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  “Me neither,” she said, kissing him again, pulling him tighter against her, feeling his hardness pressing against her stomach.

  “Jesus, I’m crazy about you,” he breathed shakily.

  “I feel the same,” she smiled up at him, letting her fingers play through the hair at the nape of his neck. “But if Mikey ever found out…” She took a deep breath and tore herself from his arms, turning her back on him. “I won’t put you in danger, he’d kill you if he found out you’d kissed me and I can’t risk that.”

  He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. “One day I’ll set you free, I promise you that.”

  She looked back over her shoulder at him, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She’d seen actresses do the same thing on the telly and had always thought how effective it looked. “I know but right now you need to leave. He could come back any minute.”

  “I don’t want to leave you like this.”

  “You must.”

  “When will I see you again?”

  “Soon, I promise.”

  He sighed and nodded, not happy about leaving her alone but knowing there was no choice. “Will you be alright?”

  “Fine. I feel so much better just for seeing you.”

  He nodded. “Okay. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  With that he pecked her on the lips and Amber saw him out. When he’d gone she locked the door behind him, beaming with triumph. She’d teach Mikey to choose that bunch of morons over her.

  “Well that was an eventful evening,” said Riley, unbuttoning his shirt, revealing the scars covering his torso from the time he was almost killed by the biker gang Jules had belonged to. Beth had long ago become accustomed to the scars and they did nothing to detract from his beauty.

  “Tell me about it,” she sighed, kicking off her shoes and removing her earrings, massaging the lobes. “I can’t believe how much of a bitch Amber was. I’m completely done with her after that. Poor Cathy.”

  “It’s Mikey I feel sorry for. It’s easy for us to turn our backs on her but he’s got to live with her.”

  “I know she gets on his pecs big style, I don’t know why he doesn’t just get a divorce. I suppose he’s thinking of his boys.”

  “It’s the only explanation. Anyway, I’ve had enough of Amber Maguire for one night. We started something earlier that I’m keen to finish,” he said, kneeling before her and leaning in for a kiss.

  “Just hold your horses for a minute,” she said, pressing her hands to his chest. “There’s something I need to say first.”

  “Okay, I promise I won’t blow raspberries on your stomach again.”

  She burst out laughing. “That wasn’t it and thank God for that.”

  “I can’t help it, you’re too cute,” he grinned, sliding his hands beneath her buttocks and pulling her to him, so her legs were splayed around his waist.

  “Calm down, I need to tell you this,” she grinned.

  “Okay, sorry,” he smiled. “What would you like to say?”

  Beth was bursting with excitement. “Well, I think you’re going to be paying a lot of attention to my stomach soon.”

  “I knew it, you do want me to give you raspberries,” he grinned, lifting her blouse.

  “No, not that,” she said, playfully slapping his hands.

  “Why then?” His mouth fell open. “Please tell me you’re pregnant.”

  “I am,” she nodded.

  “Oh yes,” he exclaimed, leaping to his feet and actually jumping in the air.

  “Sshh, you’ll wake the kids.”

  “They should hear the news,” he said, already making for the door.

  “Don’t go waking them, they’re asleep.”

  “You’re right,” he said, returning to her. He knelt before her again and took her face in his hands. “Only a few years ago I was so low I was thinking of killing myself. Then you came along and changed everything. I’m already so happy and this, it’s just…”

  He trailed off when tears welled in his eyes.

  “Come here babe,” she said, hugging him.

  “I love you so much,” he breathed into her hair. “So much it takes my breath away.”

  Tears sprang in Beth’s own eyes at this incredibly romantic statement. “Everything’s going to be so perfect.”

  “I won’t allow it to be any other way,” he said before kissing her.

  Outside the door Archie’s expression was grim. He meandered back to his room, furious. He already had a brother and a sister, he didn’t want another one. His mum and Riley were going to pay for this.

  Lisa - Jackson’s mother - tutted at her husband. “For God’s sake Stuart, you don’t need to feed her anymore, she can do it herself now.”

  Stuart put down the spoon he’d been attempting to feed Cara with. “If I let her do it she throws it all over the place.”

  “Course she does, she’s not even two but she needs to learn, don’t you honey?” said Lisa, smiling at Cara, her heart melting when she smiled back.

  Cara might not have been their biological grandchild but that didn’t matter to them. Jules and Jackson had broken the news that her real father was a dangerous man, which had come as a shock but had only made them even more determined to protect and look after her. Now this little girl had become the centre of their world. Jules was working at the tattoo shop and Jackson was training at the gym, so they were looking after her for the day, spending some time with her before they left for their Italian holiday. They’d always wanted to go to Italy and Jules and Jackson had booked two weeks in Rome for them as a surprise anniversary present. They’d taken Cara to the park and had brought her to their favourite family eatery for lunch.

  “See, what did I tell you?” said Stuart when Cara catapulted baked beans across the table. “Oh hell,” he added when her spoon went flying through the air and landed on the table beside theirs. Fortunately it was only plastic. “Sorry,” he said to the man sitting there alone, tucking into a pile of waffles and ice cream.

  “Don’t worry about it,” replied the man in a strong southern accent, handing back the spoon. “I’ve got one myself who still hasn’t mastered cutlery.” He smiled at Cara, whose grin broadened.

  “Thanks for being so understanding,” said Lisa. “Plenty wouldn’t be.”

  “No worries,” he said cordially.

  They finished their meal, put Cara back in her coat and got to their feet.

  “You can finish your meal in peace now,” Lisa smiled at the stranger.

  “You have a good day,” he said good-naturedly.

  “Nice man,” Lisa commented to her husband, who nodded in agreement.

  The man turned in his seat to watch them leave, the little girl toddling between them, holding their hands.

  Glancing around, he pulled a clear plastic bag out of his pocket and - under the pretence of borrowing the salt from the table - he carefully removed the straw the little girl had used, slipped it into the bag, sealed it and put it in his pocket. That was easier than he’d thought it would be, thank Christ the grandparents were active in the little girl’s life. He hadn’t fancied trying to get a DNA sample with the parents around.

  He got to his feet, leaving a generous tip on the table. His job was done. Now he could go home. He’d never liked the north.

  CHAPTER 11

  It was early evening and as it was late autumn it was already dark outside. Rachel was sat with her feet up on the couch, reading by the cosy glow of the fire. Ethan and Aaron were messing about in the play room and Leah was upstairs listening to her grim music, so all was peaceful downstairs, for once.

  Ryan sat beside her on the couch, longing to curl up with her and a dram of whisky but unfortunately he had to go out into the dark, chilly night.

  She lowered the book and smiled.

  “I’m off out on that job we talked about,” he said.

  “Be careful, wo
n’t you?”

  He was pleased she was still concerned for his safety. “Always. Sure you don’t want to tag along?”

  “Why, can’t you and Battler cope alone with three lairy muggers?”

  She was being playful Rachel and he loved it, her playful side was extremely attractive. “I’m sure we can manage but it’s much more fun with you and I know how you enjoy this sort of work.”

  “I do but I’m still so tired,” she said with a wan smile. “I wouldn’t be much use.”

  “I’ve been reading up on seasonal affective disorder,” he said. Actually reading wasn’t a strong enough word for the desperate search he’d done online for something to explain her behaviour that didn’t end up with her leaving him. “It’s a type of depression that is induced by the lack of natural light.”

  “I’m not depressed,” she said sunnily.

  “No but you haven’t been yourself, you have to admit.”

  Her smile faltered. “I’m just tired, like I keep telling you. I don’t know why you won’t believe me.”

  “I do believe you and I thought this disorder might explain it.” But it didn’t, he knew that. She hadn’t had the increase in appetite, the difficulty getting up in the morning, low self esteem or tearfulness that accompanied this particular condition.

  “And you thought going out and hammering some toerags would make me feel better?”

  “It always works for me,” he smiled, eyes twinkling.

  “I appreciate the offer but someone needs to stay with the kids. They’re all settled for the night, I don’t want to drag them out to Mum and Dad’s.”

  “Fair enough.”

  He wanted her to say she’d wait up for him in the suggestive way she usually did when he went out late but she returned her attention to her book instead.

  “Right, well, I’ll see you later?” he said, feeling pathetically hopeful.

  “I’ll probably be in bed by the time you get back,” she said, dashing all his hopes.

  Without another word he slunk out of the house, feeling miserable.

  “What’s up with your face?” said Battler when Ryan walked into his office. Battler and his brother Bruiser had moved to Devon not long after Rachel and himself to set up a very lucrative security firm. They had branches all over the country, including Manchester and were doing very well for themselves.

  Daina regarded Ryan with concern. The Latvian girl Ryan - along with Jez and Riley - had rescued from a brothel after she was trafficked into the country was happier than she could ever have dreamed. She was married to Bruiser and they had an eighteen month old daughter and she was six months pregnant with their second child, a boy. Ryan never ceased to wonder at the fertility of his extended family, they were popping them out all over the place.

  “What is wrong?” said Daina, pressing a hand to Ryan’s forehead. “Are you ill?”

  “No, I’m fine,” he said, taking a step back. “It’s been a long day. Hello Bruiser.”

  Bruiser, a man of few words just nodded with a smile, holding his daughter on one knee, a gorgeous little girl with huge dark eyes and light brown curls. Both Bruiser and Daina doted on little Emily.

  Ryan looked back to Battler. “You ready?”

  He nodded and got to his feet, an enormous solid hulk of a man, shaven headed, craggy-faced. Battler never seemed to age and neither did Bruiser.

  “Where are you going?” said Daina.

  “Just a bit of business to take care of,” replied Ryan.

  “Business?” she frowned. “Not this vigilante business?”

  “You told her?” Battler scowled at Bruiser, who just shrugged.

  “He keeps nothing from me,” she said proudly.

  “Listen, it’s fine,” said Ryan, trying to contain his impatience. He wasn’t in the mood to be lectured.

  “And what does Rachel say about this?”

  “She’s fine with it, in fact she’s joined in a few times. We know what we’re doing so you don’t need to worry. Let’s go Battler.”

  “But…,” she began but Bruiser just shook his head and indicated for her to sit in the chair beside him.

  “What if they get into trouble?” she said as she watched them leave.

  Bruiser just smiled, eyes twinkling.

  “I know you think they are invincible but they’re not,” she said. “They are only human. The police…”

  Bruiser chuckled and shook his head.

  “Yes, I know you think I’m silly but they are my family and I worry.”

  When Bruiser kissed her she sank into him with a sigh. “You try to distract me with your lovely kisses but I still worry.” She smiled at the look in his eyes. “I know, I know, I worry too much, you don’t need to keep nagging me. I will try to stop.” She kissed him. “For you and for this little one,” she said, running her hand through her daughter’s curls.

  “He’s here,” called Jared as Greg, the man he’d sent north, pulled up outside The Homestead, the large, secluded house in the Essex countryside that acted as the Slattery family’s base of operations.

  Jared’s mother Tanya - a tall statuesque blond - came to stand beside him, watching through the window as Greg tramped up to the front door. They heard him being greeted by the men on duty then he was walking into the room Jared used as an office.

  “Give it to me,” were Tanya’s first words, holding out an elegant hand.

  Greg took out the plastic bag holding the straw and handed it to her. Naturally he’d called them the moment he’d got it, knowing they’d be on tenterhooks.

  Tanya held it aloft triumphantly before handing it to Jared. “Get that to your man. Now.”

  He nodded, snatched up his car keys and rushed out to his car. He set off with wheels spinning, his heart thudding. This could go two ways. Either he’d got it all wrong and the kid was Jackson Driscoll’s or he was a father. He desperately hoped it was the latter, not because he wanted to be a dad but because it would mean he got to see Jules again. Unfortunately he didn’t think that meeting would go down well but he’d have no choice. If little Cara did turn out to be his child then his mum would insist she live with them in Essex and Jules wouldn’t get a look in. But he couldn’t see Jules relinquishing her to them. It was going to go bad for someone. Ever since his sister Kelly had died of a drug overdose when she was a teenager, his mum had been desperate to bring another child into the house. She was always on at him to have kids but he enjoyed his freedom too much. So when this opportunity had come along there was no way she was going to pass it up. What his mother wanted she always made damn sure she got. He really hoped it didn’t go bad for Jules though, he didn’t want her to get hurt but neither woman was the type to back down from a fight, especially not over something so important.

  “Come on then, out with it,” said Battler as he drove the dark red Volvo he always used for covert work. Ryan had been quiet for a full fifteen minutes and, although that wasn’t unusual in itself as he wasn’t a man with a runaway mouth or a problem with silence, Battler could sense the tension radiating off him and he knew it was nothing to do with the job they were heading out to do.

  “Out with what?” said Ryan.

  “Whatever’s bothering you. I know you’re gagging to talk about it.”

  “You sound like a therapist.”

  “Insults aren’t going to shut me up. Go on then.”

  Ryan sighed and shifted awkwardly. “Do you think Rachel’s been acting strangely lately?”

  “Strangely, how?”

  “Quiet, subdued.”

  “No, she’s seemed fine to me. Why?”

  “No reason.”

  “Don’t give me that shite. You don’t ask anything unless there’s a purpose behind it.”

  “Fine. Rachel has been…quiet lately.”

  “You mean, in general?”

  “Yes. Not with the children, just with me.”

  “Have you asked her about it?”

  “Yes. She said she’s tired.”
>
  “Maybe she is?”

  “There’s more to it than that. It’s like she’s hiding something.”

  “What are you accusing her of?” said Battler sharply.

  “Nothing.”

  “Doesn’t sound like nothing to me.”

  “Take it easy, I’m not accusing her. I’m concerned.”

  “You think she might be ill?”

  “Yes but whenever I ask her she says she’s fine.”

  “Maybe it’s women’s problems?”

  “We’ve been married long enough for me to recognise when it’s that. No, this is something else and I’m very concerned. She just isn’t my Rachel.”

  “She seems fine to me.”

  “She seems fine to everyone, except myself.”

  Battler lapsed into thoughtful silence before saying, “there is another possibility.”

  “What?” said Ryan.

  “It’s a little sensitive.”

  “Go on.”

  “Well, she isn’t far off forty. Maybe she’s going through the early menopause?”

  Ryan couldn’t stop his lips from twitching. “No offence Battler but what do you know about the early menopause?”

  “Plenty actually smart arse. I’ve had a few clients come to me because they can’t stop nicking stuff. Four times it’s been the menopause, it does weird things to a woman.”

  “Hmmm, you might actually be onto something there,” said Ryan, thinking that would explain a lot. He took out his phone and looked it up on the internet. “Emotional disturbances, decreased libido.” Ryan felt hope swell in his heart. “Is this what it could be? But if so, why hasn’t she told me?”

  Battler shrugged. “Sometimes it’s hard for women to come to terms with it, it means they’re no longer fertile, sometimes they feel like they’re losing their womanhood.”

  “I had no idea you were so in touch with your feminine side.”

  “I’m not,” he grunted. “Like I said, I’ve had a few past cases involving the menopause and don’t you fucking dare tell anyone.”

  Ryan held up his hands. “I wouldn’t dream of spoiling your tough guy image.” His smile fell. “But seriously Battler, thank you. You may well have solved the mystery and if you have I’ll be forever indebted to you.”