Aftermath (Dividing Line #6)

by Heather Atkinson

  Her thoughts were disturbed by Amber’s dad, Ken, complaining loudly to a waiter about how warm the champagne was. Ever since his daughter had started living with Mikey Maguire he’d put on airs and graces. It had only got worse since the engagement and now they were married he was going to be insufferable. Joyce was quieter but she’d developed a permanently snooty expression, thinking herself above everyone else. It was amazing they’d spawned such a sweet, likeable daughter.

  Fortunately Mikey saved the day. He got to his feet and tapped the side of his glass, calling for everyone’s attention and Ken went silent, the waiter taking the opportunity to make good his escape. Mikey made a lovely speech about his beautiful bride and graciously thanked everyone for coming. Amber gazed up at him with starry-eyes for the entire length of his speech. When he sat down and planted a big kiss on her lips everyone cheered.

  The meal over, the tables were pushed to the side of the room so the dancing could begin and Rachel was finally reunited with Ryan.

  “You look incredible,” he said, kissing her as she slid into the empty seat between him and Daina. “You outshone the bride.”

  “Hardly but it’s sweet of you to say so.”

  “This is so glamorous,” said Daina excitedly. “A wedding in this beautiful castle. I’ve never been anywhere like it before.”

  Bruiser smiled at her indulgently, running his fingers across the top of her bare back, her curvaceous body threatening to spill out of her tight red strapless dress.

  “Are you enjoying yourself too Sabine?” said Rachel.

  “I am,” she smiled. “I like the history of the castle very much, I bought a guide book. There is a lot of…what word did the book use? Guesome?”

  “Gruesome,” corrected Battler.

  “That is it. Lots of battles and murders. The castle has at least five ghosts.”

  “So I believe,” said Rachel. “Apparently the room we’re staying in has a ghost.”

  “You’re not in the Blue Room, are you?” said a wide-eyed Sabine.

  “We are.”

  “You don’t believe in all that crap, do you?” said Ryan.

  “No I don’t. The dead stay dead,” replied Rachel a little too firmly.

  “This castle has belonged to the Gordon clan for centuries, they still own it now,” said Sabine. “The ghost in the Blue Room is of a Laird who lived here three hundred years ago. He was murdered by his eldest son, who wanted to be the next laird. The room got its name from the big blue bed that used to be in there. It got covered in the laird’s blood when his son stabbed him to death. They got rid of it because every time it was cleaned the bloodstains returned. The son got his wish and became the next laird, even though everyone knew what he’d done, but he died five years later, driven mad by the ghost of his father. And you’re sleeping in the room where he died.”

  “Someone made up a juicy story for the tourists,” said Ryan, taking a sip of champagne.

  “You must not laugh at these things, they are very serious.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “You do not believe in the afterlife?” frowned Sabine.

  Recalling the fact that every single member of Sabine’s family was dead he decided to be tactful. “I’m sure there’s more to it than this life, but I don’t believe in ghostly lairds prowling old castles bothering hotel guests.”

  “He has been seen many times in the Blue Room.”

  “Please Sabine, I won’t get any sleep tonight,” said Rachel.

  “If he does turn up I’ll sort out the big bad ghostie,” grinned Ryan.

  “What are you going to do, knock him out?” smiled Battler.

  “I’ll tell him if he annoys us then when I die I’ll come back and kick his arse around this castle for eternity. How does that sound?”

  “You will be sorry if you are woken in the night by a loud moan,” sniffed Sabine.

  Ryan winked at Rachel. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “That is what the ghost does. First you hear a moan of pain, then footsteps. Some people have felt the bed dip when they are lying in it, like someone is sat on the end, but there is no one there.”

  “I think this is all very silly,” said Daina. “Ryan is right. They make this story up for the tourists.”

  Bruiser smiled and nodded to show he agreed, pulling her into his big body for a cuddle. Daina looked up at him with a gooey smile before kissing him passionately.

  “Urgh, they’re always doing that,” said Battler. “Puts you right off your grub.” He spoke with a smile. Battler was so pleased that his younger brother had found something so good.

  After Mikey and Amber had their first dance as man and wife everyone else got up to join in, some moving more elegantly than others. Rachel sat back in her seat and sighed. Ryan didn’t dance.

  “Want to dance?” said a voice.

  She looked up to see Riley holding his hand out to her. “You dance?” she said incredulously.

  “Quite well actually. There’s no need to sound surprised.”

  Rachel looked to Ryan. It meant he would be left alone at their table but he knew she loved to dance so he nodded.

  “I’ll be fine, go on,” he said.

  Rachel accepted Riley’s hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor. She released a surprised squeal when she was flung about a little roughly but it was fun. The entire time they danced Riley kept one eye on Beth, who was sitting at the side of the room talking to Cathy.

  “Why did you ask me to dance when there’s someone else you’d rather be with?” Rachel asked him.

  He looked embarrassed that she’d divined his thoughts. “You’re fun to dance with.”

  “You’d have more fun with Beth.”

  “I suppose I’m rusty when it comes to the dating game and - this might sound wussy - but I’m frightened of getting knocked back.”

  “She’d love to be asked, especially by you. Go on.”

  “I might later. First I need a drink.”

  He hurried off in the direction of the bar, leaving her stranded in the middle of the dance floor. As she turned, intending to return to Ryan, she was confronted by a big strapping chest. She looked up into the face of the porter who’d helped her find the bridal suite.

  “Would you like to dance?” he said with a small bow, eyes twinkling.

  “Errr…” She peeked over his shoulder at her husband, who was deep in conversation with Jez. “Okay.”

  He took her hand in his, the other wrapping round her waist and pulling her close, making her gasp. “Steady,” she said.

  “Sorry,” he smiled as they started to waltz around the room. She wondered why he was dancing when he should be working. She didn’t want him to get into trouble but he didn’t seem to be in the least concerned.

  “Enjoying the wedding?” he said.

  “I am. Were you invited?”

  “Not as such, just mingling.”

  “Is that part of your job?”

  “Yes, the most fun part. Problem is I’m only interested in mingling with one person.”

  “The groom?”

  “Witty as well as beautiful. You get more and more interesting Rachel.”

  “I’m a very happily married woman.”

  “What can I say? I’m an optimist.”

  If she hadn’t been so in love with Ryan the grin he flashed her would have been knee-trembling. The man was charming and gorgeous.

  “I can’t believe it, another secret sibling. Where do they all keep popping up from?” sighed Jez.

  “I wish I knew,” replied Ryan. “Problem is, I think Jules is going to give us much more hassle than Riley. Do you know where she is?”

  “No. We’ve looked but she’s disappeared. By all accounts she’s good at that.”

  “I can’t believe Estelle. I remember when she was pregnant with Jules. She came back and told me she’d lost the baby, just like that. No tears, she wasn’t even bothered. I told myself she was just being brave but now I know she
really didn’t care. The woman’s not human.”

  “What we need to consider is what we’re going to do about Jules. We need to find out if she’s a threat or not.”

  “After what we did to her club it’s possible she is.”

  “She’s a fucking lunatic too by all accounts. No wonder if she’s Terry Maguire’s daughter. Jesus, can you believe we’ve been related to the Maguires by blood all these years?”

  “I wonder if Estelle or Terry had said something it would have changed things. If there’d been no feud between our families then Simmy, Adam and Jamie might still be alive,” said Ryan a little sadly.

  “So might Danny.”

  “Benton killed him, not us.”

  “The Coalition led Benton to Rachel and Danny because of the warfare between our families. Without it he might not have shot him and you and her might not be together now.”

  Ryan thought of what she’d told him from her hospital bed. “Yes we would.”

  “And we’d be in the middle of a war with the Maguires. Danny and Alex would still be alive and trying to kill us and we wouldn’t be here now celebrating Mikey’s wedding.”

  “What ifs are pointless. Things happened and we have to deal with the consequences. We need to find Jules.”

  “I’m on it. What does Rachel think about it?”

  “We’ve not had much chance to discuss it yet after getting arrested. I’m not going to mention this to Mikey until he gets back from his honeymoon. Let him enjoy himself before it all kicks off because it will if Jules wants revenge.”

  “I agree. We’ll keep it between us, for now. What’s wrong?” said Jez when Ryan’s head snapped round, eyes full of fury.

  “Who is that?” spat Ryan, jabbing a finger into the crowd on the dance floor.

  “Who?” said Jez, craning his neck.

  “The man dancing with my wife.”

  “You mean that big handsome bloke?” he smiled.

  “Yes I do. Excuse me,” he said, getting to his feet.

  “Ryan, don’t kick off. Remember this is Mikey and Amber’s day.”

  “I’m going to do no such thing,” he replied, fastening his suit jacket.

  CHAPTER 7

  As Thane whirled Rachel around she spied Ryan striding towards them. So set was he on his purpose that he moved through the crowd unseeing, a waiter carrying a tray of drinks whirling out of his way. She looked up at Thane, who was oblivious to what was approaching.

  Ryan stopped beside them, forcing them to halt in their tracks.

  “Would you like to dance?” he asked Rachel politely, as though they were strangers.

  “You can wait your turn,” said Thane.

  Ryan’s cool grey eyes turned on him mockingly. “And you are?”

  “The man dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room,” retorted Thane.

  “And doing a poor job of it,” replied Ryan, causing Thane’s smile to drop. When he looked back at Rachel she struggled not to laugh. “Would you care to dance with me?”

  “I will thank you. There’s a line of ladies waiting to dance with Thane. I can’t be greedy and keep him to myself,” she replied before releasing Thane and turning into Ryan’s arms, who couldn’t resist flashing him a victorious smile before whisking her away.

  “Who was that?” he said casually.

  Rachel wasn’t fooled. She could feel how rigid his muscles had gone. “Just someone who works here.”

  “He is sickeningly handsome.”

  “So are you,” she said with an irresistible grin.

  “I don’t like him.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure he won’t ask you to dance.”

  “Very amusing.”

  “Where are you going?” she said when he led her into the centre of the dance floor. “I know you don’t dance. We can sit down and get a drink.”

  “Who says I don’t dance?” he said, pulling her against him.

  With that he started to move with a grace and expertise she hadn’t known he possessed.

  “Oh my God Ryan you’re doing it, you’re dancing.”

  “Yes I am,” he said, twirling her round before pulling her close.

  “But how?”

  “I’ve been having lessons twice a week.”

  “You sly bugger.”

  “My instructor said I’m a natural.”

  “And who’s your instructor? Some hot young hard body?”

  “Yes but I hardly noticed. I’m joking,” he added when her smile fell. “He’s actually called Rupert and if you tell anyone I will be most displeased.”

  “Rupert,” she sniggered. “Woah,” she exclaimed when he twirled her round again. The next thing she knew she was back in his arms and staring up into his face, a satisfied smile on his lips.

  “You’ve every right to look smug. You’re really good,” she beamed. He was so good in fact that everyone had stopped to watch them. “Is there nothing you can’t do?”

  “I can’t turn into a Scotsman,” he frowned.

  “It was one dance and he doesn’t have anything you don’t.”

  Abruptly he went still, his arm around her waist tightening, pressing his body even harder against hers. “But I have one thing he doesn’t.” With that he crushed his lips to hers aggressively, claiming her in front of Thane, who watched them from the edge of the dance floor. Rachel didn’t notice because the second Ryan ended the kiss he spun her round again, making her laugh out loud with delight.

  Riley was the only one not watching Rachel and Ryan, his attention entirely focused on Beth, who was still sitting with Cathy. She looked as beautiful as ever, long blond hair sleek and shining golden in the light. Despite her smile her eyes were heavy with melancholy, the past having left an indelible scar.

  He stood beside her table and cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”

  When she looked up at him the melancholy vanished, lifting his heart. “Hello Riley.”

  “I wondered if…if you…well…” He’d been in war zones but this situation terrified him.

  “She’d love to dance with you, wouldn’t you Beth?” said Cathy.

  “Oh right. Err, yes I would thank you.”

  Riley felt like an idiot when he grinned. Hardly the sophisticated image he’d wanted to project. He would have to ask Ryan for some tips. He held out his hand, relishing the feel of her small warm hand in his. As he led her onto the dance floor his throat went dry and his heart pounded, heat radiating up through his body when he took her in his arms and felt her warmth pressed against him.

  Beth smiled up at him shyly, glancing away when his eyes caught hers. He made her feel like a schoolgirl again and she liked it.

  “I didn’t know Ryan could dance like that,” she began.

  “He’s been having lessons. He wanted it to be a surprise for Rachel because she loves to dance.”

  “She looked really happy.”

  “She always is when she’s with Ryan.” I want the same.

  “They’re so lucky,” she murmured.

  No, this wasn’t what he wanted. The melancholy was returning to her eyes and he wanted it to go away again. “You look beautiful.”

  It worked. She smiled.

  “I feel plain compared to Rachel and Amber.”

  “I don’t know why, you’re more beautiful than both of them put together.”

  “I hardly think so.”

  “I mean it,” he said fiercely.

  The passion in his eyes didn’t scare her like she’d thought it would and she smiled up at him.

  “I thought about you a lot while I was away,” he continued, growing bolder, encouraged by her positive reaction.

  “I liked your e-mails. They cheered me up.” They’d agreed to keep in contact to support each other, both having gone through similar traumatic experiences. What Beth didn’t tell him was that she’d devoured his e-mails. Sometimes they were nothing more than a couple of lines, naturally he couldn’t tell her what he was getting up to in the army and Riley
was a man of few words, but it was enough for her to know that he was out there thinking of her. Riley had endured what she had - watching someone she loved dearly being murdered in front of her and helpless to stop it. Out of all her friends and family only he understood and it had created a connection between them neither of them could deny. Even now in his arms she felt at ease, like it was the most natural thing in the world. But Nick was always at the forefront of her mind, she’d loved him and he’d died for that love. As much as she hated to admit it, Alex was there too, the Alex she’d fallen in love with. She missed them both.

  “Sorry my e-mails weren’t very long but there wasn’t much to report,” he said.

  “They were just right. I was worried about you.”

  “Don’t be, I’ve got good men watching my back.”

  “When are you going back out there?”

  “Three days.”

  Beth was disappointed. “So soon.”

  “I know.” He almost added that if he had a reason to stay he’d jack the army in, he was getting tired of travelling halfway across the world. He craved stability but kept that to himself, not wanting to scare her off. “I should be entitled to more leave in a few months.”

  “Oh,” she said, telling herself not to start getting attached.

  The tempo of the music suddenly picked up, the couples gently swaying together jumping into life. Riley and Beth grinned at each other, determined to make the most of what little time they had together.

  “Hold on tight,” he told her, throwing them both into the dance.

  Rachel watched Riley and Beth dancing together, both looking so much happier.

  “They’d make a good couple, don’t you think?” she said.

  “That would be so nice, then we’d all be in pairs,” enthused Amber. “We’d just need to find someone for Battler.”

  His eyebrows went up. “No thanks love. I’m the eternal bachelor. No woman’s tying me down, well, not for longer than half an hour,” he grinned.