Aftermath (Dividing Line #6)

by Heather Atkinson

Katia took in the woman’s clothes, the heavy black eyeliner, the faint smell of exhaust fumes. “You’re part of Lucifer’s Shadow?”

  “Was. I’m the only one left. My name is Venom.”

  “What’s your real name?”

  “Venom’s all you need to know.”

  “They killed the man you loved too, Jasper.”

  “Jasper?” Venom laughed, amused, running a hand through her tangled jaw length black hair. Once it had been long but she’d hacked it off in an attempt to change her appearance. “He was an arsehole but the Laws did kill my entire club. All my brothers are gone and they’ve returned to their happy little lives after the carnage they caused. They took your man too, the father of your babies.”

  “Do not touch him,” spat Katia when Venom tickled Daniel’s cheek with her finger.

  “I won’t hurt him.”

  “You stink of cigarettes, you shouldn’t be near him.”

  Venom held up her hands and leaned back in her seat. “I’m here to help.”

  “Why should I trust you? And how did you find me?”

  “Tracking people is part of my job.”

  “What job?”

  “I eliminate inconvenient people. I’m good at it too.”

  Panic seized Katia and she clutched Alex to her tighter, pushing herself further back in the bed in an attempt to put some distance between them. Where was Robbie? He’d promised he would be back soon. “You’re an assassin?”

  “I suppose you could call me that. Don’t look so worried, if I was here to kill you then you’d be dead already.”

  “That’s why you’re here. You think I need someone removing?”

  “Yes.”

  Katia sank back into the pillows, keeping the sleeping Alex close. “You want revenge for what they did to your club?”

  “Yes and you want revenge for what was done to your man, so I thought we should talk.”

  “What do you want from me? I’m not paying you to do something you’ll enjoy.”

  “I don’t want money. The Laws took my job away from me, as well as my adopted family.”

  “You want me to give you a job? I don’t think you’d be to my client’s tastes,” she said nastily. “Maybe if you sorted out your hair and make-up you could be pretty. I think you have a very good body under all those clothes.”

  Jules’s expression hardened. “I know exactly what business you’re in and that’s not what I meant. You’ve got inexperienced men working for you, not much more than boys.”

  “How the hell do you know who’s working for me?”

  “Your security is lax, despite your deal with the Slatterys. I could fix that for you.”

  “Were you in charge of your club’s security? Not a good recommendation.”

  “I know what I’m doing, which is more than that shower you’ve got working for you.”

  Katia knew she was right. Her men were young and inexperienced. “Before I let you anywhere near anything of mine I need to know I can trust you.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Kill Rachel Law.”

  “I would have thought you’d want Ryan dead. He was the one who murdered Alex.”

  “I want him to feel the pain I’m feeling. I want you to kill the bitch slowly and painfully and leave pieces of her for him to find,” she snarled, the long blood red nails of her free hand tearing at the sheets.

  “That can be arranged.”

  “And I want proof. Bring me part of her back, it will drive Ryan crazy knowing he doesn’t have all of her. Photos too, I want plenty of those.”

  Jules nodded and got to her feet.

  “When will you do it?”

  “Soon. They’re in Scotland at the moment for Mikey Maguire’s wedding.”

  “They are celebrating their happiness and future when me and my boys are left alone to fend for ourselves.”

  “They’ll suffer. What will you do to Ryan?”

  “I will wait until he has been destroyed by his grief. Then I will kill him.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll be in touch.”

  After she’d gone Katia screwed her face up at the stink of cigarette smoke that lingered.

  “We’ll avenge your daddy my babies,” she told her boys.

  In response Alex’s eyes opened and connected with hers. She smiled down at him, rocking him gently, picturing Rachel Law’s corpse when Venom had finished with her while she hummed her babies a lullaby.

  CHAPTER 10

  Rachel and Ryan descended the stairs for breakfast just in time to see Riley in reception, his bags packed, checking out.

  “What’s this?” frowned Ryan.

  “I’m glad you’re both up, I wanted to say goodbye before I left.”

  “You’re supposed to be staying another two nights.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t, not after what happened with Beth.”

  “You don’t have to leave.”

  “I do, it’s too much.” Riley regarded his brother with sad eyes. “The first woman I’ve opened up to in years ripped me to shreds last night. I can’t be here.”

  When Ryan opened his mouth to protest Rachel put her hand on his arm. “If that’s what you want Riley, but we’re sorry to see you go. When will you be back?”

  “I don’t know, I’m not due any more leave for a while.”

  Ryan didn’t want his brother to go, he knew he would be flying out to some deadly hellhole and he might not come back. “Stay,” he urged.

  “Sorry. Give my apologies to Mikey and Amber will you? Tell them my unit recalled me.”

  “Of course,” replied Rachel, embracing him. “Please be careful.”

  “I will.”

  He hugged Ryan next, the two men slapping each other on the back.

  “What’s all this?” said Jez, descending the stairs. “Leaving already?”

  “My unit’s recalled me. Wish I could stay but you know how it is.”

  “That’s a bloody shame.”

  They were all surprised when Jez hugged him, especially Riley who, after a moment’s hesitation, hugged him back.

  “Your taxi’s here Sir,” said the receptionist, gesturing to the door.

  “Well that’s me,” said Riley, releasing Jez. “I’m not sure when I’ll see you again but I’ll keep in touch.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” said Ryan.

  “I do,” he replied before walking dejectedly to the door. The three of them waved him off then headed into the restaurant for breakfast.

  “Please don’t blame Beth for this,” Rachel told Ryan, noticing how hard his face had gone.

  “She’s the reason he left.”

  “She didn’t drive him away intentionally. You know how fragile she’s been lately.”

  “So that’s what happened, is it?” said Jez as they took their seats at a table by the window. “He and Beth finally got it on?”

  “Beth realised it was a mistake. She didn’t mean to hurt him,” said Rachel.

  “And now he’s flying out to a war zone pissed off and upset,” said Ryan. “What if it throws his concentration?”

  “He managed for two years when he was grieving for Zoe and the baby, he’ll be fine. I think the army gets him through any bad patches.”

  “I hope you’re right,” he replied grimly. “Oh Christ, that’s all I need.”

  Thane was making his way towards them, a pleasant smile on his face.

  “Be nice,” Rachel told her husband.

  “If he starts chatting you up I’m knocking him out. I’m not in the fucking mood,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

  Rachel looked to Jez, who shrugged.

  “Morning. I trust you had a good night’s sleep?” said Thane cheerfully.

  “Yes Your Lordship,” retorted a sarcastic Ryan.

  “Oh dear, is my little secret out?”

  “Yes it is Rob Roy.”

  “Ryan,” exclaimed Rachel. She looked to Thane. “I do apologise for him. He can be a g
rumpy bugger in the morning.”

  Ryan frowned at her.

  “I’d be grumpy too if I was him. I apologise Mr Law, I had no idea she was your wife.”

  “You knew she was married,” he countered.

  “True but you can’t blame me for trying for the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  Ryan’s only response was a disdainful arch of the eyebrow.

  “Allow me to apologise properly. I invite you to dine as my guests tonight in the private wing. Bring your brother too and his lovely wife,” he said, looking at Jez.

  “Thanks,” smiled Jez.

  “I’ll meet you all in the bar at seven,” he said before walking away.

  “We didn’t say yes,” scowled Ryan.

  “Oh come on, it’ll be fun,” said Rachel. “Dinner with a real live Scottish laird in his castle. That doesn’t happen every day.”

  “I agree,” said Jez. “Frown at me all you want Ryan, I’m looking forward to it.”

  “He’s not trying to get into your wife’s knickers.”

  Ryan’s annoyance was transferred from Thane to Beth when she joined them, taking the empty seat beside Jez.

  “Has anyone seen Riley? I knocked on his door but there was no answer,” she said.

  “He left,” said Ryan harshly, wincing when Rachel’s elbow dug into his ribs.

  “His unit recalled him,” she told her.

  “Oh,” she replied, downcast.

  “Did you want to talk to him?” said Ryan, unable to keep the ice from his voice.

  “I…I don’t know. Maybe it’s for the best that he’s gone.”

  “It’s for the best that he’s flown out to some Godforsaken place to get shot at, is that what you’re saying?” he spat.

  When Beth looked horrified Rachel took her hand. “Let’s sit over there.”

  Beth nodded, looking upset.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Rachel hissed at Ryan before leading her friend to a table at the opposite side of the room.

  “You’re in trouble,” said Jez. “Glad I’m not in your shoes. I wouldn’t want to be in Rachel’s bad books.”

  “Why am I in trouble?”

  “Beth’s not thinking straight, as you well know and it was Riley’s decision to leave.” He flashed him a grin. “You hate it when I’m right, don’t you?”

  Ryan shrugged helplessly. “I don’t want to lose any more brothers.”

  “You won’t. If anyone can take care of himself it’s Riley. He makes us look like girl guides.”

  “You maybe,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

  “Maybe,” Jez replied good-naturedly.

  “We still need to decide what we’re going to do about our errant sister.”

  “I think finding her is a priority. When we do eventually locate her what will you do? I can’t see you playing happy families with her, not after she tried to kill Rachel.”

  “I’m warning you now Jez, sister or not, if she’s still a danger to Rachel…”

  “I hear you and I’d feel the same if it was Cathy.”

  “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

  “Aren’t we always? Just go easy on Beth.”

  “I’ve no choice. I shudder to think what Rachel will do to me if I don’t.”

  Jez was pleased when Cathy entered the room. “Hey Babe, you’re up,” he smiled, pushing the chair beside him out for her. Concerned by how upset Beth was she walked right past him and joined the ladies at their table. “Charming,” he said.

  Rachel looked over at Ryan and threw him a dark look, shaking her head before returning her attention to Beth.

  “Oh dear,” said Jez, taking a sip of coffee. “If I were you I’d get running.”

  After breakfast they waved off the new Mr and Mrs Maguire on their honeymoon to Paris, both of whom looked radiant with happiness. They were taking their young son Josh with them and the three of them climbed into the taxi, frantically waving as they departed. After they’d gone Beth decided it was time to leave too.

  “How is she?” Ryan asked Rachel as they watched her car meander down the drive.

  “A little better no thanks to you.”

  “Rachel, please don’t be like that.”

  “Like what? Annoyed because you hurt my best friend.”

  “She hurt my brother.”

  “She’s so fragile and you made it worse just when she was finally starting to come out of herself.”

  “Maybe she should consider other people’s feelings and not be so wrapped up in her own,” he countered.

  When Rachel’s eyes turned black Jez and Cathy took a step back, abandoning Ryan to his fate.

  “Battler, Bruiser, you’re up,” said Jez gratefully when he saw the brothers descending the stairs.

  “We’re not too late for breakfast, are we?” said Battler. “I’m bloody starving.”

  “Nope, there’s still twenty minutes left,” he replied. “We’ll join you for coffee. These two are having a domestic.”

  “Oh dear,” said Battler. “Best leave them to it.”

  Ryan watched the four of them disappear into the restaurant with a sinking feeling. When he looked back at Rachel her eyes were even blacker.

  “I’m going for a walk,” she told him.

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “No you won’t.”

  “Rachel, I fail to understand what I’ve done that’s so wrong.”

  “For a genius you can be really stupid sometimes.”

  “Rachel…”

  “Beth was just starting to get back on her feet. Sleeping with Riley was a huge step forward for her, she really cares about him. Then you had to mention him getting shot after Nick was shot to death right in front of her.”

  The gravity of his own words finally sunk in and he grimaced. “Oh hell.”

  “Indeed. Idiot,” she yelled in his face before storming out the front door.

  Dejectedly he watched her disappear into the gardens. He caught the receptionist smirking. The look Ryan gave him caused him to bury his nose in his paperwork.

  Rachel didn’t think she’d ever been so furious with Ryan before. He hadn’t seen the devastation in Beth’s eyes, he hadn’t heard her say if Riley got killed in the line of duty it would be her fault.

  She was so mad she barely appreciated the beauty of the gardens. She just walked and walked, keeping up a fast pace, burning off her rage until she began to tire. The weekend had started off so well too. Could they not just have fun without something ugly rearing its head? Perhaps not after everything they’d been through. The past was always close, a multitude of ghosts peering over all their shoulders, refusing to be forgotten. A shiver ran down her spine. The dead were always with her, Alex’s spectre the most persistent of them all.

  A sound caught her attention and she turned to see a man digging a flowerbed, his upper half bared to the sun. His back was well muscled, the skin golden. Obviously he worked outdoors a lot. Not wanting him to realise she was there, Rachel attempted to sneak out of the garden before he noticed her.

  “Rachel, what a pleasant surprise,” boomed a voice that was becoming more and more familiar.

  She sighed and turned back round. “Hello Thane.”

  He threw down the shovel and walked towards her with that big charming grin, impressive chest on display. “Found your way into my wee haven again.”

  “These are public gardens I believe,” she replied, tilting her chin in a challenge.

  “Actually they’re not,” he said, pointing to a very obvious sign that said private gardens, no entry.

  “Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t see it.”

  “Obviously. You just can’t stay away from my private area, can you?” he said suggestively.

  “I can’t help myself,” she smiled. She realised she was flirting, but so what? It would serve Ryan right. “Does the lord of the manor usually dig his own garden?”

  “It’s my hobby. I like the peace and quiet and the exercise.�
�

  “So I see,” she replied, his rippling body a testament to that statement.

  “Where’s your husband?”

  “In the restaurant,” she said, hoping her annoyance with Ryan didn’t reveal itself in her voice.

  “So we’re all alone?”

  “We are. What are you planting?” she said, walking past him to study the flowerbeds.

  “Rose bushes.” He picked up a pair of secateurs, cut off one of the beautiful deep red blooms, removed the thorns and handed it to her.

  “Thank you,” she replied, accepting the flower.

  “It’s rare to find a woman whose beauty outshines a rose.”

  “Flatterer.”

  “No, just an honest man.”

  He stared at her with those forceful dark eyes. Any other woman would have found it thrilling but he did nothing for Rachel simply because he wasn’t Ryan and her irritation with her husband began to melt away.

  “Happily married, eh?” said Thane.

  “Very.”

  “How disappointing. If it ever falls through you know where to find me and my private areas.”

  “How could I forget?” she replied, walking away.

  “You haven’t forgotten about my dinner invitation?” he called after her.

  “Nope. Looking forward to it.”

  “Me too.”

  Rachel exited the garden and meandered back to the castle, enjoying the sweet fragrance of the flower. A figure rushed up to her, looking furious, and she sighed.

  “Where’ve you been?” demanded Ryan. “I was worried.”

  “I told you I was going for a walk.”

  “You’ve been gone an hour and a half.”

  “Have I? It didn’t feel that long.”

  He tutted and took out his mobile phone. “Call off the search Battler, I’ve found her,” he said before hanging up.

  “You had them looking for me?”

  “Yes, we were worried,” he barked.

  “Why?”

  “Because you’ve been kidnapped twice. Don’t do that to me again.”

  “I’m sorry, I just lost track of time,” she said, realising she was in the wrong. How could she have been so thoughtless? She knew how much he worried about her. The past had scarred them all.

  He pulled her into his arms, crushing the rose between them. “It’s alright, you’re safe. That’s all that matters.”