Shattered (Dividing Line #5) (3 page)

“The kids?”

“Are safe and well. Don’t worry about them. They’re enjoying their holiday. Me and Ryan are right here so you can rest easy.”

She gave him a slow nod before her eyes slid shut again.

When Mikey walked in he hesitated. He hadn’t realised Rick would be here so soon and he didn’t want him hearing what he had to tell Ryan. He didn’t really want Ryan to hear it either.

“How are you Rick?” said Mikey, extending his hand.

Rick regarded his proffered hand with distaste. “I don’t shake hands with Maguires.”

“This isn’t down to me. Rachel’s like my sister.”

“She was like Alex’s sister once and look what happened there.”

“I would never…”

“Yeah I bet Alex said that once and all. This room is a Maguire-free zone so you can piss off.”

“I love Rachel too, I’m trying to help.”

Rick stood nose to nose with him. “All you care about is grabbing what you can before he gets back on his feet,” he said, pointing in Alex’s direction. “I don’t want you or anyone called Maguire anywhere near my daughter. Since she met Danny she’s spent half her life in hospital. You’re rotten, the lot of you. You all had the cheek to look down on the Montford and the Laws when they’re twice the family you are. Now fuck off,” he yelled in Mikey’s face.

His raised voice roused Rachel from her sleep.

“It’s alright Babe,” said Ryan, stroking her hair.

Reassured, her eyes closed again.

“Alright, if that’s what you want,” said Mikey, hoping he didn’t look as hurt as he felt. He took one last look at Rachel before heading for the door. “Ryan, can I talk to you?”

Ryan nodded, experiencing a touch of nervousness because he knew he was about to find out exactly what Rachel had endured. He kissed her forehead before following Mikey out of the room.

“Do you want us to leave too?” Battler asked Rick.

“Your last name isn’t Maguire, is it?”

“No.”

“Then you can stay,” he replied, retaking his seat. He looked through the window towards Alex’s room with murder on his mind.

CHAPTER 3

“You spoke to Beth?” Ryan asked Mikey, opening the door of the Relative’s Room. He bobbed his head inside to make sure it was empty before entering.

“I did,” he replied.

They sat opposite each other and Mikey began to relate what he’d learnt.

It was a surprise to Ryan to find out that Nick’s own brother had sold him and Beth out and that Alex had murdered Martina.

“The sick dirty bastard,” he spat. “Martina was a good woman, all she wanted was for her family to be happy. He got rid of her so he could do what he wanted without having to answer to anyone. All that about her winding him up until he snapped is bullshit. That sneaky way of injecting her while she slept was premeditated, cold and he didn’t want her to know he was her murderer.” Ryan was genuinely upset. Martina had been the one to make the rest of the family accept his relationship with Rachel, she’d supported them and been a grandmother to their boys. It was disgusting that her own child had killed her.

“At least she wouldn’t have known about it, I suppose that’s a blessing. But there’s more.” Mikey wasn’t sure it was his place to break this news to Ryan, Rachel might want to do it herself or she might not want him to know at all but he thought an experience like that might change her attitude towards close contact with men and it was only fair he was forewarned. “Beth said when Rachel was taken to that house in Moss Side Alex forced her upstairs and tried to rape her.”

Ryan grabbed Mikey roughly by the shoulders. “Please tell me he didn’t.”

“No, he didn’t, thanks to Alfie and Archie. They managed to stop him going all the way.”

“So he took her to the brothel to be raped instead because he couldn’t do it himself.” Ryan sighed and released him, the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“I thought you should know because we can’t be sure how an experience like that will affect her, you know, in the bedroom.”

“Yes thank you Mikey, I know what you mean,” he snapped. “Jesus why that? Hadn’t he hurt her enough?”

“It was about power and domination, a big fuck you to you as well as her. Beth said he knows about something that happened between you and Rachel in Martina’s Bar years ago when she split up with Danny. That’s what’s been driving him crazy, as well as the fact that Frank wanted Rachel in charge.”

“I thought so. He almost killed her for that. It was nothing for Christ’s sake and her and Danny weren’t even together at the time. She never cheated on him, despite how much I encouraged her to.” He pressed his palms to his eyes. “Alex trying to rape her would have devastated Rachel more than anything, more than the beating and the throat cutting. The ultimate betrayal from a man she considered to be a brother.”

“Beth wants to see Rachel. I’m not sure it’s a good idea with Alex in such close proximity.”

“Let her. They’re best friends and they need each other but keep the kids away.”

Mikey nodded. “There’s one more thing.”

“I’m not sure how much more I can take.”

“Alex told Jan Jordan that Rachel was still a leader in the family before they had that meeting. According to Nick, if Alex had told Jan the truth she would have left Rachel alone. Although she was curious about her she was only interested in the leaders.”

“And Thomas would still be alive?”

“Yes.”

Ryan shot to his feet and slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a large indentation in the plaster.

“I’ll kill him, I’ll fucking kill him,” he yelled.

Mikey jumped up and grabbed Ryan by the shoulders. “Listen to me. Yes you will kill him but not here and not now. Do you hear me? Everything hinges on you keeping your cool.”

Ryan nodded and raised a hand. “Alright, I’m calm.”

“Good. I’m sorry he’s taken so much from you.”

“Yes he has and he will pay for it.”

“Now, can I go and bring Beth in without having to worry about you charging into Alex’s room?”

“Yes,” sighed Ryan. “We need to know as much as we can about Alex’s other businesses, the ones he kept from you.”

“The Sugar brothers are the ones to go to about that. Not the two youngest, they’re a couple of plebs, Alex only lets them near things they can’t screw up. Gavin Sugar might be the best bet, he’s weaker than Col and Andy.”

“Track him down as quickly as you can.”

“I will. It shouldn’t hard, I’ll just check the local pubs, he’s a bit of a piss-head. By the way, Frankie McVay’s been on the phone non-stop. What should I do about him?”

“Oh Christ, I’d forgotten about him. Where is he?”

“Holed up in the flat I bought off you when me and Amber got together.”

“Leave him there for now, I don’t want him in my hotel, he’ll draw too much attention. Tell him we’ll all visit him this evening. I don’t think they’ll let me spend the night here anyway.”

“He’s called in a couple of his heavies from Glasgow. They should be here later today.”

“Oh fucking fantastic, that’s all we need.”

“He’s got his collection of body parts in my old flat,” said Mikey with distaste. “Stu’s head is in my fridge. When he’s gone I’m having a new kitchen fitted.”

“Your sodding décor’s the least of our worries. Tell him we’ll be round in a few hours and for God’s sake try and keep him in the flat.”

Mikey huffed. Why did he keep getting lumbered with babysitting the psychopath?

Katia had sat in devastated silence for a full minute after Col broke the news to her about Alex. He’d taken her to a safe house owned by Alex that no one else knew about. Robbie Jordan was with them, his left arm, which had been nicked by a bullet, held in a sling. When Col looked at him questioningly he just shrugged.

“Katia, are you okay?” Col eventually said, becoming worried.

She raised her head, blinking myopically before her face twisted with anger, an almost animal scream flying from her lips. She picked up the bowl of pot pourri off the coffee table and hurled it at the wall, Robbie just managing to move out of the way before it collided with his head.

“The bastard Laws, I will kill them all for this,” she screamed.

“It wasn’t them who shot him, it was Beth,” said Robbie.

“That ugly little shrew? I don’t believe it. She couldn’t bring down a man like Alex.”

“It was her, I saw it happen,” he insisted. “He laughed at her, he didn’t believe she could do it but when he started cutting Rachel’s throat, she did.”

“Only because the Laws attacked, giving her the chance. It is their fault and I will kill Rachel and Ryan personally.”

“No Katia, you won’t. Alex won’t want you anywhere near them because you wouldn’t stand a chance against either of them,” said Col.

“I could easily kill Rachel.”

“No you couldn’t. I saw her fight Alex and she actually managed to stand up to him with no weapons, just her fists. You’re used to dealing with weak scared women, nothing in her league. She’s an anomaly, nothing like any woman I’ve ever encountered.”

“You admire her,” she said, outraged.

“No, I respect her. There’s a difference. You’d be a fool not to do the same.”

“How dare you speak to me like this you stupid man?”

Col rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to stop you doing something silly and getting yourself killed. There are other ways to hurt the Laws. You must keep your temper in check if you want to help Alex and please stay calm, think of your baby.”

Katia inhaled sharply, raking her fingers through her hair, so enraged she tore out a few golden strands. She sat back down on the couch and breathed in slowly and deeply until she felt calmer. She looked up at Col, eyes clear and sharp. “I have an idea.”

Col smiled. He thought she might.

Beth was escorted to the hospital by Riley, the kids staying back at the hotel under Mikey’s watchful eye. Archie had started to cry when his mother said she was going out and it had broken Beth’s heart to leave him sobbing into his uncle’s chest.

They entered via a quiet side entrance that took them on a circuitous route through the building, the main doors still surrounded by press. As she passed her husband’s hospital room Beth didn’t even glance in the window, bypassing it entirely for Rachel’s room. The two uniformed police officers loitering in the corridor noted this and found it very strange.

Rachel was awake when Beth entered. She was flanked by her husband and dad, both of whom looked shell-shocked.

Rachel’s face was even more swollen and bruised, the sight of the bandage around her neck bringing tears to Beth’s eyes.

“Rach,” she croaked.

Rick got to his feet and hugged her. “It’s okay, she’ll be alright, the doctor said so.”

“This is because of me. If I hadn’t run off with Nick…”

“There’s only one person to blame for this and it’s certainly not you.”

“Thanks Rick,” she said, wiping her eyes. She sat beside Rachel and took her hand. “I’m so sorry. You could have escaped but you came back to that warehouse for me.”

“You saved my life,” she said weakly. “Thank you.”

The memory of shooting Alex returned and Beth was surprised by the pleasure that flooded her body. The corner of her mouth lifted into a smile. “It was a pleasure shooting that evil bastard. He murdered Nick.”

“I never told you…Alex has a mistress…she’s pregnant.” There was so much she wanted to say but it was too painful to talk for long.

“I’ve known for a while that he’s been having an affair but I didn’t know she’s having his baby.” A few months ago this news would have devastated her but now she felt nothing except perhaps a little pity for the woman and child. “Go to sleep Rach, you’re knackered. You need to get back on your feet as soon as possible.”

“I will…so tired,” she said, eyes growing heavy.

“I want to see Alex,” Beth told the room.

They all regarded her incredulously and Rachel’s eyes snapped open.

“Why?” said Rick.

“Because it will look a tiny bit suspicious if I don’t.” She got to her feet. “I’ll be back to check on you later Rach.”

“I don’t think…,” began Ryan.

Beth ignored him and left the room.

“I’m worried she’ll do something silly,” said Rachel.

“Like smother him with a pillow?” said Rick. “I hope she does.”

“She’ll go to prison for it.”

“Relax, the blinds are up in his room,” said Riley. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Thank you,” said Rachel. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay awake.”

“You get some more rest love,” said Rick. “We’ll take care of everything, I don’t want you worrying about a single thing.”

There was a gentle smile on Rachel’s face as she drifted off to sleep.

Beth marched across the corridor to find one of the Sugar brothers guarding the door to Alex’s room.

“Move. I want to see my husband.”

Jason Sugar, the youngest of the brothers, had been on the periphery of what had happened so he had no idea that Beth was the one responsible for his boss’s condition. Naturally Alex was keeping the fact that his wife had put him in hospital a secret.

Jason was reluctant to stand aside. “Col told me not to let anyone in except him.”

“He’s my husband and he will want me by his side.” Beth squared up to him, fuelled by a rage and determination she’d never felt before. She’d lived through hell so this silly boy didn’t faze her. “He will be very displeased when he learns you kept me from him. Now move out of the way you idiot.”

Jason stared down at the little blond woman, who glared up at him ferociously and decided it would be best to obey. “Okay but you can’t have long.”

“I will have as long as I bloody well want, he’s my husband and you will not disturb us.”

She walked inside and closed the door, feeling incredibly empowered. She experienced a moment of nervousness when confronted by Alex, however that feeling dissipated when she saw how helpless he was, tubes protruding from his limbs and wires connected to his chest.

“Who’s there? Col?” said Alex, trying to force his eyes open.

Beth had never heard him sound so weak before, it was almost child-like.

“Hello?”

Her lips curled into a smile at the fear in his voice.