Hunted (33 page)

“Oh for God’s sake,” exclaimed Ryan when the phone started to ring. “Can’t we get any peace?”

“It’ll get it,” she said, hurrying inside to answer. “Hello?” she said brusquely, anticipating it would be another reporter.

“Hello Rachel,” said a broad Aberdonian accent.

“Thane, it’s good to hear from you.”

“And you. I can’t wait to see you again,” he purred.

Rachel didn’t get to hear this because Ryan had taken the phone from her. “Are you talking to me?” he demanded.

“Oh hello Ryan, yes I was.”

“Nice try. What do you want?”

“I heard about what happened. Are you alright?”

“Fine,” he replied lightly. “Is that it?”

“Everything’s ready and waiting for you up here. I bet you could use some rest and relaxation?”

“You’re right there.”

“Tell Rachel I’ve grown more roses for her. See you at the weekend. Bye.”

“Wait, you…” Ryan stared at the phone before shaking his head and hanging up.

“Well?” smiled Rachel.

Ryan smiled back at her. “Somehow that fool always manages to make things seem not as bad as they are, it really is a gift.”

She slid her arms around his neck. “Are you starting to warm to him?”

“Certainly not but I think I might not find him as annoying as I did.”

“Wow, I’m amazed.” Her smile fell. “You’re sure you’re really okay? Do you want to talk to anyone? A counsellor might be a good idea.”

“I’m quite sure. The last thing I need is a stranger poking their nose in. All this has shaken me to my core, I’m not going to pretend it hasn’t but we’re all okay, we’re back home and that’s what’s important. From now on, we’re looking to the future.”

“Our path’s free and clear now. Katia’s dead.”

“Mike and Jez finally did it?”

“They’ve got the boys too, they’re going to raise them as Maguires.”

“In that case they’ll have a much better chance at life. Mikey and Jez were fools not to remove her sooner, I just hope they weren’t too late and she didn’t tell Jared Slattery anything. He’s much more devious and ambitious than his father was.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. They’re strong, they can handle him. They’ve got Mark Cameron and Hayden Brody working for them too.”

“How did they get Mark Cameron on board? He’s always prided himself on remaining neutral.”

“He needs the cash, his mother’s in an expensive nursing home and I believe Jules had a lot to do with it too. She charmed him apparently.”

“I find the words
Jules
and
charm
in the same sentence ridiculous.”

“Say what you like, she saved your life.”

“And now I’m beholden to her. I’m not sure I like that.”

“Give her a chance. I like her.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Your brain must be addled.”

“Cheeky bugger.”

He grinned when she slapped him on the arm. “I will say this for her, I prefer her to Lexie.”

“Me too. Jules has suffered, Lexie’s just spoilt. But she’s part of the family now.”

“I know and I suppose I have to accept it.” He glanced at the clock. “We have to pick the kids up in an hour. Let’s take them and your parents out for a big family meal, show our faces to the world. We’ve nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I like the sound of that.” Rachel smiled, as always amazed by her husband. Ryan was back and he was stronger than ever.

“You’re serious? The Starklaws?” frowned Jez. Jules was closeted with her brother and Mikey in the latter’s office at the compound. She’d gone straight there after Dane had left her shop.

“That’s what Dane said,” she replied.

“Is his information reliable?” added Mikey.

“In my experience Dane never says anything unless he knows he can back it up one hundred percent. It came from Ollie Starklaw himself bigging it up in the pub.”

“The Slatterys are going to use them to cause us trouble,” said Jez. “It seems our telling off didn’t work.”

Mikey nodded solemnly from behind his desk. “Jared’s smart. Nothing can be traced back to him. Katia obviously talked.”

“Alex told her all about the businesses?” said Jules.

“She must have,” said Jez. “Fuck, we should have taken her out before she had the chance. She’d have been mad not to tell Jared what she knew. Giving him inside information got her into his good books and now he thinks he can start messing with our affairs.”

Mikey slammed his fist down on the table. “Sly bastard.” He looked from Jez to Jules. “This is fucking war. Again.”

“It looks that way,” said Jez quietly.

“So we’re agreed?” said Mikey.

They both nodded.

“We’re going to take on Essex.”

Jules had to fight to repress her grin. This was more like it.

THE END

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