He stood over her and snatched the blades from her hands, pocketing them. “I’ll give these back to Jules.”
“The drooling vegetable?” she said before releasing a malicious cackle.
“Jules is the toughest woman on the planet. She’ll wake up but you don’t need to be concerned about that,” he said, brandishing the knife. When he saw movement outside he nodded at the window. “Oh look, there’s your son. Looks like he’s running away.”
Tanya’s eyes widened and she shot to her feet, racing to the window. “Jared,” she breathed when she saw him running with two men towards a car parked at the side of the house. She hammered on the window. “Jared.”
He hesitated, drawn by the sound of her voice, eyes moving to Mikey standing beside her, a large knife in his hand. Jared’s eyes were cold. In fact he slowed to a halt, enjoying how afraid his mother looked. “You shouldn’t have hurt Jules,” he bellowed at her across the drive before continuing to race to the car.
“Jared,” rasped Tanya, stunned to realise he was leaving her behind. “Jared,” she screamed, banging on the glass.
“Oh dear, looks like he’s leaving Mummy behind,” said Mikey.
Jared jumped into the car and was forced to set off at speed, leaving his two men behind when Ryan charged out of the house, firing. Ryan took them both down with the gun, racing down the drive after the car but not even Ryan Law could outrun a motor and the car hit the road and vanished, leaving Ryan to double over at the end of the drive, breathing hard.
“He left me,” murmured Tanya in disbelief.
“Because you hurt Jules,” said Mikey. “He chose her over you.”
“No, he wouldn’t do that.”
“He just did.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her down the corridor and around the corner, not wanting to risk Cara seeing what he was about to do. Tanya was still in such a state of shock that she allowed him to pull her along without fighting back.
He spun her round to face him. “And this is for Jules only, unlike you, I do things face to face.”
With that he rammed the knife into her stomach. Tanya’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
“I won’t make the same mistake you made,” he said, driving the blade deeper. “I’ll make sure I hit the artery.”
With one rough upward thrust Tanya released a cry, eyes rolling back in her head, body trembling as she started to bleed internally. Mikey was careful to step aside as he pulled out the blade, blood pouring from her stomach, down her skirt and legs, pooling on the floor. Tanya sank to her knees, staring at the gaping hole in her stomach in shock.
“Now you know how Jules felt,” rasped Mikey, a lump forming in his throat as he recalled the state she’d been in when he’d found her. “Thinking she was dying while watching you steal her daughter from her. Well you are dying Tanya, I promise you that and I’m taking Cara home. You and your bastard son will never get near her again.”
“J…Jared will…get her back,” murmured Tanya, falling onto her side, losing so much blood she was unable to raise her arms to ease her fall.
“He abandoned his daughter. I don’t think he’s bothered about being a daddy. Besides, we’ll soon finish him off too. All your family’s dead and your empire has crumbled. I just want you to realise that before you die.”
Tanya screamed into the carpet, attempting to get back up but lacking the strength. Mikey still felt full of fury, he wanted to go to town on her with the knife, he didn’t feel he’d inflicted enough pain and suffering on her but he wasn’t going to go to Cara covered in her grandmother’s blood.
Instead he pocketed the knife and remained by Tanya’s side to watch the life drain out of her, getting much satisfaction from watching her struggles weaken until she stopped moving altogether. He checked her pulse, sighing with relief when he failed to find one. He stepped over Tanya and headed back down the corridor. Entering the room Tanya had charged out of he found Cara cowering behind the couch, peeking out at him with her wide eyes.
“It’s okay sweetheart, it’s Uncle Mikey.”
His heart soared when she broke into that big, beautiful smile of hers and extended her arms out to him.
“It’s okay honey, I’ve got you,” he said, scooping her up and cuddling her. The little girl wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Mikey held her close, gently rocking her and kissing her hair.
When a figure darted into the room his hand went for the knife hidden in his pocket but it was only Jez.
“Thank Christ it’s you,” breathed Mikey.
“Cara,” he exclaimed, causing her to lift her head and treat him to a huge smile too. “Are you alright sweetie?” he said, showering her head with kisses.
“She’s fine,” replied Mikey. “She just needs to go home.”
“Like the rest of us. I’m sick of Essex.”
“Me too mate.”
Jez aimed the gun at the door when a third figure appeared.
“For fuck’s sake Ryan, you shit me up there.”
“Language in front of the child,” he said, sliding the gun into the back of his jeans. “How is she?”
“Fine.”
“Tanya?”
Mikey shook his head.
“Good,” said Jez darkly.
“Has anyone seen Estelle?” Ryan asked the question perfectly civilly but the underlying anger was evident.
Jez huffed out a breath. “I cornered her in the garage but she got away.”
Ryan arched an eyebrow. “Got away?”
“In a car. Don’t give me that look,” he added when Ryan’s gaze hardened. “I saw you let Jared get away.”
“I didn’t let him get away. He escaped.”
“Same thing.”
Both Jez and Ryan aimed their guns at the door when more figures swarmed into the room, Mikey turning his back to shield Cara but it was only Battler and Bruiser.
“They’re all dead or run off,” said Battler. “We’ve done a sweep upstairs, there’s no one there. Shame, I was hoping they’d put up more of a fight. It was too easy.”
“Well you’re in luck lads,” said Jez. “Because Jared escaped.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, who did that?” said Battler.
“I’m afraid I must take the blame for that,” said Ryan. “But in my defence, he is a very proficient fighter. Plus I had to contend with his men too.”
“And you’re all sweaty,” said Jez. “You getting too old for this bruv?”
“I’d be happy to show you how inaccurate that statement is right now.”
“Actually, it looks like you could use a sit down.”
“Keep talking and I’ll be using you for a chair.”
“Where are the others?” said Mikey.
“Outside, getting The Tank ready to move,” said Battler. “No casualties on our side,” he grinned.
“Then let’s go, we need to get this one home,” said Mikey, running his fingertips down Cara’s cheek, making her smile.
Cara was radiant with happiness as her uncle carried her outside. Not even the rumble of The Tank upset her. She was content again.
CHAPTER 36
Amber walked into Jules’s hospital room and stared at the weak, vulnerable figure in the bed. It was a shock because Jules was usually brimming over with energy and vitality. She thought it was the first time she’d seen her so still.
“How is she?” she asked Jackson, who was slumped in a chair by the side of her bed, looking tired and miserable. He was the only one in the room.
“No change,” he replied, never taking his eyes off his wife.
Amber was annoyed. For months she’d tried to get him to look at her the way he looked at Jules, she’d flirted her arse off with him and nothing. She had thought maybe she could use him to make Mikey jealous but that had fallen flat on its backside. What was it that cow had that made men fall over themselves for her?
She took a seat and regarded Jackson sympathetically. “You look shattered.
Why don’t you take a break? I’ll stay with her.”
“I could really use a coffee,” he said a little reluctantly. “I’ll only be in the relative’s room at the end of the corridor, you’ll let me know won’t you if there’s any change?”
Amber nodded. “Course.”
“Okay, thanks. Do you want a brew?”
“No thanks, I’m fine.”
He nodded and ambled out of the room. Once he’d gone Amber leaned in closer to Jules. “Well, well, well, looks like you finally met your match,” she smiled. “I wish I could have seen Tanya Slattery stab you in the gut. I hope it fucking hurt.” She swallowed down her anger, taking a deep breath in an effort to restrain it in case anyone came in. “Have you any idea what it’s like when your husband’s inside you knowing he’s thinking about someone else?” Her lips curled into a sneer. “Course not because your husband only has eyes for you. Even Dane Black still has a thing for you. What the fuck is it with you? You dress really badly, your hair’s all over the place and you have a gob the size of the Atlantic. I don’t get it. What do they all see in you? All these big, beautiful, powerful men falling over themselves, all wanting you. I’m far more beautiful than you but it’s you they all look at, including my own husband. Why?” She leaned in even closer. “I hope you die then Mikey might want me again. Maybe Jackson would want me too? I bet I could have him if you weren’t around. We were all so happy until you came along. If only you’d died when Alex did everything would be so much better. But you didn’t, more lives than a cat you, as you’re so fond of saying. Hopefully this is your ninth life and you’ve used it up, no more chances. I wonder if Mikey will still want you if you wake up a brain dead vegetable who needs people to change her adult nappy for her? You wouldn’t be so sexy then. Or what if you’re disabled and no longer able to kill people for him. The master assassin of Manchester crippled for life. I bet all the enemies you’ve made would come after you, you probably wouldn’t last six months.”
She sat up straight, smiling sweetly at Jackson when he walked in holding a coffee.
“Anything?” he asked.
Amber thought the hope in his eyes was a bit pathetic. Not very manly. “No, sorry,” she said with as much sadness as she could muster.
He sighed and retook his seat, looking even more miserable than he had before. “Have you heard anything from Mikey?”
She shook her head.
“Do you think he’s found Cara?”
“I’ve no doubt about it. Don’t worry, he’ll bring her home.”
“I miss her so much.”
“I know. Me too. And Jules.”
She tried not to look disdainful when tears filled his eyes. Fortunately he got a grip of himself and wiped them away.
Deciding to use this opportunity, she got to her feet and bent over to hug him. He clung onto her, pressing his face into her shoulder, trying to stifle his sobs.
“It’s alright,” she soothed, stroking his back, enjoying the ripple of his muscles underneath his t-shirt. If only she’d managed to seduce him instead of Declan, she was quite sure Jackson would have been able to give her much more pleasure but he was going to need a lot of comfort in the days and weeks ahead and she was going to ensure she was there for him. “I’m here if you need me,” she said, smiling at Jules’s prone figure behind his back.
Amber closed her eyes to better enjoy the strength and heat of Jackson’s body against her own. Consequently she missed Jules’s right hand balling itself into a fist, the knuckles turning white before relaxing again.
As the truck pulled back into the warehouse, Gerry leapt up to open up the back doors, a grin on his face. “So it went well then?” he smiled as they all climbed out of The Tank, Mikey holding a very happy little girl.
“Almost,” replied Ryan. “Jared got away.”
“Oh hell. How did that happen?”
His eyebrow arched. “That sounded like a criticism.”
Gerry shuffled and looked down at the floor. For fuck’s sake how could someone’s eyebrow be intimidating? “I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I’m just gutted for you, that’s all.”
“So gutted you’ll go on the hunt and eliminate him?”
Gerry didn’t dare refuse. “Yeah, course.”
“Excellent. Then we’ll leave his fate in your capable hands. It shouldn’t be much trouble, his family’s finished, all his men are dead as well as his mother. He’s no one to turn to.”
“He’ll soon be put out of his misery.”
Ryan stared at him hard before nodding. “Good. In that case, we’ll be on our way home.”
Gerry resisted the urge to exhale with relief, which quickly turned to fear when Ryan’s expression hardened again.
“Oh yes. One more thing.”
Gerry recoiled when Ryan drew his gun and aimed it at his head.
“Jesus Ryan, what are you doing?” exclaimed Jez.
He pulled the trigger, the impotent click making Gerry physically jump.
“This weapon you gave me jammed at a very critical moment,” said Ryan. “If it hadn’t Jared would be dead now and the fact that he isn’t is your fault.”
“I…I don’t know what to say. I had my men check and recheck all the weapons.”
“Obviously they failed in their duty. You’re fortunate I’m not aiming one that works at your head, your carelessness could have cost me my life.”
Gerry looked to the others, who were all likewise glowering at him. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to say,” he said, seriously fearing for his life.
“Finish Jared and I’ll let it go,” said Ryan before tossing the gun contemptuously to the floor.
“I will, I give you my word.”
Ryan’s look said that meant nothing to him.
When it became clear no one was going to kill him, Gerry looked to Mikey and Jez, the former handing Cara to the latter so he could jump down off the truck. “So I’ll get your support when I take over down here?”
“Well a deal is a deal,” said Mikey. “Just let us know what you need.”
“Thanks. The car’s ready to take you to the airport,” said Cake, indicating the blue minibus sitting on the tarmac outside. “Glenn has your change of clothes,” he added, nodding at the large, square headed man standing beside the table laden down with the clothes they’d brought to change out of their blood spattered ones. “He’ll get rid of your old ones.”
“I’d prefer to do that myself,” said Ryan.
“You still don’t trust me?” said Gerry, unable to contain himself any longer.
“A weapon you provided me with failed so no, I don’t trust you.”
“Fair point,” he was forced to concede, to his irritation.
Ryan just gave him a hard look before he stalked over to the table to fetch his clean clothes.
After they’d all changed they briefly stopped by the safe house they’d been staying at to collect their things before being driven to the private airfield where their plane was waiting.
“I don’t like leaving knowing Jared Slattery still breathes,” said Ryan, taking one last look back before boarding the plane.
“What you looking at bruv?” said Jez. “He’s not going to be hiding out here.”
“I’m well aware of that. I’m being metaphorical.”
“Please don’t, we’re all tired.” His grin fell. “What do we do about Estelle?”
“We don’t need to do anything. She’ll show up again at some point.”
“Bringing more carnage with her no doubt.”
“Undoubtedly,” he said as they got on the plane.
“Jesus, what happened to you?” said Riley as Rachel walked towards him, looking tired and very bruised, clothes rumpled and torn, drawing glances from the people she passed in the corridor.
“Jared’s men,” she mumbled. “Well, two men and one woman.”
“Are you okay?”
“Fine, just a few bruises.”
“You took three
of them on at once?”
“I had some help,” she said, nodding at Leah.
“You?” Riley spluttered at his niece.
“Yeah, me,” said Leah. “What’s wrong with that?”
“You took on Slattery’s heavies?”
“Yep,” she grinned. “Well, me and my pepper spray.”
He took her by the shoulders and regarded her seriously. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?”
“They didn’t do anything to me. We kicked the crap out of them, didn’t we Mum?”
“Yes we did and I’ll let that swear word go.”
Riley was both astounded and amused by the pride in Rachel’s eyes as she looked at her daughter. It also amazed him that Leah, far from being traumatised by her experience actually seemed buoyed up by it. That resilience was going to serve her well in the future, especially with her last name being Law. He had no doubt it wasn’t going to be her last fight.
“So where are they now?” said Riley.
“Done one, with a bit of luck,” replied Rachel.
“After what we did to them they wouldn’t dare come back,” grinned Leah.
“Okay sweetheart, calm down,” said Rachel, running a hand through her daughter’s hair. “We don’t want anyone overhearing.”
“You’re sure they’ve gone?” said Riley.
“Well, we left them bleeding in a corridor of the deserted wing,” said Rachel.
“Give me their descriptions and exactly where you left them,” he said. “I’ll get Fletch and Paula to take a look, make sure they’re not hanging around.”
“They’re probably in A&E,” said Leah once her mum had related the information he’d requested.
“I need to make the call out there,” he said, gesturing to the door leading off the ward onto the corridor. “Can you watch over Jules for me?” he said, addressing Leah directly.
“Yeah, course I can,” she said, doing her best to look tough but casual.
“Thanks, won’t be a minute,” he said, hurrying away.
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