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

hospital after the beating Vance had given him. When he’d been released, he’d done the wise thing and moved away. It seemed the severe beating had finally eradicated his feelings for her as it had destroyed the illusion that he could control her. Lil had moved away too and Faith mourned the loss of her friend, whose betrayal would always cut deep.

With so many good people around her, Faith was finding time for the small pleasures in life that she’d almost forgotten about – reading, walking, looking after Blossom. She’d even got into baking. This simple life was just what she needed after all the recent turmoil and taking Mickey’s life.

With the deaths of Gordon and Flo, Faith had come to the realisation that Vance was the man for her. That incident had bonded them in blood. Matthew represented the life she could have had if she’d taken a different path. He’d been right, she would have the stamina to have a relationship with a police officer. The two men she loved represented very different things – Matthew was the legitimate life, even though he worked for the Maguires, children, a real family unit. Vance represented her wilder side, the one that loved danger and pitting her wits against the worst of society. They might never get to have children together but they would always be entirely themselves with each other. He had seen her commit the worst of crimes and vice versa and it hadn’t affected how they felt about each other. If anything, they’d grown even closer.

“Come on lovely girl,” smiled Faith, picking up Blossom when she’d finished eating, carrying her back into the living room and sinking onto the couch with her.

The cat curled up on her lap, purring with pleasure. Faith was smiling as she switched on the television and searched for something to watch. This warm little bundle brought out her tender feelings. Her helplessness and reliance on Faith for all her needs made her heart ache. After the lives she’d taken, Blossom reassured Faith that she was still human. Plus she might be the closest she ever got to having a child.

Faith found a light-hearted comedy to watch. She tried to only watch and read gentle things, avoiding anything dark or violent. It was helping her heal after the recent trauma.

“Oh, who is that?” sighed Faith when the doorbell rang.

Cradling Blossom in her arms, who didn’t even stir, she walked through the living room to the front door.

“Rose,” she said with surprise. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Sorry,” she replied. “Shall I go?”

“No, come on in,” she said, knowing she had little choice. Plus it was raining.

“Thank you,” she said, stepping inside and closing the door. “I wanted to use you as a guinea pig. I made a vegan aubergine, olive and butter bean casserole.”

“It smells lovely,” smiled Faith, enjoying the aroma emanating from the bag she carried. “Come on through to the kitchen.”

Rose dumped the bag on the kitchen table and pulled out a casserole dish. “Just warm it in the oven on a low heat for half an hour.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.”

Rose turned her attention to Blossom. “And how’s this lovely girl?”

“She’s doing really well,” smiled Faith proudly. “She lets me give her her injections and eyedrops no problem and she’s got a great appetite. She seems to have settled in very nicely.”

“Aww, that is great news,” said Rose, stroking Blossom, who opened one eye to look at her before closing it again, content in Faith’s arms. “I brought her some treats,” she said, producing a small bag with a cartoon cat on the front. “They’re specifically for diabetic cats.”

“Thanks, that’s really nice,” smiled Faith. Rose treated Blossom almost like a grandchild and doted on her.

“Actually, there was another reason for me coming here.”

Faith was on her guard. “What?”

“I wanted to make sure that you’re okay. You’ve been through so much and I can see it’s affected you. Have you still been seeing the counsellor?”

“I had a second appointment with her but she got on my nerves, so I didn’t go back.”

Rose’s look made Faith feel like a naughty child.

“You’ve been through so much dear. You need professional help to deal with it.”

“I am dealing with it. Believe it or not, this quiet life I’ve been leading is really helping. It’s giving me the time to heal and this little lady is helping too,” she said, nuzzling Blossom’s fur with her nose.

Rose knew she was telling the truth. Faith’s hard stare only softened when she looked at Blossom or her siblings. “I’m very glad about that but I worry about you Faith. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye but I only want the best for you. To me, you’ll always be my daughter.”

Faith nodded, a lump forming in her throat. Right now she was so vulnerable, she was still healing and Rose was breaking through her defences.

“This all started with Lenny,” continued Rose. “Things changed then.”

Faith nodded. “You’re right, it did. That night changed something in me and it’s only grown, got worse and more violent. Dark things come easily to me now.”

Rose wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or not but she could have sworn a vicious glint entered Faith’s eye at this pronouncement. “In a way that’s a good thing. It means you will always do what it takes to protect this family but don’t lose yourself in it Faith. You must always be stronger than that impulse. I wish I could go back to that night. If I could, I would have pulled the trigger myself to save you from it.”

“That doesn’t sound very Christian.”

“It would be for the greater good. Lenny was a menace, he had to go. If you hadn’t killed him he would have killed Caleb, I’ve no doubt about it. I will