Fractured (Dividing Line #4) (6 page)

“I’m married to the most dangerous man in the country and I won’t see him destroy you like he’s destroyed so many others.” A tear slid down her cheek. “He’d never let me go. Do yourself a favour and forget about me.”

“I can’t,” he whispered, pressing his face into her hair.

“You have to, for your sake as well as mine.”

“He’s hurting you.”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

“If he hurts you again you call me day or night, got it?”

“Okay.”

“I have to kiss you again.”

She found herself unable to refuse and turned back round to face him. “Alright, just once more.”

He kissed her so tenderly it brought tears to her eyes. He kept his hands on her face, letting his fingers stroke her cheeks and neck, going no lower, a real gentleman, but it only made the situation more erotic. It was the most perfect kiss of her life.

“That can’t happen again,” she breathed.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “I know but I hope it does. Just remember that you deserve someone who treats you well. Don’t let the bastard grind you down.”

“You’ve done my confidence a lot of good today. Thank you.”

“Anytime.” His lips brushed her forehead then he walked to the door.

Beth watched him leave. When he’d gone she broke into a smile. “Wow.”

CHAPTER 7

“Thanks for meeting me Jez,” said Mikey, shaking his hand.

“I’m glad you called. I think we have a mutual problem.”

Mikey nodded. “Alex.”

They’d arranged to meet in the back room of the boxing club Mikey owned. The club was closed for the night so there was no one to witness their meeting. Secrecy was vital because if Alex discovered they’d met behind his back he would make them both pay. Mikey hated himself for this, it felt like a betrayal of the Maguire name but if he didn’t do something then he’d end up with a bullet in the back of his head.

“Are Rachel and Ryan back in Devon?” he asked Jez.

Jez nodded. “Ryan phoned me when they landed, just like I asked him to.”

“You were worried they wouldn’t make it back in one piece?”

“Weren’t you?”

“Yeah I was. What was the deal with Alex’s display at the wake?”

“Wish I knew Mate.” It was a lie. Ryan had confided in him his theory as to why Alex had turned against him and Rachel before they moved to Devon and asked him to keep it to himself. Unlike Alex, Jez’s first loyalty was to blood, not business, so he would allow Mikey to think he was as much in the dark as he was.

“Alex is up to something behind our backs and I don’t think it’s good,” continued Mikey. “He keeps disappearing and not answering his phone.”

“Maybe he’s got a secret shag-piece?”

“I’ve absolutely no doubt he does. He doesn’t give a shit about Beth anymore. I think he’s hitting her too, have you seen how ill she looks?”

Jez nodded, fists bunching with anger. He liked Beth, she was one of Cathy’s best friends and it was wrong how Alex treated her. “Cathy’s tried asking her about it but she just says everything’s fine, but it’s obvious it’s not.”

“The only reason he’s keeping Beth around is because of the kids and appearance’s sake. He thinks if his rivals find out he’s got marriage problems they’ll see it as a weakness. But I think he’s up to something in business too.”

“I agree. He’s being proper shifty. Whatever it is, Col Sugar’s mixed up in it too. They’re so close I wouldn’t be surprised if
he’s
the one Alex is shagging.” Jez’s narrow grey eyes fixed on Mikey. “He’s trying to push you out, he wants to be Alex’s number two.”

“He can try all he wants, I’m not fucking budging. But it’s not that tosspot who worries me, it’s Alex and something needs to be done.”

Jez’s eyebrow went up in a way that reminded Mikey of Ryan. “And what’s that?”

“He’s planning to top me. I need to take him out first.”

“You want to kill your own cousin?”

“I’ve no choice. It’s kill or be killed. I want to know if you’ll back me up?”

Jez paused to think it over. Alex was a loose cannon and he wanted the heroin, which Jez controlled. In order to get it he’d have to eliminate him. It made sense to side with Mikey and take out their biggest enemy together. It would also keep Ryan and Rachel safe. What worried him was what Mikey would do once the throne was vacant. “When Alex is gone, you’ll take over?”

“What would you think if I did?”

“You’re the logical choice.”

Mikey’s face smoothed itself out into an expressionless mask. “What about you?”

“Do you think I want it after what happened to Frank, Danny and now Alex? There’s a curse on the head of the Maguire family.”

“Don’t tell me you believe that crap?”

“I’m starting to. I don’t want it. Taking it on would be greedy and greed’s a sure way to a fall. I’ll keep my businesses and you keep yours according to the truce Frank and Ryan negotiated.”

“Fine by me,” said Mikey.

“Alright then, I’m behind you.”

The two men shook hands, both relieved that had been sorted out.

“But we need more on our side,” said Mikey.

“Well the Sugars are out. They’re all Alex’s creatures. They hate my family because Ryan killed their big brother. What about the Jordans?”

“They’re an unknown quantity. I don’t want to risk bringing them in on this only for them to go running to Alex.”

“Fine, we’ll leave them out of it until we know for sure.”

“Declan and his brothers will side with us, they hate Alex. He’s refused to give them a decent cut. He’s stuck them with the debt collecting and cannabis, real lightweight stuff and their resentment’s growing.”

“Okay. I think they can be trusted. Declan’s come a long way in the last year. He’s gone from being a bit of an arsehole to a real businessman.”

“He’s really grown up. Reminds me of you,” grinned Mikey.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Christ I wish Battler and Bruiser hadn’t gone legit, we could have really used their help.”

“Are you sure they’d go against Alex?”

“They did when Frank died and Terry tried to take over. Alex sided with his uncle and Battler and Bruiser sided with me and Rachel.”

“If they think you’re staging a coup they might come out of retirement and back up Alex.”

“No they won’t, not if they find out he’s threatening Rachel. Their first loyalty is to her.”

“She’s not even a Maguire anymore.”

“They’re loyal to our family because of Frank, not his sons. One night not long before he died Frank told me, Battler and Bruiser that he wanted Rachel to take his place when he retired, he said she had more nerve and intelligence than either of his sons. I think he made the mistake of telling Terry too, which is what got him killed. Rachel doesn’t know that, I thought it best not to tell her because it’s not what she wanted. It’s one reason Alex’s confidence took a huge knock. Now his confidence has returned with a vengeance he sees Rachel as a usurper who took his dad’s affection.”

“Which is why he hates her so much.”

“It’s one reason but I’m certain there’s something else, something to do with Ryan. I wish I knew what that was,” he said, with a knowing look at Jez, who just stared back at him, revealing nothing. “Anyway,” continued Mikey, “that’s why Battler and Bruiser would side with us, because their first loyalty was to Frank and Rachel is his rightful heir, not Alex.”

“I see. So we can count them on our side?”

“Yeah, I’m sure of it. Also I found out something today that I don’t like.”

“What’s that?” sighed Jez, dreading what was coming.

“Alex is only starting up the stately home robberies again.”

“The prat.”

“I know. When I tried telling him he was making a mistake he went off on one at me. He’s got the Slatterys in on it down south. He’s had to otherwise they’d kick off if Alex started turning over places on their patch.”

“Oh bloody marvellous. They’re even worse than the Jordans and you remember how bad they were?”

“How could I forget.”

“That’s not all we’ve got to worry about. One of my contacts heard Alex met with Jasper White.”

“President of the Lucifer’s Shadow MC?”

“The very same.”

“Oh Christ,” sighed Mikey, dragging his hands down his face. “That’s all we need, Alex with that bunch of animals on a leash.”

“No doubt he’ll be offering to cut Jasper in on the drugs for his back-up.”

“They’re a bunch of lunatics. He can’t rely on them.”

“The rest are idiots but Jasper’s smart. He knows a good deal when he sees one and Alex will give him a decent cut. But Dane Black, president of the Angel’s Wrath MC, owes Ryan a big favour. He protected his little brother when they were in prison together from becoming someone’s bitch. He’d support us I’m sure of it.”

“Angel’s Wrath versus Lucifer’s Shadow? They’ve been enemies for years.”

These were the two most powerful motorcycle gangs in Manchester and their rivalry had led to more than one bloody confrontation. The two presidents, Jasper and Dane, had once been the best of friends. No one knew why they fell out three years ago, the real reason had been lost in the local folklore but their feud was legendary and had resulted in the rise of these two clubs, both leaders changing their surnames and naming their clubs to display how opposed they were to each other.

“If we offer Dane the chance of finally wiping out his rivals he’d help us,” said Jez.

“But Ryan has to be the one to approach him?”

Jez nodded. “He’s already gained his trust.”

“Would Ryan do it? He’s not a part of this life anymore.”

“He might if it helps us topple Alex. He knows he’s a danger to Rachel and he’d do anything to protect her.”

Mikey sighed. “I promised Rachel not to drag her or Ryan into any of our shit.”

“So did I but I’ve got the feeling Alex isn’t going to give them a choice. It’s not certain Jasper White is on board yet. Let’s wait and see. If he sides with Alex then we can have a word with Ryan.”

“Alright, agreed. I hate going up against my own cousin.”

“Alex has brought this on himself. He’s not the Alex we used to know and as you said, if we don’t make the first move, he will.”

“I know,” said Mikey. He just hoped he had the guts to do what needed to be done when the time came. The thought of putting a bullet through the head of Frank and Martina’s son caused his stomach to turn over.

Rachel was enjoying a rare moment of peace. The boys were at nursery, Leah was at school and Ryan was out negotiating a new business deal. Alone time was rare and she was enjoying lying back on the couch with a book. She liked cheap flimsy romances with humour and a barely-there plot. Ryan relentlessly took the piss out of her for it but she got a lot of pleasure from them. She didn’t like crime thrillers or horror stories because they seemed rather tame compared to her own life. The corner of her mouth lifted into a smile as she left the book behind for thoughts of Ryan. Her life had been packed with romance too.

Her reverie was disturbed by the doorbell ringing and she tutted. Whoever was intruding on this precious time was going to get a mouthful.

“Why are you ringing the bell? You live here,” she snapped before her brain processed the fact that the man standing on the doorstep with a large rucksack over one shoulder wasn’t her husband. “Riley?”

“Hello Rachel, I mean Mrs Law.”

“You can call me Rachel.”

“Rachel,” he said, his grin identical to her husband’s. “I don’t know if I should even be here but I’ve got some leave and I’ve been to visit Neil.”

Neil was his younger brother, AKA The Saturday Night Slasher. He was in a secure mental unit after knifing dozens of people in Manchester nightclubs, as well as holding the same knife to her own throat when the police tried to arrest him. He was also Ryan’s half-brother, as was Riley, but Ryan wanted nothing to do with either of them.

“It made me think about family, I thought maybe…” Riley trailed off. “I’m sorry, I’m not very good at this sort of thing, I should go.”

“Oh no you don’t, you’re not escaping again. Come on in,” she said, opening the door wider.

He shuffled on the doorstep. “Now I’m here I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”

“Come in before I drag you in,” she said good-naturedly.

He couldn’t resist her smile and grinned. “Alright then.”

“Ryan’s out but he should be back soon,” she explained as they walked through the house to the kitchen. She caught him staring at the enormous room, wide-eyed. “Are you okay?”

He put down his backpack. “Sorry but I’ve spent eight months in Afghanistan and it’s a bit of a culture shock.”

“That’s right, you’re in the army?”

“Yes.”

“What do you do exactly?”

“I’m in The Regiment.”

“What Regiment?”

“Sorry, I mean the SAS.”

“Wow, impressive. The army elite.”

“Sorry, I can’t give you any more detail. I really shouldn’t have told you that much but I want to build bridges and I can’t do that on a lie.”

“Fair enough. Would you like a drink?”

“Tea please.”

“How do you take it?”

“Milk no sugar.”

“Just like Ryan,” she smiled, filling the kettle.

Riley watched her as she moved about the kitchen, she really was a stunner with amazing legs, her skirt hugging her pert backside. Riley realised he was staring so he forced his gaze on the window instead, trying to admire the sweeping garden and failing. After so long without female company he was seriously horny. He probably should have taken care of that need before visiting his delectable sister-in-law.

“So, how long are you back for?” she said.

“Four months. I’m owed a lot of time.” The twinge in his left shoulder reminded him all too vividly of the reason for his sabbatical.

“How’s Neil?”

“Not good. I’ve always known he wasn’t right in the head but he’s completely deteriorated. I hardly recognised him.”

“Which is why you decided to try again with Ryan?”

He nodded. “My dad and older brother are dead, I don’t get along with my mum and step-family and my sister Lexie spends her life travelling, I see her once every few years.”