Free A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3) by Heather Atkinson Page B

Right now it was the man in the private room next door to Strang’s who was beating a skinny black-haired girl, the ball gag in her mouth muffling her cries. The fat bearded creature with the dark eyes full of anger and glee was a city councillor, as were his two friends who were regulars at the club too. If he didn’t want the video of himself beating that girl to be sent to every TV station in the country as well as to the Police he’d do as Alex wanted. He wondered if Rachel and Ryan would still be so keen on playing by the book when they came across the first hitch to their grand plans.
    “ Maybe we should get in there?” said Patti, getting worried as the man started to lay into the girl even harder, blood leaking from her nose, both eyes almost swollen shut.
    “ Not yet,” said Alex.
    “ He’s going to kill her.”
    “ He’s just letting off some steam,” said Alex casually.
    “ But Afrodita brings in a few grand a night. He’s going to ruin her.”
    “ Alright, get in there Col.”
    Col nodded and hurried out of the room and Patti breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate she knew just what made Alex Maguire tick - money. But there was something on his mind other than a profit, something that was eating him up inside. Woe betide whoever put that cancer there.

CHAPTER 6
     
    Rachel only gave the okay for the Maguires to visit when the journalists at the bottom of her drive had got bored and dispersed, which was the very next day. She was ashamed to admit that she didn’t want them seeing members of the most powerful criminal family in Manchester on her doorstep.
    “ How are you Sweetheart?” said Martina the moment she was through the door, sweeping her into a maternal hug and Rachel felt guilty for being ashamed of her. She never used to be.
    “ I’m fine, he didn’t actually hurt me.”
    “ But he went for you,” said Beth, clutching Holly to her.
    “ My doormen saw him off.”
    “ Then he’s obviously a coward who can’t stand up to someone tougher than he is,” stated Martina firmly.
    When Mikey hugged Rachel she held onto him, his presence had always soothed her. No matter what her relationship with the rest of the Maguires was like, in her mind he would always be the brother she never had. As she looked into his eyes she saw he was troubled; concerned for herself yes, but something else was on his mind. In response to her questioning look he just shook his head, indicating not yet.
    “The Slasher struck again, the night after he attacked you,” said Martina.
    “ So I believe but thankfully he only managed to hurt two people that night, he nearly got caught again by the doormen,” replied Rachel.
    “ He’s getting sloppy, I bet the police catch him soon,” said Beth.
    “ We can only hope. Brew anyone?” Rachel offered.
    “ Please,” Martina and Beth chimed in unison.
    Ryan emerged from the living room followed by the children, the boys hurling themselves at their adoptive grandmother, who laughed with delight. Leah was altogether much calmer and greeted her Aunt Beth and kissed Holly.
    “Everyone sit down, I’ll bring the drinks in,” said Rachel.
    As she bustled about the kitchen, Mikey snuck in and shut the door.
    “Alright Love?” she beamed at him.
    “ Not really,” he sighed, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets.
    “ What’s wrong?” she said, afraid he was going to tell her something about Alex and the business.
    “ I’ve knocked someone up.”
    She blinked with surprise. “What?”
    “ Amber Sweeney. She was a one-night stand after my last match nearly three months ago, when I knocked out Big Joe Denton.”
    “ I remember.” He’d been elated because Denton had been pro, a bit big time and beating him had done Mikey’s boxing career the power of good.
    “ Are you sure it’s yours?”
    He nodded. “I’ve asked around, she’s a good girl, doesn’t shag about like a lot of women off the Montford.”
    “ She’s off the Montford?” she