Absolution (33 page)

“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

He walked over to her, his towel draped around his neck, smiling encouragingly.  

Sure. Fine. Whatever.

She ignored him, leaning down to pick up her other towel off the concrete.

“I’ll meet you out front, okay?” she said over her shoulder as she headed towards the changing rooms.

“No hurry, take your time.”

She could feel his gaze on her as she made her way through the double doors and into the corridor.

How the hell am I going to get changed with my hands shaking like this?

“She’ll be fine – Jack was with her,” Callum said, throwing Maggie a sidelong glance.

Barney’s was unusually busy for a Sunday night, so the three of them were perched at the bar rather than at their usual table.

“Which is precisely where the problem lies,” Jane interjected, taking a quick sip of her drink.

“What on earth possessed you to let him go with you tonight?” Maggie asked.

“He said he wanted to talk to her.”

“That’s some test you’re putting him through,” Jane said.

“It wasn’t a test,” he said, sucking his bottom lip through his teeth as he prepared to defend himself. “Jack and I’ve had a lot of time this past week, to talk about stuff. It’s been… weird, but good, in a way. He says he’s staying, and the more I talk to him, the more I believe him.”

“Seriously?” Jane frowned.

He stared at the ring of condensation on the bar in front of him. “I saw them together, last Sunday afternoon. You should’ve been there – it was like before, like nothing had changed. She wants him to stay, and he wants to stay. It’s that simple.”

“So what was tonight about then?” Jane asked.

“Tonight was about getting her to realise that if she wants him here, she’s gotta start trusting him.”

“You think it’s that easy?” Maggie prodded gently.

“I didn’t say it was easy. I just think it’s the only way. Too many damn secrets, those two. It’s no way to live. They eat you up from the inside, out.”

He took another swig of beer, swallowing slowly. He couldn’t get the image of Jack and Ally kissing out of his mind. She had never looked at him the way he had seen her looking at Jack that day.

Talking with Jack these past few days, getting to know him again, he could see how torn up he was about what happened. He was the first to admit he had done the wrong thing by taking off, and he seemed happy to be punished for it – the fact that he had sought out that punishment recently had made that markedly clear. He also seemed determined to try and make it up to Ally somehow, and he didn’t seem to care how long that took or what he had to do. Hadn’t he given Ally the choice this time? And hadn’t she asked him to stay? It must have hurt like hell to put that decision in her hands, and it must have taken a leap of faith unlike anything he could even imagine for her to ask him to stay.

That was love, pure and simple, as much as it ripped his guts out to admit it.

He downed the last of his beer in one long gulp and stood up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You’re leaving?” Jane asked.

“Yeah, got stuff to do.”

“What stuff? Where are you going?” Maggie looked up at him.

He pulled her into a quick hug. “I’m going home to kick the cat,” he murmured, releasing her.

“But you don’t have a cat.”

“Busted.”

He gave them both a wry wave and made his way across the crowded room, past the jukebox and the guys playing pool, past the tables and the booths and out across what passed for the dance-floor, into the cool night air.

All he wanted right at this moment, was a little peace, and for someone to tell him that he had done the right thing tonight. Not for the first time, he wished Tom were here.

Jack waited for Ally in the small lobby, reclining on one of the old 1960s armchairs – all style and no comfort. The arms were chrome tubing and the springs had seen better days. Even the upholstery was worn, faded all over and ripped in places. He fidgeted, trying to get comfortable. He looked at his watch again. She did say she would be a while.

After his self-imposed exile of the past few days, all he wanted was to be with her. Being without her for four years, he had convinced himself he could live that way, if he needed to. But now that he was home and she was here, he knew he had been fooling himself. The shell of the man he used to be had begun to fill out again – the broken soul and the shattered heart had begun to heal and he could feel the physical change within him. He was becoming complete again, a whole person, not merely fragments of someone he used to be.

Kissing her tonight had been completely unplanned. He knew she would see his tattoo tonight, but he was completely unprepared for her reaction. Her heartfelt, honest observation had awoken in him the basic need to soothe her, protect her, keep her safe. He knew he could do it, too, if only he could convince her to let him.

He had watched over his towel with mounting admiration as she pulled herself out of the pool. He didn’t really know what to expect, or how she would manage. He had briefly wondered if she was lying about not needing help, but it was clear she was more than capable. He was impressed with her strength and technique, managing the seemingly impossible with grace and dignity. He had wanted to tell her so, but she had taken off before he had the chance.

He checked his watch again and stood up, stretching as he went to the noticeboard, gazing idly over the newsletters pinned there.

Before the accident, Ally was a dynamo – always talking, forever in motion. Now however, she was reined in somehow. Tethered, controlled. Something fundamental had changed, not physically, but mentally. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. How did she see him now? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

The door behind him opened and he turned to see Ally making her way through the door towards him, now wearing dark jeans and a sweatshirt, her gym bag on her lap. He smiled and walked over to retrieve his own bag off the floor.

“Shall we go?” he pulled open the outer door for her.

She gave him a weak smile, pushing herself through the door and out into the parking lot. The air was cool compared to the warmth of the pool building, and he shivered involuntarily.

“So, where do you want to go?” she asked as they made their way across the parking lot towards her car. “My place? Or do you want to go out somewhere? Barneys is probably still open.”

He shrugged as they neared her car. “Your place is fine. I’d say my place, but I need to go to the supermarket and stock up on food first.”

“I’m so glad the gas problem’s been fixed. You must be looking forward to going home.”

“Yeah, I am.”

He tried to tell himself it wasn’t a lie. He
was
looking forward to going home.

As they approached her car, two men materialised out of nowhere. One grabbed him and pushed him back against her car. A knee rammed tight against his and a forearm thrust hard up against his throat so he could barely breathe. Gasping, he stared desperately past the face inches from his own. The other guy stood next to Ally, arms folded across his chest. His heart sank.

“Well, hello there,” growled Jimmy, his gravelly voice the result of years of smoking. “Small world isn’t it?”

Jack struggled in vain. The knee rammed tighter into his, the arm across his throat pressing harder. It was difficult to breathe, much less speak.

“You’re a hard man to find, Jack. But you didn’t really think you’d be able to hide in this little shit-hole of a town forever, did you?”

Jack’s eyes were on Ally, silently begging for understanding. She stared back at him, wide-eyed, her hands gripping the rims of her chair. Jimmy stood just beside her, within striking distance, but he didn’t appear to be paying her any attention.

“How’d you find me?” Jack croaked, his throat burning.

“Not really your concern. I’m here now, that’s the important thing.” Jimmy moved to stand behind Ally, his huge hands resting on her shoulders. “We got a little business to discuss, you and me. Ben says you owe him; I’m here to collect. It’s simple really, when you think about it. Very straightforward. Ben doesn’t like complications – and you, my man, are a complication.”

Jack winced as the arm against his throat pushed harder. “How much?” he croaked.

“Ten grand.”

Jack’s heart tried to jump out of his throat but was blocked by the arm threatening to crush his windpipe. “I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Well you’ve got forty-eight hours to get it. Ben’s not a guy you want to disappoint, Jack, as you well know.”

The guy holding Jack released him just long enough to drive a hammer blow into his solar plexus, winding him instantly. Ally cried out as he doubled over in pain. The guy dragged him upright again and shoved him back against the car, making the pain worse.

Suddenly, Ally cried out, her upper body arching upwards as her eyes widened in pain. Jimmy’s mouth curved into a cold smile.

“Get your hands off her!” Jack croaked, renewing his struggles.

Jimmy’s eyes were dead and black as coal. “Or we could come back and take this pretty little doll for a ride she’ll never forget – how ‘bout that for an alternative?”

Ally sat poker straight and perfectly still, Jimmy’s fingertips still buried in her shoulders. Jack saw red. He twisted and squirmed, breathing heavily as he fought to get free and knock Jimmy clear into next week. Finally, the guy holding him tired of the game and head-butted him. Jack’s vision swam as he fell forward. He kissed the concrete, loose stones digging into his face as the world around him faded.

He came to, dragged roughly upwards, aware of Ally begging desperately for them to leave him alone. He tasted blood. His head lolled forward and he fought to keep it on top of his neck. 

“It’s okay,” he mumbled, his vision still hazy. “It’s okay.”

“What a hero,” Jimmy sneered. “Ten grand, forty-eight hours. Got that?”

Jack tried to nod but his head felt like it was going to separate from his shoulders. He spat out a mouthful of blood directly onto the guy holding him. Taking exception, the guy swore at him and slammed his fist into Jack’s face.

Jack’s legs gave out and he slid down the side of the car, his ears ringing. As many times as he had fought in the ring, he couldn’t ever remember getting a whipping that felt anything near as bad as this. He gasped for breath, crouching on the concrete.

Ally!

Jimmy grabbed a handful of his shirt, yanking him upright as Jack struggled to find his feet.

“Stop it!” Ally pleaded frantically, crying now. “Please leave him alone!”

“Aw, she’s a keeper, Jack. She seems to have a thing for you,” Jimmy chuckled, shaking his head before turning serious once more. “We know where you live and we know where she lives, so don’t try anything stupid like calling the cops because we’re watching you – both of you.  Be smart about this Jack, and no one gets hurt.”

Jack blinked away the haze he was looking through, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Why did he send you?” he questioned, struggling to keep his head in the game. “Why didn’t he just come get me himself?”

“That would be none of your business,” Jimmy said coldly. “But let’s just say that if it gets out that he let you get away with ripping him off, it’s over for him – so you can bet your ass he’s taking this little situation very seriously. You know me, Jack. I know you do. Don’t push me.”