A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3) (19 page)

“
But I didn’t put it to its best use.” His hand pressed a little harder and she moaned louder, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Let me show you what I can do.”

She was sorely tempted, she
’d never felt so excited in her life, her body screaming for satisfaction, which she was certain he could give. “I’d like that but…”

“
But what?”

“
I don’t want you to think you can come here when you feel like sex and go again.” It took her a lot to say this to him, but she was determined to stick up for herself.

“
I wouldn’t do that to you. I can get sex easily if I want but I’m tired of that way of life. I want it to be with someone who means something to me.”

“
Do I mean something to you?”

“
Yes, you do,” he smiled, letting his fingers run over her little cupid’s bow mouth. “We’re going to have a baby together and I like you. Right now, you’re the only good thing in my life and I want to be with you.”

“
Okay,” she smiled.

“
Really?”

She nodded, exhaling nervously.
“Just be gentle, because of this one,” she said, indicating her stomach.

He covered her abdomen with one large hand.
“I will.”

He scooped her up, carried her into the bedroom and lay her back on the bed, which was as soft and sweet smelling as her. She gazed up at him nervously as he slid her maternity pants down her slender legs, laughing when he removed her socks one by one and cast them over his shoulder with a grin. Her instinct was to wrap her arms around her nakedness, but he wouldn
’t let her.

“
Don’t be ashamed of yourself, you’re gorgeous.”

She smiled up at him.
“It’s not fair if I’m the only one naked. Wait, can I do it?” she said when he started to unbutton his shirt.

“
If you want.”

She pushed herself upright and knelt before him while he sat back on his haunches and watched her unbutton his shirt. With his girlfriends in the past it had always been passionate and furious, tearing off each other
’s clothes and shagging in a variety of different positions, but this was so tender, so warm the difference astounded him. When her eyes flicked up to his, bright with passion and full of uncertainty, something deep inside him raised its head and smiled. Had he finally found someone he could fall in love with?

Amber slid the shirt off his shoulders and he cast it to the floor. She hesitated before raising her hands to touch him, making him groan.

“You’re hands are so hot. Oh God,” he moaned when she started to kiss his chest, running his fingers through her long curly hair, not surprised by how soft it was. His hand moved inside her panties and he was delighted by how wet she was. She whimpered into his chest as he started to caress her and her lips moved up his neck to his mouth, kissing him hard, eagerly sucking on his tongue.

“
You’re going to come, aren’t you?” he said when the room filled with her breathy moans.

“
Yes,” she cried before her body shook and shuddered. When the orgasm left her she slumped forwards onto him. With one hand he’d given her the most pleasure she’d ever had in her life.

Mikey lay her back on the bed and propped himself up on one elbow beside her.
“Are you okay?”

“
Fine,” she smiled languidly. “Sorry, I didn’t hold out very long.”

“
It’s alright. Have a rest because we’re not done yet.”

“
We’re not?”

“
Oh no, not by a long way.”

She looked down the length of his body to the large bulge in his jeans and bit her lip at the prospect of what he could make her feel. She unzipped his jeans and slid her hand inside. Mikey closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the feel of that hot little hand. He removed her panties, positioned his face between her legs and slid his tongue inside her.

“Mikey,” she yelled. This was a first for her. “That’s so good.”

“
Every part of you tastes sweet,” he said, raising his head and sliding himself up her body to her mouth. She found the taste of herself on his lips highly erotic and kissed him hard. He pushed inside her gently, determined to go slow because of the baby.

“
Are you okay?”

“
Yes,” she replied shakily, smiling up at him, loving how hard and strong his body was.

For the first time in his life, Mikey made slow gentle love to someone, his gaze fixated on hers, feeling a connection with a woman he didn
’t think possible.

They came together, Mikey mesmerised by her green eyes that changed colour according to how she was feeling. They glittered up at him like emeralds as her body convulsed, pushing her breasts up to him, her cries filling his ears as he went rigid over her.

When it was over Amber half expected him to dress and leave but instead he lay beside her and pulled her into his arms.

“
I hope I’ve proved myself?” he said into her hair.

Amber heard the doubt in his voice and wondered how such a powerful, impressive man could be so unsure of himself.
“Oh yes, more than once. That was amazing.”

“
Do you think we should give it a go?”

She looked up at him.
“What do you mean?”

“
I mean us. We’ve done things in the wrong order so I thought we could start by going out on a date.”

“
A date?”

“
How about I take you out for dinner tomorrow night?”

“
Okay.”

“
You don’t sound very sure.”

“
I’m just surprised.”

“
Why?”

“
I thought you’d see me as a nuisance, set me up in this flat then forget about me and the baby.”

“
I couldn’t do that, I could never turn my back on a child of mine,” he said, thinking of his own past. “And there’s something you don’t know about the night we first slept together. I remember looking across the room and seeing you in the crowd and thinking you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Unfortunately I was really pissed but if I’d been more myself that night I would have asked you out for dinner anyway. In typical me style I’ve done things arse about face but that’s no reason why we can’t date, is it?”

“
I suppose not.”

“
So, will you let me take you to dinner?”

“
Okay then,” she smiled.

“
Where do you want to go?” he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it.

“
I don’t know, I’ve not eaten at many restaurants.”

“
You should be spoilt.”

“
I don’t want you to keep giving me things Mikey. I’ve not had much in my life so I know I don’t need trinkets. My dad wants your money, but I don’t.”

“
You’ll at least let me take you out for a meal?”

“
Yes,” she smiled coyly.

“
What do you like?”

“
Chinese.”

“
I know a great place. Seven thirty tomorrow okay?”

“
Fine.”

“
I don’t have to be anywhere for an hour or so. What shall we do to pass the time?” he said with a wicked grin, making her giggle.

CHAPTER 15

Rachel was released from hospital two days later. As she slowly limped through the doors she kept looking back over her shoulder.

“I don’t want to leave Thomas in there, all alone,” she said.

“
He’s not alone, he’s got the nurses to look after him,” replied Ryan.

She planted her feet and refused to budge.
“I can’t leave him.”

“
We’ve no choice,” he said, desperate to get out of there.

“
I can’t.”

He took her arm and tried to lead her away.
“Come on.”

She shook him off.
“No. I don’t want to go without my baby.”

“
Rachel, get in the car,” he yelled at her in frustration.

She gazed up at him, stunned, eyes filled with hurt.

“God I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her into his chest and hugging her, relieved when she hugged him back. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

“
Me neither.”

He tilted her face up to his.
“I understand how hard this if for you, believe me, but we have to leave him. There’s nothing else we can do.”

She nodded, wiping away her tears.
“Sorry.”

“
Don’t be. Come on.”

He took her hand and she followed him across the car park to his waiting Range Rover. Because of her injuries he had to help her up into it and gently fastened the seatbelt around her. She kept her gaze fixed on the hospital until it receded from view then drifted into melancholy silence. Ryan was grateful he was driving because it meant he could think about something mundane for a while, it stopped him thinking about everything else. That was how he was getting through it, concentrating on the everyday, living moment by moment, praying that at some point in the future the agony would let up.

They were both dismayed when they walked into the house to find the entire Maguire clan present, including the children running about and shouting. Gill and Rick gave them a helpless look.

“
Oh God, this is the last thing I want,” sighed Rachel.

Gill hurried up to them.
“I’m so sorry, they just barged in,” she said, looking stricken.

“
It’s okay Mum. I know what they’re like.” Rachel was getting sick of the sight of the Maguires.

Alfie raced about the room, chasing his younger cousins, almost running into Rachel.

“That’s it, the lot of you, out,” roared Ryan.

Silence descended on the room, Ethan
’s lower lip wobbling. It wasn’t often he heard his daddy shout.

“
We’ve come to help,” said Alex.

“
You think this is helping, coming home to this mad house?” Ryan’s eyes were flinty, his face like granite. “Please leave.”

“
He’s right,” said Martina. “We should have known you’d want some peace and quiet. Sorry but Maguires band together in times of trouble.”

“
We’re not Maguires, we’re Laws,” hissed Ryan.

There was another embarrassed silence before Beth rounded up her kids and led them out, pausing to kiss Rachel on the cheek.

“Call me when you’re ready.”

“
I will. Thanks,” said Rachel, torn between relief that they were leaving and mortification at Ryan’s reaction.

They all quietly filed out, Mikey pausing to give Rachel a hug. He had so much to tell her but it would have to wait, he could hardly thrust his happiness in her face after the loss she
’d just suffered. She clung onto him for a moment, enjoying his comforting presence before releasing him. Martina patted her on the cheek and Alex gave her arm a gentle squeeze. They all thought it best to give Ryan a wide berth, who glared at them as they passed.

“
I didn’t mean you two,” said Ryan when Gill and Rick went for their coats. “Just that shower. You’re always welcome here. You’re not Maguires.”

Gill smiled with relief and replaced her coat on its hook.
“I’m glad about that.”

Leah approached Ryan reluctantly.
“Daddy, are you alright?”

Tears prickled his eyes.
“Yes Cupcake, I am.”

She ran at him and threw her arms around his waist. He hugged her tightly and bent over to kiss the top of her head. Aaron wanted Rachel to pick him up but she lacked the strength, still feeling very tender, the stitches in her stomach aching, so Gill picked him up instead.

“Sit yourself down Love, I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

Rachel slowly lowered herself onto the couch, wincing. Ryan sat beside her, Leah curling up into a ball beside him and nestling into the crook of his arm. Ethan, not really understanding what was going on, went to play with his little brother in the corner. Rachel took Ryan
’s hand and - although he grasped it tightly - he didn’t look at her, contenting himself with staring into space instead. She almost burst into tears when her dad sat beside her and gave her a hug. She nuzzled into him, just like Leah was cuddling into Ryan, feeling like a scared little girl again.

Eventually Rachel drifted off to sleep, the effect of her dad
’s comfort and the painkillers.

“
Remember, we’ve got to keep an eye on her when she’s asleep, the leaflet says so,” said Gill, waving the head injury advice sheet in the air.

“
I’ll watch her. Why don’t you get some kip?” Rick told Ryan.

“
I couldn’t sleep,” he replied, his gaze still fixed on the air. He looked down at Rachel snoozing away against her dad’s shoulder and wondered how she could.

Rick caught the look in his eye.
“She’s on strong painkillers.”

“
Oh yes, I forgot about those.”

When he returned to staring into space, Rick looked at Gill questioningly, who shrugged her shoulders and went to tend to the boys.

Rachel was woken by her mum and dad peering over her.

“What are you doing?” she grimaced, rubbing her eyes.

“
Making sure you’re okay, you’ve had a serious head injury,” Gill told her.

“
I’m fine, you can stop fretting.” She pushed herself upright and frowned. “Where’s Ryan?”

Gill and Rick glanced at each other uncertainly.
“He’s gone out.”

“
He’s what? But I need him here.”

“
He said he wouldn’t be long, he needed some fresh air. I can go and look for him if you want?” offered Rick.

“
Did he take the car?”

“
No.”

She relaxed.
“Then he’s just gone for a walk, he can’t stand being cooped up. He’ll be back soon.”

Almost in response to her words, the front door slammed shut and Ryan strode in, face ruddy from the exercise.

“How are you feeling?” he asked her gently.

“
Not good.”

They held each other
’s gazes and when Rachel crumpled into tears he went to her and gently cradled her in his arms. Rick and Gill took the children into the porch to get on their coats and shoes, deciding they needed some privacy.

“
I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t here,” she said.

“
I’m sorry, I just had to get outside, I was going stir crazy.”

“
I know, it’s okay. Ryan, we have to talk about the funeral.”

His face went white and he shook his head.
“Not yet.”

“
We can’t put it off. What do you think we should have?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“I can’t think about it.”

“
We have to. We have to say goodbye properly. Once we’ve done that, things might get a little easier.”

“
You mean just get on with our lives?” he said scathingly.

“
I can’t even think about that yet. What I mean is we might start to heal. Please Ryan help me, I can’t do this alone.”

He took her hand.
“Alright, we’ll plan it together. But I have to find who did this to us.”

“
You’re going to hurt them?”

“
At least.”

“
But you’ll be going back to the life we’ve been trying to avoid for so long.”

“
This is something I have to do,” he said darkly.

Rachel knew this was his coping mechanism, concentrating on finding the person responsible. She knew he felt he hadn
’t protected her like he should have and he was trying to compensate for that.

“
Okay,” she nodded. “Just don’t kill them.”

“
They killed Thomas.”

“
And me and the kids need you here, not locked up in prison.” His worst nightmare was going back inside and she prayed the prospect stopped him from going too far.

“
Alright,” he said grudgingly.

“
Promise me Ryan.”

“
I promise,” he muttered. When the doorbell rang he sighed and dragged himself to his feet. “I’ll get rid of them.”

Ryan opened the door to DCI Taylor, alone this time.

“What do you want?”

“
I’ve come to speak to your wife about the accident.”

“
Come through.”

Ryan slammed the door shut none too gently, annoyed by this intrusion and Taylor followed him through to the lounge.

“Hello Rachel, I’m sorry to disturb you at this time but I do need to take another statement.”

“
She’s already given a statement,” said Ryan.

“
I need to hear it from her own lips, I’ve taken over the case.”

“
It’s fine,” said Rachel, just wanting to sleep. “We get a detective chief inspector for a car accident?”

“
Yes, in view of what happened to the baby.” He sat down and pulled out a pad and pen. “So, do you have any memory of the accident?”

“
It’s hazy. All I remember is sitting at the lights. I heard the screech of tyres, I looked to my right and there was a van coming at me.”

“
Can you describe it?”

“
Big and white, like a transit.”

“
Did you see anyone inside?”

“
No, it happened too fast. It hit, then nothing.”

“
Can you tell me your day leading up to the accident?”

“
I’m afraid not. All I can remember is leaving the house that morning, after that it’s a blank, a side effect of the head injury.”

“
She went to the spa, I’ve already confirmed that with the staff,” interjected Ryan. “Nothing unusual happened then she went to her friend Beth’s house.”

“
Would this be Beth Maguire?”

“
Yes,” replied Rachel. “She’s been my best friend for years. I looked after her kids while she got some sleep and then left. I must have been on my way home when the accident happened.”

Taylor nodded as he jotted down some notes.

“Have you got any CCTV or witnesses?” said Ryan.

“
We have witnesses but unfortunately they all say different things. We’ve got a partial plate from the CCTV and we’re cleaning up the footage to try and read the rest.”

“
When you get a name, I want it,” said Ryan.

“
I understand why but I can’t do that.”

“
Yes you fucking will. I know you’re in Alex’s pocket.”

“
Ryan,” chided Rachel.

“
It’s alright Rachel, I’d want the same if I was in your husband’s shoes but I still can’t do it.”

“
Name your price,” pressed Ryan. “However much you want. I’ll set you up for life if you bring me this bastard.”

Taylor might have been bent but he wasn
’t prone to wilting like Alex’s other informants. He was a strong man and the more he was threatened the more he dug his heels in. “I repeat I can’t do that. Now please let it drop, it’s not helping.”

“
Ryan, please stop,” sighed Rachel.

He gave her an incredulous look before turning on his heel, storming into the kitchen and kicking the door shut.

“Sorry about him,” said Rachel.

“
It’s alright, he’s had a devastating loss. I’m going all out to find who did this Rachel.” He found her quite fascinating, there was much more to her than mere beauty, although he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what. No wonder Superintendent Benton had become obsessed.