Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

“Let’s hope no one links it to us.”

Covertly he took her hand. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“Good. I can’t wait to cosy up with you in the new flat tonight.”

He winked at her before getting in his car and driving off. Faith watched him go, hoping he would be all right. After all, he was going to meet up with some dodgy people and he was driving around with two dead bodies.

She returned to the house, glad that Flo and Gordon were finally gone.

Jason and Kevin burst into Faith’s flat with fish and chips for everyone, a treat for all their hard work.

“That smells amazing,” said Caleb.

“We got vegan fish and chips for you Faith,” said Kevin, pulling a polystyrene tray out of one of the bags and handing it to her.

“Great, thanks,” she beamed.

“It looks a bit weird but I’m sure it’ll taste okay.”

“I’m sure it will,” she smiled. It was a relief to her that their previous falling out hadn’t affected their relationship and that both Kevin and Jason seemed to have got over the shock of watching her shoot someone in the head.

Vance returned three hours later looking tired and very cold. He sat in the armchair before the fire - one thing Faith loved about this flat was that it had an open fire – and wolfed down his fish and chips and mug of tea, after which he seemed ready for drifting off to sleep. He’d texted Faith when he’d got back on dry land to let her know that he’d got rid of the Fairweathers successfully, although he didn’t put any details in his message.

There was just one person left to deal with.

Adam returned home after visiting the newsagents a couple of streets away. Under one arm was tucked a newspaper. In one hand he clutched a can of fizzy pop and in the other a chocolate bar. He didn’t usually consume junk food but recent events had made him so nervous he’d turned to them for comfort. As his hands were full it took some juggling to produce the key from his pocket, jam it into the lock and turn it. He nudged the door open with his foot.

“All right Adam?” said a voice from behind that made him freeze.

Before he could react, a hand clamped down over his mouth and he was shoved into his own hallway. He fell to the floor, his purchases falling from his hand. Adam rolled onto his back and was horrified to see Vance Chambers stalk into his house, closing the front door behind him and locking it with the key.

“What the hell are you doing you madman?” demanded Adam. He’d always been afraid of Vance. There was something different about him, something his brothers didn’t possess and that was the willingness to do anything to get his own way. His brothers were all dangerous men but he’d always got the impression that Vance could happily murder him, even when they were teenagers.

“You’ve been a proper bastard Adam,” he said, voice cold. “Your antics nearly got us killed.” Vance kicked him in the stomach, making him groan and curl up into a ball on his side. “But, like everything in your life, you failed.”

“So you’ve finally come to kill me,” gasped Adam, cradling his stomach. “I know you’ve wanted to do it for years. I saw it in your eyes every time I was with Faith. Back then I didn’t realise what it was, I just thought you didn’t like me but now I know.”

“You’re right. I hated you for being with her, I still do and if I had my way you’d vanish just like Flo, Gordon and Mickey.”

“I knew that was you. Did you kill Lil too?”

“Course not. Faith would never allow that. She sent her away.”

“So you’re here to kill me?”

“No but I am going to give you a good fucking hiding. Faith says you’re to leave Blackpool and never return.”

“Where is she? I want to talk to her.”

“Well she doesn’t want to talk to you. In fact, she never wants to see you again. I’m here to beat it into your thick skull that you and her are done.”

“And you’re going to be together?”

Vance nodded.

“It’s disgusting. Even if you’re not related you were still raised together like brother and sister.”

“I don’t give a shit what you think and neither does Faith. We’re going to be together and no one’s going to stop us.”

When Adam attempted to get to his feet, Vance kicked him again to keep him down. The sound Adam released was a half-groan, half-laugh.

“No one’s going to stop you?” rasped Adam. “You’ve no idea of the catastrophe you’ll bring down on your own heads. Your family won’t accept your relationship and neither will anyone else.” When Vance’s blue eyes glittered with fury, Adam flashed him a mocking smile. “But you already know that, don’t you?”

Vance pulled Faith’s extendable baton from the back of his jeans, snapped it out and smashed it into the side of his face.

Adam collapsed back to the floor, unable to cry out as his jaw had been broken.

“Listen to me you piece of shit,” spat Vance. “You’ll leave Blackpool and never come back. You’ve Faith to thank for your life. I wanted to bury you along with the rest.” Pleasure rolled through Vance’s body at the fear in Adam’s eyes. “I’ve waited years for this,” he said before laying into him with the baton.

Faith and Vance entered the small backyard through the gate, the hoodied figure walking behind them. Faith unlocked the back door and they stepped inside. Only once they were inside the house did the figure throw back their hood.

“Wow,” said Jules, grinning at