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

“Oh dear. It looks like the old biddy needs sorting out.”

“She might be old but she’s still capable of causing carnage, especially with the arsenal she’s got. There’s nothing she doesn’t know about weaponry. Oh crap,” she sighed.

“What is it?”

“You remember I told you about Harry Paisley, Lenny’s brother?”

“Yeah.”

“I think she’s got it into her head that one of my brothers killed him. She knows it wasn’t me because I was in intensive care when he went missing. This could be revenge.”

“Why would she give a shit about that wanker?”

“Because he was the adopted son of her best friend. Apparently this friend of hers had a miserable life and Harry was the only good thing in it. She hated Lenny because he was a sod to his mother but she loved Harry. Flo doesn’t believe he fled because there was a warrant out for his arrest.”

“How much does she know about our operation?”

“Nothing. I only get weaponry off her. I tell her nothing but she might be in touch with a group of handy firefighters.”

“Could well be babes.”

“I’ll get right on it. By the way, the fire officer doing the inspection on Eclectic is Ben Cooper.”

“Bloody hell,” she chuckled. “It doesn’t rain, it sodding pours, doesn’t it? You’ve certainly got your hands full.”

Faith was hoping she’d say she’d come and help them but no such offer was forthcoming. “There’s nothing new there,” she sighed.

“You don’t get into this game for the peaceful life. That was something I learnt years ago. There’s always someone wanting to take what you have.”

“I’m certainly learning that.”

Faith hung up and jumped when arms snaked around her waist and lips kissed her neck.

“Vance,” she breathed. She went rigid when she realised the person holding her didn’t feel right.

“Try again,” whispered a voice in her ear.

With a gasp she tore herself from those arms and whipped round.

“Adam,” she exclaimed. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He didn’t look to be in great shape. He had an enormous bruise in the centre of his forehead from where Vance had smashed his head against the table at the pub, plus he had another bruise to the side of his face that she guessed he’d sustained when he’d been locked in the boot during a car chase and he seemed to be favouring his left leg.

“I’ve come to pass on a message,” he said.

“A letter would have sufficed,” she said coldly.

“You have more enemies than you think. If you want to protect your family then you need to pack up and fuck off.”

“You think it’s so easy?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve no idea what you’re taking on. If you attack us you’ll be crushed and I don’t mean by me and my brothers.”

“No, you’re referring to the Maguires but we’re doing them a favour by showing them that you’re not up to the job.”

“And you think they’ll just hire you instead?” She chuckled and shook her head. “People have tried to do the same to them so many times and they’ve always failed. If you interfere they’ll kill you.”

“Then where are they Faith? No doubt you’ve already told them about everything that’s been going on but they haven’t charged up here to the rescue. They’re biding their time, waiting to see what will happen.”

“You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,” she retorted, although his words did echo thoughts she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge to herself. The Maguires could easily crush this issue and everything would go back to normal but they’d chosen not to do that. Naturally they wanted to see if she and her family could sort it out for themselves but what if they failed?

“You’ve got the rest of the day to think it over,” continued Adam. “You can give Ben your decision when he comes to do the fire inspection tomorrow.”

“I thought he’d wuss out of that.”

“Then you don’t know Ben. Vance might just have a rival for the title of scariest bastard in town.” Adam’s gaze softened. “I hope you make the right decision Faith. I would hate it if anything happened to you. Even though you’re fucking your own brother…”

“He’s not my brother.”

Adam ignored the comment. “I still don’t want you to get hurt. Go back to Scotland and take your brothers with you.”

“Piss off.”

“As you wish,” he said, walking to the door.

“Wait,” she called after him.

He turned to face her and she found the hope in his eyes pathetic. Did he seriously think she was going to suggest they get back together?

“What did you mean when you said we have more enemies than we think?” she said.

“I meant exactly what I said. Make the right decision Faith, for your own sake.”

“How did you meet Ben and his friends?”

“They approached me. They did a lot of digging into your life Faith. They know everything about you and they thought I’d want to help them after how you treated me.”

Her gaze turned to ice. “Get out of here before I break your fucking neck.”

Adam just shook his head and quietly slipped out the door. Faith followed to see how he’d got in and was infuriated to see one of the workmen had propped open the fire door at the end of the corridor so he could have a cigarette.

“Oy you,” she yelled at the man. “What the hell do you think you’re doing leaving that open?”

The man jumped, threw his cigarette out the door and hastily pulled it shut.

“Don’t ever do that again,” she snarled at him. “Someone just walked in off the street because of you.”

“Sorry, it won’t happen again.”

“For your sake it better hadn’t,” she spat before heading back into the club to relate to her siblings what had