Reckoning (4 page)

He ran his fingers through her blond hair and kissed her. “These last few days have been incredible.”

“They have, haven’t they?”

“I really don’t want to go back but I have to.”

“It’s okay, I understand. Just make sure you keep yourself safe, I couldn’t stand to lose you now.”

“You won’t, I’ll make sure of it. It feels like everything I’ve ever wanted is finally coming together. I love you Beth.”

“Love you too.”

“Yes, I won,” called a voice from the front room.

Beth and Riley looked at each other. “Oh oh,” said Beth. That voice had been Alfie, which meant Archie had lost and he didn’t take very well to losing anymore.

“That’s not fair, you cheated,” Archie yelled back as Beth hurried into the front room.

“Archie, stop,” she cried when he hurled the remote control at the television. Fortunately he missed and it hit the wall instead.

“He always cheats, I hate him,” yelled the little boy, pointing at his older brother.

“I didn’t cheat Mum,” said Alfie, looking stricken.

“It’s okay Sweetheart, take your sister into the kitchen for some snack,” she said, wanting to get her children away before Archie completely erupted. He could become physically aggressive when angry.

Alfie took Holly’s hand and led her away. Beth’s heart broke when she saw her little daughter cowering before Archie’s violence.

“Archie, that’s enough,” said Riley quietly.

Archie stared back at him, as though working out whether to challenge him or not. Riley raised one eyebrow, staring steadily back at the boy. Archie’s body sagged as his anger ebbed away. “Sorry.”

“You should apologise to your brother. Alfie isn’t a cheat,” said Riley.

“Sorry Alfie.”

Alfie looked intensely sad. His brother never used to behave like this and he was all too aware it was because of the trauma their dead dad had put them all through and he did his best to understand, but sometimes it was hard. Eventually he said, “it’s okay. You want to get some snack with us?”

“Crisps?”

Alfie broke into a reluctant smile. “Yeah, crisps.”

“Yay,” cheered Archie, his tantrum entirely forgotten. “Race you.”

Alfie and Holly allowed him to get into the kitchen first simply to keep the peace before following him in. Beth felt so bad for Alfie, he had so much weight on his ten year old shoulders and not for the first time she silently cursed her dead husband.

“He’ll be fine,” said Riley, putting his arm around Beth.

“I hope so,” she sighed into his shoulder. She feared what she’d do with Archie once Riley had returned to his unit. Her little slice of heaven was going to quickly descend into hell.

CHAPTER 4

“Jules, visitor,” called Anita, a cute twenty-something with short, spiky dark hair, nose pierced, tattoo sleeves up both arms. She was also a very talented artist, which was why Jules had hired her to help out at the tattoo studio, located right next door to the gym owned by Mikey. Thanks to Jules’s own excellent reputation as a tattoo artist business was booming.

“Tell them I’ll be there in five,” she called back. “I can’t leave Kenny here with a bare bell end,” she said before pushing the needle through the delicate foreskin. Kenny’s eyes bulged and he released a shriek of pain. “It’s alright, almost there,” she said. The needle erupted through the other side of the skin and Kenny released a groan and sagged back in the chair, sweating. “I just need to put the jewellery in now,” she said, expertly threading through the ring. “There Kenny mate, all done.” She patted the dazed man on the shoulder. “I’ve got a visitor, Anita will finish you off, so to speak.”

She pulled off the latex gloves and tossed them into a bin. After washing her hands Jules walked through to reception and smiled. “Dane Black. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

Dane seemed to fill the small reception area, broad shoulders blocking out the light. “I didn’t expect to be here but we need to talk.”

“About what?”

“Is there somewhere more private we can go?”

“Told you I was irresistible,” she grinned.

“It’s not that. I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Like I haven’t heard that old chestnut before.”

“Jules, I’m serious. You need to know this.”

“We can talk here, my next appointment isn’t due for another ten minutes, unless you want to see Kenny and his amazing jewelled nob.”

“Here will be fine,” he said, pulling a face. “Someone just tried to fuck over one my deliveries.”

“Delivery? Cake? Flowers?”

“Stop fucking about, I’m seriously pissed off,” he growled.

Jules knew when to stop larking about and she recognised now was that time. “You mean, the product?” Dane and his crew were the main suppliers for methamphetamine in the city, under the umbrella of the Maguires.

“Yes.”

“I take it the culprits are six feet under?”

“No, we’re not animals but they are currently enjoying the finest healthcare Manchester has to offer and they will be for weeks to come.”

“Did they give anything up?”

“Yeah. They swore no mastermind was behind it, it was just a band of drugged-up fuckwits who thought they might try their luck. Apparently the Starklaws have been mouthing off about how Jez and Mikey are finished and they’re going to be the next kings of Manchester. They were too scared to take them on directly so they thought they’d have a go at me instead. The Starklaws’ big fucking gobs are going to get them into a shit heap of trouble.”

“This is how it always starts.”

“How what starts?”

“War. Pricks with a death wish start trying their luck. It means everyone thinks we’re weak.”

“Word’s spread about the attack on Mikey’s bookies and Jez’s garage and they’ve not retaliated for it yet.”

“We’re still looking for Nilsen, he’s gone to ground like the coward he is. Why have you come to me with this anyway? Go to Mikey or Jez.”

“I’m not setting foot in the compound.”

“Afraid you won’t come out alive?”

“Plenty haven’t and Mikey is still pissed off at me for not telling him about my relationship with you.”

“That’s history, he’s over that for God’s sake. Stop being a wussy and go and see him.”

“I am not going to the compound,” he insisted. “I’m not an idiot.”

“Then call him. I don’t know what you expect me to do, I’m just a humble grunt and I’m busy, I do have a business to run.”

“So you’re not going to tell him?”

“Do it yourself or if you’re worried go to Jez instead. He’s a bit more laid back than Mikey and you have a history with Ryan.” The door opened and Jules smiled. “And here’s my next appointment.”

Jackson Driscoll, mixed martial arts champion and Jules’s on-off lover, walked in.

“Hi Jax,” smiled Jules.

“Hi sweetheart,” he smiled back.

“Sweetheart,” snorted Dane. “Obviously you don’t know her.”

Jax contented himself with throwing him a glower. “I’m here for my appointment.”

“How could I forget?” she said. “Come through to the back.”

“Excuse me, we were talking,” scowled Dane.

“And I told you what to do, so go do it. I don’t know what else you want from me,” said Jules.

“Is this bloke bothering you?” frowned Jax.

Dane turned on him and the two men squared up to each other. Jules took a moment to admire these two powerful males butting heads over her.

Their attention was drawn by a small, skinny man limping out of one of the back rooms, looking pale and ill.

“Alright Kenny? How are you feeling?” said Jules cheerfully.

“Skewered,” was his reply. He tugged his wallet out of his jean’s pocket and winced. “Ow.”

“Don’t worry Kenny, the missus is going to love it.”

“She’d bloody better,” he muttered, handing over his credit card.

While Jules processed the payment, Jax and Dane continued to glare at each other, both aware of the other’s history with Jules, while Kenny shivered and shook.

“There you go Kenny. Enjoy,” she said, handing the card back. “Has Anita explained about the aftercare?”

“Yeah. Now I need a lie down,” he said, shuffling to the door.

“What’s up with him?” said Jax when he’d gone.

“I stuck a dirty great needle through his cock,” she replied with relish.

“And probably enjoyed it while you did it,” said Dane.

“How well you know me,” she grinned. “Ready to come through to the back Jax?”

“I am,” he said eagerly.

“But…,” began Dane.

“For God’s sake, stop being so helpless,” snapped Jules. “You’re Dane Black, sort it out yourself.”

With that she disappeared into a back room with Jax, leaving him to seethe. Anita regarded him warily. “Anything I can help you with?”

“No,” he said, glaring at the closed door before storming out.

“So Jax, are we still going with the grim reaper on your chest?” said Jules as he settled himself into the chair.

“Yep.”

“And you filled out all the paperwork with Anita?”

“It’s all done and dusted.”

“Alright, get your top off then.”

His eyes on hers, he whipped off the t-shirt and cast it aside. Jules turned away, trying not to think about all those bulging muscles and smooth golden skin. “Been on the sunbed again?”

“I’m flattered you noticed.”

“You are such a girl.”

“You know I’m all man sweetheart.”

Images of him in the ring battering the crap out of his opponents flicked through her mind but she pushed them aside. She really, truly liked this man and she was all too aware that he wanted her for much more than casual sex but she couldn’t do that to him. He was good and decent and she wouldn’t ruin him by dragging him into her world.

She picked up the rubbing alcohol, took a deep breath and turned to face him, steeling herself against the sight of that delectable body. As she started to rub the gel into his chest he released a small sigh of pleasure.

“Stop it,” she said.

“Stop what?”

“Trying to turn me on.”

“I’m not. I’m just here for a tattoo,” he said innocently.

“Then you won’t mind Anita doing it.”

“I want you to do it.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the better artist.”

She frowned down at him suspiciously. “I’m here to work, that’s all.”

“I know.”

His grin was so charming she couldn’t resist it and she smiled back before producing a razor.

“I was waxed yesterday,” he said.

“There you go again, being all manly. But I have to make sure there aren’t any fine hairs left behind, they’ll ruin it.”

His eyes remained locked on her as she worked. She applied soap and water to that strapping chest, preparing it for the stencil to be applied, the sight of all those wet muscles almost too much and she hastily tore her gaze away.

“Why do you insist on keeping your distance from me?” he said as she turned her back on him.

“For your sake,” was her reply. “Believe me, it’s not for mine.” She thought of all the terrible things she’d done, Jax had always had the unnerving habit of giving her a conscience. “I’ll get Anita to do your tattoo because I can’t.”

Strong arms wrapped themselves around her and she found herself spun round and pulled down on top of all those muscles she’d been trying so hard to avoid.

“What the hell are you doing?” she said, squirming in his grip.

“Send Anita out for lunch.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you Jules. Right now.”

“I’m not running a knocking shop here. If anyone finds out I’ll be shut down.”

“Not if you’re on a lunch break too.”

“I said no Jax.”

He sighed and released her. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Now, can you control yourself for a couple of hours while I get the outline done?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“You’d better or I’ll be really pissed off. I have another three appointments booked in after yours so I don’t have time for arsing about.”

“You won’t get any trouble from me.”

She frowned at him doubtfully before bending over him to lay down the stencil.

Jax stared up at the ceiling, trying not to think about her hands sliding over his chest. “What did Dane Black want?” he said. He’d tried not to ask but he simply had to know if they were back together.

“Just business.”

“Nothing personal then?”

“Nah. That’s history.”

“I think that’s best for you,” he said, voice quavering as her hand moved lower, gently smoothing the stencil over his abdominal muscles.

“You don’t like Dane, do you?”

“Not really. It’s all the showmanship he puts on at his club, it’s so false.”

“What about all the showmanship at your matches?”

“That’s different.”

“How?” she said, amused.

“He wears tight leather trousers.”

“And you wear tiny shorts. I find it impossible to decide which are best. Jesus Jax,” she exclaimed.

“Sorry, it’s a reflex,” he said, glaring down at his treacherous erection clearly showing through his jeans.

“How am I supposed to concentrate with that thing lurking about?”

“I’ll think about cold showers and The X Factor, it’ll soon go away.”

“It better.” Jules tilted her stool so she was facing up his body rather than down, heat flooding her face.

Finally the stencil was finished and she was able to turn away from him to retrieve her tattoo gun. After setting up the machine she retook her place on the stool but, before she could begin, he took her hand.

“Please Jax, don’t,” she said.

“I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

“You’re happier but you’re not the whole way yet. What will it take?”

“You’re hoping I’ll say you?”

“Kind of but I’ve learnt not to get my hopes up.”

The hurt in his voice made her wince.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said gently.

“It’s okay.” She sighed and put down the tattoo gun. “Do you know why Ryan and Rachel’s relationship works so well?”

“No idea, I’ve never met them.”

“They’re awesome together and that’s because they have no secrets. They know everything about each other, the worst things they’ve done. They’re not two people they’re one. That’s what I want.”

“We could have that.”

“No we couldn’t. I see it with Mikey and Jez and their wives. Their work means they can never be completely honest with the women they’re married to and they have no idea of the bad things they’ve done. I bet Cathy and Amber have wondered but they’ve more than likely never imagined how horrible the truth is. That’s what it would be like with us, me keeping secrets from you for your own good and I don’t want that.”

“I understand what you mean,” he said. “But where does that leave you?”

“I don’t know and to be honest, I don’t want to think about it.”

“You don’t have to work for Mikey and Jez, you’ve got your own business now, you could come out of that way of life. It worked for Ryan.”

“I’m not like him, this way of life is in my blood. He left because he wanted the quiet life with his wife and kids but that’s not me, I thrive on the danger and excitement. Without it I’d wither away.”