Fractured (Dividing Line #4) (22 page)

“I don’t like this,” said Rick.

“I’m not going until I’ve seen my dad,” yelled Leah, stamping her foot.

“Young Lady there is no need to take that tone,” said Gill.

“It’s alright Mum, she’s still upset after the fire,” said Rachel, taking her daughter’s hand. “We won’t be long, promise.” Then the four of them hurried out of the room before Gill could object further.

“Thanks Mum,” said Leah as they descended in the hotel lift, penned in by Battler and Bruiser.

“It’s alright.” Rachel looked down at her daughter and gave her a mischievous smile. “I want to see him too.”

“He really will meet us, won’t he?”

“You know your dad won’t let anything stop him doing what he wants to do.”

This reassured her a little and she smiled and nodded. She looked up at Battler and Bruiser. “Are they our bodyguards?”

Rachel saw no point in lying. If she knew she was in danger it might make her more cautious. “Yes Honey.”

“Are they protecting us from Uncle Alex?”

“Yes but don’t let on to Grandma.”

Leah’s face turned white but she nodded her head, doing her best to be brave. “They’re so big he won’t be able to get past them,” she said, making Bruiser smile.

“You’re right Sweetheart, he won’t.”

“Daddy won’t let them either.”

“Course he won’t.”

She hugged her mum. “Then we’ll be safe.”

Rachel had the feeling her daughter was comforting her rather than the other way around.

CHAPTER 24

“Cupcake,” beamed Ryan when Leah walked in.

“You said you wouldn’t call me that anymore Dad,” she blushed. “I’m nine now.”

“You’ll always be my cupcake,” he grinned. “Hey, what’s this about?” he said when she started to cry.

“I want you to come with us.”

“I can’t, there are things I need to do here.”

“You’re going to find Uncle Alex. What if he hurts you?”

He tilted her face up to his, wiping away her tears with his fingertips. “He can’t. He’s not anywhere near tough enough.”

“Mum’s tough and he hurt her.”

“I can handle Uncle Alex, don’t you worry about that. I will meet you Leah. You have a nice holiday and the next thing you know I’ll be there. It’ll all be fine, I promise.”

She hugged him tight, being careful to avoid the burn on his shoulder. “I love you Dad.”

“Love you too Cupcake.” He kissed her cheek. “I need a word with your mum.”

“Okay.”

She took the seat in the corner, allowing Rachel to step forward. Ryan took her face in his hands and she pressed her forehead to his.

“When do you get out of here?” she said.

“Soon I hope, I’m going insane. I’m just waiting for the doctor to see me then I can go.”

“Be careful, please.”

“I will.” As he kissed her he felt her tears fall onto his face.

“I told Dad everything, he insisted. Mum still doesn’t know, she doesn’t want to.”

“How did he take it?”

“Better than I expected actually. He wants Alex gone as much as the rest of us.”

Ryan nodded in understanding. Strange, he never thought he’d get his father-in-law’s permission to commit murder but then again Rick understood about a dad wanting to protect his family.

“Make sure you come back to us,” Rachel whispered so Leah couldn’t hear.

“I will. Nothing and no one will keep us apart.”

“I know,” she smiled through her tears before kissing him again.

“I’m afraid it’s time to go,” said Battler quietly.

Rachel ran her fingertips down Ryan’s face then straightened up and headed for the door. She allowed herself to look back at him once before she took Leah’s hand and they left.

When they’d gone Ryan reclined back in the pillows, fighting back his own tears.

“Alex, I’m coming for you,” he growled.

Rachel’s feet felt like lead as she left Ryan’s room and made her way towards the exit. For some reason her instinct was telling her this was the wrong thing to do. She clutched Leah’s hand tightly, terrified that any of the dozens of people around them were in Alex’s pay. Battler led the way, Bruiser bringing up the rear. She’d no doubt they would fight to the death for her but they were still only men after all and Bruiser had almost been killed once already defending her from a madman. What if something happened to them because of her?

As they returned to the hotel in the back of Battler’s car Leah clung onto her softly crying and Rachel buried her face in her daughter’s hair, neither of them wanting to leave Ryan behind.

They arrived back at the hotel to find everyone still safely ensconced in the suite, joined by Mikey, Jez, Dolores and Vince. 

“Rachel,” said Dolores, leaping up to hug her. “Gill’s told us everything. I’m so sorry.”

Rachel hung onto her friend, kicking herself for completely forgetting they were arriving today.

“Thanks. I’m so sorry but we’re going to have to leave you but you’re welcome to stay on here.”

“Don’t apologise for God’s sake,” Dolores said, gently patting her face.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” said Vince.

“Thanks but there’s nothing anyone can do. We’re leaving for the airport soon. You’re welcome to stay on here as long as you like. I’ve already told my staff who you are and why you’re here. Take a look around and see if it suits you.”

“We may as well now that we’re here.” Dolores leaned forwards to whisper: “Ryan?”

“He’s staying.”

Her friend caught the fear in her eyes and squeezed her hand. “He’ll sort it out, don’t you worry.”

Rachel nodded. She’d never felt so frightened in all her life.

“Why’s Ryan staying?” frowned Gill. “He should be coming with us, his family needs him.”

“There’s a lot to be done here,” Rachel told her wearily. “He needs to sort the house out, insurance, all that. He’ll meet us out there when it’s done.”

“I suppose that makes sense but I hope he doesn’t take too long, the children need him.”

Rachel glanced at her dad and felt incredibly guilty. He looked to have aged ten years overnight and she hated how her murky past was affecting her family now. She turned to Mikey. “Please get back to the hospital, he’s alone,” she whispered.

Mikey nodded and glanced at his watch. “Time to go.”

“But the kids don’t have enough clothes,” protested Gill.

Rick rolled his eyes, attempting to contain his impatience. “They have clothes abroad you know.”

“Please don’t be sarcastic with me Rick.”

“They can get more clothes out there, wherever we end up. It’s not like Rachel can’t afford it. Now please let’s just go,” he said irritably, picking up two of the bags and walking to the door, leaving Gill no choice but to cease her protests and follow.

“Battler and Bruiser will take you. We’ll go back to the hospital,” said Mikey.

Rachel hugged him. “Please look out for Ryan.”

“I will. Promise,” he said, kissing her cheek.

She hugged Jez then Riley.

“Thank you,” she told her newest brother-in-law.

“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand. “You too.”

They took the hotel minibus to the airport, Battler and Bruiser up front with the driver. Boyle had even given them a police escort, the patrol car following behind.

Gill and the boys were excited about the adventure ahead, playing I-Spy and singing songs while Rachel, Rick and Leah sat in sullen silence.

Gill turned in her seat to face her daughter. “I know you’ll miss Ryan but it won’t be for long. Just think about how exciting your reunion will be.”

Rachel forced herself to smile. “Yeah, you’re right Mum.”

“I always am,” she grinned before turning her attention back to the boys.

Rachel thought of her final goodbye to Ryan and she had to stifle a sob. Leah took her hand and she smiled down at her daughter, tears standing out in both their eyes.

At the airport they found a flight to Cyprus, which had enough seats left in first class to accommodate them all. As they had some time to kill before the flight they decided to trawl the airport shops before going through Passport Control. There were still a few items they were short of for the trip.

Wanting a bit of time to herself, Rachel left the kids and her parents with Bruiser while Battler escorted her. Sensing she wanted to be alone he remained at a discrete distance, for which she was very grateful. When her mobile phone rang she joyfully pulled it out of her handbag, hoping it was Ryan.

“Hello?”

“Alright Rach? Don’t hang up if you want to keep your children safe and don’t tell your bodyguard who’s on the phone.”

She swallowed hard, her grip on the handset tightening. “Alex, what the fuck do you want?” she said quietly.

“Look out of the doorway of the shop you’re in.”

Her blood ran cold. “How do you know where I am?”

“The police car following you wasn’t a real police car.” She could almost hear the smile in the bastard’s voice.

“Piss off and leave us alone.”

“Rachel, you alright?” said a voice behind her, making her jump.

She considered confiding in Battler but Alex’s words stuck in her mind. She wouldn’t do anything to put her children at risk. “Fine, just the hotel manager finalising some last minute details,” she replied with a forced smile.

He nodded then took several steps back to give her some privacy.

“What am I looking at?” said Rachel, trying not to be too obvious about looking at where her family was sat.

“See the man standing behind Ethan with his hand in his pocket?”

Her eyes settled on the tall slender man with one hand stuck inside his jacket. The man’s eyes locked with hers and he gave her a sly smile.

“Yes,” she croaked, her breathing accelerating with fear.

“If you don’t get out of there right now he’ll stab your boy.”

“He can’t,” she rasped into the phone.

“He can and he’ll be away before anyone even notices. You know how easy it is Rach,” taunted Alex. “A subtle blow to the kidneys and he’ll be down. I doubt at that age he’d survive.”

“You cowardly bastard he’s only four.”

“I’ve no interest in your brats. All I want is you. Ditch them all and leave by the north exit.”

“How do I know that man won’t hurt my family?”

“When you go he’ll follow. The longer you hang about the more likely he is to hurt them. I suggest you move. Now.”

He hung up and she stared at the phone in her hand before glancing over her shoulder to see where Battler was. He was browsing a tie rack. “Alright?” he smiled at her.

“Fine. I just need some women’s things,” she said, pointing at the boxes of tampons further down the aisle.

Just as she’d suspected he would, Battler appeared embarrassed. “Oh, okay. I’ll wait here.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Thanks Battler. I love you.”

“Love you too,” he replied, a little surprised but pleased by the sudden show of affection.

She glanced through the doorway as she moved down the aisle and saw the skinny man standing near her children, his hand still stuck in his pocket. Bruiser hadn’t noticed him but why should he? The airport was heaving, they were surrounded by people. The man was just another face in the crowd, just another traveller waiting for a flight. If she didn’t do as Alex said then he would stab Ethan and vanish into the crowd before anyone had realised what had happened. She’d seen people stabbed before; often at first they didn’t know what had happened. There was confusion, followed by fear. She would not take the risk. She’d hand herself over to Alex if it meant her kids were safe.

Rachel stood before the boxes of tampons and sanitary towels, staring over the top of the shelf to get one last glimpse of her family. Aaron was on his gran’s knee, laughing as she bounced him up and down, Leah was showing Bruiser something in her magazine, who was trying to look interested and Ethan was sat beside his granddad playing with his toy robot. Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. Alex wanted her for one reason, to kill her. She was never going to see them again.

Her phone beeped and she pulled it out of her pocket.
It‘s make your mind up time
, the text message said. After taking one last look at her family she placed her mobile phone on top of a box of panty liners then turned and ran.

“Rachel,” she heard Battler call, but he was impeded from following by the people milling around outside the shops. He wasn’t built for speed and she soon lost him in the crowd. The airport was well signposted and she easily found her way to the north exit. Looking back over her shoulder Battler was nowhere in sight but the skinny man was following closely. As she ran through the exit he closed in on her and took her arm.

“This way,” he said, steering her towards the exit.

“If you hurt my kids I’ll fucking kill you,” she hissed.

“I didn’t touch them because you did as you were told.”

Something sharp was pressed into her side and looking down she saw he did indeed have a knife, a nasty jagged-looking thing composed of plastic to get through the metal detectors. It had been no idle threat.

“I recommend you continue to cooperate,” he said.

Outside waited a BMW with blacked-out windows. The rear door opened to reveal Alex.

“Hello Rach,” he said, looking unspeakably smug. “Get in.”

The skinny man shoved her into the back beside Alex and slammed the door shut before jumping into the front passenger seat. Col Sugar was driving.

“Thanks Gus,” Alex told the skinny man, who nodded in response.

“I’m here now. You leave my family alone,” she yelled in Alex’s face, furious.

“I’ve always admired your guts Rach but right now being mouthy isn’t going to help you.”

“How dare you threaten a four year old boy? Who are you? I don’t even recognise you anymore. The Alex Maguire I know and love would never have used a child like that,” she shouted as the car pulled away from kerb. “You nearly killed us all in that fire.”

“It went up like a bonfire, didn’t it?” he laughed.

She slapped him hard across the face. “You think this is fucking funny?”

He put a hand to his reddening cheek, face darkening with fury. “You’re already getting on my nerves.”

“Ow,” she cried when something was jabbed into her neck. Gus had reached round from the front seat and stuck a needle in her. Her vision swam, Alex fading before her eyes then she passed out, falling face down on his lap.