to receive orders not to allow him admittance under any circumstances. He can’t say however that he was surprised.
It was no secret Seth’s latest exploits had caused a ruckus within the Limelight ranks. A lot of the staff had expressed their disappointment because the general consensus had previously been, aside from Seth’s formidable and well-deserved reputation, he was a fair man – providing he was not crossed, but not the sort to turn on a woman.
Even though very few had been swayed by the initial rumours, the last newspaper story had made it less easy to ignore. Of course Jason Miller’s reaction had left little room for personal opinions because they had little choice but to obey his wishes. Miller paid their wages at the end of the day.
Seth’s eyes narrowed into slits, his anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface. He was in a bad enough mood as it was since getting that note. It had then got worse after he’d called Mulligan, where he’d discovered that he’d somehow cancelled their contract. Apparently...
In the past it was feasible he could have done something like that during one of his freq
uent blackouts, but not these days. Hence he’d insisted Mulligan better get his arse into gear and come and see him so he could find out what the fuck the man was going on about. And now this shit with being stopped on the door of the Limelight?
“I always thought you had a bit more about you than this Tom,” Seth sneered. “It appears a lot of people aren’t what they seem...” He’d expected a lot more from Jason Miller and his crew after their joint involvement over the past couple of years, however it looked like loyalty counted for jack shit.
“I’m sorry Sir, it’s orders,” Tom said. Even though he didn’t agree with how the Limelight was treating this man, he was determined to hold his head up straight and look Seth Wright straight in his steely green eyes.
“I appreciate you have orders Tom - I know how it works remember, but on this occasion you’ll have to bypass them. This is important.”
Tom’s stomach sank. He really didn’t want to have to argue with this guy. “I’m sorry but I c...”
“Fair enough,” Seth snapped, forcibly pushing past the huge man. “I’ll just see myself in.”
Momentarily astounded, Tom hastily regained his composure. Placing his massive hands on Seth’s shoulders, he pulled him backwards. “Like I said, it’s been requested th...”
Tom may have been a massive bloke, but very little could equal Seth’s panther-like aggression. Twisting out of the man’s grip, he delivered a head butt to the bridge of Tom’s nose, immediately smashing it into his face.
Unwilling to have to pummel the doorman he’d known and respected for so long, Seth was glad the big man had been quickly reduced to dropping to his knees, clutching his crushed nose.
“Don’t want to damage you Tom, but I will if I have to,” Seth warned watching Tom’s eyes watering with pain, temporarily rendering him useless. “Now I’m going in.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dropped it into the man’s lap. “There you go mate. Sorry about your nose.”