Divided Loyalties Read online

  Janine Wareing flew into the office of the Wherry Tavern clutching a huge bouquet of lilies.

  “Thank you,” she cried, embracing a surprised Rachel. “Thank you for what you did to that scumbag. Now he’ll know what my baby goes through every day. These are for you,” she said, handing Rachel the flowers.

  “Thank you Janine, they’re lovely. Lilies are my favourites.”

  “I know. I just wish I could do more for you.”

  “I don’t want any reward.”

  “The Council have found us a new home too. It’s a lovely ground floor flat in the suburbs. It’s close to the hospital and has its own garden. Plus they’re going to kit it all out for Sally-Ann. You should see her little face, she’s so happy.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “That was you too, wasn’t it? The Council didn’t want to know before and now they’re falling over themselves to help us. I can’t find the words,” she said, eyes filling with tears.

  “There’s no need,” replied Rachel, clasping her hands.

  “I swear if you ever need anything and it’s in my power to give it then please just ask.”

  “I couldn’t ask for more. Get yourself off home Janine and don’t think about it again.”

  At that moment Danny entered the room and Janine grabbed his face in both hands and kissed him full on the lips. Rachel laughed at his startled expression.

  “Thank you, you lovely man,” she grinned before leaving.

  “Who was that?” he asked Rachel.

  “Sally-Ann’s mum. She’s very grateful.”

  “So I see.” He closed the door, pulled Rachel to him and kissed her hard. They were interrupted by a knock at the door.

  “What?” snapped Danny, annoyed by the interruption.

  The door opened and to both their surprise an elderly woman hobbled into the room. Danny frowned but Rachel recognised her as Mrs Dawson off the Montford, a formidable old lady with a brood of tearaway grandchildren.

  “Sorry, am I interrupting?” she said, blinking myopically through thick glasses.

  “Of course not,” smiled Rachel, seating her in a chair, accompanied by a creaking of joints. “What can we do for you?”

  Mrs Dawson grasped Rachel’s hand fervently. “I’ve come to beg you for justice. My eldest granddaughter, Tiff, was raped by Bill Morley’s lad, Gavin. The police said there’s not enough evidence to prosecute, it’s just her word against his and Bill won’t believe his son capable of doing something like that.”

  “Tiff’s sure it was Gavin?”

  Mrs Dawson nodded. “Positive and my Tiff never lies.”

  “I know Gavin Morley,” interjected Danny. “He’s been causing a lot of trouble on the estate since Jez moved off it.”

  “He’s a pain in the arse and he needs sorting out,” spat Mrs Dawson vehemently, the anger inside her belying her frail frame.

  Rachel glanced at Danny, who nodded.

  “We’ll sort it out for you,” said Danny reassuringly.

  “Bless you lad. You’ve no idea what this means to my family.”

  “How can we be sure Gavin’s guilty?” Danny asked Rachel after Mrs Dawson had left.

  “She was telling the truth, I’m sure of it.”

  “Of course she was but it doesn’t mean Tiff is. What if she’s trying to get him back for something?”

  “I’ll speak to her first. She’s more likely to open up to another woman but I know Tiff and I can’t imagine her making up something like that.”

  “You do realise we’ve opened the floodgates? They’ll all be asking us to sort people out for them.”

  “It’s good PR,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck, “and having people owe you a favour can only be a good thing.”

  He patted her on the bottom. “Mrs Maguire you are so smart it scares me.”

  As they kissed there was another knock on the door.

  “Oh for Christ’s sake what now?” yelled Danny.

  Joe the pub manager, a scrawny dark haired man who always put Rachel in mind of a meerkat, popped his head around the door.

  “Sorry Danny but there’s someone to see you in the bar.”

  “Who?”

  “Richard Spencer.”

  Danny rolled his eyes and kissed Rachel on the tip of the nose. “To be continued.”

  Taking her hand they walked into the bar to find a tall, distinguished-looking gent with salt and pepper hair and a very expensive suit pacing angrily. Naturally Danny and Rachel recognised him instantly, given his high profile in the city.

  “Danny Maguire?”

  Danny nodded. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here about my boy, you know, the one you left without the use of his legs and who the doctors tell me will never walk properly again.”

  “Sorry, I’m not with you.”

  Richard laughed. “Bullshit.”

  “Has your son made an accusation against me?”

  “No but everyone knows you’re responsible. There’s only one family around here psycho enough to pull a stunt like that.”

  “Your son ran over a little girl and left her for dead. Sounds like he got what he deserved.”

  Richard’s eyes narrowed. “You took everything from my son. Now I’m going to take everything from you,” he said, jabbing a finger at Rachel.

  Danny thrust his face into his angrily. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  Richard shoved him roughly in the chest. “Despite the fancy suit you‘re just a common thug. I‘m not scared of you.”

  “You should be,” spat Danny, grabbing him by the shirt front and pushing him backwards through the door.

  Richard fell, landing painfully on the pavement outside. Danny loomed over him, face like thunder, Rachel watching curiously.

  “If you want sympathy for your turd of a son you’ll find none from anyone round here.” He knelt down to hiss in Richard’s ear. “And if you ever threaten my wife again I will kill you.”

  Richard struggled to his feet. “What goes around comes around Danny. If I was you I’d be very worried.”

  Danny took Rachel’s hand as they watched Richard stalk off down the street, their expressions cold.

  “Do you think we should worry about him?” said Rachel quietly. “He is well connected.”

  “We’ll see,” replied Danny, his blue eyes narrowing.

  CHAPTER 3

  The morning of Beth and Alex’s wedding arrived and Rachel sat in her full regalia sipping champagne, watching Beth take one last anxious look in the mirror. Her nerves were on edge because today the jury would give their verdict on Ryan’s case so by the time the wedding was over he would either be a free man or spend the rest of his natural life behind bars. His words in Martina’s Bar on that hot and heavy night when she and Danny had briefly split up haunted her. He’d told her that the prospect of going back to prison frightened him more than death and if he went down she would never forgive herself. No one else was worrying, they were all certain he’d be found not guilty because there was hardly any evidence but after her encounter with The Coalition she was all too aware of how shadowy forces could work to bring things to an unexpected conclusion.

  “Relax, you look gorgeous,” Rachel told Beth.

  “Thanks. God I’m nervous.” She took a sip of champagne, released a small burp and giggled. “I hope I don’t do that during the ceremony.”

  “I’m sure you won’t.”

  “Were you this nervous marrying Danny?”

  “I was terrified.”

  “I’ll be fine once we’re at the reception and I can drink as much as I like.”

  “Don’t have too much, you don’t want to spoil your wedding night.”

  Beth’s eyes went hazy with happiness. “No I don’t. Alex can do this amazing thing with his little finger…”

  She was prevented from elaborating by Beth’s mother, Carol, entering the room, who wasn’t too happy about her only child marrying a Maguire. Rachel
had known Beth’s mum since she was a little girl and used to be close to her. Now Carol could barely bring herself to speak to her, much to Rachel’s chagrin.

  “The car’s here,” said Carol quietly, as though her daughter was about to be led to the gallows rather than her wedding. Beth’s family were Montford born and bred and despite the fact that the Law family were working alongside the Maguires, some still saw this wedding as a betrayal.

  Fortunately Beth was too agitated to notice. She had one last check in the mirror, snatched up her flowers then took a few deep breaths to stop herself from hyperventilating.

  “Here, have one last swig,” said Rachel, handing her a glass of champagne.

  Beth downed the lot, tossed the empty glass onto the bed and took another deep breath.

  “Right, let’s do this.”

  Danny could hardly keep his eyes on the bride and groom because Rachel stood just behind Beth looking delectable in a deep red floor length gown. Her dark hair had been piled high on top of her head but he didn’t like it that way, he preferred it loose so he could run his fingers through it. He intended to do that later tonight when they were alone in their suite. She glanced back at him with a mischievous grin and he was sure she knew exactly what he was thinking. He forced his mind back to the ceremony, smiling as the bride and groom shared their first kiss. He was pleased for his brother, he’d got a good woman in Beth, who obviously adored him. When Alex claimed his bride’s mouth for a second kiss Danny had to tap him on the shoulder and remind him that they should be progressing down the aisle.

  Rachel took Danny’s arm as they followed them out of the church and posed for photos on the steps, Beth’s parents doing their best to raise a smile. Then they headed to a five star hotel for the reception.

  As everyone tucked into dinner Danny’s mobile phone rang and he stepped outside to take the call. Rachel’s heart was in her mouth as she waited for him to return. The call might not be about Ryan but she just had the feeling it was. He returned a few minutes later stony-faced and quietly retook his seat.

  “Well?” she said, trying to keep her voice casual.

  “Ryan’s case has been put back until tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “Some bullshit reason. I think Benton’s hoping some miracle will happen at the eleventh hour to get him sent down, he knows he hasn’t got anything on him. I hope you’re right Rach. If Ryan gets out and decides he wants revenge for what we did to him then it will be another war.”

  “He realises that wouldn’t be beneficial for anyone and his businesses are thriving. He’s not stupid.”

  “I hope you’re right but I can’t help thinking I made a mistake. A more permanent solution to the problem of Ryan Law might have been the better option,” he said quietly in her ear.

  “The Laws are towing the line and working with us. If you’d done that we would still be fighting them. Now can we please change the subject? This is your brother’s and my best friend’s wedding.”

  She didn’t like this talk at all. Danny wasn’t bloodthirsty but he was more than capable of killing if required. The situation with Ryan was very delicate and it could work out well or it could explode in their faces. Ryan was unpredictable. Just because he’d told her that he was willing to work with their family didn’t mean that he actually was.

  Danny saw the worry in his wife’s black eyes and determined to make it go away, at least for a little while. They’d been to see their doctor, who’d assured them there was nothing wrong and if they just relaxed a little more then something would happen.

  After the bride and groom had danced their first dance while gazing into each other’s eyes, Danny led Rachel onto the dance floor. They talked and laughed and concentrated on having a good time and didn’t mention the Laws once.

  When they were finally alone in their suite, Danny ran them both a hot bubble bath and Rachel leaned back into his chest while he washed her all over. Then he wrapped her up in a thick fluffy towel and carried her back to the bedroom. He wanted her to feel loved and cherished and, most importantly, relaxed. So he removed the towel, lay her on the bed and gave her a massage. He felt the tension drain out of her beneath his fingertips and he thought the recent pressure they’d been under could well explain why she hadn’t conceived yet. Once his hands had finished he kissed her from head to toe until the tension returned to her body but for a very different reason. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.

  “Right now the only thing I want to think about is you inside me, nothing else.”

  “Sounds perfect,” he said, kissing her gently.

  When he thrust inside her she gasped and wrapped her limbs around him tightly as they moved together. Rachel let all thoughts of getting pregnant, Ryan Law and Richard Spencer just fall away until all she knew was her husband. His warmth enveloped her, banishing all the fear and worry and she didn’t even wonder if this time was going to be the one to get her pregnant.

  Danny bellowed out her name as she pulled him down into his own orgasm, lifting her hips off the bed. As he caught his breath he gazed down at his wife, her eyes jet black, hair tousled and smiling at him so tenderly he thought he’d explode with love.

  “Jesus Christ I love you so much,” he said.

  “I love you too Babe.”

  He rolled off her and pulled her to him. “Do you think anyone would notice if we just stayed here like this for the rest of our lives?”

  “They’d find us eventually,” she sighed.

  “Yeah, probably. Let‘s make the most of it while it lasts.”

  After Ryan’s not guilty verdict the press were swarming outside the crown court, so he was ushered out the back way instead. Although he appeared cool and collected, inwardly he was trembling with relief. If he’d been sent down he’d have been finished, he couldn’t take that again.

  He stepped outside and hurried to the waiting Audi, Jez leaning against the door. Ryan marked the change in his little brother. Gone were his nerves and fear of his older brother, replaced by a new-found confidence. Jez stepped forward to embrace Ryan warmly.

  “Good to have you back bruv,” smiled Jez.

  “It was only a matter of time, it was all bullshit.”

  Ryan moved to open the front passenger door but Jez stopped him.

  “I think you’ll find riding in the back much more pleasant.”

  Jez opened the door to reveal a pair of long legs encased in stockings, high heels and a black skirt.

  “Jesus,” smiled Ryan, shaking his head.

  He climbed in and Jez slammed the door shut behind him before walking round to the driver’s seat.

  “Hello Ryan.”

  “Rachel Maguire. It’s great to see you.”

  Only Ryan called her Rachel, everyone else used the shortened version. She wondered why. But she liked how her name sounded in his posh clipped Cambridge accent, which was still undeniably sexy. “And you. You’ve been missed.”

  Jez started the engine, giving Ryan a knowing wink in the rear-view mirror.

  “You’ve got my brother working as your chauffeur now?” glowered Ryan.

  “Not at all. Jez was coming to pick you up anyway and I asked if I could tag along. I thought I’d give you a surprise. I hope it’s not an unpleasant one?”

  He drank in the sight and scent of her. “No, can’t say it is.”

  “In fact Jez has been doing a very good job running your businesses practically single-handed.”

  Ryan’s eyebrows lifted so high they almost disappeared into his hair.

  “Impossible.”

  “Actually he’s very clever, like his big brother. He just needed a little encouragement. Your family’s empire is still your own Ryan, we haven’t taken anything over.”

  “Why not? You were free and clear to.”

  “Because it’s not what Frank wanted for our family. You’ve kept your businesses and we’ve kept yours. All’s fair. We still want to keep the peace with you. The of
fer of a truce still stands. What do you say?”

  He paused before replying, not to consider her offer, he already knew what his answer would be, but to make her sweat. “Alright,” he eventually said. “You’re on.”

  She smiled warmly, trying not to release a sigh of relief. “Thank you Ryan. It’s the right thing to do.”

  “Just so you know,” he added, warning in his eyes, “you set me up again and I’ll take the lot of you down with me. Understood?”

  “Understood.”

  The danger in his eyes passed. “Did Danny send you to soften me up?”

  “No. In fact he didn’t want me to come. It was my idea.”

  “Are you my welcome home present then?” he said, running a finger over her knee and up her thigh.

  She allowed herself a moment to enjoy his clever fingers, heat running up her leg and inside her before gently pushing his hand away.

  “I’m a happily married woman now.”

  He leaned closer. “Then why are your eyes jet black?”

  “I admit you have an affect on me, you always have but I’m with Danny and that’s the end of it. What happened in Martina’s Bar can never be repeated.”

  “What a shame because that was only a taster of what I can do.”

  “I’ve no doubt and it’s such a pity that I’ll never get to find out your full potential,” she said softly as his lips moved closer, just inches from her own. He tried to kiss her but she tilted her face at the last moment and his lips brushed her cheek harmlessly.

  “The memory of those fantastic legs in their stockings as you came around my fingers kept me going while I was inside,” he purred in that deep sexy voice.

  She recalled the memory herself and a treacherous wave of lust flooded her body.

  “As I said, that can never happen again,” she replied quietly.

  “Do you want it to?”