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  “Well that’s a bloody good step forward. It’ll be nice having a copper unwittingly working for us.”

  Rumours were all over Manchester Prison about John South’s fate. The general consensus agreed that Mikey and Jez had been behind it and that it hadn’t been natural causes, Jules’s hotshots weren’t exactly a secret. Even the authorities believed they’d been responsible but as they couldn’t prove it nothing was done. It encouraged all the prisoners hostile to them to keep their distance. Plus they’d taken down the king of their landing, so they were the new kings. They’d proved that even though they were locked up they still wielded a lot of power, crushing any possible insurrection against their rule on the outside as well as the inside. All the inmates on their floor who were dealing or running little scams came to them for permission to continue, which Mikey and Jez both gave, after telling them what cut of the profits they would be taking. Finally they felt like they had a stable base to stand on again, making their time inside just that little bit easier.

  “You look better,” Jules told Mikey on her next visit while gripping onto his hands.

  “Thanks to your gift things have become a bit more tolerable in here,” he replied.

  “Glad to hear it.” She glanced across the visits centre at Jez, who was talking with Ryan, elated when he gave her a smile and a wink.

  “He’s really sorry about how he spoke to you,” said Mikey. “He was upset about Cathy. He asked me to pass on his apologies.”

  “He was right to be pissed off. I did fuck up.”

  “No you didn’t Jules. We’d have done exactly what you did. Please let it go babe. I don’t want to worry about you any more than I already am.”

  “Alright, I’ll let it go, for you.”

  He beamed at her. “Thank you. Christ I want to throw you down on the floor and take you.”

  “Don’t turn me on,” she said, leaning into him. “It’s difficult enough climbing into a cold lonely bed every night.”

  “I don’t care that we’re surrounded by people. All the screws in this place wouldn’t be enough to stop me.”

  They kissed hard, Jules groaning into his mouth, raking her fingers through his hair, fighting the urge to pull that ugly grey tracksuit top over his head to reveal the gorgeous body beneath.

  “Alright, break it up,” said a deep, disapproving voice. “Or do you want me to get the fire extinguisher?”

  Reluctantly they broke apart. Mikey glared up at the screw with his hair all over the place and cheeks flushed. “If you don’t want to see stuff like that then allow conjugal visits,” he snapped.

  “What do I care? I get to go home to my missus at the end of each shift.”

  “Just after the milkman’s left her.”

  “Yeah, like I’ve never heard that one before,” he said before moving on.

  “Forget that nob,” said Jules. “We’ve more important things to discuss.”

  In hushed tones she told him about the attempt on Shane’s life and what Mark and Bruiser had found out about Declan.

  “Bloody hell,” said Mikey when she’d finished. “Do you really think it was him?”

  “I reckon so, although we can’t be one hundred percent certain.”

  “Do not visit me again, okay? You stay at The Manor until he’s found. You do not take any chances and that is a direct order.”

  “You know what you can do with your direct orders.”

  “We agreed that in business you would always do as I said. It’s the only way we can make our working relationship and marriage work.”

  “I don’t care. It’s hard enough without you at home. I couldn’t stand it if I didn’t get to see you at all.”

  “It’s only temporary until Declan’s found.”

  “No,” she said rebelliously.

  “Declan will know you’ll come here to visit me. One day he could be waiting for you. Please babe,” he pressed when she pouted. “The worst moment of my entire life was watching you get shot in the chest. I couldn’t go through pain like that again.” Once again the treacherous lump rose in his throat and tears made his vision swim. His iron will forced it all back deep down inside himself.

  Jules sighed. Her husband was going through enough and she didn’t want to inflict any more worry on him. “Fine. I won’t come again until we get the bastard.”

  “Thank you,” he said, cupping her face with one big hand.

  “It’s just so hard without you,” she rasped. “I fucking hate it.”

  “It won’t be for much longer. I promise I will come home to you soon.”

  She pressed her hand to his, seeing her own pain and longing reflected in his eyes.

  Ryan finally recognised what Jules and Mikey had been talking about. There was something different about Jez, a hardness in his eyes and voice that hadn’t existed before. It was only natural his little brother had changed. All the shit they’d been through had altered them all but he looked and sounded as though he’d lived a hundred lifetimes in a few short years.

  “Jez,” said Ryan quietly. “I’m going to ask you something and I want an honest answer.” He glanced around before continuing, leaning in even closer. “Did you have Amber killed?”

  “No,” he exclaimed. “For Christ’s sake Ryan, what do you think I am?”

  Ryan studied him carefully. “Oh for God’s sake Jez,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You did, didn’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Do not lie to me,” he snarled.

  Jez went silent and looked down at his hands.

  “Why?”

  “To protect us all. Compassion has always been our downfall in the past.”

  “Well good job because you and Mikey are now banged up. Was he in on it?”

  “No, I didn’t tell anyone. He thinks I’m totally innocent.”

  “If he finds out he will kill you.”

  “No he won’t. He couldn’t stand her.”

  “She was still the mother of his children for God’s sake. Jesus Jez, what have you done? If this comes out it could tear our two families apart.”

  “Course it won’t.”

  “Did you ever stop to think about your sister? What will she do if Mikey finds out? She’ll be forced to choose between you and her husband.”

  “She’s not going to find out though, is she bruv? No one is, especially not Mikey.”

  Ryan was a little shocked by the threat in his younger brother’s eyes. The change had gone deeper than he’d first thought. “Are you threatening me Jez?”

  “No. I’m warning you. Keep it to yourself.”

  “If I managed to figure it out don’t you think he will too?”

  “There’s no reason why he should. Jules will get us sprung and that’ll be the end of it.”

  “I hope to God you’re right because if not we could end up going to war against our own family.”

  “Stop being dramatic.”

  “I’m not. Have you any idea how dangerous this situation is?”

  Ryan hadn’t felt anger against his younger brother in many years but it surged back with a vengeance. If they hadn’t been inside a prison he was quite sure he would have dragged him over the table and kicked the shit out of him. He’d endangered everything, risked tearing their family in two because of that stupid little narcissist. Estelle was getting her revenge from beyond the grave and it felt like this was Amber’s. If Mikey and Jez went to war with each other he couldn’t imagine what Jules would do. And what about Rachel? Jez was his brother but Mikey was like her own brother. Dane and his men would naturally take whichever side Jules chose, his loyalty had always been to her. Then there was Toni McVay. Her deal had always been with the Maguires, she would side with Mikey against Jez. Or she was just insane enough to attack them both while they were weakened and take Manchester for herself. And what about Shane? He ran things in Liverpool on Mikey and Jez’s behalf but his men answered to him alone. Who would he throw his weight behind? Hell, the prospect of wh
at could happen if Mikey and Jez became enemies almost overwhelmed him.

  Jez saw the fury in his brother’s eyes but for the first time in his life Ryan’s rage didn’t intimidate him. “Everything will be sweet. Just relax and keep your mouth shut.”

  “You have made the fuck up of a lifetime Jez. I handed things over to you because I thought you were ready. Perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps I should take it back.”

  Jez just smiled. “You can try.”

  “What’s happened to you? Did giving that order kill everything inside you? Am I just talking to a walking, unfeeling shell?”

  “Will you stop with the drama? Just sit tight and it’ll be fine. Don’t tell anyone, not even Rachel.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to her. I wish I didn’t know. While you’re in here you have a good hard think about your actions and the person you want to be. What would Cathy say if she knew what you’d done?”

  Finally he got a reaction that looked human. Jez’s eyes flickered and he looked down at his hands.

  “If you hadn’t given that order she wouldn’t be in hospital now,” pressed Ryan, hoping he’d found a way to get through to his brother.

  Jez hissed out air between his teeth and drummed his fingers off the table top. “Alright, you’ve made me feel like shit. Happy now?”

  “I’m happy that you’re feeling real human emotion. Does anyone else know about this?”

  “Just Ray fucking McGinnis. Shane might possibly suspect.”

  “Why, what did you tell him?”

  “I needed him to stop me from giving another order.”

  “What order?”

  “Katia and her kids.”

  “Oh God Jez, what’s happening to you?”

  He shrugged. “Dunno. I did something I knew would cost me a piece of myself but I had to pay a bigger price than I thought. Now the stuff that used to seem so bad doesn’t anymore.”

  “If he does then let’s hope he keeps his mouth shut.”

  “He will, he knows the score.”

  “Let’s put that to one side for now,” said Ryan. “You need to know about Declan.”

  Jez listened incredulously as he explained. “The fucking dick,” he said when he’d finished.

  “Exactly.” Ryan had had enough of his brother for one day and he was anxious to escape the prison and its stench, which he’d had to endure for years.

  “Where are you going?” said Jez when he got to his feet. “There’s still fifteen minutes of visiting.”

  “I’ve had my fill of this place for one day. And of you.”

  Jez grabbed his arm, eyes heavy with menace. “Remember what I said bruv. Not a word.”

  Ryan snatched his arm away, placed both hands down on the table and leaned over his brother. “You don’t need to tell me. Unlike you I’m not a fucking idiot.”

  With that Ryan stormed out, Jez watching him go with cold grey eyes. Mikey and Jules were so wrapped up in each other they didn’t even notice.

  Jez watched his sister and best friend together, the love between them was obvious for all to see. He did feel bad about the position he’d put them in, they were so happy together and he knew if they found out what he’d done to Amber it would tear their relationship apart, if Mikey couldn’t get over it that is. There was always the chance that he would understand, maybe even be grateful that she could never bother him or his sons again. At least he hoped. If not he could be fighting the biggest war of his life against some of the people he loved the most.

  CHAPTER 29

  “Hurry up,” said Ryan, urging Jules over to the sports bike Dane had loaned them when she finally exited the front of the prison.

  He tossed her a helmet and she hastily pulled it on, leaping onto the bike behind Ryan and wrapping her arms around his waist, glad she had a tight grip when he set off faster than he should have done.

  “Bloody hell, are you trying to throw me off?” she said into the microphone in the lid.

  “Sorry but hang on again,” he said, revving the engine, sending the bike rocketing past a slow moving red car attempting to negotiate its way out of the car park. The security guard, whose palm Ryan had already greased to ensure they had a speedy exit, waved them through the gate.

  They drove in silence to an underground car park a couple of streets away where another two gleaming sports bikes were waiting for them. The one they’d used to leave the prison would be collected later by one of Dane’s men. They mounted the new bikes, Jules rushing for the black bike, leaving Ryan stuck with the gaudy red one and headed back to The Manor, going a circuitous route to ensure they weren’t followed.

  They hurried inside, not taking off the helmets until they were through the door.

  “Alright big bruv,” said Jules, removing her helmet. “Spill.”

  “Spill what?”

  “You rode that bike like the exhaust had slipped up your arse. What did Jez say to get you so riled?”

  “Oh nothing specific. I just saw what you and Mikey meant, there is something darker about him.”

  “Yeah. Shame really, he used to be so laidback.”

  “How did your visit with Mikey go?” he said, keen to change the subject.

  “Not great. When I told him about Declan he said he doesn’t want me to visit him again until he’s caught.”

  “I can imagine it cost him a lot to say that, your visits keep him going but he’s right. You shouldn’t be sticking your neck out.”

  “Declan’s a fucking pudding. I’m not scared of him.”

  “You’re not scared of anyone and sometimes that’s your trouble. It makes you take unnecessary risks. You staying alive and well keeps us all safe.”

  “That’s all well and good but if I can’t see him…” She sighed, looking miserable. “This fucking sucks.”

  “Remember, it’s only temporary.”

  Shane emerged from deeper in the house. “Thank God you’re back Boss.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Declan’s been spotted.”

  “Where?”

  “I’ll show you.”

  They followed him through to the security room, which was a small box room stuffed full of computers and monitors. The room was made even smaller by Mark and Carter’s large frames. They leaned back against the wall so Jules and Ryan could enter.

  “The bungalow,” he replied.

  They constantly monitored their old headquarters, just in case. This was the first thing that had turned up, apart from a nest of starlings and the odd police drone, which always gave them a good laugh. They watched a larger, podgier version of Declan charge into what had once been Mikey and Jez’s office, a rifle to his eye.

  “He moves like a soldier,” said Mark. “He never used to move like that. He probably thought one day we’d come calling and he wanted to be ready.”

  “What sort of rifle is that?” Jules asked him.

  “L one one five a three sniper rifle. Used by the British Army, range sixteen hundred yards. With that weapon he could easily have shot Shane. It’s a bloody good piece of kit and it looks like he knows what he’s doing with it.”

  “You’re all wearing your vests at all times?” she asked them.

  The men nodded.

  “But,” said Mark. “If he’s any sense he’ll have learned from the attack on Shane and next time he’ll go for a head shot. Either that or he’s not skilled enough at long distances to go for the head, it’s a much harder target to hit.”

  They watched Declan search the bungalow and, finding no one there, he stormed out. A few seconds later the image blurred before vanishing altogether.

  “He blew the place up,” explained Carter. “Me and Mark went out there to confirm it.”

  “Oh great,” said Jules. “So this tosspot’s got explosives training now, has he? When he worked for us he was fucking useless. Now look at him, poncing about all over the city like the lovechild of Dirty Harry and Vin Diesel.”

  “That’s one ugly kid,” commented Carter.
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  “Finding this twat is our number one priority,” said Jules. “Ray McGinnis might be a lying little turd but at least he’s not shooting us and blowing shit up. Where’s Bruiser by the way?”

  “Looking up an old friend.”

  “I hope he doesn’t mean that literally. Right, send a sniper to find a sniper. This is your realm Mark, you’ll be able to get under his skin in a way none of us can. Fuck every other order I gave you. Finding Declan is your number one priority. Carter, give him whatever he needs.”

  “One thing I like about you Boss,” said Mark. “Your orders are always very succinct.”

  “Give an order how you’d like to get an order. Shane, get on the blower to Dane. See if he’s found out anything about Declan from his own contacts. Then get onto the Scouse DCC. I want to know everything he does about Inspector Leonidas.”

  “What do you need me to do?” said Ryan as the other men left to carry out their orders.

  “You could make me a brew. I’m gagging.” she said, taking a seat in the only chair in the room and putting her feet up on the small table.

  “I didn’t come all the way up here to be your maid.”

  “I like maids’ outfits. I have one too, a sexy little black lace one. Very French. Mikey got all excited about it until he realised he’d be the one wearing it.”

  “That has to be one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever heard.”

  “That’s nothing compared to some of the stories I could tell you.”

  “No thank you. I have no wish to go home mentally scarred. And I’m still waiting for an order here.”

  “Fucked if I know,” she said, raking her fingers through her hair. “I’m still waiting for my lazy arsed contact to get back to me about McGinnis and Mark and Carter are tackling the Declan issue.”

  “What about Dwyer?”

  “If he wasn’t a copper I would have put a bullet in his fascist head ages ago but unfortunately he is, so I can’t.”