The Crescendo (25 page)

Jaz clung to him as they opened their mouths, kissing and tasting with a feverish need. It was red-hot and she was burning with want and desire.

Ryan pulled back a fraction, his breath coming in shallow pants, caressing her face each time. ‘I gotta go. I love you.'

‘I love you too. Be careful,' she said before stealing another kiss.

Ryan groaned, then pulled away as if it pained him to do so.

She knew just how he felt. Ryan turned the light back on for her as he went inside and she found the light rude and intrusive. She wanted to revel in the kiss, in the dark where the memories lingered, yet the bright light forced her to pick up the rubbish bag and put it in the bin.

When she went back inside she locked the door and went to the toilet. She needed to splash water on her face, her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Maybe it was her whole body? As she stared at her face in the mirror, she wondered if they'd all notice the flushed cheeks and sparkly eyes? Maybe Bud would think it was for him?

Jaz had to endure the rest of the night but it was worth it to have Ryan so close. She had to make the most of it, as it could be another month before she saw him again. Ryan stayed until Stevo and Bud left. They'd all come together, apparently.

She hugged Bud goodbye but her eyes were only for Ryan and she tried to take in as much of him as she could. It was strange to have her arms around one bloke while staring at the man you loved.

‘Text me tomorrow,' said Jaz as Bud headed to the door. ‘Bye Stevo, bye Reece. Come back soon.'

Then they were gone and Jaz had to stop herself from running outside, or from bursting into tears, or throwing a chair. She couldn't decide which would make her feel better.

‘Hey, trouble. Seems like the decorations better stay,' said Ted. He put his arm around her shoulder and led her back to the bar where only six people remained, having their last beers.

‘I told you people would like it, even if they mightn't say so.' She gave Ted a nudge in the ribs. ‘You're an ol' softy, I'm sure of it.'

‘Na, I think you've got me mixed up with someone else,' said Ted. ‘I'm a grumpy bar manager who's gonna sack your arse if you don't get this place cleaned up.'

He tried to frown but it came off looking like a soft teddy bear with a monobrow. Not that she'd ever tell him that.

By the time Jaz had cleaned up, caught the bus, then driven back to The Ring, she was exhausted. Seeing Ryan had flipped her emotions and she felt drained and a little sad.

It wasn't until she crawled into her bed after her shower she realised she had company. The bed did feel warmer.

‘Hey you,' said Jaz. She snuggled up to Anna, wrapping her arms around her friend. ‘You get scared?'

‘Maybe. Tay went home so he could see his dad in the morning and I didn't want to be in my room alone.'

Growing up they'd often shared a bed, like best friends do. Like a comfort teddy or blanket. Which was exactly what Jaz needed now.

‘I don't want to be alone either,' said Jaz as tears sprung from her eyes. She couldn't help it. The more she thought about Ryan, the tattoo and how tired he looked, the more the tears came.

Upon hearing her sniffles, Anna rolled over. ‘Oh, Jaz. Are you okay? Talk to me. What is it?' Her voice no longer sounded sleepy.

‘I'm sorry, it's just me being silly. Go back to sleep.'

‘No.' Anna brushed her hair back and waited. ‘Did something happen with Bud?'

Jaz shook her head. ‘Ryan came tonight. He has the Serpent tattoo and he looks different, unhealthy I guess. It was good to see him but I don't know why I'm crying. I'm being a baby,' she said, feeling ridiculous but unable to stop the tears or the sobs.

‘You miss him. That's not silly. He's probably feeling just as bad right now. You need to be strong for him. You guys will get through this. You'll be together soon. I know you will.'

Jaz smiled through her tears and took her first steadying breath. ‘You think?'

‘I know so. I know everything, after all.' Anna rubbed her hand up and down Jaz's arm. ‘Come on, it's late and you're probably tired. You'll feel better in the morning. Try and sleep.'

Anna was such a mum. But Jaz loved her for it. Sometimes it was needed.

‘I'm glad you're here. I love you Annabanana.'

‘I love you too, Jazzy.'

Somehow Jaz managed to get off to sleep, thanks to Anna. Her steady rhythmic breathing drew her mind into the darkness where her dreams of sand and waves took over.

Chapter 24

Ryan pulled out his gun and checked the clip of bullets. It was habit. And his gun was needed more with his entry into the Shesha Serpents. He rubbed the tattoo on his wrist as if it had been done with pen and he was trying to smudge it, only the ink that was etched deep in his skin wouldn't budge. It felt awkward, like he was wearing a dress or something that just wasn't him. Every time he looked at it he felt bad, not wanting to be associated with such scum, but he tried hard to use the tattoo as a symbol of his determination to bring the gang down. It was his reminder of how far he'd come, the sacrifices he'd made—Jaz's face flashed before his eyes—and just what was at stake.

Oh, Jaz. How he missed her. That night in the pub was just what he needed to keep his spirits up. She was his prize, if he could see out this mission he got to be with her, which was something he reminded himself of constantly. Her face alone was enough to keep him going. But stealing that kiss, it curled his toes just reliving it in his memory. How sweet she tasted and how warm she felt against his body when he felt so cold and alone. Jaz made him feel human, made him feel like Ryan. If only he had the time to tell her that. He shouldn't have risked a kiss; if they'd been seen it could have caused all sorts of trouble, but it was a selfish need that took over his body and his common sense. But hell, it had been totally worth it. He couldn't wait for when it could be just them together with all the time in the world to explore and get reacquainted.

Ryan tucked his gun into the glove box, as he wouldn't need it until after they picked up the girl, and rubbed at the tattoo again. It was like a mozzie bite, irritating and itchy but he knew it was just his mind taking a dislike to it and what it represented. Even Jaz. He'd seen the shock, the horror and the sadness all flash through her eyes when she spotted it. He'd have cut the tattoo out there and then if it would have brought her smile back. He lived for that smile, those lips. Closing his eyes, he tried to picture them without groaning out loud.

Wilkins was driving them to the airport for another pick-up. Randall was in the back. It was business as usual.

It had been Wilkins who pulled him aside one night to tell him he'd been accepted into the Shesha Serpents if he wished to join. Of course Ryan had asked what it meant and what it entailed.

‘It means being loyal to Jamison, it shows that we are his trusted men and we do what is asked of us with no questions asked, and total secrecy,' Wilkins had said. ‘It also means a bonus pay rise and a few perks. And a word of warning, don't take this position lightly. You can't change your mind or back out. No one ever leaves the Shesha Serpents.'

‘So Jamison's the one that gave the okay for this?' Ryan had asked. He needed to know who really led this rebel group.

‘Yes. If you agree to join, you will need to meet with Jamison. Others only talk to Randall but the boss man wants to see you personally. Could be due to a family conflict,' Willkie had said with a smirk.

Ryan had said he'd join and so the next step had been put in place. A meeting with Jamison. It was inside the house, in his study and Randall had delivered him personally with no words of encouragement, which was to be expected from Randy.

Jamison had been wearing another suit. Ryan was yet to see him out of one. He'd wondered if his pyjamas were similar in style.

‘So you want to join the Shesha Serpents and you've heard what it entails,' Jamison had said, cutting right to the point.

‘Yes, sir. I'm prepared to serve you and your business for Annaliese's future,' had been Ryan's reply.

‘Good. I like you, Reece, you are good for my daughter. She cares for you deeply, I've never seen her this interested in anything before. If you're the man she marries then you will be the only son I have, and eventually I'd like to intergrate you into the family business and hopefully have you running it when I'm gone. Does that interest you?'

‘Yes, sir. I love Annaliese. She is my future and so is working in the family business.'

And with a nod from Jamison, it had been confirmed. He would join the Shesha Serpents.

Randall had come for him then and he'd been taken straight to the tattoo artist. Ryan knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Men like Jamison didn't just give people a business, Ryan was on trial and would be for a long time before he was trusted with any part of the Jamison empire. But for now he was allowed to take the first step towards that future by joining the gang. With it had come access to the back room at the warehouse.

Ryan was sure Wilkins, Bud and the others didn't have the clearance that Ryan had, but they weren't being groomed as Jamison's protégé either.

What he'd found in that back room had been cells, cages for human girls, plus a small office where the documents for this side of his business remained hidden away. Ryan was yet to get his eyes on anything of substance but he knew it would just need time. Drugs were also stacked in locked vault, which, going by the girl who had been in the cell, they used to get the girls addicted so they had control over them. Was it ice, meth, cocaine? It didn't really matter, it was all the same to him.

Trying to keep his anger locked inside wasn't helping his health any. Fitness was his only release, punishing his body until the pain cleared his mind. Annaliese loved his lean muscled body, but it only made Ryan hate himself. Some days he even tried to do the yoga Jaz had taught him, to be closer to her and to try and free his mind. It was probably the closest he came to relaxed.

Wilkins stopped the car at the airport short-term parking. Ryan and Randall got out and headed to the International terminal. He checked his watch, plane should have just landed. As they waited at the arrivals gate, Ryan fished out the bit of paper in his pocket and unfolded it. It had the name of the girl they were waiting for—Alexa Brillantes.

Ryan had been completely surprised to find out the girls came into the country like everyone else. Mind you, they probably had forged passports but they came in on visas to be housemaids. Not that any of them became housemaids. Ryan had asked Randall why they came in this way, as he'd thought they'd come by boat, smuggled into the country illegally. Which he assumed was what the warehouse was all about. Randall had explained that it was too costly paying off all the corrupt police, this way they came in legit by the government on working visas. It was all too easy.

Yet another way the system was fraught with loopholes. It hadn't taken Ryan long to work out these girls came in, and then Jamison farmed them out to pimps who were no doubt on his payroll.

After ten minutes, a small girl, hardly seventeen, came to stand in front of him and pointed to the sign. ‘Me,' she said. Her long dark hair reminded him of Jaz and he felt the urge to grab this girl and make a run for it. But it wouldn't save the others.

‘Follow me,' he said to the girl. She wore a simple white t-shirt and black shorts with thongs. She carried only a small backpack that had seen better days. He wondered how she got mixed up in all this. How did they get the girls? By promising a great life in Australia? Were they sold to pay off family debts? Were they threatened? These questions would hopefully be found out in time.

He led the girl out to the car, she followed, Randall behind them both to make sure the girl didn't run.

Once inside the car Wilkins took them back to the warehouse. This was Ryan's sixth trip to the airport to collect a girl. And she would be the sixth one he'd have to deliver to some pimp or rich man wanting a plaything. Each one wore him down and made him more desperate to put an end to all the suffering.

At the warehouse it was his job to put the girl in the cell. It wasn't nice. Just a simple bed in the corner and a toilet, much like a prison cell. This room stank like a men's toilet at a dirty pub, and mould. The girl started to cry when she saw it, yelling out in Filipino.

‘What are you doing? I was told my family would be waiting. Why am I here? Don't put me in there.'

At least he was pretty sure that's what she was saying. Ryan had been taking Filipino lessons after his time with Yanna. Not being able to speak to her, to tell her to stay strong had been hard. So he'd started studying straightaway in his flat in secret. He also hoped it would help him learn more, maybe enough to talk to the girls to get information about the other side of the trafficking.

Ryan grabbed the girl now, holding her shoulders.

‘It's okay,' he said. Randall had gone into the office but could probably still hear him. ‘Just relax, have a rest.'

‘Fuck you,' she said. Obviously some English she knew. The girl started yelling again in Filipino, too fast for him but he got the gist of what she was saying. While she was rambling, Randall came out with a needle and jabbed her in the arm. He'd just pumped her with a sedative. Ryan tried not to wince. Next would come the drugs. Ryan was getting all too familiar with the routine. She started to go limp and he gathered her up in his arms.

Man he hated this part of the job. Shooting the bastards like Randall and Jamison was much more fun. Since Ryan had been helping Randall with this line of work, Randall had become reserved. Maybe it was because he didn't mix work with friendship, or maybe it was because Ryan wasn't doing a good enough job at hiding his disdain. For whatever reason, his distance was purposeful.