Shattered (Dividing Line #5) (9 page)

“What about Daina? She is my only friend, the only person I have left.”

Rachel knew Sabine couldn’t be separated from her friend, the terror of being alone was apparent in her eyes. She looked to Ryan, who nodded.

“Whatever Daina wants too.”

Daina released a yelp of excitement that made Bruiser smile.

“First thing I want to do is get off the heroin,” said Sabine, eyes heavy with shame. “Katia had me injected with it. I hate it. They did it to my sisters too. We always used to be so healthy, Laila made sure we looked after ourselves. It was another insult to us.”

“We can arrange that. There are clinics here that will help you get off the drugs and get your health back. Or would you rather go to one in Latvia?”

“No, I want to stay in this country. There is nothing left for me back there but I have to get out of Manchester, I’m afraid Alex will come after me.”

“Don’t you worry about him, we’re going to sort him out. You get yourself healthy again in rehab and think about what you want to do with the rest of your life and we’ll fund it.”

“I already know, it is what I have wanted since I was a little girl.”

“And what’s that?”

“I always wanted to go into beauty. I am very good at hair and nails and make-up.”

Rachel smiled. “Well, how about once you’re off the drugs we pay for you to train, you need qualifications to do that job in this country. Then we’ll buy you your own salon.”

Sabine’s mouth fell open. “I did not realise you would give me so much.”

“If it hadn’t been for Laila something really horrible would have happened to me.” Rachel felt nauseous as she recalled Sheridan’s unwanted attentions. “I would probably even be dead. It’s the least I can do.” She blinked away the tears that clouded her vision. “Daina, what would you like to do?”

“Me? Well I…err…” She looked at Bruiser, who gave her a gentle smile that made her blush. “They didn’t give me drugs, they didn’t want me to lose weight. Instead they made me eat lots of bad food to make me fat because there are horrible men who like that. I was never this fat before. I would like to lose the weight.”

“I think you’re beautiful,” said Bruiser.

Rachel, Ryan and Battler all looked at him, never having heard him compliment a woman before.

“That’s no problem Daina,” said Rachel. “They do that in the clinic Sabine will be going to, so you can stay together.”

“Daina is good at make-up and hair too, we could work together as well,” said an eager Sabine.

“Would Daina like that?”

“Yes,” she practically shouted.

When Sabine looked back at Rachel, her smile fell.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked her.

“This seems too good to be true, just like the man in Riga who said we could be nannies and models. I’m frightened the clinic will be another brothel.”

“It’s not a trick, I swear. This is me keeping my promise to your sister who was the bravest woman I ever met. No matter what I do I’ll never be able repay the debt I owe her. You’re safe, you’ll always have our support and protection. We don’t deal in disgusting brothels like that, our businesses are legal. Life might throw a lot of shit at us but occasionally it throws us a miracle too. Ryan and Laila are my miracles. Now it’s your turn.”

Sabine detected how genuine she was and started to cry again. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, thank your sister.”

“I have to bury her. They took Alise away when she died of the drugs and I don’t know what they did with her. I have to say goodbye to Laila properly.”

“We can arrange that too, she deserves a good send off. Think about how you want the funeral to be and let us know what you want. We own a hotel, you can stay there until we can get you into rehab. Ryan will arrange that in the morning.” She gently squeezed Sabine’s hand. “You don’t need to be afraid any longer, we’ll take care of you now. Both of you.”

“Thank you,” rasped Sabine, tears rolling down her face. “I would like to be alone for a while to think about my sister.“

“Of course. This is Battler and his brother Bruiser. They are our very good friends. You can trust them, they’re the good guys. Bruiser will take you to the hotel.”

Sabine hugged Rachel again. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied, hugging her back gently, being careful not to hurt her.

Bruiser opened the door, the two girls following. As they stepped out into the corridor, Sabine caught sight of Alex on his hospital bed. “It’s him,” she gasped, retreating back into the room.

“Ow, you stood on my foot,” said Daina, hopping about on one leg, causing Ryan to roll his eyes.

“Don’t worry ladies, you’re perfectly safe,” said Bruiser, offering Daina his arm. She looked up at him and smiled, sliding her hand in to the crook of his elbow.

The two girls tried to hide behind Bruiser’s massive form as they passed Alex’s room, Daina burying her face in his shoulder.

Battler closed the door to Rachel’s room with an amused smile. “I think my brother has a little crush. He always did like them big and blousy.”

“Isn’t she a bit young for him?” said Ryan.

“She’ll do him good, bring him out of his shell a bit. He’s quite shy around women.”

Rachel found the prospect of Bruiser being shy entertaining.

Through the window Ryan saw Col coming up the corridor, obviously aiming for Alex’s room. “Just one moment,” he said.

He waited patiently for Col to get nearer, sliding the plastic tube Frankie had given him out of his inner jacket pocket. Just as Ryan knew he would, Col flashed him a smug smirk. This time the burning inside Ryan didn’t spike because he had got one over this man who had hurt his family so much.

As Col became level with him Ryan held up the tube and rattled it. The gold teeth glinted in the harsh fluorescent lights and the effect on Col was powerful. He stopped, pressed his face up to the glass and his lips drew back in an angry snarl. This time it was Ryan’s turn to smirk.

Col rushed for the door and Ryan raced to meet him, Battler close behind. Ryan flung open the door and thrust his face into Col’s.

“Go on, I beg you,” said Ryan, standing nose to nose with the man.

“Where is my brother?” demanded Col.

“Right now in a chest freezer, soon to be cut into nuggets.”

“You fucking bastard.”

“Everything alright?” called a voice.

Two uniformed PC’s hurried up the corridor towards them.

“Everything’s fine officers,” said Ryan, putting on his most relaxed smile. “Just a friendly little chat.”

“Didn’t look very friendly to me,” said one of them, eyeing up a seething Col, who appeared to be struggling with some very disturbing emotions.

“It’s fine, really,” Col told them, unable to keep the anger out of his voice.

The two officers looked at each other then shrugged before walking away. For all they cared the two men could kill each other.

Ryan turned back to Col, who looked homicidal. “We hold the compound and we’ve got Glasgow behind us. Do yourself a favour and retire gracefully before you lose any more brothers. Alex is finished.”

“I’ll fucking get you for this. Don’t forget you’ve got two brothers as well.”

With that Col spun on his heel, walked stiffly into Alex’s room and slammed the door shut.

Ryan returned to Rachel’s room, who regarded him suspiciously.

“What are you up to Ryan?”

“Nothing,” he said innocently.

“Hmmm, I don’t believe you.”

“Nothing for you to worry about Sweetheart, just winding Col up.”

He was saved from having to give her any more details by DCI Taylor waltzing into the room without knocking.

“I’ve stalled as long as I can. Time for that interview,” he told Rachel.

CHAPTER 9

“It’s late, come back tomorrow. Rachel’s tired,” Ryan told DCI Taylor.

“No can do. It has to be now or my colleagues are going to think something funny’s going on.”

“It’s alright Ryan. I want to get it over with,” replied Rachel, wishing this could be put off, she was completely drained after her conversation with Sabine but Taylor wouldn’t go until it was done.

“Thank you Rachel,” he said, taking the seat by her side and pulling out his notebook. “Now, I’ve spoken to the Devon and Cornwall Police,” he said, flicking through his notes, “and they told me all about the fire, although they’ve still no idea who started it, but I think we have a fair idea. I know everything up until when you were abducted from the airport and I want to hear what really happened, not your watered-down version.”

Rachel looked to Ryan standing at the bottom of her bed, who nodded. So she gave Taylor the whole story. By the end of it he looked as exhausted as she felt.

“That’s some tale,” he said. “As your husband claimed the Lucifer’s Shadow MC were responsible for your kidnapping that’s who we’re going after officially. Unfortunately someone must have warned them because they’ve gone to ground. Alex has spies everywhere. It wasn’t me,” he hastily added when Rachel eyed him suspiciously. “I’m trying to stone wall the bastard not help him.” He frowned. “Are you okay Rachel you’ve gone very pale.”

“My throat hurts,” she rasped. All the talking was killing her.

Ryan hastened to pour her a glass of water and held the cup to her lips for her to sip. Taylor noted that Ryan Law’s eyes only softened when he looked at his wife. What Alex did to Rachel was about him just as much as it was about her. He was good at finding people’s weaknesses and Rachel was Ryan’s weakness.

“At least they won’t be able to operate easily,” said Ryan as he helped Rachel settle back down.

“There is that but they have safe houses all over the place, there’s loads of rocks for them to crawl under,” said Taylor. “We’re looking but it’s going to be difficult. There’s a lot of pressure on me and my team from above to get them rounded up as quickly as possible because your abduction is big news. The warehouse burning down made us all look like fools and the Chief Constable is demanding we do something to save face. A nice high profile arrest would do the job. I’m in the bad books,” he said miserably. “On the bright side the two officers guarding the warehouse have taken most of the heat, so to speak. The privilege of rank,” he said with a grim smile. He felt very guilty about the bollocking his PC’s had taken over that, it was only his intervention that meant they’d kept their jobs.

“Laila,” said Rachel.

“I’m sorry?” replied Taylor when her voice came out weak and hoarse.

“Laila, she saved me.”

“Ah, the woman at the brothel?”

“Her body’s lying in some trees on Saddleworth Moor. You have to get her out of there, she deserves a decent burial.”

“If we find the body then a murder investigation will be launched.”

“Fine, just as long as it doesn’t lead back to Alex. There’ll be no ID on her, the authorities don’t even know she’s in this country. If you can’t identify her the case will turn cold, leaving us free to get her justice,” said Rachel.

“Alright. Will you be claiming her body?”

Rachel nodded.

“If you do then questions will be asked about your relationship with her.”

“Can’t you keep it quiet that we’ve claimed her?” said Ryan.

“I suppose I could. Alright, leave it with me.”

“Thanks,” said Rachel, settling back into the pillows. “Are we done? I’m so tired.”

“Yes we are Rachel. Thank you.”

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked her.

“My neck…need sleep,” she mumbled.

A minute later she’d dropped off.

“Nasty wound that,” said Taylor, indicating her neck.

“Very,” Ryan replied tightly.

“You must be ready to unleash hell on the man responsible.”

Ryan nodded, his eyes fixed on her.

“When are you going to do it?”

His eyes flicked to Taylor and narrowed. “When the time’s right. Stop fucking nagging. Why don’t you go and bring back poor Laila?”

“I can take a hint,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’ll leave you with a word of warning. I’ve met a lot of victims of violent crime. Your wife is no longer the woman she was.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

“But she is no ordinary woman,” he continued. “She’ll burn this city to the ground to get her revenge.”

“Yes, I do believe you’re right.”

Taylor left and Ryan studied his sleeping wife thoughtfully. The man had a point. When Rachel was back on her feet the situation was going to explode. She was the flame in a massive barrel of gunpowder.

“Hey, you can’t come in here,” he heard Battler saying.

Ryan turned in his seat to see a very desperate-looking Stephen Strang trying to enter the room, Battler blocking his way.

“It’s alright, let him in,” said Ryan.

Battler stood aside, watching Strang carefully as he shuffled into the room, looking a mess with bloodshot eyes, skin grey with tiredness.

“Mikey told me Laila’s dead,” he mumbled, glancing at Rachel.

“She is Stephen, I’m so sorry.”

“She died saving Rachel.”

“She was a very brave woman. Don’t blame Rachel for this.”

“I don’t.”

He slumped into the chair Bruiser had vacated, buried his face in his hands and started to cry. Battler huffed, wishing everyone would learn to control themselves.

“We’ve located her sister. She’d been moved to another brothel.”

Strang raised his head, making no attempt to wipe away his tears. “Sabine?”

Ryan nodded.

“She showed me her photo, she used to talk about her all the time. Although I couldn’t understand the words, somehow I knew what she was saying. What will happen to her?”

“We’re putting her in rehab, Katia got her hooked on heroin. She’ll be well looked after, I promise.”

“She’d better be, she was Laila’s world. Can I meet her?”

“Not just yet. We’re organising Laila’s funeral, perhaps you could meet her then?”

Strang nodded, raked his fingers through his hair and got to his feet. “I’m sorry to disturb.”

“It’s alright.”

“Anything you need from me Ryan and I mean anything just let me know. I want revenge for what he’s done.”

“You’ll get it, I promise you that.”

He trundled to the door, not looking very steady on his feet. He paused and turned to look back at Ryan, expression infinitely sad. “I should have got her out of there sooner but I didn’t because I was afraid of Alex. Not anymore though.”

With that he left and Ryan couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

By the time Bruiser returned after dropping the girls off at the hotel, Rachel had woken up.

“Are Sabine and Daina okay?” she asked him.

“They’re wonderful,” he replied.

Rachel gave him a grin. “Has someone got a crush?”

“Maybe,” he replied with a wink before settling back in a chair and picking up a paper, indicating the conversation was at an end, although the smile remained on his lips.

“I’ve got to go again I’m afraid, lots to do,” Ryan told Rachel.

“Get some rest please, you look so tired.”

“I’ll get a couple of hours.”

“You’ll get more than that. Have a decent night’s sleep and come back in the morning. I’ll only be asleep anyway.”

“I don’t want to leave you for long.”

“I’ll be fine, I’ve got Battler and Bruiser. You need to rest.”

“Okay, I will, but under protest,” he said, kissing her.

As Ryan left he glanced into Alex’s room, amused to see Col talking furiously at him. Alex appeared to be trying to calm him down. Ryan gave a smile and a cheery wave that sent Col into apoplexy. When he shot to his feet Alex grabbed his arm to stop him going after him. In sheer frustration Col stuck his middle finger up at Ryan, making him laugh and shake his head. As he wandered down the corridor he could hear their angry voices.

His head aching with tiredness and stress, the last thing Ryan wanted was to go back to a hotel full of people. What he needed was a little quiet time to himself to think so he did something he’d never done before, he went into the chapel.

The room was small but mercifully empty so he sat on one of the benches at the back, feeling like an intruder. The only time he’d been to church was for an occasion; weddings, christenings, funerals. He’d never believed in God, never believed in any power but his own. He failed to see the point in begging for assistance from something he couldn’t see. But now he found himself wishing he could believe and ask for forgiveness. Since he’d gone legitimate he’d thought about all the terrible things he’d done, all the lives he’d taken and it seemed it wasn’t over yet. He liked the thought of some omnipotent being who could take the guilt off his shoulders, but then again, how much guilt did he really feel? Gavin Sugar had contributed to the attacks on his wife and kids, in fact everyone he’d killed in recent years had been in defence of Rachel and his family and he found it impossible to feel bad about that, he’d do anything for them. However, despite his lifelong atheism, he couldn’t help thinking there was some higher power watching over them. He and Rachel had both been saved from certain death more than once and all of them had managed to get out of that fire unscathed. Whereas most people would have thought the idea of a God ridiculous after suffering so much heartache, he experienced a surprising gratitude.

“Thank you,” he whispered to whatever or whoever may be listening. He just hoped their benevolence extended a little longer and helped them out of the horrible mess they’d found themselves in.

“Hello again.”

It took Ryan a moment to realise the voice hadn’t come from some omnipotent being but from a flesh and blood person behind him.
I really do need some sleep,
he thought inwardly, amused by himself. He must be going soft.

He turned in his seat to see a tall elegant blond hovering in the doorway. It was the woman he’d met in the Relative’s Room. Leah. “Hello,” he said.

She sat beside him. “How’s your wife?”

“On the mend,” he said, a little annoyed. Why couldn’t he get any bloody peace? “How’s your husband?” he continued when he got the impression she was waiting for him to ask.

“Not good. He should be improving by now but he only seems to be getting weaker.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

She gave a sad nod. “Do you know why there are police on the ward?”

“Because of my wife. She was kidnapped. They’re here for her protection.”

“Oh my God, your wife’s Rachel Law?”

He nodded.

“I saw it on the news, it’s terrible. I’m so sorry. But why are they guarding two rooms?”

“Our friend tried to help her and he got shot. He could be in danger too.”

Katia repressed a triumphant smile. So that was the story they’d given the authorities. Alex was being made out to be a hero, but why? She could only surmise it was because they didn’t want the police to arrest him, they wanted to deal with him personally. Well she wouldn’t let them. The thought of the knife concealed in her handbag was a tempting one. She could end this with one thrust of a blade but she was curious to learn more about this man who, she had to admit, intrigued her. “That’s terrible. Is he alright?”

“It’s starting to look that way,” he replied, trying to keep the regret out of his voice.

“That is good. A friend who is willing to take a bullet for you is a very valuable one.”

“Yes,” he said quietly, jaw tightening.

Katia’s blue eyes studied every subtle reaction. He was difficult to read but he had his guard down, he didn’t know she was a threat and that filled her with a sense of power. She was enjoying herself. Sitting back in her seat she decided to give him a treat and crossed her legs, her skirt riding up to reveal slender creamy thighs. To her irritation he didn’t even notice.

“I’ve got to get going. See you later,” he said, getting up and leaving the room.

“Bye,” she called after him.

When he’d gone Katia slid into the chair he’d just vacated. The warm spot he’d left sent pleasure running through her. She felt an odd combination of hatred and attraction for Ryan Law. He was intent on destroying the man she loved but she also found him incredibly alluring. Those hard grey eyes set in that handsome face combined with the command and danger that surrounded him sent her pulse racing. Despite this she wouldn’t hesitate to kill him before he could kill Alex.

“Get a fucking grip Col,” said Alex, grabbing the man’s wrist and squeezing, reminding him of his strength and power. “I’m sorry about Gavin but don’t lose it, not now.”

Col released a groan of anguish and buried his face in his hands. “The smug bastard had my brother’s teeth in a plastic tube. He rattled them at me. How fucking sick is that?”