Encore (The Black Eagles Series Book 2) (11 page)

              ‘Who the fuck are you?’ Jason snapped back at Luke. ‘Just some jumped up little rock star, who I’ll remove from this earth for getting in my way.’

              ‘Is that a threat?’ Luke said.

              ‘No. A promise.’

              ‘Noted. But you see it wouldn’t be a smart move. People will notice my sudden disappearance and it would take only a few minutes to backfire on you. I could call the media and tell the world that you were not only some wannabe gangster, a title you so boldly own, but a man who abused his wife and child. I believe not that many people are aware of that side of you. Would your so-called “friends” be so loyal to such a vile piece of shit? I doubt it.’

              That stopped Jason. It was true that people knew he wasn’t an angel, or somebody to mess with. He was a bully. But what people didn’t know was his sickening treatment of his own family. Beth only ever told a few people, it wasn’t something you bragged about. Some of his associates were family men who despite their wrongdoings held family in high regard, and women and child beating didn’t sit well.

              ‘My daughter’s been telling lies, I see!’ Jason said without conviction.

              ‘Lies?’ Melissa yelled. ‘Don’t forget I was there one day, when you dragged her by her hair and threw her in her room like she was a rag doll because we overheard you making your plan, your robbery. You told me to go home and never tell a soul about what I saw or heard, but you banked on me being as scared of you as she was.’

              Luke snapped his head round to look at her. She’d never mentioned that before.

              Oh, yes, little miss perfect,’ Jason said. ‘You and your family are lucky you’re still walking. ‘How’s your dad? Does he fancy having a catch up?’ Jason’s tone was menacing.

              ‘I doubt it. But his lawyer might,’ Melissa smugly responded. ‘And Luke’s, and Dale’s. You see, Jason, we are not powerless. We can fight you with everything we’ve got. One wrong move and I can make your world collapse. I have a history of that.’

              Jason snorted. ‘Yeah, little firework, ain’t ya.’

              ‘I stopped you before and I’ll do it again. I ran home that day, and you’ve always blamed my parents because that’s what they wanted you to think. But it was me who called the police. I did it and that’s how you got caught, because that girl there is everything to me, everything. She was then and she still is, so go on, take me on, make my fucking day.’

              The room had fallen silent, with every face turned on Melissa, including Beth who had never known it had been Melissa who had brought her dad down. It had been that call that had freed her from his clutches, just days after her mother had died. Why she had never told Beth was a mystery even to her. But it had just been easier to leave it as it was, a part of her at such a young age worried that Beth might have been angry with her.

              ‘You little bitch. Ten years, because of you!’ Jason yelled. He ran forward but Luke blocked him, taking the full force as they wrestled with each other.

              ‘Dad!’ Beth cried, as she stood up. Dale turned to grab her and pulled her into his protective embrace. She felt the baby kicking, sensing her stress, but told Dale to help Luke. He kicked out and caught Jason in the ribs. It didn’t stop him, as he leapt up and landed a nose-shattering punch and Dale toppled to the floor, blood running down his chin. Luke sprang at him like a cat and grabbed his shoulders pulling him back. He was shrugged off and thrown backwards. Beth screamed as Luke fell into her, and she crumpled to the floor. Dale threw himself forward, taking a swing with so much anger it caught Jason by surprise, the sound of the crunching blow making them flinch. His nose exploded, and blood splattered the room. Dale took another swing catching him on the right eye and Jason stumbled and fell to the floor, looking shocked that he had been outdone. That was something he wasn’t used to: he lived on putting fear into people to ensure they did as they were told.

              Dale hit him again so he was now on his back. ‘Do you want more?’ He looked up at Beth, who was now in Melissa’s arms, sobbing, with Megan in front of them. Dale checked on her, but she claimed she was fine.

              Luke crawled towards her from where he had landed. ‘I’m sorry, Beth. Are you OK?’

              ‘Yes. And he should be saying sorry, not you.’ Luke pulled her into him, protecting her.

              ‘I just wanted to see my daughter,’ Jason said, playing the caring dad card.

              ‘I don’t want you in my life, Dad, ever. You killed her!’ Beth cried.

              Jason smirked, and then almost spat at the mention of her mother. ‘Your mother was nothing but a pathetic drunk who chose to take those pills and leave you,’ he snarled. ‘She killed herself.’

              ‘You really are one twisted human being!’ Dale said, his disgust lowering his tone, and utter disbelief in what he was witnessing.

              For the first time in her life, and helped by her friends, Beth had the courage this time to stand up to him. ‘You made her that way, tore every ounce of herself from her. You killed her and I will never forgive you. I will never forget what I witnessed you do to her, or have you forgotten what you made me watch. Holding her down as you punched her repeatedly for nothing. The pushes down the stairs. I still hear screams with every punch you gave her. I still remember the things you did to me, and what is worse is seeing the life in her eyes die as the days passed. Yes, it was her choice to leave me, but she was already dead inside, so I had no mother anyway. I don’t blame
her
. 
You
are to blame. I can understand why she did it. You destroyed her, but you won’t destroy me.’

              Jason was thwarted. He saw the fear slowly slip away from Beth, as she rose from the floor, walked towards him with her hand firmly on her bump and carried on. ‘One thing you did teach me, something I learned from you was how you don’t treat your family. This little life inside me will never go through what I did. They will be loved and cherished every second I am breathing. You will never see them, or me. You are nothing to me, nothing.’

              Jason seemed to leap up, a fast movement, angered by his daughter’s defiance. Beth stepped backwards, knowing this move, which she’d witnessed so many times. Even with her new-found confidence, years of living in fear hadn’t completely left her. She lost her footing as she flinched from him, but steadied herself before losing her balance.

              Jason gasped as a hand the size of a football clamped around his throat. Toby’s hand. He’d stayed silent while he watched it all pan out in front of him, sizing the man up. He said nothing as he kicked at the back of his knee bringing Jason down, then grabbed at both arms forcing them back behind his back, his strength overpowering Jason’s. ‘I think you’ve outstayed your welcome, pal,’ Toby said. ‘Don’t bother talking to me, I’m not interested. You have no business being here, and I don’t like you.’ Toby hauled him back to his feet. Jason struggled, but for the first time he was beaten. ‘Go anywhere near her and we will make life very difficult for you. Got it?’

              Jason was frog marched out of the building and thrown down by his car. Dale landed another punch just for good measure but Luke pulled him back, before he carried on. He was seething with anger. Jason left, knowing he had lost this one. But leaving it and losing face weren’t options in his world. Dale knew it wouldn’t be last they saw of him, but he hoped that if, or when, he did make another appearance they would be ready.

‘Why didn’t you ever tell me?’

              Melissa sat shaking as she explained to Beth about that phone call. It all seemed like a dream. She shrugged. She didn’t regret doing it for one moment. ‘I guess back then…I…thought you might hate me. As time passed it didn’t seem important, and harder to say it. I’m sorry...’

              Beth grabbed her, and shook her gently. ‘Sorry? You’re saying sorry? You stupid, beautiful, insane, brilliant person. You’ve saved me. You should have told me. I could have hugged you and thanked you.’ Beth was crying, which set Melissa off too. ‘Thank you. And that’s the end of it.’

              In truth there had always been a part of Beth that had known, or hoped, that she had found the kind of friend that would defend her, no matter what. And she had found it.

              They went into the kitchen to check on the boys, who were still chattering angrily about Beth’s dad. Dale held Beth closely but she had pulled her mask back on. It hadn’t sunk in that her dad had just reappeared in her life. It was her worst nightmare and she didn’t want to think too much about it. She was highly embarrassed at how he had treated the people she loved, and Dale and Luke both looked like they’d just done ten rounds with David Haye.

              ‘Better call off the beauty shoot tomorrow. My face is mashed up,’ Dale joked, but Beth could see he was still angry. He was the worst off and she felt sick. ‘I’ll be fine,’ he reassured her when she looked at him, concern showing in her eyes.

              ‘I’m sorry…’ Beth said to the room but they didn’t blame her in any way. They promised her she wouldn’t ever have to see him again. She suddenly looked weary and her face went pale.

              ‘Beth.’ Dale steadied her as she leaned against him, exhausted, and he walked her slowly to the sofa to rest. After a few steps, she gasped, her hands flew to her stomach and she winced. She felt something shift and then the wetness on her trousers. ‘Oh, shit. My waters have broken,’ she said through gritted teeth as a contraction took hold.

*****

‘You’re doing great, babe,’ Dale said as Beth cried out.

              ‘Don’t leave me. Oh, my god! Make it stop.’ It was a pain she would never be able to describe, a pain only a mother could ever understand. Every part of her body felt like it was being forced open and she had no control.

              ‘Beth, don’t push. Not yet,’ the midwife warned. Pushing too early was dangerous.

              ‘But I want to!’ Beth snapped.

              ‘You push when I tell you to,’ the stern voice said.

              Dale took her face in his hands, seeing the familiar look of ‘Don’t tell me what to do’ on his girlfriend’s face. ‘Look at me, babe. It’s OK. I’ve got you. Focus on me.’ Dale stroked her sweaty face and kissed her lips.

              Beth pulled back. ‘Really D, really! I’m having a baby and you’re trying it on,’ she accused. ‘After this, you’ll be lucky if I so much as hold your hand,’ she snapped, taking another big suck from the gas and air before another contraction took hold.

              Dale thought his arm was going to snap from Beth’s grip. He took it along with her incoherent ramblings caused by the mix of drugs being pumped into her. They had arrived just over an hour ago, and it seemed their child wasn’t hanging around. There hadn’t been time to get Jean to her, as her stand-in mum. She’d always thought Jean would be there holding her hand just like she’d always done. Lucky for her, Dale was doing a great job.

              It was four hours later when the midwife calmly and firmly told Beth to push.

              ‘Arrgghhhhh,’ was all they heard for the final few minutes, all her dignity having flown right out of the window. She felt like a train wreck.

              Dale held her and wiped the sweat from her face. ‘Come on, girl. You are amazing. Our baby’s nearly here, come on.’ Then it hit him, baby, coming. Oh shit, he thought. He was going to be a dad, and it was only in that moment the reality hit him like a ton of bricks. He was suddenly excited and utterly terrified, but didn’t have time to deal with that. Beth was in the utmost pain and needed him to focus. Their eyes met, hers puffy and scared, and she looked exhausted. He hated that he couldn’t stop it from hurting her so much.

              ‘You are amazing,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘One last push.’ This was echoed by the midwife.

              Beth nodded. Every nerve and bone ached, but she grabbed his hand, holding on for dear life and prepared to meet her child. She gripped harder and pushed through what she could only describe as a burning ring of fire. There was a flurry of activity from the midwives and doctors. Beth couldn’t see anything. ‘Where’s my baby?’ There was no crying. Babies cried if things were OK. ‘Tell me.’ Her heart pounded. Dale shot forward and stopped short and stared as the midwife held up a tiny little baby, then smiled as the tiny cries filled the room.

              ‘Congratulations, you have a beautiful little girl,’ the midwife said as she handed Beth her daughter, slick with blood, but the most beautiful thing in the world. The tiny little girl wriggled in her arms and Beth was overcome with joy and love. The bonding process completed, she was taken to get cleaned up then quickly returned to her proud parents.

              ‘Hello, pretty little girl. I’m your mummy’

*****

Melissa flew through the doors of the hospital with Luke close behind trying to get her to calm down. ‘Luke, our best friends have just had a baby,’ she threw over her shoulder. ‘This is huge.’

              He grabbed her hand to slow her down. ‘Stop a second,’ he said pulling her back. ‘You’re worried. You shouldn’t be. Dale assured us, they are both fine.’

              Melissa stopped and turned to look at him. ‘But she’s a month early.’

              ‘And there’s nothing to worry about. Dale said she’s perfect.’ His eyes were full of excitement too. Strangely, if this had happened before all the recent events he might have been a bit more concerned about a baby in the group. Gone were the days when partying was top of the list. So much had happened to put things in perspective. Dale’s baby was their little ray of sunshine that shone through the darkness, the one thing still left intact, innocent, new, and more precious than any party. They calmly walked the next few steps towards the private room, not noticing anyone else or even caring that there were several stares and whispers as other visitors noticed the famous couple. Melissa knocked on the door, and when it opened Dale stood, smiling down at the little bundle in his arms. She was wrapped in a pink blanket, tiny fingers peeking through the folds.

              Dale stepped aside to let them in. He looked tired but happy. He put his finger to his lips, flicking his eyes to the bed where a sleeping Beth lay. Melissa moved quietly to her best friend’s side, and stroked her forehead very gently. ‘Well done, proud of you,’ she whispered. Thankfully, Beth didn’t wake up.

              ‘Melissa, Luke, I want you to meet our daughter,’ Dale said quietly.

              Melissa held her arms out and Dale placed his daughter in them. ‘Hello. You are so pretty. I’m your Aunty Liss, and this handsome man is your Uncle Luke,’ she said in one of those annoying voices that adults automatically put on when a baby is placed in their arms. She had Beth’s eyes, and cheek bones, she noticed, and Dale’s nose. Tiny tufts of black hair were already visible, just like her mother’s. Melissa giggled at the thought of a mini Beth. That should be interesting, she thought too.

              Luke stood awkwardly like most men do, waiting for the moment when it was expected for them to also hold the baby. It would be a while as Melissa was walking the room, looking like a natural as she talked to the new arrival.

              ‘She’s beautiful, mate. Happy for you. How was the birth?’ Luke asked.

              ‘Short version?’ Dale said, knowing Luke didn’t actually want the gory details.

              ‘Yep,’ Luke answered.

              ‘Traumatic. But, man, I have so much more respect for mothers now. Jesus, they go through so much pain. She was amazing. Glad it weren’t me.’

*****

Cassie threw her bag on the bed and continued to pace. Jo-Jo waited for her to calm down before asking her what the problem was. Cassie stopped and turned to look at her. ‘Just be careful around Nathan.’

              ‘Why?’ Jo-Jo laughed. ‘Is he a serial killer or something?’

              Cassie didn’t laugh but shook her head. Just a few minutes before they had entered the room, Cassie has seen Nathan staring at Jo-Jo while he flirted with Allie. It was becoming very hard to keep her cool. ‘Haven’t you noticed him looking at you?’

              The look on Jo-Jo’s face confirmed the answer was no. She threw herself on Cassie’s bed and kicked her boots off. ‘Like he has any chance. I’m sure it’s nothing.’

              ‘He’s a player. I don’t like players,’ Cassie said, sighing loudly, and joining Jo-Jo on the bed she rested her head on the pillow.

              ‘Don’t worry, Cass, as if I’m going to go near him. I have my Tom who would kick both our asses.’ Jo-Jo smiled down at her friend. ‘More importantly I would never do that to Allie or us as a band. So stop worrying. Meeting you in that pub five years ago changed my life, and I will never let anything ruin what we have.’

              Cassie grabbed her hand. She looked less feisty than usual. ‘I know. You, I trust. Him, no. I just feel a bit drained, so much has happened. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic. Besides, now the boys are on our label we can tour together next time.’

              Jo-Jo clapped her hands in agreement. ‘That’s what I’m hoping.’

              Cassie jumped up from the bed, grabbed Jo-Jo’s classic guitar and handed it to her. ‘Play. You reminded me of that eventful night we met. Let’s go back.’

              Jo-Jo sat up and Cassie smiled as Jo-Jo turned the guitar over and tapped the back three times, just like the old days. The tapping ritual had been something that had started at school to cope with the bullying she was subjected to on a daily basis.

              Tap…tap…tap… on the back of her folder, then walk through the school gates or before entering each class. There was no logical reason for it, and she had no idea why she had even started doing it. It was just a way to comfort her. When she took up playing guitar at fifteen the ritual continued before she entered her class but this time on the back of her hand. Her tutor, Brian, was in his late thirties and had been in many bands but sadly, had never made it big. He had accepted that his calling in life was to teach people to play and fall in love with music. He was a great teacher and had the patience of a saint, never letting anyone give up. His hair and beard were that of a true musician, and he cared deeply for his work. Brian became her only friend during the months it took her to learn. After a few weeks she’d nearly quit, frustrated that she wasn’t picking it up. Her confidence dropped and she thought it was pointless.

              Brian had other ideas. ‘Nobody quits on my watch,’ he had said, then asked her what helped her through bad times. The tapping thing seemed stupid even to her but she told him anyway. He didn’t laugh, just turned his guitar over and told her to do the same. ‘If you want to quit because you don’t want to do it, fine. Just don’t quit because of some nasty bullies. You can do this, little Jo’

              It had worked and it still worked now because for just that few seconds before Jo-Jo walked on stage she still got that nervous feeling of being laughed at. Despite all her success the scars were still there. Bullies don’t realise at the time what lasting effects their cruelty can leave behind. But after several months of hard work, determination and a lot of tears she could play, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Once her veil of doubt had dropped away, her talent shone through. Jo-Jo was a natural. She could have been Echo’s lead guitarist but Cassie had bagged that role. Luckily, Jo-Jo had a love for bass and was quite happy in her role. But her acoustic skills were something even Cassie marvelled at.

              Jo-Jo had been chased and beaten purely because of one vicious lie. It had started after one innocent conversation between her and a boy in her class. The boy had asked her for a cigarette. She had been the new girl, on her third day at a new school, and he had been the first person to really speak to her. They had gone behind one of the school buildings to have a sneaky cigarette. Unfortunately, he was dating Kelly Treat, the biggest bitch to walk the planet, who was far from a treat. Kelly saw them walking back from behind the building, and assumed something was going on. It was that moment that had decided Jo-Jo’s fate, a life of misery, forever. The boy hadn’t come to her defence but told Kelly she had tried it on with him. On her last day of school, she had vowed to become something much better than her tormentors and so far she had achieved it. It had been one night a few years later that she met Cassie and had plucked up the courage to perform at an acoustic night at a local pub. The ladies toilets was her first encounter with her upfront, bolshie best friend. Jo-Jo was touching up her make-up and redoing her hair for the tenth time, trying hard not to lose her nerve. It was then that she had heard an unfamiliar voice next to her.

              ‘My god, I am shitting myself!’ Cassie had said as she emptied her bag next to one of the sinks and searched for a brush and lip gloss. ‘Your hair is bloody awesome. Are you playing tonight?’ she’d asked Jo-Jo, noticing the guitar at her feet.