Reckoning (16 page)

Read Reckoning Online

Authors: Heather Atkinson

“Fine, we’ll take her back to Manchester then decide from there.”

“Why?” exclaimed Jules. “She doesn’t deserve your charity.”

“She’s still a Law,” said Jez.

“No she’s not. Laws have loyalty.”

“We look after each other, no matter what,” said Ryan.

“She should get nothing.”

“We’ll talk about it later. End of discussion,” yelled Jez, slamming his hand down on the dash.

There was a moment of silence before Jules said, “I love it when you’re masterful.”

Jez and Ryan rolled their eyes.

CHAPTER 16

 

“Mikey, you look terrible. What’s happened?” said Amber with concern. She put down the magazine she was reading and went to him. Mikey dropped his briefcase and pulled her to him, pressing his face into her curly red hair, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Mikey, what’s wrong?” she said, looking up at him.

He smiled at the worry in her big, soft eyes. “My brother’s dead.”

“Jake?”

Mikey nodded. “Heart attack in the middle of the prison canteen.”

“Oh my God, that’s terrible. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just a shock.”

“It’s awful and just after you went to visit him too…” She trailed off, face turning white.

“This wasn’t down to me,” he hastened to add. “It was a heart attack, pure and simple.”

Amber relaxed. “Sorry. It’s just that sometimes I have no idea what’s going on in your life or your head.”

“I didn’t kill my brother. He had a heart attack,” he snapped. At least he was being half-honest. When her eyes filled with hurt he cuddled her harder. “Sorry Babe, I didn’t mean it to come out like that, I’m just shook up.”

“Of course you are, you’ve had a nasty shock. Do you want me to tell your mum for you?”

Mikey experienced a most welcome surge of love for his wife. He’d told her all about his mother, so she understood why talking to her would be traumatic for him. “I appreciate the thought but I’ll do it. It’s time I faced her. You never know, it might help me finally get over what they did to me.”

She grasped both his hands in her own and her eyes filled with a surprising fire that he’d never seen before. “You have nothing to prove to her, just like you had nothing to prove to Jake. You are Mikey Maguire, the most powerful man in the north of England and you fear no one.”

He gaped at her before saying, “right, okay. Thanks for the pep talk Babe.”

Her sweet smile returned and she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. “Anytime.”

Mikey stared down at his wife, getting the feeling he didn’t really know her at all.

 

Mikey wasn’t willing to allow either Shane or Estelle into the compound, so Ryan drove them to Martina’s Bar, which had once been gifted by Frank Maguire to Rachel, who then gave it to Mikey before she moved down to Devon. He sat at the bar with Grant and Mark Cameron. Hayden Brody was keeping a discreet watch over Amber and Josh. No staff were about, it was too early for them to begin their shift.

“Who’s this?” were Mikey’s first words.

Shane swallowed nervously as Mikey Maguire cocked a digit at him. Fucking hell, he was as big as Ryan and Jez. Shane was tall but he was quite slender, whereas it was clear these three spent a lot of time at the gym. He resolved to do the same. But it wasn’t just their physiques that made them so intimidating, it was the absolute certainty of their own power. Shane’s brain was frantically taking notes. He cleared his throat. “I’m Shane, Shane Wyles.”

“Well Shane Wyles, what are you doing in my club?” frowned Mikey.

“I’ve taken him on. He’s part of the crew now,” announced Jez.

“Crew? He’s just a kid.”

“He’s eighteen, a man,” purred Jules, causing the sweat to break out on the back of Shane’s neck.

“Down girl,” said Jez. “Listen Mikey, I know he’s young but he played a fucking blinder today. He warned us Slattery’s men were coming, he knocked out the bastard who tried to mess with our car and he battered another round the head who was coming at me. Not only that, he got us Jared Slattery’s phone number,” he said, tossing the phone to Mikey. “Get Declan onto that, he might be able to trace him for us.”

Shane shuffled anxiously as Mikey scrutinised him closely.

“For fuck’s sake Mikey, Ryan was younger than him when he started out. Give him a chance, I’ve got the feeling he’ll be an asset.”

“Is this what you want Shane?” said Mikey.

“Yes, more than anything. I’ve been waiting for a chance like this for years,” he said, unable to hide his eagerness.

“I’ll vouch for him too,” said Ryan. “He’s been working for me for a few weeks now. He’s got potential.”

Mikey nodded. “Alright, I can’t ask for better references than that. You’re in Shane so you can stay for this discussion.”

Shane’s smile was so wide it was starting to hurt but he couldn’t help it, he was over the fucking moon. Finally his dreams were coming true. He was in the big leagues now.

“But I want that gone,” added Mikey, pointing at Estelle. “Oy, you can’t smoke in here,” he said when she sparked up a cigarette.

“Why, because it’s against the law? You’re kidding, right?”

“I don’t kid,” he spat.

“I’ve just endured a fucking two hour journey without one because His Majesty here wouldn’t let me smoke in his precious car,” she said, pointing at Ryan.

“I’ll sort her,” said Jules, walking around the back of the bar and retrieving a bottle of vodka. She shoved it into a delighted Estelle’s hands, marched her to the office, shoved her inside and locked the door. “There, that’ll keep her occupied until we decide what to do with her.”

“That’s your business,” said Mikey. “I just want her gone from Manchester. She helped the Slatterys set us up.”

“Agreed,” said Ryan. “Don’t worry, we’ll sort it.” He noted how heavy the burden of power was pressing down on Mikey. When they’d first met he’d been full of fun, but it looked like that had all been drained out of him. But this was the life he’d chosen. It just made Ryan even more relieved that he’d handed over the reins of power.

“Now that’s all sorted out let’s turn to the real business,” said Mikey. “There’s a good chance Jared’s in Manchester and he’s behind all the recent mayhem.”

“Yes, I think we can all agree on that,” said Ryan. “It’s vital we find him and neutralise him.”

Shane’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in his throat. They were talking about killing someone.

“We?” Mikey asked Ryan. “Does that mean you’re sticking around?”

“Maybe. I don’t want to worry my kids by being away for too long.”

“Fair enough,” said Mikey. “And our best shot at finding him is with the phone our new employee gave us,” he said.

Shane’s fears melted away as Jez Law clapped him on the back and Mikey Maguire gave him a respectful nod. He wished his mum was here to see the proudest moment of his life.

“Is Riley still in the city?” said Ryan.

“He is, shacked up all cosy with Beth,” replied Mikey.

“Please warn him of what’s coming. I don’t want him getting caught up in this, he’s too much to lose,” said Ryan with a pointed look at Jez and Mikey. “I believe you had trouble with the Starklaws. They’re a good point to start at, they might know where Jared’s hiding.”

“I already thought of that,” replied Mikey. “Both of them have been released from hospital so me, Grant and Mark kicked in the doors of their local haunts but they’d already gone to ground. It’s not just the Starklaws, it’s Bobby Nilsen too.”

“That’s not good, he’s smart,” said Ryan.

“Someone attacked Dane Black’s distribution operation too,” said Jez.

“The fools. I expect the culprits are in hospital?”

“They are. Dane’s already got everything out of them that he can. It was the Starklaws mouthing off about how we’re finished that made them think they could chance their arm, not Jared.”

“Of course not, he’ll be wanting to keep his presence in Manchester low-key.” Ryan hissed out a breath. “I’ve got the awful feeling this is just the beginning. He has something big planned, something much more than attacking the businesses. He’s trying to make you look weak in everyone’s eyes before the final attack. My best guess is he wants your connection with the McVays.”

“Sometimes I wish Danny hadn’t set that up,” sighed Mikey.

Shane tried not to hop with excitement. He knew all about the McVays too, they were brutal Glaswegian gangsters, probably the most feared family in the whole country, even more so than the Maguires and Laws. Toni McVay was running things now after her brother’s mysterious disappearance. He’d no idea they were connected to Mikey and Jez. It struck him just how much he had to learn but these were just the men to teach him.

“At least we’re dealing with Toni now and not Frankie,” said Jez.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good thing,” said Mikey. “Frankie would have lapped this up. Toni sees it as a nuisance or, even worse, weakness.”

“You have to tell her before she finds out from someone else,” said Ryan. “Keeping it from her will only make things worse for you. If you get her onside you’ll crush Jared.”

Jez didn’t like his brother’s use of the word
you
, it brought it home that he wasn’t going to sort this out for them. In the past it had always been Ryan and Rachel leading the way, even during the Alex nightmare, but they wouldn’t have that support now. It was all on his and Mikey’s shoulders and he prayed they were up to bearing the burden.

They were interrupted by a loud snorting noise coming from the direction of the office. With a sigh Jules threw the door open to reveal Estelle splayed out across the desk, fast asleep, the empty bottle of vodka beside her.

“She finished that already?” she exclaimed.

“That’s nothing,” said Ryan. “We need to get her out of here. The last thing we need is another volatile element in this unstable mixture.”

“And take her where?” said Jez.

“Anywhere as long as it’s away from here,” said Mikey.

“Stick her in a taxi and get the driver to take her as far away as possible,” said Jez.

“You’re joking, no cabbie’s going to let her into his car in that state,” said Jules.

“We’ll bung him enough to make him change his mind,” said Jez.

“I don’t like it,” interjected Ryan. “I want to make sure she’s really gone and I don’t trust anyone else to do it. I’ll drop her off somewhere before I go to the airport.”

“Airport?” said Jez. “I thought you were staying a bit longer.”

“I was but now I want to get away before the McVays become involved. You remember what happened the last time?”

Shane studied each face. Clearly Mikey, Jez and Jules knew what he was talking about but not the others.

“Alright bruv, get back to Rachel and the kids,” said Jez, not looking too happy about it.

“Jez, you can handle this and you’ve got good men behind you,” said Ryan, nodding at Grant and Mark. “You don’t need me anymore. Say goodbye to Riley for me, I was hoping to pay him a visit before I left but I won’t have time now.”

The brothers hugged, clapping each other on the back. “Take care bruv,” said Jez.

“You too. Remember when you first took over I told you the secret of staying on top?”

Shane waited with baited breath, straining to hear this secret, golden formula to success but to his chagrin Jez just nodded.

“I do. Christ, I wish Battler and Bruiser were still in the area, we could really use their back-up. Do you think…”

“No I don’t. Bruiser’s not going to leave Daina’s side while she’s pregnant and Battler won’t work without his brother.”

“They’re better off staying down in Devon anyway,” said Mikey. “Just in case. We don’t know what Jared’s got planned yet.”

“Exactly.”

Ryan shook Mikey’s hand then turned to Jules and looked at her uncertainly before holding his hand out to her too. She ignored it and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He froze before hugging her back, tentatively patting her shoulder. “It was good to see you too Jules. Thank you for your assistance.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, releasing him. “Give Rachel a big kiss from me.”

“I want you to be careful too. This isn’t a game.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Her grey eyes, identical his own, gazed up at him, full of seriousness. “Jez has got his big sis now,” she said quietly. “I’ll look after him.”

Ryan nodded. Somehow he thought she would.

Mikey crooked his finger. “Jules, I want a word with you lady.”

“Oh-oh, looks like I’m in trouble,” she smiled.

“If I were you I wouldn’t grin,” replied Ryan, taking in Mikey’s severe look.

Deciding he was probably right, Jules wiped the smile off her face and followed Mikey into the office. Jez watched them go, his jaw set.

Mikey slammed the door shut behind him, leaning against it, palm splayed across the cool wood as he got his temper under control.

“Have I done something wrong?” she said politely.

“Wrong?” He almost choked on the word. “You killed my brother.”

“You killed my dad.”

“Is that what this is, payback?”

“No. How could you think I’d do something like that?”

“That’s what it seems like to me.”

“Well it’s not. I did you a big favour because I could see you were going the same way I was with Leighton. That sort of pain is a cancer that needs to be cut out quickly before it eats you alive.”

“You had no right to do it without getting my expression permission.”

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