“They’re not taking her,” screeched Tanya, racing back into the lounge and scooping up Cara, who started to cry when her doll was left behind on the floor.
“Get her away from here,” said Jared, having to raise his voice to be heard over Cara’s crying. He picked up the doll and handed it to her and immediately she was placated, mercifully going quiet. “You’ve got your gun?” he asked his mum.
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Good,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“I don’t want to leave you behind.”
“Just do it, please Mum. I’ll call Hayden and tell him to get over here,” he said, taking out his phone. He realised Cara was staring up at him and he softened his expression. “It’s okay honey, everything’s going to be okay,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
She looked back at him over his mother’s shoulder as she carried her out of the room. Idly he wondered if he’d ever see either of them again.
He was drawn from his thoughts by the sound of gunfire outside. After yelling down the phone at Hayden to get his arse to The Homestead he hung up and crept to the window. What he saw almost gave him a heart attack.
CHAPTER 31
“Thank fuck Gerry installed seatbelts,” said Jez, having to shout to be heard over the roar of the beast as they juddered down the road towards The Homestead.
“Thank Christ we’re finally here,” said Grant casually, despite the sound of gunshots. “This thing’s starting to give me a bastarding headache.”
“You’re not the only one,” said Shane. “Ear defenders might have been a good idea.”
“Stop bloody moaning,” said Jez. “I thought you were supposed to be hard men.”
“Hold on tight,” called Battler from the front seat, joy in his voice.
“I think he’s enjoying himself,” said Mikey, gripping onto the handles either side of his head Gerry had installed just for this purpose.
“Most fun he’s had since he got into the legit life,” said Mark with a smile.
Ryan was forced to admit he was proud of these men, his family and friends. They were about to go into a very lethal situation, confronting a deadly enemy and they were acting as though they were on a jaunt to the seaside. Not that they didn’t realise the danger, it was just that they were unflappable, even Shane, the youngest of them all. It boded very well for them. Ryan didn’t want to work with anyone with a twitchy trigger finger and jumpy nerves.
The thud wasn’t as loud as they’d expected as The Tank burst through the gates of the Slattery compound, in fact they barely felt it.
“Well that was an anti-climax,” said Mikey, releasing his hold on the handles.
“Gerry’s insulated this vehicle too well,” said Mark. “I’d go as far as to say he’s done a bloody good job.”
“Wow, Mark complimented someone,” said Grant. “Must be a fucking leap year,” he added, making everyone chuckle.
The sound of bullets hitting the vehicle started up and for a moment they all tensed, wondering if The Tank was as well armoured as Gerry had promised. They all relaxed when the bullets just pinged off it again.
“Good old Gerry,” said Jez.
“There’s three of them out front,” Battler called from the driver’s seat. “All armed with hand guns. Jesus, two of them are crap shots, they’re all over the place. I can’t see either of the Slatterys.”
“Be careful not to fire through any windows,” said Ryan. “We don’t know where Cara is.”
They all nodded.
“And what about Estelle?” said Mark.
They all waited in silence for his reply, bouncing about in their seats as Battler continued to steer them up the long driveway.
Jez and Ryan glanced at each other and nodded.
“If you get a clear shot, take it,” said Ryan. “But don’t go out of your way to get her. We have bigger fish to fry.”
Jez nodded his gratitude at his older brother, who wasn’t entirely comfortable with what he’d just said but had decided it was the only thing he could do.
“Jesus,” said Mikey when Battler slammed on the brakes, jolting them all.
“Sorry,” called out Battler. “But it was never going to be smooth, this thing is one big bastard. There’s five of the pricks outside firing at us now, they still haven’t got it into their heads that this thing is bulletproof.”
“Jared?” said Jez.
“Still no sign.”
“Coward.”
“Mark,” said Ryan. “You’re up.”
He nodded, knelt on the floor, pushed aside the slot in the wall and stuck the rifle through it.
“Christ Mark, that was fast work,” called Battler. “He’s taken two of them out. The other three are backing up to the front door.” He and Bruiser picked up their shotguns and cocked them in unison. “Let’s flush out the rats.”
“That was a cheesy tough guy line,” commented Shane with a grin.
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” said Mikey, pushing open the back door of The Tank and jumping out, Ryan, Jez, Grant and Shane following while Mark stayed behind in The Tank to provide sniper cover. He managed to take out a third man before the others had even got out of the vehicle.
Battler and Bruiser leapt out and took down the remaining two men with their shotguns before they could run back inside.
“Piece of piss this,” commented Battler, Bruiser nodding.
At first Estelle thought the loud rumble was some tosser on a motorbike, these roads were popular with bikers and the gits were always tearing about, making a racket. But eventually the rumble grew so loud even she realised what was approaching was no ordinary vehicle. When she heard the smash she froze, cigarette dangling from her lips, wondering what she should do, her gut frantically telling her something was wrong.
The sound of gunfire jolted her into action. She raced to the side of the house and peered round it, shocked to see two huge men with shotguns firing at two of Jared’s men, whose bodies were practically ripped apart by the shot.
Despite being mother to Ryan, Jez and Jules, Estelle was a huge physical coward and she staggered backwards, heart thumping, the cigarette falling from her lips. She recognised those two big bald buggers, they were Battler and Bruiser, ex-Maguire enforcers and now close personal friends of Ryan and Rachel. They were here for Cara and she had absolutely no doubt they weren’t alone. Her sons were here and if they caught her they’d know she’d betrayed them. What the fuck did she do now?
“Who was that on the phone?” said Katia.
“Jared,” replied Hayden, pocketing the phone. “The Maguires and Laws are attacking and he wants me and my men round there to help.”
“Are you going?”
“Christ no. They’ll slaughter him, job done.”
“What if they don’t?”
“Jared isn’t going to win, not with that bunch of lemons he’s got working for him. Ryan, Mikey and Jez are stone cold professionals and they have stone cold professionals working for them.” He broke into a smile. “Jared’s finished.”
“But these things don’t always go as we expect,” she said. “If something goes wrong and Jared wins, he will come for us for not helping him.”
He wrapped her in his arms and held her close. “Relax, this is the end of the line for the Slatterys.”
“I am afraid.”
He tilted her face up to his. “Don’t be. I’m here.”
“I know and I am so lucky.”
When Hayden kissed her, Katia forgot all her fears. He decided not to tell her yet that Robbie Jordan was at The Homestead.
Robbie had broke out in a cold sweat, frozen with indecision, no idea what he should do. The attack they’d been anticipating was finally happening and he felt utterly useless. He had no wish to face the Laws and Maguires, so he decided to do the only thing he could - escape.
Fortunately he’d had the foresight to station himself by the conservatory door and, as the action seemed to be confined to the front of
the house he pelted out the back door. Keeping his head down, he ran across the garden and into the undergrowth, ducking down behind a large tree, peering out from behind its trunk as the shots continued. Obviously their attackers had managed to get into the house because some of the shots sounded to be coming from in there now. Hayden had done this on purpose, he’d known Ryan and Jez would come for their niece and he’d made sure he was here when they did. Pound to a pinch of shit, Hayden himself wouldn’t turn up. He was keeping out of the way, hoping the Mancs would kill the lot of them. Like a fool Robbie had hung around, hoping to turn Jared against Hayden but he hadn’t even been given the chance to speak to him. Between tightening up his security and the brat he’d been kept too busy. Well he wasn’t going to give Hayden the satisfaction of dying, he was going to get out of here and get his own back on the fucker.
When Estelle Law came charging round the side of the house, looking like she was being chased by the devil himself, Robbie flung himself down, pressing his face into the undergrowth, praying it was thick enough to conceal him. Fortunately the sound of her high heels moved away from him, towards the garage. Chancing a glance, Robbie saw Jez tearing after his mother, gun in hand, looking outrageously angry. No surprise there after what that old cow had done to her own kids. When they’d both disappeared Robbie sprang to his feet, hauled himself up into the branches of the tree, using it is a platform to vault over the wall. He landed in the fields behind the house with a thud, twisting his right ankle painfully, only just managing to stifle his groan but he didn’t dare stop. Keeping low, he hobbled through the field away from the house, grateful when the sound of gunfire began to recede. He had no idea where he was going but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to get away from that slaughterhouse.
Estelle had managed to snap herself out of her terrified fugue and was frantically thinking. She might not have had her children’s courage but she had their brains. She couldn’t go back into the house, it was turning into a shooting gallery. She was fortunate she was already outside. For once smoking had been good for her health. All she had to do was find some way of getting as far away from here as possible.
Then it struck her. There was a small path leading from the back of the garden round to the garage. The only problem was, she had to pass close by the house to reach it and she had no idea how many people her sons had brought with them. But what choice did she have? If she stayed here they’d find her and after what they’d threatened to do to her last time she shuddered to think what they’d do now.
Screwing up every ounce of what little courage she possessed, she peered around the corner of the house, releasing a gasp when she heard another gunshot close by. Jesus, it was like a fucking war zone. Surely someone could hear this racket? But there was no one about for miles and even if someone did hear it they’d just assumed it was a hunter.
Cautiously she crept forward, keeping herself pressed back against the wall, jumping when there was another gunshot but this time it was quieter, from within the house and she assumed all the attackers were now inside. When she came to the front of the house she took a moment to take a few deep breaths, steeling herself before peeking round the corner.
She leapt back when she saw Jez standing there, her youngest child, who had just shot someone in the face. In the few seconds it took her to spot him she’d recognised the fury on his face, which wasn’t that often seen, not as often as it was on Ryan. Jez had always been the easygoing one but in that moment he looked like he could happily tear off a puppy’s legs with his bare hands then throw the rest of it into a meat grinder. Somehow she knew that rage wasn’t aimed at the Slatterys but herself. Mother’s instinct or something else was warning her that it would be very wise not to let him see her.
Quietly she headed back the way she’d come, doing her best not to make any sound in her ludicrously high heels and she chastised herself for wearing something so stupid. Then she made the ultimate error - she tripped and went staggering forwards, only just managing to right herself at the last moment. She caught her bare arm on the wall and the rough surface grazed her skin, leaving behind a smear of red across the cream coloured paint. Panic kicking in, she threw herself forward and rounded the corner of the house.
Jez was about to rush through the front door of the Slattery home when he heard a noise from the side of the house. Thinking one of the bastards was trying to make a break for it, he peered around the corner and saw a figure stumble around the other side.
No idea who it was or how heavily armed they were he cautiously approached, gun at the ready, being careful where he treaded to avoid making any noise. The corner of his mouth lifted into a grim smile when he saw the smear of red on the wall. Good, the bastard was injured. When he reached the far corner he paused to listen and heard the sound of footsteps and frantic breathing. Ducking down low, he looked around the corner just in time to see a figure rush into the undergrowth. Jez threw himself forward, determined no one was going to escape. For all he knew that figure had Cara and they were taking her even further away.
CHAPTER 32
Tanya rushed towards the back of the house, clutching a wailing Cara to her, who had been frightened by all the shouts and bangs, her little body jumping every time there was a gunshot.
“It’s okay sweetie, I’m going to get you out of here,” she said, racing through the house into the kitchen, aiming for the rear door, only just managing to stop herself from screaming when there came the sound of a shot from outside. Peering through the glass pane in the door she saw a man with a craggy face and a rifle to his shoulder, a man she recognised as Mark Cameron. He was accompanied by a young man she didn’t know who, despite his youth, looked completely at home holding a gun. For a moment she hesitated, tempted to draw her gun and charge out the door but she knew Mark was a sharpshooter, capable of safely putting a bullet through her forehead, despite the fact she was holding Cara. She couldn’t risk it.
Instead she rushed back through the kitchen seconds before Mark entered by the back door, aiming for the conservatory instead. Its exit was a little more exposed than she would have liked but she was seriously lacking options.
“Oh hell,” she muttered, pressing herself back against the wall when she saw Mikey and a second man she thought was called Grant approaching. Dammit, she couldn’t catch a break. One of them she could have taken on but together, no, especially not with Cara.
Trying not to panic she ran deeper into the house, desperately trying to think what she could do. There was only one more exit that might be clear. It was that bitch Jules’s fault, no doubt she’d given her family every detail about the house. She’d always known she was the most dangerous thing to ever come into her home and now she was being proved right.
The exit in the study wasn’t actually a door but a window that opened outwards and was wide enough for her to climb through. The only thing was it looked out onto the front of the house and she had to pass by the front door to reach it, which was why she’d chosen it as a last resort. But if all the attackers were inside the house then the driveway might be clear.
“Please sweetheart, be quiet,” Tanya told Cara, struggling to maintain a hold on her as she started to writhe in her arms, scared and attempting to get away. Tanya wondered if she knew her family were here for her and she was trying to reach them. “Shut it you silly little cow,” Tanya snapped at her, causing the child’s eyes to widen and she went silent. “That’s better,” she said with satisfaction.
Everything seemed to suddenly slow down as a figure stepped out before her from the direction of the front door, dressed all in black, boots making a thud on the tiled floor, a gun clutched in one hand. A pair of hard grey eyes turned her way and Tanya felt her throat go dry, holding Cara tighter when those unnerving eyes settled on her granddaughter.
“You’re not taking her,” rasped Tanya, her throat feeling to swell in her neck, making it difficult to talk.
“Yes we are.” He spoke quietly, despite all the chaos going on
around them but she heard the words as clearly as though he’d shouted them.
Estelle ran faster than she ever had before, so afraid that not even her poor physical health could slow her down. Jez might have been her baby but she had no doubt that if he caught her he would kill her.
The bushes she charged through snagged at her hair and clothes but she kept going regardless, finding stamina she didn’t know she possessed now she was running for her life. But she had a plan. She was leading him through the bushes because he didn’t know about the path leading to the garage.
Suddenly she veered out of the undergrowth onto the path and threw herself through the door, ramming the bolt home seconds before something big and heavy slammed against the metal.
Jez was raging. Unwittingly he’d been pursuing his own mum around the side of the house and it was only when he’d seen her speed across the garden that he’d realised it was her.
“Open up the door you fucking bitch,” he bellowed, throwing himself at it, banging his shoulder off the metal, too furious to notice the pain.
He’d thought he’d got his rage under control but seeing the spineless wreck of treacherous humanity in the flesh had made him snap all over again.
“Your daughter’s in a coma because of you, you money-grabbing whore,” he snarled. “She might not make it and I am going to fucking kill you.”
As Jez furiously threw himself at the door, Estelle backed up, breathing hard, hair stuck to her face with sweat, whole body trembling, knowing he meant every word. He was completely lost in the red mist and if he got the chance he would put a bullet through her brain. It was then she saw the blue car and smiled.
“Please, please, please,” she whispered to herself, hand shaking as she pulled open the door. “Yes.”
So certain were the Slatterys of their own dominance that they always left the keys in their vehicles, secure in the knowledge that no one would steal them, plus the keys were there in case they needed to make a quick getaway. She wasn’t stupid and had done a thorough scout of the house not long after her arrival. They’d also planned it so the path she’d run down to get here was blocked off from the front of the garage. In order to get in, Jez would have to run back the way he’d come then around the side of the garage, which might just give her enough time to get away. Another trick of the Slatterys to avoid getting penned in. She had to give them their due, they were smart. Sometimes anyway.
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