“Come on, let’s go and see Aunty Jules,” said Rachel, opening the door.
She was surprised to find Amber there, her arms snaked around Jackson.
“Oh, hello,” said Rachel, causing Jackson to straighten up, wiping his eyes.
“Hello,” replied Amber.
Rachel didn’t like the feeling in the room. It wasn’t from Jackson, who was clearly in a mess about Jules. It was Amber, there was something in her eyes, some cunning gleam that Rachel didn’t think was appropriate. Then she realised why she’d thought Amber’s arms looked to be snaked around Jackson - because she had the look of a predator that was going after something it wanted now the way was free and clear.
Amber felt nervous when Rachel’s eyes darkened and bored into her, radiating suspicion and she couldn’t help but look away.
“What happened to you?” Jackson asked Rachel.
“We saw off three of Slattery’s heavies, didn’t we Leah?”
“Yeah we did,” she replied, still pumped up on adrenaline. “You should have seen Mum, she was awesome. She battered the shite out of them.”
“Language, please Leah,” sighed Rachel. “Now please, sit down and calm down. Soon the adrenaline will wear off and you need to be prepared.”
“Oh I’m fine,” she said, waving a dismissive hand.
Amber listened with mounting horror as Leah recounted the fight to an incredulous Jackson. It was important she remembered exactly who she was dealing with, she was sure Rachel was already suspicious and the woman - according to her daughter at least - had just managed to fend off three hired assassins. She would have to play it smarter if she didn’t want Rachel to clock onto her game. In fact, as Leah talked Rachel kept looking her way, suspicion still in her black eyes.
“Something wrong?” Amber asked her as sweetly and innocently as she could.
Leah stopped babbling and looked her mum’s way at these words, as did Jackson.
“No, just tired,” was Rachel’s reply, although the look in her eyes never changed.
Amber was relieved when Rachel’s phone started to vibrate in her pocket.
Rachel took out her phone, annoyed to see a large crack in the screen from the fight. However the caller’s name caused a surge of energy to race through her battered body, revitalising her. “It’s Ryan.”
“Has he got Cara?” demanded Jackson, leaping up too.
“I can’t answer it here,” she said, already making for the door.
“I’ll come with you,” said Jackson, following.
When Leah moved to follow Rachel stopped her. “No, you stay here.”
“But I want to talk to Dad.”
“And you can but for now I need you to stay here. Please sweetheart.”
There was something in her mum’s eyes that Leah didn’t understand but she wasn’t going to disobey, she got the feeling she was asking her to stay behind for a reason. “Okay.”
Rachel smiled gratefully. “Good girl.” On her way out she glanced at Amber, who just looked steadily back at her.
CHAPTER 37
Putting Amber to the back of her mind for the moment, Rachel jogged out of Intensive Care with Jackson, almost colliding with Riley, who had concluded his call and was on his way back in.
“Ryan,” said Rachel, holding up her phone before answering the call.
Riley nodded and leaned in with Jackson, attempting to overhear.
“Hi babe, are you okay?” she said.
Jackson and Riley glanced at each other with hope in their eyes when she sighed with relief and nodded. “Thank God.” She looked to them. “Everyone’s okay. They’re on their way home with Cara, they’re on the plane right now.”
“She’s fine?” said Jackson.
Rachel nodded. “She is.”
“Oh thank God. I need to talk to her.”
“Of course you do,” she smiled, handing over the phone.
“Well that’s a relief,” said Riley as Jackson cooed down the line at his daughter. “I just hope she hasn’t been left traumatised by the experience.”
“Well, she is very young. Hopefully her memories of it all will only be hazy at the most.”
“Hopefully. Jared and Tanya?”
“Tanya’s dead. Jared got away.”
“Shit,” he huffed. “He could be on his way here, I need to shore up security.”
While he got back on his phone Rachel was torn. She wanted to talk to Ryan again, she’d been so worried but she was also reluctant about leaving Amber alone for so long with Jules with only Leah to keep an eye on things. But surely Amber wouldn’t try anything, she didn’t know how. Or did she? Up until then Rachel had thought Amber was more of an overgrown child than a threat but the look in her eyes in the hospital room had shattered that illusion. She’d had the look of someone who’d wanted to cause some hurt and she’d clearly been enjoying holding onto Jackson a lot more than was appropriate. Fortunately he seemed to have no idea, plus he only had eyes for his wife. She had no worries on that score but she couldn’t say the same for Amber.
At that moment Jackson concluded his chat with Cara and handed the phone back to Rachel, looking a bit more upbeat. Rachel took the phone from him and patted his arm. He gave her a tight smile before returning to the ward.
“Is Jared a threat?” were her first words.
‘We don’t think so,’ replied Ryan. “All his men are dead, there was only him who made it, unfortunately. And Estelle.’
“Oh no,” was all Rachel said, knowing he wouldn’t want to talk about that in front of the others. “So everyone’s really okay? No injuries?”
‘Shane has a limp after he slipped and fell, which he is moaning endlessly about.’
Rachel had to smile when she heard a voice in the background say, ‘hey, it bloody hurts.’
‘Mikey is being much more masculine about his stab wound.’
“Stab wound?” she said, alarmed.
‘Well, I can’t really call it a wound. More of a gentle graze.’
‘You’re a cheeky bastard Ryan,’ said Mikey’s voice.
“I’m just glad everyone’s okay and you’re on your way home with Cara.”
‘Yes, it will be a relief to get back to civilisation. See you in a couple of hours sweetheart.’
“I can’t wait,” she said before hanging up. It felt like he’d been gone much longer than twenty four hours.
Riley had already returned to his post on Jules’s door and Rachel was grateful he was putting in so much effort to protect her. Jackson had returned to his wife’s side so she decided to head back to Jules’s room too. She found Leah sitting with Jackson and Amber and looking slightly uncomfortable. She was relieved to see Jackson wasn’t paying Amber any attention, too busy gazing at Jules.
“Jackson said everyone’s okay and they’ve got Cara,” said Amber with a smile.
“Yes, it’s a real weight off. They’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Rachel’s gaze bored into Amber. “I’ll bet you’ll be relieved to have Mikey home safe?”
Her answering smile was sunny. “Oh yes, I’ve been so worried.”
Rachel wasn’t so sure but she wasn’t about to argue. “I’m taking Leah to get something to eat. Does anybody want anything?”
“No thank you,” Amber replied with that annoying carefree smile.
“Jackson?”
He dragged his gaze off Jules long enough to look at her. “No thanks, I’m good.”
“Okay. We won’t be long,” she said meaningfully before Leah followed her out, Rachel so grateful her daughter was going along with what she said without questioning her.
Out in the corridor Rachel made sure the door was properly closed before talking to Riley. At least the blinds were drawn so Amber wouldn’t be able to see them.
“We’re going to get something to eat from the canteen,” she said. “Keep a close eye out, won’t you?”
“I am Rachel, don’t worry.”
“I mean keep an eye on what�
�s going on inside the room and not just outside.”
He frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing I could put my finger on but Amber’s making me a bit uneasy. That hug she was giving Jackson when we walked in seemed a bit inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate? But he can’t stand her.”
“I don’t mean on his side, I mean on hers.”
“She’s a flirt that one, she’s cornered him a few times, the poor bstard was terrified.” His frown deepened. “You don’t think she’d do anything to Jules, do you?”
Rachel forced a smile. “No, I’m probably way off but something doesn’t feel right.”
“Alright, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Thanks Riley, I really appreciate it.” She looked to Leah, who had remained silent throughout this conversation, eagerly listening in on the gossip. “Come on you, time to get something to eat.”
It was only once they were off the ward that Leah spoke. “So that’s why you wanted me to wait in the room rather than talk to Dad? You thought Aunty Amber might get up to something?”
“I’ll admit it was but I’m probably way off. I just don’t want to take any chances.”
“If she ever hurt Aunty Jules I’d kick the living shit out of her.”
“Leah, how many times do I have to tell you about your language? And you wouldn’t need to bother because I would have got there first.”
Leah regarded her mum with surprise and new respect. Finally she was letting her see the other side of her, the darker one people whispered about. However it wasn’t like she could deny it existed anymore after what she’d seen her do to those three morons. Leah knew her mum had also seen herself in her, that she was her daughter in every way and rather than try to suppress that side of her she was going to teach her how to deal with it. She was looking forward to the education.
From a nearby copse of woods Hayden watched the fire crews frantically battling the inferno that had engulfed The Homestead. For the last few months he’d been carefully nurturing a police informant, a detective sergeant who had already proved herself to be very useful. She hadn’t been able to tell him much as the police weren’t allowed anywhere near the scene, for obvious reasons but word was that the Slattery stronghold had been attacked then burnt to the ground. He really hoped Jared and Tanya were dead inside the burning building. He couldn’t imagine the Laws and Maguires leaving anyone alive. They were professionals and always did a thorough job, unlike Slattery and his inept crew. They wouldn’t have stood a chance. There had been no more communication between himself and Ryan and he wondered if he should call him and ask. But he didn’t want to draw their attention to himself and Katia. What if they decided to get rid of them while they were down here? It was probably best to let them return to Manchester. Judging by the state of The Homestead, Slattery was finished. Neither could he imagine that cretin Robbie Jordan getting himself out of that blazing inferno, which was a huge relief.
“Alright lads, let’s go,” he called to the five men gathered in the trees behind him. “There’s nothing we can do here.”
“Do you think Slattery’s dead?” asked one of his men, a big but extremely smartly dressed man with neat short dark hair and deep set brown eyes. Mick was one of his best men, very shrewd and as hard as nails. Hayden was pleased to have managed to recruit him. “I really couldn’t say but I guess we’ll soon find out.”
Hayden could see the smile in Mick’s eyes. If the Slatterys were gone only Gerry Cake stood between them and running Essex and he was an arsehole.
“Let’s get back and wait for news,” said Hayden, enjoying the excitement rippling through his men. Things were looking up.
Rachel waited in the corridor outside intensive care for Ryan and the others to arrive, eager to see them all again, an equally excited Leah by her side.
“Dad,” exclaimed Leah, not too proud to run up to him and give him a hug.
“Great to see you Cupcake,” he grinned, hugging her back, Leah so pleased to see him safe and well that she didn’t bother telling him not to call her that.
Next Ryan swept Rachel to him for a kiss. But before pressing his lips to hers he gently took her face in his hands and frowned down at her with concern. “You’re bruised. Someone’s hit you.”
“Yes but we saw them off.”
“I want to know who they are so I can exact horrible retribution on them.”
The look in his eyes made her heart beat harder. God he was sexy. “They’ve already been dealt with and left. Don’t worry.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Not at all.”
“Good,” he said before grinding his mouth against hers.
“Do you always have to do that?” sighed Leah.
“Yes,” replied Ryan before kissing Rachel again.
“It’s gross,” Leah told her Uncle Jez before hugging him, although she was secretly very pleased. Her parents were back on track. “Hi Cara,” she smiled at the girl, who was still clinging to Mikey. She’d refused to relinquish him the entire journey home. She grinned up at Battler and Bruiser. “You’re both okay?”
“Course we are pet,” smiled Battler. “Except Shane. He hurt his ankle.”
“It hurts,” he exclaimed, limping along beside them. “You’ve no idea of the pain.”
“Yeah, I’ve only been shot,” muttered Bruiser.
Shane gaped at him. “You can talk?”
Bruiser rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Leah blushed as she looked at Shane, who smiled back at her admiringly. One glare from Jez was enough to make him swiftly move on.
“Let’s get you back to Mummy and Daddy,” Mikey told Cara.
“Can I come?” said Leah.
“Course.”
They walked past Ryan and Rachel, who were still locked around one another. When she saw Mikey heading onto the ward, Rachel managed to tear her lips from her husband’s. “Come on,” she said, taking his hand and following.
“I was enjoying myself.”
“Me too babe but there’s something I want to see.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Ryan knew better than to argue, so he just shrugged and decided to go along with it.
Rachel hurried to follow Mikey as he headed towards Jules’s hospital room, which only perplexed Ryan even more.
“So who was responsible for hurting you?” he said.
“Tanya Slattery sent some hired muscle to attack Jules but me and Leah saw them off.”
“Leah?”
“I’ll tell you about it later but I will say one thing - that girl can handle herself.”
Ryan was stunned by this fresh turn of events but he was distracted from questioning her further by Mikey saying to Cara, “you ready?”
The little girl grinned and nodded.
“Good girl.”
He pushed open the door and Jackson leapt to his feet, eyes wide. “Cara,” he cried, practically snatching her from Mikey’s arms.
Cara hugged him back as Jackson showered her with kisses. “You won’t believe how much I’ve missed you baby girl.” He extended his hand for Mikey to shake, which he accepted. “Thank you.”
Mikey nodded.
Rachel carefully watched Amber’s reaction when she saw her husband. She struggled to define what it was - relief that he was home safe combined with disappointment but she couldn’t be sure if that was her imagination or not.
But Mikey’s gaze was on Jules. Rachel didn’t think he’d even noticed his wife sitting there.
“Has there been any change?” he asked Jackson.
He shook his head sadly, eyes heavy with worry.
“Shit,” sighed Mikey. “I thought we’d come back and she’d be sat up in bed calling us all names.”
“I wish,” said Jackson, settling back in his chair with Cara. “Jesus, I don’t think I’ll ever put this one down again,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. He frowned at the bun
ches. “What have they done to you? Let’s take them out for a start.”
He unfastened the bunches, her blond hair falling about her shoulders, broadening her grin.
“What are you wearing?” he said, indicating the white gown. “You look like something out of a Dicken’s novel.”
Finally Mikey noticed his wife. “Alright babe?” he smiled. “I didn’t see you there tucked away in the corner.” He held his arms out to her. “Come here gorgeous.”
Pleased, she got to her feet to hug him back but Rachel noticed her eyes slip to Jackson. She didn’t know why she even bothered, he had zero interest in her.
While all this was going on Ryan watched his wife, who seemed to be watching everyone else in the room and he wondered what was going on, although he was able to make a couple of good guesses.
“I wish Jared hadn’t escaped,” said Jackson.
A jolt ran through Jules’s body, her limbs twitching, startling them all.
“Jules?” cried Jackson, leaping to his feet, holding onto Cara, who was reaching out for her mum.
“I’ll get a doctor,” said Jez, rushing out of the room.
Amber was furious when Mikey released her and rushed to Jules’s side, green eyes bright with hope.
But her body went still.
“Come on Aunty Jules,” said Leah. “You can do it. Wake up.” A tear rolled down her cheek when she didn’t move again.
Jez tore back into the room, followed by a doctor.
“She just moved,” Jackson practically yelled at the doctor.
The man stepped up to examine her before regarding them with a sad smile. “I’m afraid nothing seems to have changed. It was probably an involuntary reaction.”
“No way,” said Leah. “She heard us talking, I know she did.”
“Can she hear us?” Mikey asked the doctor.
“Oh yes, it’s a well-documented fact that coma patients can hear the voices of those around them.”
Amber swallowed hard, feeling sick.
“Keep talking to her,” continued the doctor. “Perhaps whatever you were discussing caused the reaction?” He smiled at them all, expecting one of them to tell him what they’d been talking about but instead the atmosphere became tense and he took this as his cue to leave. “Well, I’d better get back to my ward round.”
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