Mikey released her, swallowing down the lump in his throat. “Yes you are,” he said. “You will be.”
“Alright, take it easy. We don’t know there is anything wrong with me yet.”
Mikey didn’t want to say it but things always went wrong for their family and it was usually when they were flying highest and they thought the worse was behind them. For two years all had been harmonious, the family was doing well, business was booming and everyone was happy. Then bang, all at once the Slatterys take down Jules and Rachel might have cancer. Fucking unbelievable and he wanted to rage against the world about it.
“So, this is your new headquarters?” said Rachel, looking around the entryway of the bungalow. “Who’s going to give me the tour?”
“That’s right, you’ve not seen it before,” said Mikey, putting an arm around her shoulders. Ryan had already seen it when he came to help them take on the Slatterys the first time. “I’ll show you around. It won’t take long,” he added grudgingly.
“I like it, it’s cosy,” she smiled back.
“Well she seems much more her old self,” said Jez as he and Ryan watched the two of them disappear into another room.
“Yes she is, thank God.”
“You okay though bruv?”
“Fine.”
“You don’t fool me. You worship Rachel and now she might have a life-threatening condition. You don’t need to be big and tough in front of me.”
Ryan’s face became even more expressionless but Jez knew it was only because he was trying to contain his raging emotions.
“See, this is why she didn’t want to tell you,” said Jez. “She knew it would hurt you.”
“I know and I love her even more for attempting to protect me but at least I can be there for her now, support her.”
“Yes but how are you holding up?”
“I said I’m fine.”
“Don’t believe you.”
Ryan shrugged. “Can’t be helped.”
“Look, if you and Rachel ever need anything just give me a shout, okay?”
“Okay. Can we stop the concern now? It’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Fine by me you miserable git.”
CHAPTER 23
“Well, that’s the tour concluded,” said Mikey three minutes later. “It’s not a big place but it’s safe and anonymous.”
“I like it,” said Rachel. “The compound was a massive, lairy statement. This is much more under the radar. It was a smart move to base your operations here.”
“Thanks Rach,” he smiled, pleased with the praise. His smile faltered. “But it was Jules’s idea to make our base more low-key.”
“She’s a smart woman.”
“Yes she is,” said Mikey in a faraway voice. He shook himself out of it. “So, how are you doing?”
“Better now I’ve come out with it. I’m sorry if I was a bitch to you.”
“You weren’t and you’ve nothing to apologise for. You’ll let me know, won’t you? The results I mean. I’m worried about you Rach.”
“Course I will but I’m thinking positively, like Ryan said. Everything will be fine.”
“Is there a history in your family of this sort of thing?”
Her breezy smile faltered. “Well, my maternal aunt died of breast cancer. And my grandmother and her sister. And my great grandmother.” She forced the smile back on her face. “But my mum’s never had any problems so if she can beat the odds, I can too.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry about me, I’m always fine. I didn’t survive Alex Maguire to let some bastard tumour take me down and right now we need to concentrate on protecting Jules and getting Cara back.”
Mikey cleared his throat and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s get the plan finalised.”
She smiled, the cheer returning and she followed him into the kitchen where Mark, Grant, Shane, Declan, Battler and Bruiser waited.
Mikey couldn’t even find it in himself to put on a false front. The two women he loved most in the world might die and there was nothing he could do to save either of them.
Rachel was grateful for the meeting with the men because their plan was so insane it temporarily took her mind off her own problems.
“I can’t believe you’re actually going to do this,” she said.
“Neither can I,” said Mikey with a grimace. “We must all be mental.”
“We need mental to attack mental,” said Shane with surprising sageness. “The Slatterys are far from sane.”
Ryan was surprised by twenty year old Shane’s seriousness and by how much he’d matured in the two years since he’d last seen him. He’d originally hired Shane to keep watch over his mother Estelle when she’d lived in a council flat in Nottingham. Shane had helped them escape when he, Jules and Jez had been surprised by some of Slattery’s heavies when they’d gone to visit Estelle. In return Jez had given him a job on their crew in Manchester, a dream come true for Shane, who had settled in very well. Mikey and Jez were excellent teachers and Shane had thrived under their tutelage, his attitude and serious expression more at home on a much older man. He wore the same expensive tailored suits Mikey and Jez sported and he’d bulked up, indicating he now spent a lot of his time at the gym. Two years ago Ryan had seen a lot of potential in him and it was gratifying to see him flourishing.
“But it will work,” said Ryan. “Hit them hard, hit them fast. It’s the only way we’re going to get Cara out of there. Everyone watches their targets and remember, there’s a little girl in that house.”
They all nodded.
“Are you coming Rach?” said Battler who was unaware of her condition.
“Err, no. I’m going to stay behind and help take care of Jules.”
“Why? I thought you’d want in on this.”
“I do but…I have a health issue.”
“Health issue?” said Battler.
Rachel took a deep breath. “You may as well know.”
“You don’t have to do this,” said Ryan, taking her hand.
“Yes I do. Now I’ve opened up about it I don’t seem able to stop and Battler and Bruiser are like my second dads.” She looked back at them. “I had a suspicious breast lump removed and I’m waiting for the results.”
Mark, Shane, Grant and Declan looked down at their hands, a bit embarrassed while Battler and Bruiser looked horrified.
“Aw Jesus Rach,” said Battler, running a huge hand over his shaved head. “I don’t know what to say sweetheart.”
“There’s nothing to say,” she casually replied. “Whatever the outcome, I’ll deal with it.”
Bruiser shot out of his chair and they all watched as he walked round the table to hug Rachel, crushing her to him.
“I appreciate the gesture Bruiser but I can’t breathe,” she mumbled into his chest, taking a deep breath when he released her.
As he looked down at her Bruiser’s eyes filled with softness and he patted her cheek before retaking his seat, adjusting his cuffs and resuming his previous stern expression. Battler grasped her hand and held on tight, his eyes full of sadness. Rachel was filled with love for him and gently squeezed his huge hand.
“Declan will stay behind to oversee the businesses,” said Mikey. He gave his cousin a grateful smile while Declan just looked back at him sternly. Declan had been a bit weird with him lately and he had no idea why, they hadn’t fallen out or exchanged a cross word but he would deal with that later. Right now he had more important things on his mind. “Rachel will help Riley watch over Jules,” he ended.
“You sure you’re up to it Rach?” said Jez.
“You ask me that again and I’ll whack you one,” she replied.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he smiled.
“How is Jules?” said Battler. “We’ve not had chance to see her yet.”
Jez’s smile dropped. “Still in a coma.”
“Jesus, sorry.”
Jez just nodded, looking down at his hands.
“If t
he Slatterys do decide to attack Jules again they won’t do it personally,” said Mikey. “They’ll send a lackey so they have a nice, tight alibi. They’d better stay in Essex because I want to take out that bitch Tanya personally. She was the one who stabbed Jules.” With that he produced a knife from inside his jacket and slammed it into the tabletop, leaving the vicious six inch blade protruding from the wood.
“You might have to get in the queue,” said Jez, producing his own knife and stabbing that into the tabletop beside Mikey’s.
“Yes, quite,” said Ryan. “But it’s a bit of a moot point because the Slatterys cannot be allowed to survive this time. We wipe them all out. It’s the only way to guarantee Jules and Cara’s safety.”
“Agreed,” they all said in unison.
“Excellent,” said Mikey. “One more thing. I called DI Sanders to ask about Dwyer.”
When his eyes flicked to Rachel, she swallowed hard.
“His brother was on the force,” he continued.
“Brother?” said Rachel, feeling her throat close up.
“He’s Superintendent Benton’s brother.”
“Oh shit,” was all she said when inside she was reeling. Superintendent Benton had developed a weird obsession with her, blaming her for the death of his friend and mentor, Superintendent Jarvis, whose place he had taken when he’d died. Jarvis had actually passed away from a heart attack but he’d got it into his head Rachel had been responsible and had gone on a vendetta against her. In a way he’d been right because she was a nurse at the time and Jarvis was her patient. When he’d gone into cardiac arrest she’d done nothing, even turning off the alarm so no one would be alerted but he’d threatened her family and she’d only been protecting them. When trying to get her locked up in prison had failed, Benton had tried to kill her but had shot her first husband Danny instead. On the pretence of investigating her husband’s murder he’d got close to her, taking advantage of the situation to try and kill her for a second time. It was only thanks to Bruiser that she’d survived, he’d almost died protecting her.
When she looked at Bruiser she saw the painful memories clearly etched on his face and she reached across the table for his hand.
Shane knew exactly who Superintendent Benton was thanks to his gangsters’ scrapbook and the revelation had come as a huge shock to him so he couldn’t imagine how the others must be feeling. Benton had died in prison, apparently he’d hanged himself but no one believed that. Everyone knew it had been a hit disguised as suicide. He felt sorry for Rachel, she looked impossibly sad. On top of everything that had recently happened this was the last thing she needed. He tried not to stare but he couldn’t help it, she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen, even more so than Jules and Amber. On top of that she was an absolute legend and she was as hard as nails, capable of giving every man in the room a run for their money. He knew she had a daughter not much younger than himself and idly he wondered if she took after her mother.
“That explains why he was acting so strangely,” said Rachel.
“Doesn’t mean he takes after his brother,” said Mikey. “Well, half brother. Different mothers but they were raised together.”
“Were they close?” said Rachel.
“Does it matter?” said Mikey.
“Yes, very much so.”
He sighed and nodded. “Yeah, according to Sanders. Apparently he’s a proper jobsworth, not much liked at the station but he is good at what he does. Don’t worry Rach, we’re going to keep an eye on him.”
Rachel just nodded, glad she lived in Devon. Now she knew why he’d creeped her out, his eyes had the same intensity as Benton’s.
“Well,” began Jez, breaking the shocked silence. “If no one has anything to add we need to get going.”
As they all got to their feet, Ryan pulled Rachel into another room to say goodbye.
“Take care of yourself,” she said, embracing him.
“I was going to say the same to you.” He pulled back slightly to regard her. “Are you sure you’re okay for me to leave you?”
“Of course. I know you need to do this, for Jules.”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “I’m just at the end of the phone if you need me.”
“I said I’m fine,” she smiled. She ran her fingertips through his hair. “The Slatterys are a pack of animals. Be careful, won’t you?”
Ryan let his cool demeanour slip, just for a second, revealing the rage lying just beneath the surface. “Jared Slattery’s fucking mine.”
“I know,” she said, taking his hands, sliding the tip of her index finger across his wedding band. “Finish him.”
“I intend to.” He wrapped the rage back inside himself. His eyes softened and he kissed her. “What will you tell Leah about where I’ve gone?”
“I don’t think I need to tell her anything. She knows you need to get Cara back.”
His eyes filled with sadness. “We were fools to think we could keep all this from her.”
“We did our best but looking back on it now, it was inevitable.”
“Stay out of Dwyer’s way. He’s probably not a threat to us but it’s for the best.”
“I intend to,” she said, stifling a shiver. “But no one believed Benton hanged himself, not even the police.”
“I was responsible for that, I ordered it, not you.”
“I know and it makes me afraid. Hopefully Dwyer will assume it was Alex.”
“I’m sure he will, he was in charge of the family at the time.” He gave her a reassuring smile that he didn’t feel and kissed her before following the others out.
Rachel watched the men pile into the cars that would take them to the airport, Declan by her side.
“They’ll be fine,” he said, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders.
This brought back memories of when she had waited behind with Declan and his two brothers while the others went off to take on Lucifer’s Shadow motorcycle club, the one’s responsible for killing Riley’s fiancée and daughter. While they were away Alex had tracked them down to the farmhouse they’d been hiding out in and they’d only just escaped with their lives. After that Declan’s two brothers had returned to Ireland, having decided this wasn’t the life for them. Declan however had remained but he wasn’t as strong or ruthless as the others, he was always the one left behind. Mikey said it was because they wanted someone with the name Maguire running things in their absence but she knew it was because he was the weak link in the chain. She just hoped Declan himself never realised it.
“I know,” she replied with false cheer.
“Want me to run you back to the hospital?”
“Just give me a sec,” she replied, straining to keep the cars that contained some of the people she loved most in the world in view until they’d disappeared completely. “Okay, let’s go.”
Declan felt an immense sense of satisfaction as he watched those cars disappear. Finally Amber would get some respite from her tormentor. The fact that he and Mikey shared blood made him sick to his stomach. How anyone could hurt that sweet, kind woman was beyond him. Well more fool Mikey because he was reaping all the benefits.
CHAPTER 24
Rachel returned to the hospital but before going into Jules’s room she paused to talk to Riley, who was on guard duty at the door with a woman with short blond hair and a serious expression. Rachel thought what an excellent choice Riley had made, the woman was obviously alert, eyes shining with intelligence but her smile was still friendly. No one wanted an intimidating presence on an intensive care ward.
“Rachel, this is Paula Lawrence,” said Riley. “She’s helping watch over Jules.”
Rachel smiled and nodded. “Thank you Paula, I can’t tell you how grateful we all are.”
“Pleasure,” she said with a nod.
“Riley tells me you’re an ex-police officer?”
“I am Ma’am. I hope you won’t hold it against me?” she added with a smile.
Ra
chel liked being called Ma’am, it was respectful and Paula obviously had a sense of humour. “I won’t,” she smiled back. “Are you familiar with DI Dwyer?”
“Yes, sadly. If I may speak frankly?”
“Please do.”
“He’s a fucking creep.”
Rachel’s lips twitched. She liked this woman. “That’s exactly the impression I got.” Her attention was distracted when a nurse passed them by. She was about the same age as herself, quite pretty with a blond ponytail and of stocky build. Rachel didn’t know why but for some reason she made her twitchy. Overtly there was nothing unusual about her, she was just another member of staff but Rachel’s instincts were finely honed and there was something about her that was all wrong. As she passed them by the woman’s eyes briefly locked with her own before she continued on her way, only adding to Rachel’s unease. When neither Riley nor Paula paid the woman any attention she decided her mind was playing tricks on her, she was under a huge amount of stress after all. The nurse turned the corner and disappeared, to her relief.
“All he cares about is advancing his career,” continued Paula. “It’s an obsession with him and he’ll do anything to climb the career ladder, including stepping on those further down the rung.” Paula hesitated, thinking over what she was going to say next before ploughing on. “I was a detective constable on his team a couple of years ago. We caught a murder investigation. Dwyer was so certain the woman’s husband was responsible he was willing to go to any lengths to catch him, including framing him.”
“Jesus,” said Rachel.
“I refused to be a part of it. I even told him that if he did try to set him up I’d shop him to the Chief Super. Dwyer refrained and the husband walked free, even though he was guilty.”
“You knew he was guilty?”
“Oh yes but there was absolutely no evidence. I knew if we did it once then there’d be no stopping us. There was no way I was going to become corrupt because one day someone innocent would suffer for what we’d done. After that Dwyer made my life a living hell. Thankfully a job came up with Riley’s firm and he was good enough to take me on.”
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