“One you approve of. No one linked to Lucifer’s Shadow. I just need some fun.”
“It’s your flat, you can do what you like, as long as you’re subtle.”
“I always am.”
When he looked doubtful she flashed him a smile.
“One more thing Jules.”
She hesitated by the door. “Yes?”
“What happened to Leighton Parker?”
“Not yet.”
With that she left and Mikey cursed his brilliant camera idea when his eyes remained fixed on her backside.
“She’s your cousin,” he told himself again. He called Grant in. “How did she do?”
“I hate to admit it but I was impressed. She did it quickly and quietly. I didn’t have to lift a finger. She’s a pro.”
“Did she want to do it?”
“I don’t think so, she made it as painless as possible for them. But she’d made her choice and she stuck to it.”
Mikey nodded as though something had been confirmed for him. “Not the psychopath she’s made out to be then?”
“Perhaps not.”
“Would you be willing to work with her again?”
“I think so, as long as she keeps her smart arsed quips to herself.”
“She took the piss out of your outfit?”
He nodded.
“You do look like a gay cowboy.”
“Thanks boss,” he said wryly. Grant had enormous respect for Mikey Maguire. He was a good employer and had proved himself to be a powerful leader. Initially Grant had worked for Alex who, in his opinion, had been a complete tit, keeping him as a heavie when he’d been capable of so much more. Mikey had realised his potential and recruited him as his head of security, for which Grant would be eternally grateful. He enjoyed working for him so he would keep a close eye on Jules. She’d impressed him but it didn’t mean he trusted her.
Jared Slattery was the complete opposite of his dad, Vic. A towering mass of muscle standing six foot four inches tall, hair dark blond, eyes wide and dark brown. Fortunately for him he took after his mother, who was renowned for her beauty and height.
“What do you think?” Katia asked him as the girls ambled in a small circle before them. She was getting angry with them, she’d shown them how to parade proudly with their heads held high and their breasts out but instead they shuffled with their shoulders slumped, looking sad and pathetic. They would feel her wrath later.
“They’re a bit wishy washy,” replied Jared, unimpressed. “Pale and skinny.”
“It’s what men want.”
The face he pulled told her he disagreed.
“So, would you be interested in sampling the goods?” she said.
Sasha, the one Katia had picked out for his special attentions, buried her face in her hands and started to cry.
Incensed, Katia grabbed a fistful of her hair and slapped her across the face three times. “Shut the fuck up stupid bitch,” she bellowed in her face.
It had the desired effect and Sasha went quiet.
Jared finally seemed interested when Irina descended the stairs looking a lot more confident a damn sight healthier than the other girls.
“Now this is more like it,” he said, eyeing her up like she was a piece of meat in a butcher’s shop.
Irina stood her ground when he slipped a hand into her dark hair, lifted a section of it to his face and breathed in her scent. “Lovely,” he said. “I want this one.”
Katia glanced at Irina, who gave a very slight nod in response. She’d promised her second-in-command she could choose which men she ‘entertained’ and she was keeping that promise because Irina was proving to be invaluable. Fortunately Irina understood how important it was they get this man on their side and she would be well rewarded for it.
Irina had confided in her that she’d been a sergeant in the Slovak Army Land Forces and was dishonourably discharged after beating up a fellow soldier. The fact the man had tried to rape her had done nothing to help her cause and she’d had to run after his family came after her for daring to complain. Now she was a soldier looking for a leader, waiting to be given orders and she’d finally found her niche here in this back street brothel in Essex. There would be no danger of her trying to seize control from Kaita, who was coming to rely on her.
Jared surprised them both when he took Irina’s hand in a gentlemanly way and led her upstairs.
After locking the other girls back in their rooms Katia anxiously waited downstairs for Irina to return, hoping Jared wasn’t too harsh with her. The Slatterys reputation was less than civilised and she feared what strange sexual proclivities the prince possessed. It was a relief when Irina descended the stairs an hour later in one piece, perfectly composed.
“Where is he?” Katia asked, anxious that he’d enjoyed his time with her.
“In the shower.”
“How was he?”
“Gentle. I was surprised. He spent a lot of time combing my hair and sniffing it. Then he got me to strip down to my underwear and walk up and down his back in high heels and hit him. After that we finally had sex. He was very knowledgeable about how to touch a woman.”
“So he didn’t hurt you at all?”
“No. I was the one who did the hurting.”
“You have no objection to entertaining him again?”
“None at all. I enjoyed him. He was very vigorous.”
“Good. You have done very well Irina.”
“Thank you. I am glad I could please you.”
“Go and check on the other girls and discipline Sasha for crying earlier. Don’t be too hard. Her client will be arriving in an hour.”
Irina nodded and headed back upstairs, passing Jared on his way down, who stopped her to bury his face in her hair before allowing her to continue on her way.
“I trust you enjoyed her?” said Katia.
“Very. When I come here I want her.”
“As you wish. Whatever you want here is yours.” Katia had been willing to offer herself to Jared if it meant she got rid of Vic Slattery but he’d shown no interest in her and she’d surmised his weakness was for brunettes, which was a bit of a relief. He was very good looking but the only man she wanted was dead and buried.
“This is just the beginning,” she told him. “I have big plans for expansion that will make us both a lot of money.”
“You seem like a woman who always succeeds.”
“I am.”
“What does my dad think of your set-up?”
The question was casually asked but Katia’s sharp ears detected the hint of animosity aimed at Vic. “He was very interested,” she replied.
“I bet he was,” frowned Jared. “Especially with the women.”
Katia had heard that Jared adored his mother and hated how Vic always cheated on her. Rather than criticise Vic outright she just gave Jared a knowing look.
“Can we talk in private?” he said.
She nodded. “Follow me.”
Katia led him into her office, which was nothing more than a glorified broom cupboard, a big comedown from her spacious, elegant office at Alex’s brothel full of expensive, beautiful things. The fucking Laws had burnt it to the ground.
“You’re a woman with ambition,” began Jared.
“I am.”
“You aspire to much more than this dump. You would prefer this to be like the exclusive club you used to run?”
“That is the dream.”
His eyes narrowed and darkened as he paced the room, covering the length of it in two big strides before turning and repeating the process. “There’s a new order coming Katia and it will be very profitable for those who get on board with it.”
Katia was aware she had to tread very carefully. For all she knew this was a test of her loyalty to the Slattery family, despite the rumours she’d heard of discord within the ranks. It always paid to do some research about those you were going into business with. She was quite sure Jared was seeing if she would side with him
when he took his father out but she couldn’t be one hundred percent certain. One foot wrong and she might sentence herself to death.
“I have always been one for progress,” she replied enigmatically.
“Good because I think you’ve got the brains to really make something of this place. If my dad has his way it will stay a sleazy dump catering to the lowest of humanity but I see potential that will make us both a fat pile of cash. There are people standing in our way but they won’t be for much longer.”
Katia nodded. “You can count on me.”
“I’m glad we understand each other. Play your cards right and you’ll be well rewarded.”
The door opened and Robbie walked in. “Sorry, am I disturbing?”
“No. We’re done here,” replied Jared, giving him a hard look as he left.
Robbie knew Jared didn’t trust him and he was working hard to gain that trust. Jared had personally murdered a cousin of his but Robbie was willing to bury the hatchet. His entire family was dead while he was alive and well and he intended to stay that way. Plus he’d do anything for Katia.
“What was that about?” said Robbie, closing the door behind Jared.
“We’re on the up,” she told him. “And Vic’s on his way out, the fat ugly pig.”
“Jared’s going to replace him?”
“Yes, who is much more forward thinking and intelligent.”
“But just as cold and ruthless.”
“Cold and ruthless is good. We must be ready.”
“You’re sure we can trust him?”
“No but at least he is looking at expanding our business. If Vic has his way we’ll be stuck here forever and Jared has the guts to kill Ryan and Rachel Law. Vic does not, he’s actually afraid of them, the disgusting little coward. When the time comes you will give Jared whatever he needs. He’s our one chance at expansion, he has to succeed.”
“Okay, if you think it’s the right decision.”
“I do. I only hope I get to spit on Vic Slattery’s bloated corpse.”
“My contact came back to me about that licence plate.”
“The car outside my house?”
“Yes. It’s registered to a dentist in Hulme. Obviously a stolen plate.”
“Hulme is in Manchester, isn’t it?” she said, swallowing hard.
“It is. I think we can safely say the Maguires know we’re here.”
She clutched at his shirtfront. “They will come for us, for the boys. We can’t let them hurt the boys.”
He took her hands. “Calm down Katia, it’s okay. They’re not going to do any such thing. If they did it would mean war with the Slatterys. They were probably just scoping you out. If Mikey was serious about wanting us dead then we wouldn’t be here now.”
“You’re right,” she said, removing her hands from his grip and smoothing down her blond bob. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“Exactly. As long as we keep on the right side of the Slatterys we’re safe and so are the boys.”
“What if they want to take the boys? They have Maguire blood.”
“I think they’ll be happy to leave them with you, you’re a great mum. Anyway, I won’t let them. You have good people around you who will do anything to protect you and your kids, have a little faith in us.”
He was looking at her again in that zealous way that told her he wanted her, but it could never be, despite how sweet he was. “I do,” she replied.
For one awful moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Good. The Maguires won’t touch you.”
Katia smiled at him but she knew if Mikey Maguire wanted to kill her there was nothing this sweet man could do to stop him.
CHAPTER 32
Mikey stared at his laptop, fighting the urge to look.
“Dammit,” he muttered, unable to resist any longer, lifting the lid and bringing up the live feed. At first he couldn’t make out what the stumbling figures on the screen were doing. When the man slapped Jules across the face Mikey shot to his feet, ready to race over there and intervene. He sat back down when Jules smiled and punched the man back. This was the game she liked to play.
At first he thought the man was Dane, his build was similar and he had dark hair, but when he turned his face to the camera he realised it wasn’t him. This man was a bit younger. Like Jules he was covered in tattoos, a massive snarling tiger’s head taking up his entire back. For some reason he looked familiar, although he couldn’t place him. Whoever he was he was strong because he ripped Jules’s top off her as though it were tissue paper. They flew about the room together in a frenzy, tearing off each other’s clothes until they were both completely naked. The man suddenly forced himself to slow, put Jules down on her feet and sank onto his knees before her, his face buried between her thighs. Jules’s hand went into his hair and her head fell back, eyes screwed tight shut with pleasure, mouth open in a silent moan. The man nimbly jumped to his feet again, picked her up and slammed her up against the wall in line with the camera. Mikey was sure she’d directed him there purposefully, he’d seen her gesturing towards that particular wall. As the man began pounding into her Jules’s head lolled to one side and she smiled at the camera.
Mikey cut the feed and slammed the laptop shut. He was sweating, his heart thudded and he had a hard on. Bloody Jules, she’d done that on purpose.
He wandered upstairs, attempting to push the image of Jules writhing with the man out of his head but it refused to go. He’d intended to have the cameras removed today but for some reason he’d kept putting it off. What the fuck was wrong with him?
Troubled, he headed upstairs, pausing to pop his head round Jamie’s door, who was sleeping peacefully in his cot. Mikey smiled.
Quietly he tiptoed down the landing to his own bedroom, still trying to shake the image of her out of his head, erection straining painfully. What was going on? Since he’d met Amber no other woman had made a dent in him and now he couldn’t stop thinking about his own cousin. It was sick.
He opened the bedroom door and stopped in his tracks. Amber was asleep in their huge bed, her red hair streaming out around her, beautiful body encased in a cream silk nightgown. All thoughts of Jules evaporated, leaving him with a sense of peace. What a relief.
He stripped off and climbed into bed, lying on his side to watch his wife sleep. When his arm went around her waist her eyes slid open.
“Hhmnnp,” she mumbled.
“What?” he smiled.
“Have you finished your paperwork?”
“Yes. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You can wake me any time,” she said, pulling him to her for a kiss, wrapping her warm body around his.
As he slid inside her the last image of Jules completely vanished and he lost himself in the feel and delicate scent of his beautiful wife. No one else could compare.
Jules stretched and yawned, nudging the warm lump in the bed beside her until it moved.
“Not up for a cuddle then?” said a deep voice.
“I’ve never been the soft and fluffy type Jax, you know that,” she replied, rubbing her eyes.
“Isn’t that the truth?” Jackson stretched and groaned. “Ow. Did you have to tear my bloody back to shreds? I’ve got a fight tonight.”
“It’ll only add to your macho image. What time is it?”
Jackson glanced at his watch. “Half eight.”
“Shit, I’m going to be late,” she said, sitting up.
A warm arm around her waist pushed her back down. “You don’t have to go yet. We can have some more fun.”
“Get off me or I’ll punch you in the nads.”
He sighed and released her and she leapt up.
“It’s like going to bed with a cactus,” Jackson said, propping himself up on an elbow to watch her scatter her personal belongings around the room.
“A cactus is better at hugs. Where’s my fucking clothes? I can’t find anything in here,” she muttered, rifli
ng through the suitcase she’d brought from her old flat to tide her over until the rest of her stuff arrived. “Shit. I’ll jump in the shower first then I might remember where I’ve put everything.”
After a quick shower she charged back into the bedroom completely naked, dripping water everywhere. “Where’s my sodding underwear?” she yelled.
“Will you keep the noise down? I’m trying to sleep here.”
“I can’t be late for my first day at my new job.”
“What job’s that then?” he said, stretching, giving her an impressive display of muscles and tattoos.
“Mind your own business.”
“Is it with the Samaritans or the charm school?” he said dryly.
“Actually it’s working in a care home for cheeky bastard cage fighters who’ve had their kneecaps broken.”
“Bloody hell Venom you turn me on,” he grinned.
“My name is Jules,” she retorted, pulling on black trousers and a short sleeved black shirt.
“You always ordered me to call you Venom.”
“Yeah well, new start, new me.”
He stuck his leg out from under the duvet and nudged her thigh with his toe. “I like you the way you are. Ow,” he said when she slapped his foot away.
“Stop messing about, I’m in a hurry,” she said, dragging a comb through her hair, getting angry when it snagged on a knot.
“You might do better if you got it cut professionally. It looks like you had a go at it with a knife.”
“That’s because I did.”
“I like it, it’s cute.”
“Shut it.”
“Talking to me like that only makes me like you even more.”
“That’s because you’re off your head. Must be all those blows you’ve taken in the ring.”
“Hey, may I remind you I’m undefeated?”
“You wouldn’t be in my bed if you weren’t.”
Jackson got to his feet and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Come back to bed for a bit longer, they’ll wait.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.”
He ignored her and nuzzled her neck. “I heard Jasper’s done one. So, now that you’re finally free and single, why don’t we hook up?”
Aftermath (Dividing Line #6) Page 27