Dividing Line Origins (Short story anthology - Dividing Line Series)

  DIVIDING LINE ORIGINS

  Dividing Line short story anthology

  Dividing Line series

  By Heather Atkinson

  Copyright Heather Atkinson July 2014

  CONTENTS

  1. Ryan Law

  2. Rachel Thomas

  3. Mikey Maguire

  4. Jules Parker

  5. Battler and Bruiser

  6. Frankie McVay

  7. Riley Cutter

  8. Estelle Law

  9. Frank and Martina Maguire

  RYAN

  Ryan experienced a sinking feeling as he stared through the chain link metal fence dividing the Montford Estate from the brand new Henley Towers. Once again he marvelled at the immense stupidity of the powers-that-be. Who thought it was a good idea to build a set of swanky luxury flats directly opposite one of the most rundown, shittiest estates in Manchester with just this thin fence to separate them. No one on the Montford had seriously thought anyone would be daft enough to buy one of the flats. Who could possibly want to wake up to the sight of a graffiti-covered, shit brown eyesore populated by the dregs of humanity? In fact Ryan had been so convinced it would be a flop and the company developing the flats would be forced to sell them off cheap that he’d been ready to snap them up. But, to everyone’s astonishment, they’d all been bought up before building was complete. However there was a reason. It was all down to the fucking Maguires. That family was the bane of his life and they took great delight in thwarting his plans. Frank Maguire, the patriarch, resented Ryan’s swift rise to power. When Stuart Cutter - Ryan’s mentor - had died and he’d taken over his businesses, Frank had found himself challenged for the first time in his life. Ryan was the new major player. There had been no need for Stuart to butt heads with Frank because, while Stuart controlled the heroin, the Maguires controlled the coke, but Ryan wanted it all. He’d been sabotaging the Maguires as much as he could. They had retaliated and this was all part of that retaliation. The Maguires had bought some of the flats for their workforce as well as Frank’s two sons, Alex - the heir apparent - and Danny. This wasn’t good. Ryan conducted a lot of his business on the Montford. Personally he hated the estate where he’d been born and dragged up, he’d bought his own nice drum in a smart suburb. But one place guaranteed to be copper-free was the Montford. Ryan, along with the assistance of his four brothers, had eradicated all crime on the estate, well, all crime that didn’t originate from himself. He’d chased off the petty dealers, thugs, loan sharks and muggers and for the first time in their lives the residents of the Montford knew relative peace. Consequently he had all their loyalty, guaranteeing him a hefty level of protection against a pull. He could meet any number of associates here and everyone would turn a blind eye. Why would they want him to get arrested? If that happened he’d be put away and things would go back to how they used to be and no one wanted that.

  Now, in a matter of a couple of weeks, he was going to have the Maguires looking down on everything he did, literally.

  “We could torch the fucking thing,” said Simmy, his brother and second-in-command.

  “Tempting, but security’s tight around the building, the Maguires are making sure of it. Speak of the devil,” he added when a black Mercedes rolled to a halt on the other side of the fence. Out jumped two large, dark haired figures. Spying Ryan and his brother they sauntered over, the arrogance they were displaying on his patch infuriating him.

  “Alright Ryan,” grinned Alex. At twenty one he was only four years younger than Ryan himself and had already made his mark in a big way. Alex had a reputation as a bit of a head case who only his dad could control. He was a rabid dog but, to compound matters, he was also a sly bastard. This intelligence combined with his brutality meant he was already feared and enjoyed his reputation as his father’s most vicious enforcer. His younger brother, eighteen year old Danny, was known to be calmer and easier to reason with but just as handy with his fists. Together they were formidable.

  Alex’s smile made Ryan want to punch a hole through his face. “Hello Alex. Danny,” he politely replied. He had always failed to see why enemies couldn’t still be courteous to one another.

  Danny nodded, all seriousness and spoiling for a fight. Ryan gave him a smooth smile that caused his hands to bunch into fists.

  “Still intent on moving in?” said Ryan casually, as though he wasn’t concerned either way.

  “It’s happening. Deal with it,” retorted Alex.

  “I intend to,” said Ryan darkly.

  Alex smashed his fist against the fence, causing it to rattle.

  “Well that achieved a lot,” said Ryan sarcastically. Unlike everyone else in Manchester he wasn’t afraid of Alex Maguire because he was the only person in the city capable of taking him on. Alex was well aware of this and he hated it.

  “Come on then, let’s go right now,” snarled Alex, big body twitching with rage.

  “If you insist. There’s a gate right there,” Ryan calmly replied, nodding at the large metal gate set into the fence dividing the two estates. He looked back at Alex, who hadn’t moved, and smiled. “Oh dear. Has Daddy told you not to? You must do as he says or he’ll cut off your pocket money.”

  “Fucking wanker,” growled Alex, gripping onto the fence and shaking it, as though he wanted to tear it down.

  “Alex, take it easy,” said Danny, his eyes never leaving Ryan. Even though he was only a teenager Danny was already displaying more sense and control than his older brother, who struggled with an almost ungovernable temper. “At least we’ve got a dad,” he said coolly. “You don’t know who yours is. The list of culprits is endless because your mum is the biggest slag in Greater Manchester.”

  “I quite agree,” Ryan replied perfectly calmly. One of his talents was that he could hide his rage behind a front of composure, which had lulled many of his enemies into a false sense of security. Unlike Alex Maguire he never allowed his emotions to rule him. “Now if we’ve dispensed with the petty insults can we move onto the real business? You’re making a big mistake moving in here.”

  “Fuck off you posh, stuck-up ponce,” glowered Alex, folding his arms across his chest in an effort to reign in his temper .

  “Quite,” said Ryan dismissively before turning his attention back to Danny. “You’re wasting your time if you think you can disrupt my business by moving in here. Everyone on this estate is loyal to me. For the first time in their lives they can walk through it without fear of getting mugged or assaulted and if you think I’m going to allow you to spoil that for them then you’ve got another thing coming.”

  “We’ll see you dead first,” snarled Simmy.

  Ryan sighed. “Simmy, please.”

  “Sounds like a declaration of war to me,” said Alex, breaking into a slow smile.

  Ryan knew it was inevitable. The two families had been winding each other up for almost a year now and something had to give. It was only a matter of time before someone ended up dead. It was something Ryan had gone out of his way to avoid and, to be fair, so had Frank Maguire, but it seemed their efforts were going to be in vain. Ryan didn’t baulk at the prospect of killing to protect what was his, after all it wouldn’t be the first time, but bloody violence only brought pressure to bear from the authorities. Since he’d eradicated crime on the Montford the police had been happy to leave him alone, he’d lifted a burden from their shoulders but the increased animosity with the Maguires was putting him in the spotlight. He also knew that Alex desperately wanted the heroin he ran and hated it that Ryan had something he didn’t. Frank loathed th
e brown, he considered it to be evil so he was content to let Ryan handle it because he knew he controlled distribution and didn’t flood the streets with it. But the prince was desperate to take it over because it was a huge money-spinner.

  “Problem?” said a deep, gruff voice.

  Two man mountains approached the fence on the side of the Henley. Battler and Bruiser, the Maguire enforcers and Frank’s personal bodyguard. Danny and Alex didn’t worry him but even Ryan would think twice about tackling these two. Dragged out of the gutter by Frank they were like sons to him and their loyalty was absolute. They would and had killed many times for him. Ryan knew if anyone would try to take him out it would be this pair and they had never failed yet.

  “It seems Alex is intent on tearing down the fence all by himself,” said Ryan.

  “Simmy just threatened to kill me,” retorted Alex. “The fucking Laws have just upped their game.”

  “Have they now?” said Battler, the oldest of the pair, fixing Ryan with a hard stare, his younger brother Bruiser looking on in silence, as usual. “You’re not a stupid man Ryan, far from it from what I’ve heard, so why would you make such a dumb fucking threat?”

  “I didn’t. My over-zealous younger brother did. All I’m trying to ascertain is why Alex and Danny are moving in here. Hardly the affluent neighbourhood they’re used to.”

  “It’s fuck all to do with you where they live.”

  “I’m afraid it is Battler. This is my territory.” He looked to Alex. “Your curtain twitching won’t make a dent in my affairs. In fact, I predict all you’ll achieve is lumbering yourself with a property no one will want to buy in a million years.” Ryan smiled his smooth, easy smile. “I hope you’ve got good building insurance because I promise you, you’re going to need it.”

  “Is that supposed to be a threat?” barked Alex.

  “Oh yes.”

  Alex was about to retort when they were all distracted by screams and shouts behind them, originating from the Montford. They all watched with interest as a group of teenagers egged on two girls, who were locked in a furious fight. One was blond and overweight, the other dark and sinewy.

  “And I thought you had absolute control over this estate Ryan,” goaded Alex. “Shocking.”

  “Want me to break it up?” said Simmy, practically panting at the prospect of getting in the middle of two teenage girls.

  “That’s Rachel Thomas, isn’t it?” said Ryan, watching the fight with interest.

  “Yeah. Fighting again. She’s a right little brawler.”

  Ryan knew her parents, they were decent and hardworking, a rarity on this estate but their daughter was gangly and buck-toothed, so unfortunately she’d suffered a lot at the hands of bullies and had had to fight every day not to become a victim. This wasn’t her first fight and it certainly wouldn’t be her last. He couldn’t interfere with that. “No,” he told Simmy. “Let them get it out of their systems. Lacey could do with taking down a peg or two.”

  The blond was one of the worst bullies on the Montford, beating up the younger kids and he’d had to intervene more than once but he could only go so far. He didn’t hit females. Personally he hoped Rachel - who was actually a good kid - hammered the living shit out of her.

  “Fucking hell Ryan, the birds on this estate are munters,” laughed Alex.

  “I wouldn’t let them hear you say that,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the fight. “They’d murder you.”

  The men’s mutual animosity was forgotten as the fight increased in ferocity. Rachel was definitely gaining the upper hand because, while Lacey fought like a girl, trying to pull her hair and scratch her with her long nails, Rachel fought like a man, walloping her with her fists. Like a professional she avoided hitting Lacey in her stomach, which was so heavily padded with fat she wouldn’t have felt a thing. Instead she went for her face and ribs until all Lacey could do was attempt to defend herself, the bewildered fear in her eyes telling everyone she’d realised she’d taken on more than she could handle.

  “Fuck me that girl can fight,” grinned Simmy as Rachel knocked Lacey to the ground. “Shame about the face because those legs and that arse are fantastic.”

  Ryan nodded in agreement as Rachel put those legs to good use by kicking at her fallen opponent’s back, Lacey squealing with each blow. The cheering gang had all gone silent, shocked by the defeat of their leader. Only one blond cheered Rachel on, her best friend Beth, who was shouting with enough enthusiasm for ten people.

  “Go on Rach, finish her off.”

  Ryan became concerned when Rachel showed no sign of stopping and he saw she was indeed capable of keeping going until Lacey was cold and still on the ground. Just when he’d decided it was time this fight ended Rachel tore herself away from it, glaring at Lacey with cold black eyes, her fists dripping blood.

  Even the Maguire brothers had gone silent as they watched her with fascination, recognising there was more to this girl than they’d initially thought.

  Finally Beth noticed Ryan watching and her eyes widened. She rushed up to Rachel and whispered in her ear. Rachel’s head snapped round, her jet black eyes meeting his and she tilted her chin, daring him to challenge her about what she’d just done. Ryan wasn’t used to this, he was used to females looking at him coyly or flirtatiously. Rachel however looked at him like an equal, as though he had no right to interfere with what she’d done. With her mouth closed into a determined line, hiding those ridiculously large front teeth, he could detect the great beauty that was waiting to bloom. The wind tousled her hair, blowing it back off her shoulders. All she needed to complete the warrior-queen look was a sword.

  Everyone looked at him, awaiting his decision, Lacey’s little gang round-eyed and expectant, hoping he gave the go-ahead for what they saw as their rightful retribution. Even the Maguires were quiet, curious to see what would happen. But Ryan forgot they were even there as he was pinned by those black eyes.

  “Err, Ryan,” said Simmy.

  Ryan recalled himself and gave Rachel a slow nod. She nodded back, all seriousness and still entirely without fear. Everyone looked at him fearfully these days, even his own brothers, so her attitude was refreshing.

  Rachel turned from him and hugged her best friend and the two disappeared upstairs to Rachel’s parent’s flat, both talking eagerly.

  Now she was gone Ryan lost interest, paying no mind to the sobbing Lacey attempting to get up off the floor.

  “Here Lacey, I found your front teeth,” said one of her friends, holding them out to her, which only made her cry harder.

  “I think I’m going to enjoy living here,” grinned Alex. “Especially if we get cabaret like that every day.”

  Danny appeared thoughtful. “Who’s the brunette?”

  “Why do you want to know?” replied Ryan, suddenly feeling defensive. “Need a bodyguard?”

  Danny recalled his animosity to this man and saw a chance to wind him up. “Got a little crush have we Ryan? Bit young for you, isn’t she? She must be sixteen at most. But she’s not too young for me. I’d love to get a fireball like that in the sack, I bet she’s a right goer.”

  It was Ryan’s turn to rattle the fence. “You’ll leave Rachel alone. Unlike most of the girls on this estate she’s not a slag. She’s a good girl with the chance to make something of herself so you’ll leave her the fuck alone.”

  Alex looked incredulously at his brother. “What the fuck do you want to bother with that ugly bitch for? Her tasty little blond friend was much more the ticket.”

  “I’m telling you bruv, that girl’s going to be well fit when she’s finished growing up.” He looked back at Ryan. “Rachel is it? I’ll remember that name.”

  “She wouldn’t have anything to do with you, she’s got a brain in her head,” retorted Ryan, wondering why he was so angry.

  “We’ll see,” was all Danny replied before strolling away. “Come on mate, we’ve got things to do,” he called over his shoulder to his brother.

  Ryan fou
nd it interesting that Danny seemed to be the one in charge even though he was the younger brother.

  Alex appeared reluctant to leave, he’d been spoiling for a fight with Ryan for a long time but his dad had resolutely told him no. Ryan was just as keen. They all knew the war between their families was coming and it would be a relief when it finally started.

  Ryan and Simmy watched the Maguire brothers and their heavies return to their cars, leaving their security guards to watch over the building.

  “I’m telling you, we should wait until they’ve all moved in then barricade the doors shut and torch the fucker,” said Simmy.

  “You really need to learn some subtlety Simmy,” replied Ryan. “All you’ll achieve is drawing the coppers back to this estate and that would not be good for business.” Ryan was troubled, he felt certain the future held some nasty surprises for him. If he was killed or sent down then Simmy would be left in charge and that worried him. He was a long way from being a leader. These thoughts had been bothering him more and more lately and he briefly wanted to take his mind off them. “Andy Shaw will want retribution against Rachel for what was done to his sister. Let’s make sure he doesn’t get it.”

  “Danny was right, you do have a crush. Don’t go there, she’s fucking jailbait.”

  For some inexplicable reason the comment infuriated Ryan. He grabbed Simmy by the shoulders and threw him against the fence.

  “Alright, calm down,” said Simmy, eyes wide with fear as Ryan thrust his angry face into his.

  “I’m not doing this for Rachel, I’m doing it because I hate the fucking Shaws. They’re parasites and this is the perfect opportunity to put them in their place. If I ever hear you putting it about that I like sixteen year old girls I’ll rip your fucking head off.”

  “Okay, I get it. Jesus, take it easy will you?”

  Ryan released him, not sure why he was so furious but he really wanted to tackle Andy Shaw while his temper was up. He strode back towards the flats and up the stairs to the third floor, Simmy following, the murmur of voices getting louder as they ascended. When they reached the third floor Ryan indicated for his brother to hang back so he could listen to the racket.