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

“Some are for inside the flat,” replied Vance. “Some are for outside and around the complex.”

“We can’t just go putting up cameras where we like. People will complain.”

“Fuck ‘em. Your safety comes first and a lot of these cameras are very small and discreet. No one will notice and anyone who does whinge will get paid off. There’s another camera for your car and a couple to put up at Mum’s and Caleb’s, so you’re covered wherever you go.”

“I wasn’t expecting so much. I just thought there’d be a couple of cameras here.”

“That won’t be enough to catch anyone following you.” He raised his eyebrow at her. “Any objections?”

She shook her head. “Nope. What?” she added when the brothers glanced at each other.

“We thought you’d kick up a fuss,” replied Caleb.

“Why? This can only benefit me.”

“We thought you’d say we were going over the top,” added Kevin.

“If it gives me peace of mind then I’m all for it.”

“Good,” said Vance. “Right lads, let’s get to work.”

“Can I help?” said Faith.

“No,” Caleb told her. “You’re going to sit there and chill out. You’re always running around looking after us. It’s our turn now.”

She beamed at them. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Does anyone want a cuppa?”

“I’ll do that,” said Jason, striding into the kitchen.

She smiled and snuggled back down into the couch, feeling loved and cared for.

Faith had decided she wanted to see the counsellor alone. Vance insisted on waiting outside in the car until they knew for certain that she wasn’t being followed.

The counsellor was a plump, curly haired woman called Betsy whose sweet smile and warmth immediately put her at her ease but Faith still found herself unable to discuss what had happened. The memory of the sound of the knife puncturing her flesh replayed in her head and she clammed up. After a little gentle coaxing from Betsy, Faith was able to talk about the few minutes before the attack but could go no further.

“I’m sorry,” said Faith, dragging her hands through her hair. “I just can’t.”

“It’s all right,” said Betsy. “We’ll go at your pace. It can take some people a bit of time to open up. The fact that you booked this appointment in the first place is a very good sign. It means you’re ready to face it.”

“I’m just so…” Faith trailed off and bit her lip, unable to admit that she was afraid.

Betsy didn’t push her when she remained silent. “Like I said, in your own time.” When it became clear Faith wasn’t going to say anything else, Betsy added, “Would you like to try again another time?”

“Yes please,” replied Faith, knowing if she didn’t then things would only get worse for her.

After booking an appointment for the following week, she headed outside and got in Vance’s car waiting at the kerb.

“How did it go?” he asked her.

“Oh, fine,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I like her, she’s really sweet.”

“Did you manage to, you know, open up?”

“A bit. She said I did really well. I’ve booked another appointment for next week.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “Good.” He started the engine. “Now I’m taking you out for lunch.”

“Sounds good,” she replied with a smile she didn’t feel.

She hated lying to Vance. In fact she couldn’t remember ever doing it before and it pained her but if she told him the truth he might press her to open up and she just couldn’t. The darkness had already settled in her heart, she could feel it and she wasn’t sure it would ever leave. It felt to be a part of her now.

The sense of being watched didn’t return that day for Faith and by the following afternoon when she still hadn’t experienced it again she was starting to think that it had been her imagination. But her brothers still wanted her to take precautions until they were absolutely certain.

She was still enjoying her time off from work when she received a call from Vance.

“Sorry Faith,” he said. “I know you’re on a break but you really need to come to Pulse. We’ve got a big problem.”

“On my way,” she replied with a weary sigh. She didn’t bother to ask what the problem was because they didn’t discuss things like that over the phone.

She found her brothers ensconced together in the office at the club. The looks on their faces made her stomach drop. Vance vacated the chair behind her desk so she could sit down.

“What’s happened now?” she said, taking her seat.

“The drugs have been nicked,” said Caleb.

“Not again,” she tutted. “Which run was it?”

“Not one single run,” said Vance. “All of them.”

“What?” she exclaimed.

“Well, not quite all of them. Four hundred thousand pound’s worth to be precise.”

“Fuck,” she breathed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “How the hell did this happen? We have security, people who are paid to guard the vault.”

Caleb placed his phone on the desk before her and pressed play. On the screen popped up an image of a small spotless room that contained nothing but stacks of waterproof containers. She watched as four people dressed all in black and wearing balaclavas kicked the crap out of the men they paid to guard the cocaine.

She frowned at the screen. “Are those stun guns?”

“Yes.”

“How are our men?” was her first question when the footage finished.

“They’ll be okay,” said Vance. “But they’ll be out of action for a while. Whoever broke in knew what they were doing. They didn’t want to permanently damage them but they wanted them to stay down.”

“Well, either our men are Oscar winning actors or they didn’t have a bloody clue the intruders were there until it was too late.