“You look…different,” he said grudgingly.
“So do you Jake. How things have changed,” replied Mikey, unable to keep the gloating out of his tone.
“That’s why you’re here, to throw everything back in my face?”
“Wouldn’t you in my position?”
Jake scratched his dark Maguire hair. “You’ve done what you came to do so you can sod off now.”
“I say when this conversation is over, not you.”
Jake sighed and shifted in his seat, folding his arms across his flabby belly. His face had filled out too to the point that it was almost moon-shaped and his skin was pale and pasty, like anyone who spends an extended amount of time in prison. He used to take care of himself, regularly working out at the gym but he’d given up. Not only was he serving time for aggravated robbery after stealing a load of antiques from a stately home armed with a shotgun, he’d broken into Rachel and Danny’s house with Terry Maguire and almost killed Danny. It was only thanks to Rachel’s nursing skills that he’d survived, only to be shot dead by a psychotic police officer with a grudge eighteen months later. Mikey could never forgive Jake for attacking Rachel, even though he’d failed miserably and she’d battered him unconscious with a champagne bottle.
“So go on then, start rubbing my face in it,” said Jake. “You’ve obviously put on your best suit and gold cufflinks to come here. Who wears gold cufflinks to come to this shithole? You’re pathetic.”
“Actually I wear gold cufflinks every day,” Mikey smoothly replied. “Armani too.”
“I hear stories about you,” said Jake, bottom lip stuck out like a child.
“What sort of stories?”
“The usual big man stories. Mikey killed Alex Maguire and took over his empire.” Jake ran his grey tongue across his grey lips and leaned forward in his seat. “Only I know the truth. I remember when you were the one locked up, a scared little boy trying not to cry, wondering why his mummy didn’t love him. You could never have beat Alex. So come on, who really killed him?”
“I’m not here to discuss all that, it’s dead and buried.”
Jake ignored him. “Jez couldn’t have beaten him either. Rachel would have had a good fucking try but she couldn’t have finished him. Alex was the hardest bastard I ever knew, except for one man.”
“Like I said, I’m not here to discuss that.”
Jake’s dark eyes narrowed. “It was Ryan, wasn’t it?”
Mikey thrust his face into his brother’s. “Fucking drop it,” he roared.
Jake physically jumped and leaned away from Mikey. “You’ve changed more than I thought.”
“I didn’t get where I am for no reason.”
“But you’re not strong enough to hold it all. That’s what everyone’s started saying.”
“Who’s saying that?” barked Mikey.
“You know how lags like to gossip. There’s sod all else to do around here. Certain factions have spotted that you’re weak and they’ve been having little digs at your businesses. Don’t bother denying it because everyone knows.”
“I couldn’t give a shit what a bunch of losers stuck in prison think.”
“You should because a lot of those losers are in the business and they won’t be stuck inside forever. Already some of them are talking about taking you on when they get released.”
“Who?”
“Why should I bother telling you?”
Mikey glowered at him, hands clasped together and grinding his teeth with rage. He forced himself to relax. “You’re making it all up to wind me up. I have my spies in here, I know exactly what’s going on.”
Jake threw back his head and laughed. “You don’t have the first fucking clue.”
“Enlighten me then,” replied Mikey, voice icy.
“Why should I make life easy for you? I always knew you were too weak to hold it all.” He leaned back in his seat and chuckled, the sound low and deep. “You’re putting yourself up there with Frank and Alex and Danny. As if.”
“I wondered how long it would be before you mentioned Danny’s name. Miss him, do you?”
“Course I do, he was my cousin.”
“I don’t mean like that. None of us have forgotten how you screamed and cried on his wedding day and tried to stab Rachel with a broken glass. You were in love with him.”
“You’re full of fucking shit,” bellowed Jake. “You’re the one with the hang-up about Rachel. You’re so in love with her but you can never have her.”
“What a stupid thing to say. Rachel’s like a sister to me, nothing more and I’m very happily married to a gorgeous little redhead. You’re the poof, not me.”
“I am not gay,” he roared, shooting to his feet.
“Sit down,” said Mikey in a hard voice.
Jake huffed and threw himself back into his seat.
“Look,” began Mikey, deciding to try and be reasonable. “I don’t care about the past. All I care about is securing our family’s future.”
“You might. I don’t. I’ve been stuck in here for years and this is the first time you’ve visited me. Why should I give a shit about any of you?”
“The fact that we’re brothers really means nothing to you, does it?”
“I thought you might have got that when I set you up for poisoning four people. You always were fucking slow.”
“You might be surprised at how much I’ve changed Jake. If you weren’t my brother I’d eat you alive,” said Mikey in his best intimidating voice.
It had no effect on Jake, who burst out laughing. “If I was on the outside I’d be the one running things and we both know it.”
“No Jake, you wouldn’t because you showed your true colours. Everyone knows what you really are - weak, sad and deluded. It’s pitiful how you still have these grandiose ideas about yourself. Now tell me, where is Nilsen hiding?”
“Been causing you problems, has he?” said Jake, looking very pleased.
“Not particularly. Where is he?”
“How should I know?”
“I know you know Jake. All the attacks he’s made have been on the old businesses, the ones that were around when Danny and Frank were still alive, when you still worked for the family. You gave them an in.”
“How do you know it’s not someone working for you now?”
“Because I trust them. I don’t trust you.”
“You sure you can trust them?”
“Absolutely.”
“What about that nasty bitch Venom? She switched to your side easy enough after you wiped out her club. She has no loyalty.”
“You don’t know a single thing about Jules,” he said angrily.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“How angry you got then. I heard she’s got a way with men. Has she been having her way with you?”
“No she has not. I’m happily married.” Despite his protests Mikey knew the damage had been done, Jake had always been good at reading him and he’d seen his true feelings for Jules. “Stop changing the subject. I want to know where Nilsen’s hiding out.”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Do you want to see everything Uncle Frank worked for fall into someone else’s hands? Would that make you happy?”
“Actually it would because I want to see you fall. It would be worth it. You’re going to end up getting murdered, just like Danny and Alex and Uncle Frank. The King is already dead.”
Mikey drew back his fist to hit him, he was so furious. But Jake’s gloating face made him stay his hand. “You don’t know where Nilsen’s hiding out, he wouldn’t share that with a nothing like you. He used you Jake. I hope it was worth it.” He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t even know why I came here,” he said, getting to his feet.
“Because you wanted to see me,” exclaimed Jake. “I got one over you and you can’t bear it.”
Mikey stopped and rounded on Jake, amusement shining in his eyes. “You don’t want
me to go, do you?”
“Yes I do. Fuck off and leave me alone.”
“Alright then.”
Jake bit his lip, eyes heavy with anxiety before he called out, “wait.”
“I knew it.” Mikey sighed and turned to face him, wishing he hadn’t bothered coming here, the visit was sapping his strength, as though Jake was feeding off him. It was an uncomfortable sensation.
“Sit down and we’ll talk some more.”
“You’re not interested in talking Jake, you just want to fill your boring day, which has probably been exactly the same for years. With me here you can pretend that you’re still somebody, that you’re more than just a prison number. Well let me tell you that you’re not. You have no power over me anymore, I realised that long ago. Perhaps you should too. I’m leaving now and I won’t be back.”
“Fine, fuck off. See if I care,” Jake yelled after him, voice choking up.
Mikey hurried out of the building, the warder accompanying him hurrying to keep up. He’d seen what he needed to see. Not only had Jake lost the plot but he was a definite danger too.
He felt a little better when he stepped outside into the bright sunshine, meandering slowly over to his car, wondering what he should do now. He didn’t want to go home because Amber wouldn’t understand what he was feeling and he didn’t have the patience to explain it to her. Neither could he tell her that he was considering disposing of his own brother. Nor did he want to go to the compound, he needed somewhere quiet where he could think things through. The perfect answer to his dilemma was waiting for him, leaning against his car
“What are you doing here?” he smiled, pleased.
“I thought you could use some company after seeing Jake,” replied Jules. “I never wanted to be alone after paying Leighton a visit.”
“You’re right, I don’t want to be alone. Jake told me something very disturbing.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Yeah, I do. Let’s grab a coffee.”
They found a quiet little coffee house and huddled together at a table at the back to talk.
“So, how was it?” opened Jules.
“Bloody awful. He’s a bloated mess and still as nasty as fuck.”
“Do you feel better for seeing him?”
“No, I feel worse but it’s a good job I did visit him.”
“Why?”
“Because apparently there’s a rumour going around the prison that I’m not up to the job and these attacks on the businesses are happening because I’m too weak.”
“That’s bollocks Mikey. You’re a good, strong leader and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
“I’m not sure how true that is anymore,” he said miserably.
“Do not let Jake get into your head, that’s what he wants. I mean, how many men do you think could have had me working for them and controlled me?”
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Not many.”
“None. Not even Dane could control me, I always did what the hell I wanted but you Mikey, you’re different. I want to listen to you and learn from you, even though you’re younger than me. Jake’s stuck in prison with nothing to do all day except eat, sleep and get shagged up the arse. Your visit was the highlight of the decade so he took advantage of it to break down your confidence, which he no doubt spent the whole of your childhood doing.”
Mikey stared thoughtfully into his coffee. “You might have a point.”
“Course I do. Don’t let him drag you down, it’s never been more vital that you’re strong.”
“I should never have gone to see him. But what if he wasn’t lying? What if people are starting to see these incursions on our territory as a green flag to have a go themselves?”
“They probably are, it’s the way of the world. Every little scrote within a fifty mile radius might start chancing their arm and if they do we’ll be there to cut it off.”
Mikey’s smile broadened. “I love the way you talk.”
“I have the soul of a poet,” she grinned back. “But seriously, don’t let him wind you up. Leighton tried every psychological trick he could think of to get me to either release him or put him out of his misery and I let him burrow in deep. Don’t let Jake do the same to you.”
“So that’s why you’ve changed so much since he died?”
“How do you mean?”
“We’ll you’re sort of…nicer, more likeable, in a deranged nymphomaniac sort of way.”
“Is that meant to be a compliment?”
“Yeah. A big one.”
“Aw, sweet,” she said, patting his hand.
He grabbed her hand and gently held it for a moment as her grey eyes locked with his questioningly. When he realised what he was doing he released her, scrambling to bring Amber to the forefront of his mind. “I just meant you’re a good cousin,” he hastily added.
“Oh,” she said, casting her eyes to the tabletop. “Yeah, you too.” She looked up, forcing a smile. “I don’t want a toyboy anyway thank you. So, did you make your decision about Jake?”
“Decision?”
“Whether he lives or dies,” she said quietly.
Mikey’s stomach lurched. “Why do you say that?”
“Because that’s the main reason you went to see him, even if you haven’t admitted it to yourself. I know because that was what I tried to decide every time I visited Leighton. Life would have been so much easier without him around but I could never bring myself to break that bond, until you did it for me and I’m so glad you did.”
Mikey looked down into his coffee and nodded. “You’re right.”
“And what did you decide?”
“I don’t know,” he sighed. “It just made me more confused.”
“Or you don’t want to admit the truth to yourself.”
Mikey didn’t reply because he simply didn’t know what to say.
“I’m not going to say it for you Mikey, only you can decide on this but if you need me to, I can do it for you.”
“Jesus Jules,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re not ready to hear it yet.”
Mikey didn’t reply, too occupied by the niggling deep in his gut that was telling him she was right.
“Tell me about them,” she suddenly said.
“Who?”
“Frank and Martina Maguire and Danny, the family. I never had the chance to know them, except for Alex and I never liked him.”
“Do you want to know about Terry?”
Terry Maguire, Frank’s younger brother, was her biological father. He’d sold her to Alice and Leighton Parker knowing they would abuse her. She’d been the one to kill him in his hospital bed after he’d tried to kill Rachel and Danny and Alex had taken the credit to get himself back in Danny’s good books after he’d sided with Terry. A fact they’d only learnt after Alex’s death.
“You’d have loved Martina,” he began, breaking into a smile at the memory of the diminutive, fiery and very maternal woman Alex had so cruelly murdered. “She’d have seen past all your prickly ways and welcomed you into the fold. She was like a second mum to me. After I was released from the secure unit she was the only one willing to give me a chance, apart from Rachel. She was the only one who visited me there too, except Jake, who came once to gloat.” Just like I did today, he thought. “Frank would have taken a bit longer to come round to you, just like he did to me and Rach, but he would have because you’re blood, that meant a lot to him and when he did he would have fought the world for you. He could be a big scary bastard but he had a good heart. He was old school, he had integrity. Men like him are a dying breed. Danny would have been standoffish with you too, like his dad, but Rachel likes you so he would have come round, he trusted her judgement absolutely.”
“Was Rachel different when she was with Danny?”
“No, she’s too strong to let herself be ruled by a man but she is happier with Ryan. They’re mad
e for each other.”
Jules nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“Frank was scared of Martina,” he smiled.
“Seriously?” grinned Jules. “I can’t imagine the great Frank Maguire being scared of anyone.”
“He wasn’t, except her. He loved her so much he couldn’t stand her disapproval, so he always did his best to please her.” Mikey was enjoying talking about his relatives, he had so few left, which he knew was why he was reluctant to kill Jake. “She could reduce him to jelly with a single look.”
Jules’s laugh, so rarely heard, made Mikey smile and he launched into several anecdotes, all of which were light-hearted about Frank and Martina’s frequent but not very serious spats. They enjoyed another two cups of coffee while they talked, Jules prompting for more information when required. It was nice for her to know that some of her family had been a real family, had laughed and celebrated together. For just a little while she felt normal.
“I wish I’d known them,” she said wistfully.
“I wish I’d had more time with them,” said Mikey. “When I think of all those years wasted locked up for something I didn’t do all thanks to Jake.”
Jules gave him a meaningful look when he screwed his fist up angrily.
“I’ve got to go,” he said, getting to his feet. “Thanks for the coffee and, you know, being there.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied.
Jules watched him leave, a plan forming in her mind.
CHAPTER 13
Shane didn’t know what to do. He was still watching Estelle Law’s flat in the hope that something would happen to give him an excuse to call Ryan. He’d asked him to keep a watch and let him know if there was any unusual activity with regards to his mum and Shane had daily prayed for something to happen just so he could call him again and prove how capable he was to this man who was a living legend. Nothing had happened except Estelle’s usual routine of going to the pub, getting pissed and staggering back home with some bloke who would give her drugs in exchange for sex, waking up at lunchtime the next day and repeating the same process. It was a wonder she was still alive.
However today everything had changed and a big blond bastard Shane recognised but couldn’t place had entered Estelle’s flat almost an hour ago followed by two heavies and they still hadn’t come out. What if they’d killed Estelle or were torturing her? He was almost hopping with worry, wondering whether he should call Ryan when the three men finally emerged, looking calm and collected and not as though they’d just committed bloody murder.
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