Rachel nodded approvingly, understanding now why Riley had picked Paula to guard Jules. She was incorruptible. “That was very brave of you.”
Paula nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment. “I know what Dwyer’s brother did to your first husband,” she continued candidly. “Although Dwyer’s not psychotic he is very willing to push the boundaries.”
“I appreciate the warning Paula. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“Dwyer’s got nothing to go on,” said Riley. “He can push and prod all he likes but he’ll get nowhere.”
“In my experience that doesn’t tend to stop men like him,” said Rachel, Paula confirming the truth of her statement with a nod.
“You live all the way down in Devon, way out of his reach, which is why you’ve never come across him before,” said Riley.
“But Mikey and Jez don’t and a good way to get to me is to get at them.”
“They’re too powerful to let that dick bother them. Don’t worry about it for a moment longer.”
Rachel gave him a tight smile, knowing he didn’t believe his own words as much as she didn’t. “Thanks for being so candid with me Paula.”
“Anytime.”
The woman amazed Rachel. Being an ex-police officer she thought she’d hate her and everyone like her but she didn’t seem to be bothered. Or maybe she just didn’t judge people.
Rachel walked into Jules’s hospital room to find Leah was still by her aunt’s bedside with Beth. Jackson was slumped in a chair, grey with exhaustion.
“When did you last get some sleep?” Rachel demanded of him.
“I’ve had a few hours here and there.”
“In that chair?”
He nodded.
“Go and get some proper rest, we’ll sit with her.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“She’s perfectly safe. We’re here and Riley’s on the door. We won’t leave her alone for a second.”
“What if she wakes up and I’m not here?”
“And what use will you be if she does wake up and you’ve made yourself ill? None that’s what. So go and get your head down for a few hours, have a shower, change your clothes and get something to eat. Then and only then can you come back.”
“Do I need your permission now?”
“Yes you bloody well do because I am not going to let you run yourself into the ground and if your health’s not a good enough reason then do it for Jules, okay?”
“You’d better do as she says,” said Leah. “She’s not going to let up until you do.”
Jackson looked into Rachel’s determined black eyes and decided she was right. “Okay,” he said, getting to his feet, stretching and yawning. “Benson said I could doss down at his for a few days until the house is…well…”
He trailed off and looked at the floor.
“I can arrange for you to stay in my hotel if you like?” said Beth. “Free of charge, as long as you like.” The hotel was part of the legitimate business empire she’d inherited when Alex had died.
“Actually, that would be good thanks,” he said. “Benson’s place is a madhouse with his kids and his dogs. But I will pay you.”
“No you won’t, it’s not necessary.”
“I always pay my way.”
“Give it up Uncle Jackson,” said Leah. “Aunty Beth’s just as stubborn as Mum.”
Jackson didn’t have the energy or motivation for an argument. “Alright.”
“I’ll give you a lift,” said Beth. “I’ll call the hotel, let them know you’re on your way.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” Jackson hesitated at the door. “You promise you won’t leave her?” he asked Rachel.
“Not for a second,” she replied.
“And you’ll call me if she wakes up?”
“Of course. Please don’t worry, just go and get some rest. Jules needs you strong.”
He nodded, kissing his wife’s forehead before reluctantly leaving.
Rachel took the seat beside Leah and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” she said.
“It’s alright not to be okay honey. I know how much you love her.”
Leah nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek but she wiped it away and sat up straighter in her seat, determined not to give in to her tears. “Have Dad and the others gone to get Cara back?”
“Yes they have honey but remember, you can’t say a word.”
She nodded. “I know. Are they going to kill the people who did this?”
Rachel was shocked by her forthrightness but as Ryan said, she took after her. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t need to lie Mum. I know who our family is, I remember what it was like when Alex took you.”
“And I’m sorry you remember,” sighed Rachel. “We tried so hard to protect you from it.”
“You don’t need to protect me. I’m a Law too. Dealing with this shit is in our blood.”
“Bringing you here didn’t give you licence to swear.”
“Yeah, because that’s the big picture here,” said Leah, rolling her eyes.
“Fine. You’re right, this shit is in our blood.”
Leah’s eyebrows went up. “Mum, you swore.”
“Make your mind up Leah.”
“Sorry,” she said, trying to look mature and grown-up. “I decked a boy at school last week.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “You did what?”
“And I hit a girl the week before that. And two boys last month.”
“Leah Law, what on earth do you think you’re playing at and why haven’t I heard anything from the school about this?”
“It’s not my fault. I was just minding my own business each time. They all tried it on because of who my family is, they wanted to see if I’m as tough as the rest of you.” Her lips twitched into a smile. “And you know what? I am.”
“So you won all these fights?”
“Undefeated,” she said with a hint of pride. “Just like Dad, Uncle Mikey and you.”
“I was defeated. Once,” she said, fingers unconsciously brushing the scar at her throat. Rachel shook herself out of it. “I’m glad you can defend yourself but when we’re back home I am marching straight into that school and demand they do something about it. I will not have you being threatened.”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“But one day it might be. What if there are more of them?”
“Two of them tried it on me at the same time but I took care of them no problem. You don’t need to worry Mum.”
“I don’t need to worry? Are you serious? I will not have you fighting at school.”
“I can take care of myself and besides, you’re one to talk.”
“What does that mean young lady?” frowned Rachel.
“I heard all about your scraps when you were my age. No one could beat you.”
“I had to fight because I was gangly with buck teeth. Thank God for braces.”
“And I have to fight because my last name’s Law,” glowered Leah, doing a very good impression of her dad.
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Aunty Jules can really fight, I’ve heard all the stories about her. Didn’t do her much good though, did it?”
Rachel swallowed down her panic. Her daughter had obviously already been confronted by the full force of just what her family was capable of and Rachel wasn’t sure how to handle it. Did she downplay it? She certainly didn’t want Leah to be ashamed of her family because, despite the many bad things they’d done they were all good people at heart. But neither did she want her to become proud of the violence she could wield. Rachel had always been a bit frightened of what she was truly capable of. Too many times she’d stared in despair at the blood on her hands and she didn’t want Leah to experience that horrible guilt and self loathing that made you doubt everything about yourself. “No one’s invincible Leah.”
&nb
sp; “Dad is.”
“No he’s not so next time you get into a fight bear that in mind. There’s always someone bigger and harder than you.”
Leah knew her mum was thinking of Alex because her fingers fluttered to her neck again.
“Okay Mum, I’ll try not to get into any more fights but if someone starts on me I’m not going to stand there and let them hit me.”
“I don’t expect you to. You should always defend yourself. Just make sure the punishment fits the crime.”
“I will Mum.” Leah looked back at Jules. “Do you think she’ll wake up?”
“I don’t know but I hope so.”
“Dad will sort out whoever did this to her.”
Rachel’s heart sank at the aggression in her tone but what did she expect? Leah had herself and Danny Maguire for biological parents and Ryan as a stepdad. It was only natural.
CHAPTER 25
Amber opened the front door to find Declan on her doorstep. She stepped aside to allow him to enter and closed the door behind him.
“Well?” she said.
“They’ve gone to Essex.”
“All of them?”
“Rachel and Riley are watching over Jules.”
“Why, is she at risk?”
“They think the Slatterys might try to finish the job.”
“I wish they’d done it right in the fucking first place,” she hissed. “Useless.”
“Give Jules her due, she’s one tough bitch.”
“She’s the bane of my life,” sighed Amber. “How is she?”
“Still in a coma.”
“It would probably be better for her if she just died. Even if she does wake up she’ll probably be a drooling vegetable.”
“Maybe.”
Amber put on her biggest, most pleading eyes. “To be honest, it’s a relief they’ve gone. Now I get a break from Mikey for a bit.”
Declan’s eyes narrowed. “Has he hit you again?”
“No, not for a couple of weeks anyway.”
“He shouldn’t have hit you at all,” he exclaimed.
Amber smiled inwardly. “I’m okay. Please don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry? All I do is worry about you.”
She clasped his hands in her own. “I’m fine, honestly. The boys get me through. I don’t know what I’d do without them,” she rasped, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Where are they?”
“Oh, with my parents,” she said dismissively.
“So, we’re alone?”
She smiled and nodded, biting her lower lip. “We are.”
Declan pulled her to him and kissed her, Amber groaning into his mouth.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he said when she began to unbutton his shirt.
“Yes,” she said, pulling the shirt down his shoulders.
Declan was surprised by the force of her, he’d expected someone who was being beaten by her husband to be more timid but this had been building between them for a while and he found it exciting to see her passion spilling over. “I don’t want you to regret it.”
Amber stopped what she was doing and regarded him with her hands on her hips. “Do you not want me then?”
“Oh my God, course I do,” he said, her flushed cheeks and burning eyes only exciting him even more.
“Then take me upstairs. Now.”
“Err, not in the bed you share with Mikey. That would be weird.”
Amber fought the urge to roll her eyes. “One of the spare bedrooms then?”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” he said, relieved.
“Come on then,” she said, taking his hand and dragging him upstairs.
Jez watched Mikey from the corner of his eye, who was carefully examining the large knife he’d brought with him specifically for the purpose of dispatching Tanya Slattery. He sat alone on the opposite side of the small private plane they’d chartered to take them into Essex. The main reason he was sitting alone was because of his disturbing obsession with his knife. Jez had his own but it was safely stowed away, he wasn’t brandishing it with the look of someone who was about to go on a homicidal rampage.
Slowly, so as not to startle him, Jez lowered himself into the seat beside Mikey.
“Hey, you alright?” said Jez.
“Yeah,” replied Mikey. “Why?”
“We’re all getting a bit concerned about the way you’re feeling up that weapon in a confined space.”
“You big bunch of girls,” he said with a half smile, sliding the knife beneath the newspaper on the lap tray. They would be landing at a private airfield so fortunately they didn’t need to worry about airport security because they were all armed. “I’m fine.”
“No you’re not, you’re wound up so tight you could…well…you could…”
“Could what?” frowned Mikey.
“Give me a sec, I’m trying to come up with a witty analogy here.”
“Better hurry,” said Ryan, who was sitting on the opposite side of the aisle with his eyes closed, hands folded in his lap. “The plane lands in half an hour.”
“Yeah, thanks bruv,” said Jez sarcastically. He turned back to Mikey. “Just try and keep calm eh? When we storm that place we need to be focused, we can’t be worrying about you losing the plot.”
“Where the hell is this coming from?” demanded Mikey.
Jez lowered his voice. “I’m well aware of your feelings for Jules so I know you’re going in there after revenge.”
“Like we all are.”
“Yes, like we all are but remember what happened the last time when the Slatterys kidnapped Jules? You went all rogue, heading off on your own down to Essex, no back-up and we had no idea where you were. Fortunately it turned out fine but no going rogue again.”
“Yeah, I’ve got it. You done talking to me like I’m one of your kids?”
“Don’t go off on one mate, I’m just looking out for you. You’re my business partner as well as my friend. My best friend.”
“Would someone please pass me a sick bag?” said Ryan.
“Just ignore him,” Jez told Mikey. “So, you’re good?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’m good and by the time we get back to Manchester Jules will probably have woken up and she’ll be yelling at us for going without her.”
“I’ve no doubt about it,” smiled Jez, clapping him on the shoulder.
It was Mikey’s turn to lower his voice. “There’s something else bothering me.”
“What?”
“It’s Amber. She’s acting a bit weird.”
“What’s new?”
“This is different.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it. I get the feeling something is going on that I don’t know about.”
“She’s probably maxed out her credit cards and doesn’t want to tell you.”
“It’s making me edgy.”
“Understandable. Things haven’t been right between you for a while.”
“I know,” he said sadly. “When she came along I thought that was it, for life. Then…”
“My knife-wielding, leather-wearing sister came along?”
“Yeah she did,” he said with a fond smile. “But it’s not just down to Jules. Amber changed, I saw who she really was and I feel like I’ve been taken for a ride. Now, to make matters worse, I think she’s up to something behind my back.”
“How long have you felt like this?” said Jez. He knew how spot on Mikey’s instincts were and if he thought Amber was up to something, she probably was. He didn’t trust her, she was a sly cow and he knew she was well aware of her husband’s infatuation with Jules. Then suddenly Jared Slattery finds out Jules had his kid and she’s put into a coma.
“A few weeks, maybe. Hard to say when it started really.”
Jez didn’t voice his suspicions out loud, besides Slattery could easily have found out Jules had a kid, it wasn’t like she was keeping it a secret. He would wait and see. Perhap
s their trip down south would reveal the truth?
Jez looked to his brother, who appeared to be asleep but he knew that wasn’t the case. Ryan was alert to everything going on around him, psyching himself up for the battle ahead. He was also wrestling with the possibility that his adored wife might have cancer. Ryan had naturally denied he was upset but Jez knew differently, his brother would be destroyed if anything happened to Rachel. He sighed inwardly, he was starting to feel like the resident agony aunt, going around making sure everyone was okay. But they were all his family, even if some of them weren’t his blood and he would kill to protect them.
Rachel was on the verge of drifting off to sleep in the chair by Jules’s bedside while Leah read a book beside her. They both jumped when the door burst open and a large, dark haired man charged inside.
“Dane,” said Rachel, getting to her feet to greet him.
“Hi Rachel,” he said, his eyes on Jules. “Oh Jesus, what the hell did they do to her?”
“What have you been told?”
“Jez called me. He said the Slatterys attacked her and she’s in a bad way. But that’s it. Is she going to be okay?”
“She’s in a coma. She was stabbed, she lost a lot of blood.”
“Stabbed? No way could anyone get near her to do that.”
“From what we can gather Tanya Slattery snuck up on her.”
A vein in the centre of his forehead throbbed. “I should have been here but instead I swanned off down to Leeds on some business.”
“You weren’t to know this was going to happen, none of us did.”
“I could have gone with the others to get Cara back but I was too late. I’m fucking useless.”
Rachel decided not to chastise him for swearing in front of Leah. “You’re not useless. Actually you’re very handy. You can help us protect her.”
His head snapped up and finally he looked at her. “She’s still in danger?”
“Possibly. The Slatterys might consider her to be unfinished business.” The term made her think of Brodie and Cass.
“You’re right. Alright, I’m in. What do you need me to do?”
“Just hang around, keep an eye out.”
“I can do that. I’ve already got my best men watching the entrances and exits. The Slatterys might use local boys to get close to her. My people know every lowlife scrote in the north of England.”
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