Fractured (Dividing Line #4) (2 page)

Now that was over Rachel could focus her thoughts on Martina. The house just wasn’t alive without her. So much had happened here; Ryan had saved Martina’s life after she’d been attacked by someone she thought was a trusted friend. She’d nursed Rachel back to health after she was assaulted by one of Ryan’s brothers and her ex-boyfriend. Frank had died on the floor of this very room after a fight with his brother Terry, who was dead himself, at Alex’s hands. It distressed her that such a lovely family home had borne witness to so much horror and death.

“The car should be here in a few minutes,” said Mikey.

Everyone stood quietly together in a semi-circle, hardly daring to speak for fear of marring the sombreness of the occasion. Rachel moved to stand with her husband and daughter.

“Leah,” said Alex with a gentle smile, kneeling down before her. “You remember me, don’t you? Uncle Alex?”

She nodded, face white and lips pursed.

“You have grown up. You’re quite the little lady now. Is that a new outfit?”

She nodded again, melting to him slightly because he’d noticed her new clothes.

“You look beautiful Sweetheart. My mum would be so proud.”

This statement was too much for Leah and a tear slid down her cheek. Rachel’s heart went out to her, she was trying so hard to be brave.

“Why don’t you come in the lead car with us?” Alex said to Leah.

She looked up at Ryan and took his hand. “I want to go with Mum and Dad.”

Rachel didn’t miss the flare of anger in Alex’s eyes, divining the fact that she’d called Ryan
dad
had made him mad.

“You were her family too Leah, you should come with us,” pressed Alex, struggling to keep his voice soft.

“I want to go with Mum and Dad,” she repeated, lip wobbling.

“Please don’t push her Alex, she’s upset enough,” said Rachel. She tried to say this as gently as she could but Alex still gave her a haughty look and straightened up. “The car’s here,” he said in a harsh tone before striding past them to the door.

CHAPTER 3

There was a huge turnout at the church. Martina had been very popular but there were a lot of curious onlookers too, hoping to catch a glimpse of a notorious face. Rachel and Ryan’s return had sparked a lot of excitement and they were stared at as they milled around outside, waiting to go into the church. The press had been kept at the gates but they didn’t let that stop them, pressing their cameras up to the metal bars. It was a relief when the church doors opened and they could go in.

Rachel took her place with Ryan at the front pew, Leah sat between them. They weren’t invited to sit with the Maguires on their pew on the opposite side of the aisle and she knew that was down to Alex. Glancing around the church she recognised Franco Cipriani who had helped them obtain their casino, Col Sugar and his four brothers sat directly behind Alex’s pew, looking more like his personal bodyguard than genuine mourners. Nick and Robbie Jordan were present too. She caught Nick’s eye and he gave her a small nod, which she returned, memories of that horrific night screaming back to her. She recalled Nick aiming a gun at his own mother’s face…

“Alright?” said Ryan with concern.

“Fine,” she replied tightly.

He followed her line of sight to the Jordan brothers and divined exactly what she was thinking.

The door opened and a shock of red hair entered. Rachel was surprised Frankie McVay had made the effort to come all the way from Glasgow for Martina but then again it did show respect for his business partner, unless there was something vital he wanted to discuss with Alex. She hoped not. The last thing he’d wanted to talk to Alex about had almost got her and Ryan killed. She was amused when he barged his way into a pew and everyone fell over themselves to get out of his way.

Jez and Cathy arrived two minutes after Frankie, looking harassed. They took their seats beside Rachel and Ryan, quietly greeting them with hugs and kisses.

“What kept you?” Ryan asked them.

“Jack isn’t very well and we couldn’t get him to settle at my mum’s,” replied Cathy. Jack was their second child and was just a few months old. Their daughter Ruby was now four.

“Nothing serious I hope?” replied Rachel.

“No, just a cold, but he’s really cranky.”

They went silent when the doors opened and Martina’s coffin was borne in on the hefty shoulders of Alex, Mikey, Battler and Bruiser, the sight blurring when Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. Martina had been the warmest woman she’d ever known, she’d welcomed her into her family, nursed her back to health more than once and been a doting grandmother. Out of all the Maguires she’d been the best.

The coffin was placed reverently on the stand before the altar then the men took their seats. Rachel was pleased when Battler and Bruiser sat beside her rather than the Maguires, Battler giving her a gentle smile and taking her hand. The brothers had saved her life more than once and she adored them. She just hoped this show of solidarity didn’t go against them in Alex’s eyes. It felt like battle lines were silently being drawn.

A lifelong friend of Martina’s got up to make a speech but she could hardly get the words out and had to be led away, sobbing. To everyone’s surprise Declan got up next, reciting anecdotes about Martina that were humorous but also respected the sanctity of the occasion, impressing everyone. His cheeky Irish brogue and genuine love for his aunt elicited many fond smiles, his words summing up Martina perfectly.

Then it was Alex’s turn.

He cut an intimidating figure as he took his place at the lectern, glowering down at the assembled crowd. Rachel thought he looked bigger than ever, the sheer power radiating off him a little unnerving. No one could or dare take their eyes off him.

Surprisingly his speech was a pleasant one. He talked about his childhood, what a good mother Martina had been, mentioning Frank and Danny. Then he went on to recite a list of those who meant the most to Martina, concentrating mainly on the grandchildren. “And not forgetting Leah, Mum’s other adored granddaughter. Unfortunately she didn’t get to see much of her in the last year of her life.”

Alex’s accusing eyes landed on Rachel and stayed there so long she squirmed in her seat, whispers running round the room but she refused to break eye contact with him. Finally he retook his seat and disappeared from her line of sight behind Battler’s bulk. She released a shaky breath, glad when Ryan’s arm went around her shoulders, his fingers stroking the nape of her neck.

Leah, who had tried to be so brave the whole day, fell apart at the graveside. When Thomas died Martina had gifted her own plot beside Frank to him and bought herself another one. This had brought Rachel great comfort, knowing he wouldn’t be alone. Now he would be lying between Martina and Frank. However the sight of the four graves reduced Leah to tears - her cherished grandmother as well as the grandfather, father and little brother she’d never had the chance to know. Worst of all, only one of them had died of natural causes. Leah clung onto Ryan and sobbed her heart out. Only nine years old and she’d lost four of the most important people in the world to her. Not many adults had to cope with that kind of loss. She was crying so hard Ryan carried her back to the car and Rachel drove them to the wake because she refused to relinquish her grip on her dad. Rachel suggested they forgo the wake and return to the hotel instead, but Leah was adamant she wanted to go, to her chagrin.

By the time they pulled up outside Martina’s house Leah was a little calmer and allowed Rachel to fix her ponytail and wipe her face.

“Are you okay Sweetheart?” Rachel asked her.

Leah nodded, squeezing her mum hard when she hugged her.

Only close friends and family had been allowed back to the wake but there were still faces there Rachel didn’t recognise and it made her realise just how out of touch she was with the Maguires’ lives.

“Who are they?” Rachel asked Battler, indicating three large men congregated in a corner sipping orange juice. They looked like thugs with their shaved heads and designer stubble.

“Alex’s new muscle,” he replied, confirming her suspicions. “They’re arseholes.”

“So what are you two up to now?”

“We’ve retired from that game. Now we’re officially legit.”

“That’s wonderful news,” she smiled. “So business is good?” They were in the private security game.

“Very. I know now what you meant about it being a weight off.”

“If you fancy coming down to Devon we’ll have a lot of work for you. Even if you don’t fancy working down there, it would still be good to see you.”

Battler gave her a very rare smile. Martina was the only one who’d been issued an official invitation and he was delighted it had been extended to him and his brother now she knew they wouldn’t bring mayhem to her door.

“We’d like that, wouldn’t we Bruiser?”

“Yeah,” he smiled.

High praise indeed from Bruiser. He rarely spoke.

“You’re welcome anytime,” she said, patting their arms.

Ryan was across the room talking with Franco Cipriani so she remained with Battler and Bruiser. She’d caught Alex giving her more than one icy glare and it was making her edgy. He seemed so big and domineering sat in the armchair, making it look like a throne, everyone gravitating around his presence. Had he always been so menacing or had he transformed into something else entirely?

“Rachel,” Alex called across the room. “Why don’t you join me for a drink? We’ve not had a catch-up yet.”

Alex’s voice was devoid of emotion, which was very worrying. The room had gone absolutely silent. People weren’t stupid, they’d worked out something was wrong in the fold. She forced her best carefree smile and looked up at Battler uncertainly.

“Be careful Rach,” he whispered.

Christ, it must be bad if he was warning her. As she walked over to Alex she caught Ryan’s eye. He looked as worried as she felt.

She took the chair beside Alex and he turned to regard her.

“Looking good Rach,” he smiled, but it fell flat, failing to reach his eyes.

“You too. Have you been working out?”

“Yes. How’s life in Devon?”

“Really good.”

“The kids are happy?”

“Very.”

“Did the move upset Leah?”

“At first but when we bought her a pony she soon came round.”

“Mum was the glue keeping our families together. I don’t want to lose contact with Leah, she’s all I have left of my brother.”

Rachel paused for a heartbeat as a variety of replies ran through her mind. She didn’t want this man anywhere near her daughter. His actions had already taken one child from her. “I suppose we could bring her up to visit.”

“I was thinking more of us coming down to you.” He smiled that strange emotionless smile again. “We’ve not seen your new place yet. I know Beth can’t wait.”

“We’ll have to see,” was all she was willing to reply.

“Not good enough for you, are we?” he said, voice lowering dangerously.

“That’s not it.” She lowered her own voice in response. “I’m afraid of what you’ll bring to my door.”

Instead of the expected anger, he gently took her hand. “Our families will always be connected by blood.”

It suddenly struck her why he was making this effort. Frankie McVay was hovering nearby, probably after some assurance that the Maguire’s personal problems wouldn’t affect business again. If she played along then hopefully she’d get out of this excruciating conversation. She covered Alex’s hand with her own. “We must make the effort to visit and not let Martina’s death divide us.”

It was the assurance he wanted Frankie to hear and this time his smile was genuine. “I’m so glad you feel like that too.”

“I really do,” she said, patting his hand. “Would you mind if I took a look around the kitchen? That’s the room I always associate with Martina. She was always in there baking or cooking a big family roast.”

“I know what you mean,” he smiled. “That was her domain. Woe betide my dad if he tried to interfere. Go for it.”

“Thank you.”

Trying not to look relieved she got to her feet and breezed into the kitchen, making straight for the alcohol on the countertop and pouring out a large glass of white wine.

“Hello Rachel,” said a Glaswegian accent.

She sighed inwardly and turned to face Frankie McVay. “Good to see you again Frankie. It was nice of you to come down for the funeral.”

“I liked Martina, she was a feisty bird.” He took her hands and regarded her with concern. Rachel’s throat went dry, she knew what terrible things those hands had done. “How are you holding up? I know you and Martina were close.”

“We were.” Rachel wished she was here now. It was only just hitting her what a buffer Martina had been between the Laws and Maguires. Without her the two families would grate against each other, fracturing the fragile truce Frank had bartered with Ryan and Frankie had always been on the side of the Maguires. She was tempted to grab Leah and Ryan, jump in the car and race back to the airport.

“Do you think you’ll ever come back to Manchester?” he said.

“No. We’re happy in Devon. Turns out that after years of living in the city we love the countryside,” she said, trying to keep her tone light but it wasn’t working. Frankie was being polite, friendly even, but there was something lethal in his eyes. This was probably how he looked right before he chopped someone up with an axe, his favourite hobby. What if Alex had been dripping poison in his ear about her and Ryan?

“I noticed you scarpered pretty quick after the Jordan incident,” he said.

Incident was too mild a word for the hell that had almost ended with Ryan being beaten to death by Nick and Robbie’s mad cousins, led by his diabolical mother, Jan. The majority of the Jordan clan were now lying in a deep hole somewhere on Saddleworth Moor. Nick had turned against his mother and cousins to save himself and his younger brother.

“I almost lost my husband that night and if it hadn’t been for Nick Jordan I would have been raped and murdered.” Nick had gone out of his way to protect her against the rest of his family, who had been a twisted bunch of incestuous bastards. She was surprised they hadn’t played the banjo.

“So you won’t be getting back into the family business?”

The mood had changed, the danger had evaporated and she was relieved. Frankie was furious at someone but thank God it wasn’t her.

“No. I’m very happy as I am.”

“That’s a fucking shame because you and Ryan are naturals. I can’t tempt you with offers of untold wealth, can I?”

“Already have it,” she replied light-heartedly.

Instead of responding with a joke, which she’d expected, he just nodded. Rachel had never seen Frankie so serious before. When he’d chopped off Jan Jordan’s hand to add to his collection of enemies’ body parts he’d cracked a joke. Now he looked so troubled he couldn’t be bothered. His eyes suddenly filled with burning fury and fixated on her. “I hope this new life of yours won’t lead to a loose tongue.”

Rachel recalled Danny telling her about an enemy of Frankie’s who’d lied to him, so he’d cut the man’s tongue out and kept it in a Tupperware box. “There’s absolutely no chance of that. I don’t want to go to prison, which I would for the rest of my life, Ryan too. Even though we’re not in the life anymore never doubt our loyalty. You’ll always have it.”