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  “On the ground now,” thundered the ringleader of the pack, cocking the weapon.

  Everyone threw themselves to the floor. Everyone that is except Mikey and Jules.

  The ringleader levelled his shotgun at them while the other three subdued the security guards. “Oy you two, on the floor. Now.”

  Mikey just glared back at him while Jules stood by his side, looking amused.

  “Are you fucking deaf?” snarled the ringleader, rushing at them. “Get down unless you want me to blow your fucking heads off. Oh shit,” he ended, coming to a halt when he realised who he was addressing.

  “No, I’m not at all deaf,” said Mikey, voice icily calm. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Well, robbing the place,” the man shrugged helplessly, lowering his shotgun and aiming it at the floor while Jules sniggered.

  “This is my bank,” said Mikey.

  Jules laughed out loud when the man just stood there, wilting by the second.

  “Sorry,” he eventually said.

  “Go away,” said Mikey.

  The man nodded, eyes full of panic. “Yeah, we will. Thank you. Sorry about that.” He turned to his men. “Let’s go.”

  “What?” said one. “You must be fucking joking?”

  “No I’m not joking.”

  He whispered something to them and all four men turned to look at Mikey and Jules, the latter who was by now openly laughing.

  “We’re gone,” said the man who had objected, rushing outside, his friends hot on his heels.

  “Fucking brilliant,” snorted Jules.

  It took Mikey and Jules almost two hours to leave the bank after being heaped with praise by the staff and customers and questioned by the incredulous police, who seriously took the piss.

  Jules was still chuckling when they finally exited the bank, walking down the high street together. “I can just imagine the headlines in the morning - Gangland Boss Foils Bank Robbery.”

  “Urgh, don’t. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Cheeky bastard Roy Hathaway not getting my permission to do a job. I’ll be having words with that twat.”

  “He’s probably wetting his pants as we speak. Now that’s over can we finally get something to eat? I’m starving.”

  “Please don’t tell me you still want snails?”

  “I really do.”

  He sighed. “Fine, I know a nice little French place that serves lunch.”

  “It’s dinner, you’re from the north, remember?”

  “Seriously, etiquette lessons coming from the woman who wants to eat a bowl of slimy things?”

  She shivered with delight and smiled. “Come on, hurry up before I start drooling.”

  Mikey finally felt calm descend upon him as he and Jules were seated at a quiet table in a nice little French bistro, both of them sipping orange juices and waiting for Jules’s snails and Mikey’s steak tartare to be brought to them.

  “Why is it every trip out with you turns out to be an adventure?” he asked her with a smile.

  “I’m just blessed,” she grinned.

  His expression turned serious. “Please don’t leave the business Jules.”

  “I don’t want to, I enjoy it.”

  “It’s your birthright too plus you’re really good at what you do. We’ll make it work.”

  “Maybe we should concentrate on developing our relationship as cousins? That might help get us where we need to be.”

  He nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”

  “Okay, I’ll stay,” she said, much to his relief. “Little cuz.”

  “I’m glad. Big cuz.”

  “Don’t call me big, it sounds like you’re calling me fat.”

  “Being called little isn’t exactly a compliment to a man you know,” he said wryly.

  Jules was about to say that he wasn’t so little but just managed to stop herself in time. That would be completely inappropriate. “Then let’s stick to calling each other by our names.”

  “Good plan Julesy,” he grinned, clinking his glass against hers.

  Her expression was stony. “No, try again.”

  “Jules,” he said, lips twitching.

  “That’s better.”

  “Your snails madam,” said the waiter, who they hadn’t even noticed hovering by the table.

  “Urgh,” said Mikey when the bowl was placed before her. “They smell.”

  The waiter frowned at him disapprovingly.

  She inhaled the aroma and exhaled shakily. “Yummy.”

  “Madam has excellent taste,” said the haughty waiter before walking off with his nose in the air.

  Mikey knew it must be love if he could watch her stuff snails into her mouth and still want to kiss her.

  “Here we are,” said Mikey when his car rolled to a halt outside Jules’s house. They’d had a lovely lunch together - despite the snails - and had a lot of fun too. Being held up at gunpoint and then interviewed by the police seemed so long ago after they’d spent most of the afternoon in the bistro, talking and laughing.

  Jules had enjoyed herself just as much and was reluctant for their time together to end but she had things to do. “Thanks, I really enjoyed myself.”

  His smile was gentle. “Me too.”

  “Well, can’t hang around here all day, I’ve got a test to do,” she said although she didn’t want to get out of the car. She hesitated before adding, “will you sit with me while I do it? I don’t mean you need to watch me pee,” she added when his eyebrows went up. “I could just use a little moral support.”

  “Why, are you nervous?”

  “Part of me is. I spent most of my life thinking I couldn’t have kids then I had Cara. I’m so scared it’ll be taken away from me again.”

  “There’s no reason why it should.”

  “I know, it’s irrational but I could use a friend while I do it.”

  “Surely Jackson should be with you?”

  She shook her head. “He wants a child of his own so badly, I don’t want to get his hopes up then destroy them if I’m not pregnant.”

  “Okay, I’ll sit with you. As a friend.”

  “Thanks Mikey, I really appreciate it.”

  “Anything for you, you know that.”

  She gave his hand a quick squeeze before getting out of the car, Mikey following.

  He sat in the lounge, clasping his hands together awkwardly while Jules went into the downstairs toilet to take the test.

  She returned, eyes heavy with anxiety. “It’ll take a couple of minutes,” she said, picking her nails.

  “I’ve never seen you look so scared.”

  “I don’t want to let Jackson down. He adores Cara but it’s not the same as having a child of your own, is it?”

  He shrugged. “I can’t say, I don’t have any stepkids.”

  “I’m afraid if I can’t have another baby he’ll leave me.”

  “Why are you so sure you can’t? There were no complications with Cara.”

  “You didn’t see the damage that was done to me when I was thirteen. I nearly died. What if carrying one child was such a strain on my damaged insides that I can’t do it again?”

  He got to his feet and took her hands. “That is not going to happen. You’re strong and healthy. There’s no reason why you can’t have any more and Jackson is not going to leave you, he loves you.”

  “It’s just that my life is finally good and I’m so afraid of something coming along to spoil it.”

  “That’s not going to happen because I won’t let it,” he said and she gave him a gentle smile. Jules was showing him the vulnerable part of herself, the one she very rarely let anyone see, including her own husband and he appreciated her opening up to him like this. It was a huge show of trust on her part and one he felt was only deepening their relationship, even if that relationship had to be platonic.

  “Thanks Mikey, I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  They stared at each other for a moment before M
ikey released her hands. “Is it time yet?”

  She glanced at her watch and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Come on then,” he said, steering her in the direction of the toilet.

  Mikey watched in the doorway as Jules took a deep breath and picked up the test. She broke into a huge grin. “It’s positive.”

  “Great,” he grinned, hugging her. “See, all that worry for nothing.”

  “I know, I feel so stupid now.” She sighed with relief. “Thanks for listening to all my insane ramblings.”

  He took a deep breath before saying, “that’s what cousins are for.”

  She hugged him and he cradled her to him, pressing his cheek to the top of her head before forcing himself to step back. “Congratulations. As of now, light duties only. No fighting for you.”

  “At least I don’t have to give up the fags this time.”

  “Yes, you did well not slipping back into old habits after you had Cara. Jackson’s going to be so made up about this.”

  “He will, he loves being a dad.”

  Mikey swallowed hard and nodded, looking down at his feet. “Well, I’d better get back to the bungalow. Take the rest of the day off, you’ve some celebrating to do.”

  “Thanks,” she beamed. “You’ve been really great.”

  He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re always great,” he said before walking away.

  Jules watched him leave, a lump in her throat.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Rachel,” said Ryan, pleased to see her, putting aside the book he’d completely failed to concentrate on because of his worries. “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. I thought you were spending the afternoon with your mum and Dolores?”

  “I was but I cut it short.”

  “You did?” he said, hoping she wanted to spend the time with him instead.

  “I was approached by someone called Jim Warren. He’s from Barnstaple and he said there’s a group of muggers causing merry hell there.”

  He hid his disappointment well. “Yes, I read about that in the newspapers. The police are stumped. No surprise there.”

  “He wondered if there was something we could do to stop it?”

  “I’m sure we can manage that,” he said, running his fingers through her hair.

  “Thanks. Do you mind if I leave it to you and Battler? I’m not sure I’m up to it.”

  “Still tired?” he said, forcing the scepticism from his tone.

  She nodded. “Yeah, a bit. Thanks for being so understanding.”

  “That’s what husband’s are for,” he said, pulling her to him for a hug. He met a bit of resistance at first but when he didn’t make a further move on her she relaxed into him.

  “Be careful on this one,” she said. “By all accounts they’re vicious bastards and they actually know what they’re doing.”

  “I will,” he said, kissing the top of her head, pleased by her concern for him.

  Mikey stormed into the office at the bungalow, flung his coat on the floor and threw himself into his chair.

  “And hello to you too,” said Jez from his own desk. “Hero of the hour.”

  “Eh?” said Mikey, turning to face him.

  “It’s all over the news that the infamous Mikey Maguire foiled a bank robbery today.”

  Mikey was amazed that he’d actually managed to forget all about that. “Fucking cheeky bastard Roy Hathaway turned up when me and Jules were there, armed to the teeth and pointing his shotgun at us.”

  “He didn’t ask permission for that one.”

  “No he bloody well didn’t and he’s going to get his fat fucking arse spanked for it.”

  “Apparently you’re a bloody hero now. That’s not going to do us any favours in the eyes of the Mancunian underworld.”

  “What the fuck do we care what they think? We can squash them all if we want to.”

  “Jesus, what’s crawled up your arse and died? Did Dominic try to mess you about?”

  “He wouldn’t dare, the fucking dick.”

  “So what is it then?”

  He took a deep breath before saying, “Jules is pregnant.”

  “Hey that’s great.” Jez’s grin fell. “Please don’t tell me it’s yours.”

  “Course it’s not mine, you actually have to have sex with someone to get them pregnant. I know you’ve got it in your head that we have but we’ve never gone that far, unfortunately.”

  “So Jackson’s finally going to have a kid of his own. He’ll be made up.”

  “Fucking bully for him,” muttered Mikey.

  “Jesus, am I to take it that this huge strop is because Jules is married to and having a baby with someone else?”

  “Maybe,” he said petulantly.

  “I wish you’d get over her.”

  “So do I, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier.”

  “And mine,” said Jez, rolling his eyes.

  Jackson walked into the front room to subdued lighting and Marilyn Manson playing on the stereo. He couldn’t help but grin. That meant Jules was in the mood for some grown-up time.

  “Hello?” he called through the house. “Where are you? It’s so bloody dark.”

  She appeared from the direction of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a tea towel.

  “What?” she said when he came to a sudden halt, eyes wide.

  “You’re wearing a dress.”

  “Yeah,” she said, self-consciously smoothing down her short black dress. “Why, don’t you like it?”

  “I love it but you don’t normally wear dresses.” He frowned and sniffed the air. “And have you been…cooking?”

  “Yes. I finally got round to teaching myself today.”

  “You taught yourself to cook, in one day?”

  “Yeah,” she shrugged. “It’s easy. I should have learnt years ago. All I had to do was read a few books. I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I always said those chefs on the telly getting stressed because some dick undercooked a pudding were drama queens.”

  His wife never ceased to amaze him. Lots of people called themselves geniuses but she genuinely was. She was an expert in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and history. Her IQ was off the charts, just like Ryan’s. She could be on the phone to him for hours, discussing some obscure subject he couldn’t even begin to get his head around. His wife’s vast intelligence was a source of pride for him and it seemed she’d added cooking to her long list of accomplishments. “What are we having?”

  “Chicken milanese with spaghetti followed by crema catalana.”

  “I’ve no idea what they are but they sound good. I’m starving after training. Where’s Cara?”

  “At your Mum and Dad’s.”

  Great, she was definitely in the mood for a wild night of romance. He pulled her to him and kissed her. “Will the food keep?”

  “Calm down Romeo. I haven’t finished telling you what we’re having for dinner.”

  “Okay, go on then,” he said, excited. Jules was incredibly unpredictable and he wondered what sexual delights she had in store.

  “I forgot to mention the starter. We’re having snails.”

  “Snails?” he said, screwing up his nose.

  Jules smiled when his eyes widened.

  “Snails? But you only like them when you’re…”

  “Pregnant,” she ended for him with a grin.

  “You mean…”

  She nodded. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  “Yes,” he cried, picking her up and hugging her.

  “Alright, take it easy,” she smiled, planting a kiss on his lips.

  “Sorry,” he said, putting her down and regarding her with concern. “I hope I didn’t hurt you? Is the baby okay?”

  “We’re both fine,” she said, delighted by the joy shining in his eyes.

  “How far gone are you?”

  “Two months.”

  “I won’t go on the tour to Ireland, I’m staying right here.”

  “There’s n
o need for that, it’s early days yet.”

  “I don’t want to miss a second. I want to see your belly getting bigger, go to every scan, every doctor’s appointment and watch you eat snails.”

  “You’re a brave man,” she grinned.

  “Have you told anyone else?”

  “Just Mikey.”

  His expression hardened. “Mikey?”

  “We had a meeting today and we had lunch out. I ordered snails, I couldn’t resist so he put two and two together.” It was a bit of a lie but she knew the truth would hurt him. “I’m sorry, I wanted you to be the first to know but it couldn’t be helped.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “Don’t worry about it for a moment, I don’t want you under any strain. I hope you’re not going to be working for Jez and Mikey while you’re in this condition?”

  “Course not, except for filing and photocopying,” she said wryly. “I’ll be spending most of my time at the tattoo shop, I’ve come up with some great new designs. I’ve got an ace one I thought you might like doing before your next big fight, a great big dragon twining around your leg, it’ll look great.”

  He kissed her. “Have you any idea how much I love you?”

  “Some,” she purred, snaking her arms around his neck. “Why don’t you show me?”

  “I will. Gently though. Let’s go upstairs.”

  “Sorry lover boy, that’s going to have to wait. The snails are beckoning.”

  She took his hand and led him into the kitchen.

  “I hope you brush your teeth before we go upstairs,” he commented, making her smile.

  Katia felt the knife sink into flesh, her lips curling into a smile when the man’s eyes bulged.

  “Where is it?” she said.

  “G…go fuck yourself,” rasped the man, sweat standing out on his brow.

  She twisted the blade, just like Hayden had shown her, ensuring the wound wouldn’t close and causing maximum pain. The man grunted, screwing his eyes tight shut, attempting to take the pain flooding his body. Blood dripped from the wound she’d opened up in his side, just below his ribs, Katia felt its sticky warmth on her fingers.

  “Try again,” she said, pushing the blade slightly deeper, so sharp it passed through flesh like butter. She glanced up at Hayden, saw him nod so she pushed a little more. The man started to shiver and shake, eyes rolling back in his head.