Betrayal

Lousy but loyal.

Anon. East End slogan, George V Jubilee, 1935

He that is not with me is against me.

Matthew 12:30

Chapter Fifty-Eight

1998

‘Fuck off, Eugene. You’re having me on, ain’t you!’

Agnes was belly laughing at her brother’s antics. And Eugene, the natural jester that he was, was playing to the gallery. He had a real knack for making people laugh, with his lust for life and sunny disposition.

Eugene, who had been such a quiet child, had developed into a young man with a big personality, liked by everyone who came into contact with him. The girls loved him and he, in turn, loved them. He was already over six feet and he was built, as his mother told anyone who listened to her worries about him all those years ago, like the proverbial brick shithouse. With his father’s dark-chocolate skin and high cheekbones, and his mother’s full lips and blue eyes, he was like catnip to every female in a five-mile radius.

‘Seriously, Aggs. I kid you not. I was fucking nearly captured! But I extricated myself before her dad got anywhere near!’

Agnes was still laughing. She loved her brother Eugene; he was the closest to her really. Unlike the others, he didn’t see it as his daily mission to watch her like a hawk − he was more easy-going. As a result, they had a real connection as siblings and, more to the point, as friends, even though he spent his every waking moment trying to chat up every female in his world, and she was what their mum referred to as a Holy Joe.

Agnes still spent all her spare time at the church. She received Holy Communion every morning at the six o’clock Mass, and she also helped out there most evenings with everything from feeding the homeless to helping the kids who were getting ready to receive their first Holy Communion. She would patiently help them learn the catechism and then she would help them to understand what it actually meant. Agnes was a daughter that most parents would pray to God for. She was a genuinely good girl, who had never once given her family any reason to worry about her. She had no interest in anything except her religion.

At seventeen, she was doing very well at school and was determined to make something of herself. As Reeva complained to anyone who would listen, her only daughter was her absolute polar opposite! And, even though she bemoaned her daughter’s lifestyle, there was a small part of her that was proud that her only daughter was without any kind of stain. That her girl, her beautiful girl, could hold her head up despite her mother’s reputation, and that she had such a nice nature, such a capacity for love. Reeva had to admit defeat. Although she had wanted a best mate, a girl she could put on make-up with, a girl she could go shopping with and who she could go out with drinking and clubbing, she had finally had to accept that she had a daughter who was not the outgoing type. Agnes was not interested in having a good time, and she wasn’t going to use her good looks for her own end.

Reeva had struggled to understand her for a long time. But as the years passed she had swallowed her dismay and she had finally seen the advantage in her daughter’s behaviour. Unlike Reeva, her girl wasn’t eager to grow up and experience life at a very young age; her Agnes wasn’t afraid that life would somehow pass her by.

That had always been Reeva’s worry as a girl, that she was missing out on everything when, truth be told, she had missed out on so much because she had given birth to her first child at fourteen. She had never really given herself a chance. Her daughter wanted to wait until she was ready before she went out into the world. She wanted to finish her education and make something of her life. Her Agnes had her fucking head screwed on!

Now, as Eugene and Agnes walked into the kitchen, Reeva, who had only had a couple of drinks because Aiden Junior was coming over for tea, said loudly, ‘What were you two laughing at? I could hear you coming up the road.’

Eugene grabbed his mum and hugged her tightly to him, kissing her on her forehead. ‘Never you mind. What’s for dinner? I’m starving.’

Agnes was already putting the kettle on to make them all tea. She loved it when it was like this, when everyone was happy and there wasn’t any conflict.

‘I made a chicken and mushroom pie, and for afters we have a lemon cheesecake. All you lot ever bleeding think about is your stomachs.’

Agnes laughed happily. ‘That’s your own fault, Mum. You fed these boys too well. God knows how their wives will cope!’

Reeva was thrilled at hearing her daughter say out loud what she secretly believed was the truth. She knew that, food-wise, she would be a hard act to follow. It didn’t occur to her that Agnes might just be telling her what she wanted to hear.

‘Aiden is dropping the little man off soon and, once he’s settled, I will be dishing up. Patsy is working late and Porrick is with him. I don’t know, it’s like a fucking transport café here these days.’

‘Is Tony here for dinner, Mum?’

Reeva shrugged. ‘He’s got a bit of work today. Shouldn’t be too long. Pour that tea out, Aggs, it will be stronger than a docker’s piss if you leave it much longer.’

Eugene rolled his eyes with disgust. ‘Oh, Mum, you silver-tongued bastard.’

Reeva laughed with her son and didn’t comment when her only daughter picked up her tea and made her way upstairs to her bedroom. It hurt Reeva that her girl didn’t seem to want to spend too much time in her company; she knew that it was because she had had a few drinks. Agnes didn’t like her drinking during the day and, even though she never said as much, the fact that she escaped to her room at the earliest opportunity hurt Reeva’s feelings. She felt that she had somehow failed her daughter and, even though she had no intention of ever changing her lifestyle, her disapproval still bothered her. Eugene was sitting at the table and, picking up his mug of tea, he sipped it loudly before saying seriously, ‘You know what she’s like, Mum. Miss Goody Two-Shoes. But, seriously, she has a point. You do look a bit pissed, and our Aiden will be here soon with the son and heir. And you know him, he never holds back on an opinion, does he?’

Reeva didn’t answer. All her boys were Aiden’s acolytes and accepted him as the main man in their lives. Generally that was something she was pleased about. Yet as much as she loved Aiden it irritated her that he was treated like the dog’s gonads every time he graced them with his presence.

She knew she was being unfair, because she was already half pissed. That was why they rarely took any notice of what she said; they knew that she would rather have a drink than bring attention to herself. But it didn’t mean she didn’t love them all. Because she did.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Jade was not in the best of moods. She had experienced what she would call an absolutely shit day. First of all, she had been expected to clear up a mess in one of the houses. A very wealthy punter had got as drunk as a skunk and decided he wanted a fight with one of the security guys. Unfortunately, he had picked the fight with a large and very aggressive Jamaican who had no intention of letting anyone mug him off. Especially not a fucking Hooray Henry who thought he was the dog’s danglers.

Those were the Jamaican’s words, not hers.

The man in question had eventually been given the hammering of a lifetime, but only after he had pushed and pushed for a fight. He had not been protected, so he had been the recipient of a seriously good fucking hiding. Without fear or favour he had been smashed into the ground. Fists and feet had been used without a thought. For the first time in his life he had learned that sometimes a big trap could really get you in trouble, could get a body hurt.

The Jamaican in question was new to the job, and he had not been told that, when a situation like that occurred, he was expected to just defuse the situation and walk away − under no circumstances was he to raise a fist. The people they dealt with paid so much money they were basically given a free pass, no matter what happened. Obviously that had not been explained properly. Unfortunately, the man who had sought out the fight had a history of throwing punches while spouting racist shite. So he had finally been given exactly what he had inadvertently asked for and never expected in a million years. The bully had been given a hiding. He had been on the end of a fist that he had never believed would ever come his way. The man had a history of picking fights with the security staff and, until now, he had been allowed to get away with it. The men he abused had walked away quite happily, knowing they would be well compensated. Plus they were sensible enough to know that, in the environment they worked in, a lot of the men were liable to act the big man, to try and make themselves look like they were macho men. They wished, the complete fucking wankers!

Jade believed it was because they had to pay for the women they slept with and, because of that, they felt the urge to make themselves look masculine in front of the women that they were paying good money for. But this time it had backfired and the man who had always been given a swerve was now in hospital and looking at serious money to replace his missing teeth plus plastic surgery to put his eye back in its original position.

In all honesty, Jade was glad he had been given his comeuppance – he was a fucking pain in the arse who thought that his name and his money gave him the right to treat everyone around him like shit. The girls he paid for were not big fans of him either. That told her everything she needed to know. There were punters you might not find attractive but they treated you well. These were the punters you liked, who you could have fun with. These were nice men, really − men you trusted because you knew there were no ulterior motives. Normally she would have given the man in question a real talking-to, explained that although his huge fee allowed for this kind of abuse that still didn’t mean it was right. That maybe he should have a quick rethink about the girls he requested. But today she really couldn’t be arsed. She was glad the moron had finally been taken down a few pegs.

They disgusted her, the men like him who really believed they had some kind of God-given fucking right to treat everyone around them like shit because they had a few quid. Truth be told, she could buy and sell the majority of the fuckers these days. They were only countenanced because of who they were related to, and because of how much money they spent. They were only really useful to her when things started to fall out of bed. Then they were worth her time.

Jade sighed in frustration. She had the hump.

Today had been a particularly trying day in her calendar, for more than one reason. She had been contacted by another trollop who thought that all she needed to do to get what she wanted out of life was tell her about how Aiden spent all his time with her. It was bad enough that the girl worked for them in one of the strip clubs, but that she actually believed she could ring Jade’s personal number was what really angered her. That a trollop, who she had paid wages to, had the nerve to think that she could actually contact her personally was beyond the fucking pale! Jade knew that Aiden was never going to be a wilting virgin, but the fact that he seemed to pick his paramours from their workforce really did bother her. He had no fucking imagination, apparently.

He loved her and always would − of that she had no doubt. But that he would fuck a hole in a fence was something she was also more than aware of. It was why she still refused to marry him. She resented him when he put her in this kind of position. It humiliated her, and she deserved much better. But when Aiden was chasing his cock, his sensible head was not in attendance. That the girl had seen him enough times to think she had some kind of claim on him told her all she needed to know. Why did he feel the need to romance them? She already knew that the girl in question, Destiny, was a beautiful young girl. They always were. But she had rung Jade and told her that she was in love with Aiden, and he was in love with her − that was something Jade could not shrug off. It was the certainty in the girl’s voice that had really communicated itself to her. It was obvious that Aiden had been romancing her. And the silly bitch believed him.

She wasn’t sure she could do it any more. She didn’t want to go through all this again. It hurt her far more than she would ever allow herself to admit. But this time she had to step in because, if she didn’t, who knew what the fuck would happen? That was the real fear for her. She couldn’t ever trust Aiden when he was caught out, not just by her but by the whore he was shagging.

She cried in her anger and pain.

Chapter Sixty

‘Jade, come on. You know that my Aiden absolutely adores you.’

Jade laughed half-heartedly. She wasn’t in the mood for any real discussions, especially not with Reeva. If one of her kids murdered every one of her neighbours she would still argue the toss, say they were in the right, that they had been goaded!

‘Tell Destiny that, Reeva, will you? I can’t be arsed any more. It’s too much like hard fucking work.’

Reeva felt genuinely upset because, over the years, she had realised that this woman was the best thing that could ever have happened to her son. It wasn’t only about her grandson, because she believed that Jade would never stop her seeing him. She knew that Jade actually did like her. They had bonded over the years, and she was as angry as Jade was at Aiden’s latest stupidity. She knew that Jade was not jealous − she didn’t lose any sleep over her son’s bits on the side. Reeva admired Jade because she didn’t turn a drama into a fucking crisis, but she could understand why Jade saw his behaviour as insulting. She saw it that way herself. Aiden was her son, and God knew she loved him, but if she was Jade she would have taken him out a long time ago. ‘I know what you are feeling, Jade. But he has too much of me in him, I think. I could never be faithful in my younger days…’

Jade hugged the woman who could aggravate the life out of her with a few words, but who she could not help growing to love as the years had gone on. ‘Look, Reeva, you were a great mum, in your own way. Don’t you dare fucking try and make excuses for him. Just do me a big favour, please? Let me leave Aiden Junior here for a few days while I sort everything out? Can you do that for me?’

Reeva found herself nodding in agreement even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. She felt like she could tear her eldest son a new one without a second thought.

‘You have fucked off much better-looking girls than this whore, Jade.’

‘I know, Reeva. But this girl worked for me − she’s someone I have had to deal with. That is far too fucking close this time. I’ve swallowed my pride more than once. But I think that this girl is the end of it for me, this time.’

Reeva could see the hurt and the humiliation and she could really understand how Jade must be feeling. She knew that Jade wouldn’t accept being treated so badly and so publicly. This time Aiden had really queered his fucking pitch. Jade was at the end of her patience where Aiden was concerned.

‘I know the girls talk. But they have to respect me, Reeva. If they don’t then I ain’t doing my job. He is undermining me! This whore of his actually had the fucking nerve to ring me, Reeva, to lay down the law! That tells me that she thinks she has some kind of hold over him. Better I walk away now with my dignity because I have told him time and time again, do what you like but don’t rub my face in it.’

Reeva felt like crying. Jade was a very proud woman and, no matter what she might have done in the past, there had never been even a hint of impropriety where Jade was concerned since she had been with her boy. Reeva had been on the woman’s case since day one. She had investigated her like a fucking Old Bill. She had made a point of enquiring of anyone and everyone about Jade’s life, made it her mission to find out all she could. And she couldn’t fault her.

But she couldn’t say the same about Aiden, fucker that he was. Why did he have to always pick those girls who thought they were in with a chance? Like he would ever put one of them over his Jade! She would give him an earful when she saw him, she was determined about that much. Who the fuck did he think he was?

When Jade left the house, Reeva poured herself another large drink, telling herself it was because she was so upset about her son’s behaviour. But she knew that she would have poured the drink anyway, because that was what she liked to do. She liked a drink. Why was that such a big fucking deal? It wasn’t like they didn’t know her, was it? That they didn’t know that she enjoyed an alcoholic beverage on a regular basis. That she had enjoyed drinking since she had been a young girl. If she had not liked drinking so much, the chances were, none of her kids would have seen the light of day. When Tony got in he listened to her going on incoherently about how Aiden had finally fucked up and, as always, he agreed with her and poured her into bed. He guessed there was something occurring, but he would keep his counsel until he knew exactly what was what.

When he checked on Agnes he saw that Aiden Junior was beside her in the bed and he sussed out what had probably been the cause of Reeva’s drunken ramblings. After all, it wasn’t a big secret any more. Destiny Smith, stupid whore that she was, had made sure about that. Did these females never learn? The best they could hope for was an old Face with a few quid and a chequered past, and giving these men kids younger than their grandchildren. The girls should be sensible enough to know that, if they used their loaves and sat it out, they would be left with a house and a few quid. They weren’t the first wife; they weren’t really seen as deserving of anything. These girls were the man in question’s last fucking hurrah. They were the ones who were willing to sell themselves that short. They deserved all they got.

Chapter Sixty-One

Aiden O’Hara was feeling good about himself. He believed the time was at hand when Eric Palmer would step away from the businesses and pass the reins over to him and Jade. It was what he had been waiting for – patiently waiting for – because he had always thought the world of Eric Palmer.

Aiden had made it his mission in the past four years to get himself back on track to be Eric’s successor after his monumental fuck-up with the IRA. It still haunted him. But he was more determined than ever to show he had what it took. So he’d looked for his next money-making scam like the fucking calculator he was. Aiden had seen the potential of the earn in the drug trade. He had even weighed out forty grand for a pill press so they could make the merchandise themselves. They now had presses and chemists all over the UK so that they could control certain areas. Eric was over the moon. He thought Aiden was just like him in his heyday. Aiden kept his ear to the ground and he made sure that he was told everything that was occurring in their world, whether it was in the clubs, or on the pavements. Knowledge was power, as Aiden was so fond of saying. He was very careful to never act without Eric’s express say-so, to never try to do anything without his knowledge, giving him the respect he was due. But Aiden could see Eric was losing the edge. Putting his legitimate money to work had become his main interest thanks to Aiden’s persuasion. It was common knowledge that legal businesses were the golden ticket in his game. And now, if the Filth ever came knocking, he would always be in a position to explain how he paid his bills and bought his properties. Or, in his case, loads of fucking properties.

Aiden’s mantra was easy and sensible: always be able to explain how you manage to drive your prestige car, pay for your big fucking house, and fund every part of your lifestyle. You needed to pay all the taxes you are required to, because the taxman − or, more to the point, the VAT man − is the only cunt who can enter your home without a fucking search warrant. Rape and murder kids, and the Filth still have to make sure they have a good reason to come into your home – a rapist has fucking rights. But owe a bit of tax and those fuckers could be in your drum without a by-your-leave. It was absolutely disgraceful. Rapists and paedophiles were never seen as being as important as tax evaders − that was what really annoyed villains.

It was a different world, and Aiden had explained all that to Eric. How it was important to be able to tell the taxman to take a flying fuck, but also to ensure that every shit he had ever passed could be proved in triplicate. That was Aiden’s forte. He had explained the importance of being seen as legitimate, how only a complete mug would be stupid enough to take on the tax people. He had finally convinced Eric of his opinion, and Eric had been impressed by his acumen. He had finally realised just how important it was to look as if you were as honest as the proverbial day was long. Aiden felt he had proven his worth to Eric over and over again.

Now everything he had ever wanted was within his grasp and he couldn’t be happier. As he sipped a large brandy at his desk, he looked around him with satisfaction. This is what he had been working towards, this was what he deserved.

Patsy crashed into the room with his usual aplomb, and Aiden started laughing. He loved his brother but Patsy was about as subtle as a fucking twelve-gauge shotgun.

‘All right, Patsy.’ It was a form of address.

Patsy sighed heavily as he said, ‘I’m all right, but you ain’t, bruv.’

Aiden stopped short. Opening his arms out in a gesture of supplication, he said seriously, ‘Explain yourself?’

‘You are such a fucking mug, Ade. Do you even know that?’

Aiden looked at his brother in surprise. Today had been the day they had been waiting for. He had told Patsy earlier that, from now on, they were on a fucking roll. They were so close. Now his brother had burst into his office calling him a mug.

‘You fucking talking to me, Pats? Are you on a death wish or what?’

Patsy O’Hara looked at his brother with absolute disgust. ‘You know what, Aiden? You really are a grade-A cunt.’ Patsy knew his brother better than anyone. He knew everything about him − the good as well as the downright fucking snidey. ‘You spoken to your Jade yet? I’m assuming that’s a fucking negative. Only I think you might have finally fucked it up with her.’

Suddenly Aiden wasn’t smiling any more. He had been trying to get her on the phone but he had not been able to. Until now, it had not occurred to him that she might be avoiding him. ‘What the fuck are you on about?’

Patsy loved his brother, but he wished that Aiden could see himself as others saw him at times. He was so fucking disloyal to the people who really mattered and that bothered Patsy because he believed that if you could completely disregard the mother of your child, you could not be trusted by anyone else. Patsy liked and respected Jade Dixon. Without her his big brother could not run everything as well as it was run now. ‘What am I on about? Fucking Destiny, of course! Once more you have picked a fucking slag bag. And another mouthy one at that. She is telling all and sundry that you love her! That you are going to marry her. Will you ever fucking learn, Aiden?’

Aiden felt sick. This was why he couldn’t get his Jade on the phone, why his mum was swerving him. Today of all fucking days. If Eric Palmer got wind of this he would be like the Antichrist. Everything they were being given was because Eric trusted Jade to run it as she always had. He knew that Eric didn’t believe that he was capable of running the day-to-day business because he didn’t have any interest in that shit. It bored him. And that was the one thing that Eric Palmer had always been wary about. Without Jade onside, Eric believed that Aiden would lose the edge, that he would not bother to chase things up and keep on top of it all.

Aiden turned on his brother angrily. ‘Well, she’s talking out of her arse. Jade ain’t stupid. She knows that’s a load of old fucking fanny.’

Patsy shook his head in absolute disbelief. It aggravated him that his brother could kid himself as and when it suited him. It was at times like this when he really could smack him one. Aiden was so arrogant, and so sure that he could worm his way out of anything. Which of course, where Jade was concerned, he usually could.

‘You were always the clever bastard, Aiden. We knew that and accepted it. But for someone with so much fucking so-called intelligence, I don’t get how you can pick up with an idiot like Destiny. She rang Jade today, telling her everything about you and her. She has Jade’s number and she rang Mum’s place as well. But, as luck would have it, Tony answered and then he called me. You are a car crash, Aiden. You know when you can see it about to happen but you can’t stop it? That is you. Jade is the best thing you ever fucking had. You’re a great team. She has your son and, more to the point, Jade is the only person who can run the businesses on a day-to-day basis. Because you fucking couldn’torganise anything without her standing beside you. You need her for more reasons than you could ever realise. You know that as well as I do.’

Aiden was angry at his brother’s words, at his accusations. He wasn’t a man who could ever accept criticism. Especially when he knew it was the truth.

He was aware that Destiny was waiting for him in a flat he owned in Manor Park. She was twenty years old, pretty as a picture, and she had the body of a porn star − his usual fucking outside squeeze. He had never given her any reason to think she was that special in any way. In fact, he had told her from day one that he could never offer her anything other than his time, and obviously he had made sure that she didn’t lose out financially by being with him, even though he knew that she would use the relationship to further her career in some way. They all did the same and, if he was honest, that appealed to him. He liked that he was seen as a man’s man. He liked that he was known to have other women on the side. He saw it as part of his persona. He was a scallywag, a womaniser. But he also made sure that people knew that it didn’t take away from his love and respect for Jade. Most of his outside girls were just happy to be noticed by him. Why did people like Destiny think they could fucking force him into wanting them? Why did they think they were in with a chance?

Patsy could see that he had really annoyed his brother and he was glad. He said as much. ‘Did you really think that putting that girl up in a flat and giving her a wage wouldn’t make her think that she might actually be in with a chance? She believes you are going to marry her.’

Aiden looked at his brother for a long moment. He knew that what Patsy was saying was absolutely right, but that didn’t mean he wanted to listen to him. He was irritated. Today should have been his fucking triumph. He had felt today that Eric Palmer was ready to give him what he wanted. That he was finally willing to walk away. Now he had his brother on his case − and it looked like Jade was going on the trot. It was his own fault: he pushed things to the hilt, especially Jade. She accepted him taking fliers but when he kept the girls in his life for a while, he knew that it really vexed her. And that was partly the reason he did it − he wanted to see how far she would let him go.

He also knew that there was a viciousness in him that made him feel the need to prove to her that he didn’t need her. Even though he really did need her. There was a nasty streak in him where women were concerned. But he loved his Jade. She was his girl. He felt that when they had found each other it had been written in the stars. Together they were a force to be reckoned with. They complemented each other in every way that mattered; not just sexually − they worked together beautifully. She understood him, and she had taught him everything of relevance that he had needed to know. That was something he could not, and would not, ever forget. Even today, he knew that, without Jade, Eric Palmer would not walk away with such ease. Eric saw them as the perfect partnership. And it was. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. She was the mother of his son, and she was the only woman he would ever love. But his brother’s criticism had hit a nerve. He didn’t have to take anything off anyone any more.

‘Listen, Patsy. I know you love all this fucking drama…’

Patsy held his hands up in defeat. He was tired and he couldn’t be bothered to argue any more. His anger suddenly left him; he was wasting his time − Aiden didn’t give a shit either way. But it grieved him seeing Jade brought so fucking low. He liked her, respected her – they all did. Even his mother had changed her tune. Yet his older brother treated her like dirt.

‘I’m done, Aiden. I am only trying to help you. You can sort your own shit out this time, because I ain’t threatening Destiny, all right? You’re on your own, mate. But be warned. Mum is backing Jade to the hilt.’

Aiden sat in his chair after his brother walked out on him and he looked around his office. He usually loved the feeling of being here, being in control of everything and everyone around him. But right now all he felt was a great anger towards Patsy. He would never forget that he had spoken to him with such disrespect, even allowing for his brother’s insistence that he was only helping him and trying to make him see the error of his ways.

Aiden could never allow that kind of disrespect to go by without some kind of punishment. He swallowed down a large brandy and then, when he felt calm enough, he left the office determined to sort out his household arrangements once and for all. But he was shaking with anger, and that never augured well for anyone.

Chapter Sixty-Two

Destiny Smith was feeling nervous but, thanks to a few vodkas and a couple of lines of cocaine, she had convinced herself that she had done the right thing. She loved this flat; it was large, spacious and really well furnished. It was her home now − thanks to her Aiden, who footed the bills. He had told her that it was hers and she had been so thrilled. She had liked him from the first time she had met him and now she believed that she loved him. Her big worry was that he had never allowed her to bring up anything to do with that Jade − every time she mentioned her he batted her off and changed the subject.

She sighed in annoyance. Jade was as old as the hills! Of course he would rather be with her − she was young and gorgeous. The problem was that Aiden had a child with Jade. She had ensnared him when he was a young lad − it was common knowledge.

So, today, Destiny had finally decided that she had to take matters into her own hands. Like her mum always said, you had to take what you wanted from life − no one was going to give it to you.

She studied herself in the mirror, and the reflection made her smile. She was really lovely. Aiden O’Hara came to her regularly and she knew that he enjoyed her. She didn’t exactly enjoy him as such, but she believed that would come in time. The fact that he had set her up here told her everything she needed to know.

The other girls at the club had been bitchy, telling her that he would never leave Jade, that she should get what she could out of him. That had really offended her − they were just jealous.

Nevertheless she was beginning to worry because he had not been in contact since she dropped the bombshell on Jade. She could only think that it was going to be harder than she had thought for him to extricate himself from the relationship; after all, they did have a kid together. But she could do that as well − she was younger, years younger, and she could produce a whole family for Aiden if needed. She hoped that wouldn’t be the case, though − two kids max was her limit.

She reapplied her make-up, and brushed out her long, blond hair. She was wearing nothing but lacy black knickers and a lacy black push-up bra. She knew exactly what he wanted from her and she made a point of providing exactly that. What was between her legs was the real interest for him. And she knew enough about men to know that, for the majority of them, that would be more than enough.

She heard a key in the door and smiled contentedly. She had known he would come; she couldn’t believe that she had doubted him.

Chapter Sixty-Three

Eugene was worried, but he followed his brother Patsy without a word. Patsy was clearly annoyed but he knew better than to question him. Patsy was a lot more like Aiden than he realised − both of them were determined to do what they wanted when they were angry enough. Tonight Patsy was angrier than Eugene had ever seen him before.

Patsy looked the typical Jamaican; he had the Bob Marley look going for him. Eugene, though, had a unique look that women loved. He was the darkest of them all − with his mother’s startling blue eyes. He could be hard when necessary but, unlike Aiden and Patsy, he didn’t see his life as just a series of violent acts. He always joked that he was more a lover than a fighter, even though, when pushed, he could hold his own with the best of them. He always made a point of sorting out his own shit, instead of going to his brother. He had his own reputation − he just didn’t see the need to look for trouble. ‘Look, Patsy, what is going on tonight? Where the fuck are we going and why?’

Eugene had been having the time of his life in one of the clubs they owned, and he wasn’t impressed with being dragged out without any kind of explanation.

Patsy stopped the car, a brand-new BMW that Aiden had given him for his birthday. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Like everyone around him, he had Aiden to thank for his good fortune.

‘Have you really not heard anything today?’

Eugene shrugged. ‘Such as, Patsy?’

Patsy closed his eyes in annoyance. ‘About Aiden and that fucking thing he’s been shagging, Destiny?’

Eugene laughed. ‘It’s hardly a fucking secret, is it?’

Patrick looked at his brother with disgust. ‘Well, Jade knows. Destiny rang her today and gave her the full fucking bifta.’

Eugene still didn’t understand what was going on; he honestly didn’t really care. ‘And that matters because?’

Patrick grabbed his brother by his shirt and, pulling him towards him roughly, he said angrily, ‘That matters, Eugene, because Aiden will kill her. Jade wants us there and so that is where we are going, OK?’

Chapter Sixty-Four

Jade smiled gently as she saw the shock on Destiny’s face. All her instincts were telling her to smack this stupid girl from one end of this flat to the other. But she knew that would be a pointless exercise.

Instead she said kindly, ‘Destiny, sweetheart, my advice to you is to get yourself dressed as quickly as possible.’

The girl was young and very beautiful. Jade had known that already, but it didn’t stop it hurting.

Destiny recovered faster than Jade would have given her credit for. ‘I’m going nowhere, Jade. I’m waiting for Aiden. I’m sorry if you feel hurt but I love him, and he loves me.’

As she spoke she was dragging on her dressing gown; she had never felt so exposed in her life. Jade in the flesh was not as old-looking as she had let herself believe. In truth, she looked fucking amazing and, even in her shock and horror, Destiny had the nous to see that this was a woman who had a presence.

Jade shook her head sadly. ‘Listen to me, sweetheart. Aiden doesn’t give a flying fuck about you. Take it from me, darling, I am here to help you. Believe me, if I was here to teach you a lesson you would be spark out on the floor now. So go and get yourself fucking dressed.’

Destiny stood in front of her nemesis. She was so stunned that she didn’t know how to react. But the woman’s voice was very serious, and it sounded very honest.

Then Jade bellowed, ‘Now! He will be here soon and, take it from me, he won’t be as fucking easy-going as I am. You fucked up, lady, you committed the cardinal sin: you made him feel bad about himself. The minute you made yourself known to me you became his mortal enemy. Now, get moving.’

Something in Jade’s voice, in her demeanour, told Destiny Smith that she was telling her the truth. She could hear the underlying fear in Jade’s voice, and she knew then that it was all over for her. She did as she was told.

Five minutes later they left the flat and Jade walked her quickly to her car. Jade found it in her heart to feel sorry for this young girl who, unlike her, had not found out yet that the men in the world they inhabited were not worth the proverbial wank, that tonight was the first heartbreak in a long line of heartbreaks and this girl would never understand that until it was too late. She would give her a few grand, and hope that she made some kind of life for herself in Spain. She had a few addresses for her, and a few contacts. Because Destiny couldn’t stay here after tonight’s debacle. Her Aiden, who she thought loved her so very much, would not let her walk away from this night’s fucking aggravation. He would harm her. He would cheerfully wound this girl because he would think she had crossed a line and caused him problems.

Chapter Sixty-Five

Aiden arrived home as the dawn was breaking. Jade was sitting in the kitchen waiting for him patiently, and when he saw her she could see the fear on his face.

‘I assume you saw Patsy and Eugene.’

He nodded calmly. She looked so beautiful to him. Sitting there, she was ladylike and perfectly groomed, as always. She was everything he could ever want in a woman. If only she knew how much he adored her, how much he loved her.

‘I took Destiny away, Aiden. She was just a lovely girl who you wanted, like you have always wanted these girls. But I am warning you now, once and for all: you had better not ever humiliate me again. I don’t give a shit about you fucking the staff. But the next time I hear you have singled one out I will make it my fucking goal in life to destroy you. I am the mother of your child and I think that I am pretty easy-going. But this is the last time you ever make me involve myself in your fucking mess.’

Aiden sighed deeply, looking for all the world like he was the wronged party in this debacle. ‘I was going to make her understand that tonight. I don’t know why she thought she could cause so much upset. I could never love her, Jade, you know that.’

Jade closed her eyes. She was so tired, so fed up with him and his antics. ‘This is the last time, Aiden. You can fuck who you like, I really don’t care. But if you ever bring this kind of trouble to my door again, I will drop you like a fucking hot cake. Do you understand me?’

He wiped his hand across his face, and that told her just how bothered he was about her and about what she had done this night. That he would have harmed that girl without a thought bothered her more than she would ever admit − it told her what she had always known and tried to resist. The fact he had put Destiny up in one of their properties, and allowed her to believe that he loved her, was something Jade couldn’t get her head around.

But that she loved him, Jade couldn’t deny. Even knowing what he was capable of, that he was completely without any kind of moral compass, didn’t make her love him any less. That was how broken and warped she was.

Aiden knelt in front of her and, taking her hands in his, he said sincerely and with tears in his eyes, ‘Honestly, Jade, I can’t fucking tell you how bad I feel. You know I love you, darling. You are everything to me. I would fucking kill myself if that would prove to you how much you mean to me.’

Jade had heard it before, so many times. She knew that he meant every word he said, but the intelligent thing to do would be to walk away for her own peace of mind. Because Aiden was a complete headcase and he would never change. But, even knowing that, she still couldn’t bring herself to leave. As bad as he was, they had a connection that was as toxic as it was necessary for them both.

‘I love you too, Aiden. I never loved anyone until I met you. Now we have our boy, and we have a life together − a good life together. Eric wants us to take over from him, he trusts us as a partnership because we work so well.’

Aiden could feel his heart rate slowing down at last. The fear that Jade would walk away was gone. He knew she was capable of walking away from him. That she was the stronger of the two. There were times when he hated her – when he wanted to punish her for what he saw as her disloyalty in going to Eric behind his back. Those were the times when he wanted to rub her face in the fact he could have any bird he wanted. But, deep down, his biggest fear was losing her; losing not just the partnership built on real love, but also losing her as his voice of reason. Losing the only person who could tell him he was in the wrong, and who he would listen to. She had introduced him to the world they now controlled. She had shown him how to take advantage of opportunities, and how to use those opportunities to the best advantage. He knew that, without her by his side, he could never have achieved as much as he had. Jade was the person who put all his plans into action; she was the woman who made him feel invincible, who would always have his back. She had proven that even if it rankled. He depended on her much more than he would ever admit.

As he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, he felt her melting into him. No matter what happened between them they could never resist each other physically.

Chapter Sixty-Six

‘For the love of my life.’

Jade forced a smile as Aiden bowled in with a huge bunch of flowers. This was his usual way of saying sorry to her for his fucking outrageous disloyalty. For treating her like she was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Since the upset with Destiny Smith he had made a point of proving to her that he was some kind of a changed man.

She took them from him, saying breezily, ‘You keep spoiling me, Aiden! I could get used to this.’

It was what he wanted to hear, she knew. It was like a game but one she didn’t like playing any more, even though she had no choice if she wanted to keep him by her side. The sex was still amazing − that would never change. They had some kind of animal fucking lust that somehow transcended everything else. But day-to-day they were both aware that they were trying too hard − or, more to the point, Aiden was trying too hard.

Aiden was watching her intently and she felt as if she was on display. She didn’t know how to react to this new Aiden − they were both on their best behaviour, and it felt wrong, as though they didn’t really understand one another any more, when that had always been their strength. She was pussyfooting round him, spending a lot of her time making him feel good about himself. It was a shame he didn’t return the favour; after all, she was the one who was always left feeling angry and humiliated.

She made them coffee and as she sat down to drink hers she said brightly, ‘We’re meeting with the Clarks at Treacys in Barking later. It’s close by for all of us and we can talk in peace − I asked Michael to make sure no one sits nearby. More to the point, if it does get a bit aggressive we are surrounded by friends. But I think I can talk them into a good deal, Aiden.’

Aiden grinned happily, ‘OK, then. I will meet you there, but I think I could talk them into anything that I wanted if the need arose.’

Jade didn’t answer him; she knew it was pointless.

He kissed her on the lips. ‘I’m going into the offices in Canary Wharf this morning. I need to sort out the clubs. Patsy is meeting me there, so he will probably be coming to Treacys too.’

Jade nodded. She had expected as much. ‘That’s fine. I have a few bits to do this morning with Eric. See you later.’

She waited till he had left the house and then she sat back heavily. She was nervous as fuck; the Clarks were not going to be as amenable as Aiden expected. But it was a deal already brokered by Eric Palmer and, no matter what Aiden might think, it was basically set in stone. Eric Palmer might be taking a step back, but he would not appreciate his word being overlooked. This was his last hurrah, and it would make sure they earned for a long time. Eric Palmer was shrewd enough to know that this was one deal Aiden couldn’t be allowed to broker. Aiden wouldn’t see the long-term benefits. Actually, Aiden wouldn’t see any of the benefits because he didn’t like the Clarks. His biggest fault was he could never see further than his own fucking nose. Eric Palmer had already given them his word so the meeting today was nothing more than lip service. Eric wanted this, and Jade knew she had to ensure that it all went off without a fucking hitch of any kind. Eric’s word was his bond − it had to be, that was the only way they could conduct any kind of real fucking business.

Although her Aiden’s reputation as a shrewd businessman had grown, his unpredictability, coupled with his knack of finding a slight where there wasn’t one, and his insistence on bringing trouble to people’s doors on a whim, had caused him to lose a lot of his credibility. His violent nature would always cause people to think twice about crossing him, but it also made other people chary of dealing with him − that was what he could never get through his thick fucking skull. Too much, too soon really. He had been given everything by Eric Palmer at such a young age, rather than coming through the ranks like everyone else. He just couldn’t get that the people in the world they lived in had to sometimes swallow their knobs and deal with men and women they would avoid if given the opportunity. That the golden ticket was about getting on with the people you were dealing with.

Aiden was capable of so much more than anybody realised. He had such a bad attitude that he made himself unpopular, but he could sniff out a deal in seconds and broker it so everyone felt they had gained something. He was as sharp as a fucking tack where money was concerned. But then somewhere along the line, he would nause it all up through abject stupidity. He would suddenly turn away from the guaranteed earn, arguing that he believed there was something untoward occurring when the deal was being done. That he believed there was skulduggery afoot in some way. That he felt slighted and thought he should mention it. He would upset everyone on a whim.

Jade was expected to straighten all that out, which she would do, of course, making sure that everyone involved was made to feel like they were the only important person. She had a knack for that. Then, when Aiden came down off the drink and the drugs, he would act like a Vestal Virgin.

Without her interference, Aiden O’Hara would not have the creds he had. Eric Palmer counted on her to keep him on the straight and narrow. Eric Palmer knew that, without her on board, Aiden O’Hara would just destroy everything they had achieved overnight. She was the person that Eric Palmer trusted to keep his earns on an even keel. She was the person who made sure that nothing went wrong. In reality, she made sure that Aiden didn’t fuck up. She did just that because Aiden listened to her. He trusted her.

But the real problem was, she wasn’t sure that she trusted him any more. That was the fucker of it all. For all the flowers and attention, he was treating her like shit, and she wasn’t a woman who suffered fools gladly. Aiden was flying a bit too close to the wind for her liking. He had fucked her off to such an extent that she could happily stab him, with a large smile on her face. That she had been reduced to helping out his latest paramour so that he didn’t get the chance to violently harm the girl really made her angry. She knew that she was wrong to forgive him every time that he hurt her. If she wasn’t so damaged, she would have had the sense to walk away from him a long time ago. But she couldn’t do that because, no matter what he did, she still loved him.

Now they were to meet the Clarks and, without her beside him, Aiden would not have the patience required to bring the meeting to the conclusion expected. Eric Palmer really understood the long-term benefits that the Clarks could bring to the table. Aiden would only see that he didn’t like them, because they were like him − all about the front. Like Aiden, they were forever on their dignity, looking for a slight, angling for a row with anyone they thought wasn’t giving them their due. Well, they didn’t need to be friends. This was business and Jade understood that they could earn a lot of money together. Like Eric Palmer, she was more interested in the earn than in personalities. That was how you garnered money and power. You worked with the people who could best serve your purpose. It was a lesson that Aiden could never understand.

Well, he would have to rethink all that now, because the Clark brothers were exactly what they needed at this particular time, and they were willing to take the big risk this deal entailed. She only hoped that Aiden had the sense to see that. Because if he didn’t she was more than willing to point it out to him. And not in a good way either.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Eric Palmer was happy with his decision. He had a great crew working for him, and, even though he was taking a big step back, he made sure that everyone who mattered knew that he would be straight back on board should the need arise. He might not be hands on any more, but he was willing to forego all that if he felt in the least mugged off.

As he sat in Treacys restaurant he wondered how Aiden could be so foolish as to let someone like Destiny Smith bring him so much grief. He had told him as much and he could tell Aiden hadn’t liked that. Eric knew he took criticism badly. For such a clever bastard where work was concerned, Aiden had no sense when it came to women. That was his big weakness, like many a man before him. He didn’t see that women could be the downfall of even the strongest of men, that they were far more dangerous than they appeared. Those women had a different mind-set and were willing to throw caution to the wind when they wanted something bad enough. Aiden was a dangerous fuck, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t one day meet his nemesis and find himself on the receiving end of a situation that he could not control; Eric had seen it so many times in the past. Eventually, everyone came up against a will greater than their own. It was the way of the world.

Eric stood up smiling easily as Colin and Timmy Clark came into the restaurant.

They were both imposing, powerful men, who always made an entrance, not just because of their size, but because they were both very loud and very jovial. They were also very good-looking, with thick blond hair, dark blue eyes and fantastic bone structure they had inherited from their mother − a Swedish beauty who had married a huge Irishman, as handsome as he was feckless.

‘Good to see you, lads.’

The Clark boys shook hands with Eric and he was reminded of just how physically strong they were. They might not be the brains of Britain but they were still men you wouldn’t cross without a fucking good reason. They had their creds; if they didn’t, he wouldn’t be dealing with them now.

‘You’re looking well for a man about to retire!’ Colin Clark was smiling happily as he sat down at the table.

‘Not so much retiring as taking a step back, lads. I will still have an interest in the businesses, of course.’

Timmy Clark, the younger brother, laughed loudly. ‘Yeah, heard that before. But good on you, mate. As long as you are still our main point of contact we are happy little bunnies!’

Eric heard the threat and, as he had expected as such, he smiled lazily. He knew that Aiden wasn’t a man you took on lightly, though he had to wonder if the fucker had done his homework.

‘As long as you only get in touch with me in emergencies, I’m happy enough, guys.’

Eric knew that he had told them what they wanted to hear. He could understand that they were not too enamoured of Aiden, though they both liked and respected Jade. But Aiden O’Hara, for all his fucking faults, and they were legion, was still the person who he saw as the only man to take over his position. As long as he had Jade by his side, there was nothing he couldn’t achieve. That was the truth. If these bastards wanted a step up then they had to understand that. He had a feeling that they did, but he wasn’t holding his breath.

The waiter brought over a very expensive bottle of red wine and they chatted amiably as he poured them a large glass each.

‘This is the life, eh? Good wine and the knowledge that we are going to make a fucking big profit. But I warn you, Eric, you have to keep your young puppy in order.’

Colin was laughing as he spoke but they were aware of the seriousness of his words. It was a warning, and not a very veiled one.

Eric Palmer was a man with more creds than these cunts could ever hope for. The fact that he was even talking to them at all was a fucking big deal. That Colin thought he could start a conversation with a fucking threat was a joke. Eric wasn’t laughing now. Not even smiling. The Clark brothers were suddenly reminded of why Eric Palmer was at the top of his game, why he had been there for so long.

Leaning forward in his chair, Eric said nastily, ‘With all fucking respect, boys, you two will be working for me. And I would advise you both to keep that in the forefront of your fucking little minds. I don’t like feeling that I’m being mugged off, or that I’m being threatened by people who I could wipe out on a whim if the fancy took me. Do you two get my fucking drift?’

The Clark brothers were both immediately apologetic, especially when they saw that the restaurant was empty other than people who clearly worked for Eric.

‘Listen, Eric, there was no insult intended. But you have to see our point of view, mate.’

Eric took a large swallow of his wine before he answered seriously, ‘That puppy you mentioned is my boy. He is who you will be dealing with on a daily basis. He is the man I trust with not only my life, but with all my businesses. A man who I know would eat you two for breakfast, and fart you out two hours later. If you two can’t hack that then you have come to the wrong fucking place.’

The Clark brothers knew when they were being put in their place. And they also knew that Aiden O’Hara was going to be who they had to deal with. That was their biggest fear, if they were honest. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but they were sensible enough to know that they had tried to push their point of view over, and Eric Palmer had basically told them that they could go and fuck themselves.

Colin Clark knew when he was beaten. He was a realist, if nothing else. ‘Of course, Eric. If that is your wish then we are obliged to go along with it. No insult intended. We just needed to know the score.’

Eric grinned. ‘As long as you understand the situation, I’m a happy camper.’

The lines had been drawn and Eric Palmer had got his point across. He might be stepping back, but he had shown them that he wasn’t about to be treated like a fool. He was stepping back in name only. What could they say to that? The Clark brothers were shrewd enough to know when they should retreat. They had believed that Eric Palmer was taking a big step back and, after what they knew about Aiden and his penchant for a bit of strange, they had thought that they could push for a better deal. It had not worked out for them. They were gutted but they weren’t about to lose any sleep over it. They had tried it on, that was expected. Eric Palmer had put them in their place, and made a point of telling them that he was still a figurehead.

All in all, Eric Palmer felt that he had paved the way for Jade and Aiden. He trusted them to do the job. Whatever happened between them, they were a good working partnership. He had arranged to meet the Clark brothers an hour early so that he could get all the shit out of the way. He had been right to do that. Now the Clarks would think twice before they tried any funny business. Especially as Aiden would not be in the mood for anything that was even remotely irritating.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Colin Clark was not a nice person. He would actually be the first man to admit that. He was more than aware of his limitations. He had a problem with most people around him. He just wasn’t what was called a ‘people person’. He was an antisocial fuck, as the prison psychiatrist had so colourfully explained to anyone who would listen to him. Especially when Colin had nutted him during the course of one of their weekly sessions, something which Colin insisted had just been his natural reaction to their lively banter.

Colin took that description as a massive compliment and mentioned it whenever he could slip it into a conversation. The psychiatrist had also mentioned that Colin was as cunning as they came, and was the proud possessor of an above-average intelligence. He had also refused to ever see the man again, something else that Colin took as a compliment to his status as a nutbag.

Colin was a hard fuck to understand, let alone work with. He believed that everyone around him was a complete cunt until they proved themselves otherwise. He was willing to work with anyone, for the simple reason he believed that he could sort out anyone at any time, if the fancy or indeed the need took him. That was his strength in many respects; it helped enormously with the world he lived in and was what had got him as far as he had. He had a reputation for not suffering fools gladly, but he also had a reputation for making sure that anyone who worked alongside him earned. He knew how important that was. People didn’t have to like you − they just needed to trust you. If they fucked up then that was it as far as he was concerned. As long as they didn’t dare to fuck him over, they were in. You didn’t ask people to invest in a business that wasn’t worthy. That was a given. More so because he knew that, without investors, he had no fucking business, anyway.

That wasn’t to say that he didn’t sometimes cook the books in his favour, obviously, and offered less than he knew he would actually provide. In fact, he was known as a man who could not be trusted one hundred per cent. Not that it bothered him. As far as he was concerned, he provided a decent wage and that was enough for him, and the people he dealt with got a good earn, and it was a fucking good earn. Especially as they were people who he was willing to take a chance on, who he introduced to the world of fucking villainy. Without him they were basically fucked. After all, he wasn’t fucking Woolworths. Everyone he dealt with was on the fucking rob in one way or another.

He saw his job as giving certain people the opportunity to utilise their individuality. He was always open to new grafts, to good earns. He was willing to listen to anyone who might have a genuinely interesting and workable idea. The fact that he would steal the idea was neither here nor there. He was the one who gave them the chance to put their ideas into practice. He was willing to take a chance on them. Colin was an entrepreneur. Without him, they would earn sweet fuck-all.

Basically he knew that he was earning off other people’s ideas, off other people’s hard work. But that was exactly what any business worth its salt did, surely? He showcased and bankrolled these people’s ideas. He gave them the opportunity to shine.

He believed that he was entitled to everything he got, after all, these people had come to him. They sought him out, not the other way around. Without his interest the ideas that were given to him were worthless. He could not for the life of him see that, without the people who were shrewd enough in their own ways to work out these brilliant ideas, he was bereft of anything even remotely interesting. He could take someone else’s brainchild and run with it. Once he understood what the actual economics were he could, and did, make sure that he was the main earner. Then, if it had legs, he would insist on purchasing what he referred to as his ‘rights’. If they argued for more of a piece, he took serious offence and acted like he was absolutely without any idea what their problem might be. Then he would lose his fucking rag. That meant basically that he just threatened the people concerned, and took whatever they had offered him as his own.

He couldn’t think of an original idea if his life depended on it.

Colin took other people’s intelligence and he made it his mission to give those ideas a new edge. That was how business worked in his world. He had always depended on other people and ideas that he could utilise to his own ends, and made them far too frightened to give him a tug when they finally understood that he had mugged them off. He knew that he was seen as a fucking leech to a lot of the men he dealt with, but those same men didn’t give a flying fuck when he was good enough to pay them off.

His brother, Timmy, however, was a completely different entity. Timmy Clark was basically the opposite of his brother; consequently, he was often overlooked. He didn’t have much to say for himself, and he was happy being in the background. Though anyone in the know realised very quickly that it was Timmy who really had the nous. That it was actually Timmy who kept everything going when Colin Clark lost all interest, which he did on a regular basis. Colin had a very short attention span; he also didn’t really interest himself in the day-to-day of the businesses. He depended on other people to carry out what he saw as the boring part of his growing empire. In short, Colin was the Aiden to Timmy’s Jade.

Now, as they all prepared to meet up, each camp was wondering what the outcome was going to be. They had heard about each other, had listened to the gossip about each other, had both decided early on what they were supposed to think.

It was the personal aspect that fucked up so many criminals in the past. Personal feelings were of no good to any of them. It was pride that put most people away, when they forgot that the earn was the important thing. It was not the sixties any more; vendettas were a thing of the past. There was enough for everyone if they used their fucking brains. Eric Palmer was hoping that it didn’t all fall out of fucking bed within seconds, and he had basically told Aiden that he wanted this, no matter what. If Aiden used his loaf for once there was a serious earn on the cards. What more could any of them want? But Eric feared deep inside that Aiden would do exactly what he wanted regardless of anything or anyone. Threats meant nothing to Aiden. He welcomed conflict; he saw it as a necessary part of the criminal life. He enjoyed it because he loved nothing more than what he referred to as a challenge. It was a very nerve-racking time for everyone concerned.

Except for Aiden and Colin, of course. They were looking forward to the meet. They didn’t think twenty minutes ahead let alone five years. Both of them were incapable of thinking anything through; they were both lucky enough to have Number Twos who were the real brains behind the outfits.

Eric Palmer believed that, together, these two could probably make a really good devil’s contract. That was what he was depending on. They were what were known as kindred spirits, and he only hoped that they would see that together. Together they were capable of great things. If they were enemies, though, he would only be able to stand back and watch the explosion.

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Agnes was worried. Her mum had the hump with her because they had argued over Aiden Junior, and her mum drinking when she was supposed to be looking after him. Drunk usually meant aggressive with Reeva, and that was what annoyed Agnes. She was fed up with being the fucking designated adult, when her mum was supposed to be the responsible one here. True, she did the job required, ninety-odd per cent of the time, but everyone assumed that when Reeva went on a bender, Agnes would be there to sort it out. That meant, of course, that she always had to be on the lookout to make sure that Aiden Junior, who was growing up fast, was taken care of.

Even though she was the youngest, her brothers thought that she should do what was expected of her. It didn’t matter that she might want some kind of a life of her own. That would never even occur to them.

Jade understood, but she also preferred that Agnes was on hand to look after her son, because Reeva couldn’t be depended on for any length of time. And it wasn’t just Aiden Junior Agnes had to look after. When her mum was completely out of her brains and off her fucking tree, her brothers just assumed that Agnes would take care of her no matter how paranoid Reeva might be or how aggressive she might become. And this wasn’t something that occurred just occasionally − it was a constant threat.

With or without drugs Reeva could cause a fight in an empty house if the fancy took her. Though, on the drugs, she was obviously far worse than usual − that was when the Old Bill would be required to attend. Reeva fought with anyone at the drop of a hat; she loved the drama of it all.

Take today, for example. Agnes was trying to talk her mum out of fighting Mrs Connelly from up the road because she believed that the woman − who was seventy if she was a day − had reported her mother to the police. Mrs Connelly was a bit like Reeva, in that she was no wilting violet. In fact, she was still known to have a physical fight should the need arise. She had three sons − one doing life for murder, two banged up for bank robbery.

Now, as Agnes stood in Mrs Connelly’s garden, trying to talk her mother down, she attempted to bring some kind of sense to the situation. Not that either of the women concerned was interested, of course. They were both drama queens who loved nothing more than an audience. All she could hear was cursing and threats. Neither of them was listening to her − they never did, especially not her old mum, who treated her with complete indifference.

She had finally tracked down Tony. Bless him, he was a good man. He understood her predicament and was on his way in a black cab.

Reeva had just got into her stride, as everyone within a five-mile radius probably knew. She wasn’t exactly quiet when she went off on one.

‘Out here now, you old bitch! You would phone the Filth about my lads?’

Mrs Connelly would no more phone the police than she would shag the parish priest. Everyone knew that, it was a complete joke. She was a lot of things but a grass wasn’t one of them.

Agnes grabbed her mum’s arm and pulled her round to face her. She was so angry that she didn’t care about the onlookers any more. She wasn’t interested in trying to keep this on the down-low. It was well past that now − this was about damage limitation.

Slapping her mother hard across the face, she shouted angrily, ‘For fuck’s sake, Mum! Listen to yourself, will you? You sound like a complete moron. You both do. You’re like a pair of fucking idiots.’

Somewhere in Reeva’s brain she knew that she should be listening to her girl, that she was talking sense, that she was so out of it she couldn’t trust herself. But that didn’t mean she had to put up with her daughter treating her like a mug in public and so she said as much.

‘Hang on a minute, lady. Are you going against the family for a fucking stranger? For this fucking old bitch!’

Agnes sighed; she felt like crying. She hated all this, she hated when her mum was so out of it she caused murders. Then, when she woke up the next day, she would demand to know why no one had seen fit to stop her, why everyone had allowed it to go as far as it had and why her daughter had not just taken her home as any normal person would have done. Reeva would argue until black was blue that her kids, who she would fight to the death for, should keep a lookout for her, especially when she was drunk. Reeva really convinced herself that her kids should make sure that these kinds of situations should never have been allowed to evolve. Her attitude was that she would always look out for them and they should do the same for her, especially when she was completely off her nut and needed them to look after her the most. She would reason that there was nothing that any of her kids could do − no matter how bad − that she would not make sure that they had an alibi. And, credit where it was due, that was the truth.

But that didn’t mean much to her daughter. It was her daughter − who had never been in trouble with the police or anyone for that matter − who was expected to sort out her shit on a regular basis. Worst of all, Reeva actually convinced herself that she was the one in the right.

‘You know what I’m like, for fuck’s sake. And you never thought to stick up for me? I have been maligned, I have been insulted.’

The list would go on and on, even though they knew she was just drunk and looking for a row. It could never be her fault, of course. God forbid that she should ever take responsibility for any of her actions.

Agnes smiled gently, saying kindly, ‘Mum, just shut up, please, and let me take you home.’

Agnes sounded calm and reasonable. She was used to pretending − it wasn’t the first time she had been expected to talk her mum down. Reeva was so out of it she couldn’t even see her daughter properly.

Drawing herself upright, Reeva said, with as much dignity as she could manage, ‘Get this fucking lunatic out of my way, please!’

Agnes looked at Mrs Connelly, saying nicely, ‘You are really not helping the situation. You do understand that?’

Mrs Connelly, who had a face like a serious car accident and was as lairy and as unpredictable as Reeva, said viciously, ‘I am only defending myself, young lady. Ask anyone. Your mother was the fucking aggressor here.’

Agnes looked at the old woman who was just like her mother. She lived in her council house, and depended on her son’s reputation to give her the means to give vent to all her frustrations. Like her mum she drank far too much than was good for her, and looked for trouble at every turn. She measured her useless life on her son’s criminal enterprises. It was so sad and so unnecessary. It was a waste of everything that God had given them. Agnes had finally had enough of them both.

‘OK, Mrs Connelly, I get what you’re saying. So should I get my brothers here, then? Is that what you want? My brother Aiden, and the others, going after your sons, who are all banged up and are basically sitting targets? I mean, you let me know what you want out of this. Because I just want to go home. I don’t want this in my life. I can’t be arsed to listen to this shit. So you tell me what I am supposed to do for the best and, believe me, I will do it.’

Mrs Connelly, as drunk as she was, heard the unspoken threat to her boys. She knew that she should just retreat and lose face, but it was hard for her. Her sons were away for the duration, and they were all she had. Yet if she wasn’t careful she could bring a lot of trouble to their doors and they had enough to contend with. They had broken her heart − she had nothing, no grandchildren, no sons. All she had to look forward to was the monotony of visiting them for a few hours every month.

When she saw Eugene and Porrick arrive, Agnes felt herself finally relax. As drunk as Mrs Connelly might be, Agnes saw the fear that her words had instilled in this old, argumentative cow. Like Reeva, Mrs Connelly thought that she had every right to insult and pick a fight with anyone within her orbit but, when she was reminded that her sons might be in danger, she saw when to take a big step back. She had wanted to front up Reeva, and now it had gone wrong for her.

Agnes was so sick of this world they lived in, where this kind of occurrence was seen as the norm. Where a lonely old lady like Mrs Connelly had nothing left except her sons’ reputations. It was a disgrace; grown women fighting each other as if that held some kind of importance. Trying to prove something to people they didn’t even really know, let alone care about, who didn’t give a fuck about them.

Eugene and Porrick soon salvaged the situation and the police left, grateful to be able to leave it in someone else’s hands. Mrs Connelly was escorted back into her property, and Reeva left the scene as though she was the victor. Everyone knew where their loyalties lay.

Eugene hugged his sister to him as they returned home, but Agnes shrugged him away. Reeva was still mouthing off, shouting the odds without a thought for anyone else around her. Then Patsy strolled in like the conquering hero, ready to sort it out.

‘Come on, Mum. Relax, it’s over.’

Patsy was pulling her into his arms, trying to calm her down. But Reeva wasn’t having any of it. ‘Fucking relax? Are you serious? Did you hear what that old bag said to me?’

‘Come on, Mum. Forget it. Just relax, eh?’

That was when Agnes finally lost her temper. ‘“Fucking relax, Mum!” Is that it, Patsy? She caused a big fight in the street. I had to leave Aiden Junior to sort it out, and none of you think that she has done anything wrong? You all expect me to pick up the pieces, look after Aiden, and, of course, keep my eye on Mum − the biggest kid of them all. Well, I am fucking sick of it. She disgusts me. When I see her like this, I fucking hate her, and I hate you lot for dumping her on me.’

Eugene understood where she was coming from; he had always known that, where Agnes was concerned, it was unfair. Aiden left her to her own devices with Reeva because they trusted her and because they saw it as her job. She looked out for her nephew and she looked out for their mum − that was what family was expected to do.

And Patsy felt that, as she was a female, it was expected of her. ‘Come on, Agnes, think about it, girl. Mum needs someone to keep their eye on her. You are the only girl, that means it is your job. It’s not like you earn a living like the rest of us, is it?’

Agnes looked at her brothers and, shaking her head in despair, she said honestly, ‘Do you know what, Patsy? Fuck you now.’

She left them to put Reeva to bed, and she slipped into her own bed where her nephew was sleeping peacefully. She was finished with them, and she had to make sure that they understood that. Tonight was the last straw.

It was time to save her own life, because she was determined that this was not going to be her future, no matter what her brothers might say. And if they thought they could just put Reeva to bed, they had another think coming. She wasn’t going to bed without her usual fucking antics.

Chapter Seventy

Aiden was looking forward to meeting Colin Clark. They had heard of one another, of course, but they had never actually crossed paths in any meaningful way. They both wondered about the other, especially as they seemed of a kind. Everyone that Aiden had spoken to said the same thing: they were like two peas in a pod. That didn’t please him, because he had also heard that Colin Clark could be a bit of a cunt, so he assumed − rightly as it turned out − that people thought the same about him. Food for thought.

Aiden wanted to believe that the people he dealt with had a high opinion of him, even though he knew that wasn’t likely. He had a reputation as a good boss, but not as a good bet. He didn’t care about being liked but he did want to be respected. Knowing that Jade was the one that everyone apparently listened to, he needed to prove himself once and for all with this new partnership. The fact that he had once destroyed his creds overnight was something he still found difficult to digest, but it showed how precarious his position was. He had fucked up and, in doing so, he wiped out years of good work. He’d been playing catch-up ever since − that was what was so hard to accept.

Eric Palmer had forgiven him, he knew that. Eric was willing to let bygones be bygones because Eric still saw him as his natural successor. The problem was, though, that he could never forgive Eric Palmer or Jade. He loved them both but his belief that they had systematically tucked him up ate him inside.

He would always resent the fact that Eric Palmer had given Jade the power that should have been his. It was why he continued to do the dirty on her even though he wasn’t exactly proud of it. Between Jade and Eric they had fucking humiliated him, and they had tried to pretend that they were only trying to look out for him.

Now, however hard he worked to redeem himself, the damage had been done. And, as much as he loved Jade, there was a part of him that couldn’t really ever trust her any more. Even after all these years he still felt that he was being judged and that, without Jade at his side, Eric Palmer would never have trusted him again.

Everyone else had forgotten it – it was so long ago! But his fuck-up was something that he remembered every day of his life, and the fact that he continually felt that he wasn’t truly trusted was becoming his Achilles heel. He was desperate to prove himself – nothing he did felt enough. He tried to bring in more money than had been expected, taking on everything required without a word, finding new ways to earn an extra crust out of it. It was obvious to everyone that he was determined to prove himself. Now his foolishness with Destiny had set him back again – Eric Palmer had made his disappointment clear.

Aiden O’Hara was a complete one-off; he would never forgive, let alone forget that he had fucked up and, his personality being such as it was, he would always blame those closest to him for it.

Chapter Seventy-One

Agnes had been dragged out of bed because Reeva had caused fucking murders, as she had predicted. She left them all to it; Tony had tried to calm her down but Reeva was having none of it. She was so out of her head that she had finally reduced them all nearly to tears. She was right up on her highest horse fighting and arguing with everyone and none of the boys knew what to do with her. Well, welcome to Agnes’s world.

They had no choice but to bring in the big guns; Aiden had been summoned and he was not impressed in the least. ‘So let me get this fucking straight: I’m supposed to care about Mum having a fight with a fucking neighbour? Are you taking the piss, Aggs?’

The boys were nervous; they knew that Aiden had had to put off a big meeting to come here and calm their mother down. Aiden could not understand why the sister he adored was creating so much trouble for him. Everyone knew she could cope with Reeva better than anyone else. Now she had threatened to walk out on Aiden Junior unless she had some sort of assurance that this kind of trouble would never happen again. It was beyond him. What the fuck was he supposed to do? Agnes was right in what she was saying: they left her to sort out Reeva and her fucking usual crap on a regular basis because she was the only other female in the house. Clearly that was the right thing; after all, women understood women. Agnes was basically the only really sensible head in the house when their mum went on the piss, so she should be the one to rein Reeva in. And yes, she was expected to look after Aiden Junior and make sure that everything went along smoothly because she was the sister; she had to pull her weight. It wasn’t that hard, surely? He said as much.

‘Hang on, Aiden. Tonight not one of this lot could fucking cope with her. I went to bed, and look at the upshot. You have had to come to try and sort it. I rest my case!’

Aiden looked at his mother. She was slumped in a chair, and Helen Keller would have known that she was completely out of the game.

‘I’m sorry, Aiden, but when Mum goes off on one, I don’t think Agnes should have to fucking sort it. Or sort your son out.’ Eugene smiled his apology at Jade as he continued seriously, ‘Aggs has taken the brunt of Mum’s fucking lunacy for years. I think she has a point, Aiden. And tonight was not exactly a one-off, was it? Tony tries to keep her in line, and we know that she can be good for ages. But when she does go off, it’s like the fucking atomic bomb. If Aiden Junior wasn’t here no one would give a flying fuck, would they? I think that Agnes should be given her say. You know as well as I do that Mum can’t be trusted without her in the house to keep that child safe.’

Aiden was looking at his brother with hatred, because he never could listen to the honest truth − most people didn’t have the nerve to tell him the truth outright, but Eugene was willing to say his piece.

Porrick stepped forward then. He was smaller than his brothers, but he was a true O’Hara in that he could have a fucking row if called upon. ‘He’s right. Mum is lovely, but when she goes on the piss, none of us can fucking stand her, let alone control her. It is left to our Aggs to sort out your fucking son, because let’s face it, Aiden, that is the most important thing at the end of the day. He’s always here. When Mum’s on a good one, that’s marvellous. But when she decides to go on a serious fucking bender, we leave it to Agnes. I’m with Eugene − this needs to be fucking sorted once and for all. Why should Aggs be expected to sort everything out? He is your fucking kid.’

Aiden was looking around him at his brothers and his sister as if he had never seen any of them before. That he was annoyed was a given, but the fact that they were in the right was what he had a problem with right now. Tonight of all fucking nights; they had to choose this night to make a fucking point. Patsy stepped forward then and, shrugging, he said quietly, ‘Sorry, Ade. I agree with them. I’ve always thought it was OK to leave this to Aggs, but they have a point. Aiden Junior is your son, and when Mum is on a good week he is more than welcome. But when she goes off the rails, why should our Agnes be expected to sort it all? She ain’t like us. She shouldn’t have to look after Mum, let alone your fucking kid. He is a big lad now, Aiden, but he still climbs into her bed and sleeps with her because he knows it’s the safest place to be.’

Porrick added, ‘Mum was off her head and the Old Bill was called and, in fairness to Agnes, she always defuses the situation. You know she’s the one who looks after little Aiden, especially when Mum goes on a drugs bender, or on the fucking piss… She’s quiet now, but Mum threatened to pull a knife on us earlier. Aiden, she was fucking dangerous. She’s a fucking liability in more ways than one.’

Agnes could have kissed him. She really had not expected them all to support her. After all, this was her life now. Reeva had been on spectacular form tonight, but now she was slumped on the sofa she didn’t look in the least bit worrying. That was the problem − by the time the boys got home she was over her tantrums. It was Agnes who had to put up with it all day. She looked at Jade who winked at her surreptitiously. Agnes knew better than to drag her into any of this. Jade was always on her side. She loved Jade even though there was a big piece of her that wanted to question why her son was here so fucking often and not in his own house. But she knew the answer to that as well as anyone else in this family.

Jade spent her life policing Aiden, not just because of the women – Jade was too intelligent to care about them. She policed him because he couldn’t be trusted. He had a lot of Reeva in him; when he decided to go his own way no one could stop him. As a result, Aiden Junior was at the house a lot more than was good for any of them − especially Aiden Junior himself. He was old enough now to question why he was not at home with his parents. Why was he always at his nanny’s? There was clearly a reason, and it wasn’t a good one.

Aiden was fuming that he had been forced to cancel his meeting with the Clarks to try and sort out a load of fucking old fanny. What had possessed his sister, Agnes, to pick today of all days to cause fucking murders? He opened his arms out in a gesture of supplication, and they could see the anger in his face.

‘Are you taking the fucking piss? Have I missed something here?’

Agnes could see that he was about to go off on one of his usual tangents and, before he could say another word, she shouted, ‘Have you not listened to a fucking word, Aiden? It is always about you! Everything in our lives has always been about you. Well, I’m not doing this any more. Tonight was the last time I will ever stand between Mum and her latest enemy, acting like a fucking referee. How Tony puts up with it, I don’t know. But I refuse to let you lot leave me in sole charge of her. And that means I’m not going to look after your son either. I am sick of it. I’m a big girl and I’m not prepared to spend my life cleaning up other people’s messes.’

Aiden looked at his little sister. She was a good girl, and he loved that about her. She understood the importance of keeping herself decent. He could sense that Jade was watching him closely, expecting him to provide a solution. And, as angry as he was, he knew that this was his territory − that as the eldest they looked to him to sort everything out. If he was honest with himself, he should have made sure that it had never come to this. He had looked after them since day one, and that was why they revered him. He had to listen to them now, he understood that, but it didn’t mean he had to like it.

This was the first time ever that they had confronted him, even criticised him. This was a big thing for his siblings and he had to do something constructive, show willing. Seeing his brothers stand together against him for Agnes wasn’t something he was happy about. One half of him was impressed by the fact they were so loyal to the little sister they loved. But the other told him that he could never really trust them. That was a learning curve in itself and it hit a sore spot.

Jade could tell exactly what Aiden was thinking; she knew him better than he knew himself. She understood just how fucking badly he would choose to take this; he would see this as a personal insult, a betrayal. He would never in a million years understand that his brothers were not being personal − that they were just trying to look out for Agnes. Unfortunately, everything in Aiden’s world could only ever be about him.

Jade shrugged, as if there was nothing Aiden couldn’t sort out if he wanted to. ‘I think the boys have a point, Aiden, you know? We all love Reeva and she can be a fucking star for ages. But we know that it’s just a matter of time until she goes off on one again, and there will be another night just like this.’ She pulled Agnes into her arms, hugging her tightly. Agnes hugged her back; she knew how to play the game.

Aiden sighed heavily; clearly he was on his own and that everyone had made their minds up.

‘Well, be fair, Jade. You are the one who always dumps Aiden Junior here, darling.’ He smiled easily.

Jade nodded slowly; she wouldn’t lose her temper. ‘Absolutely, Aiden. I know how much he loves your mum. But you’re right. Will you tell him that he can’t come here any more?’

Aiden looked into her eyes, and he could see that he had really upset her, that she had not appreciated him trying to place all the blame on her. He had hurt her deeply with a cheap shot. This was a fucking nightmare; his brothers were fronting him up, and now his Jade, to whom he knew he owed a fucking big sorry, was also trying to put him on the spot.

‘I know that she adores him, and he adores her. But when she goes off the grid like this, Aiden, we can’t expect Agnes to pick up the pieces. The drink we can cope with − it’s the amphetamines or the cocaine that really cause the trouble.’

Eugene was watching Patsy’s reaction because, of all Reeva’s boys, Patsy was the one who could pre-empt Aiden. In truth, they all expected Aiden to turn on Jade. But he didn’t.

Instead, Patsy said honestly, ‘Ball’s in your court, Aiden. What do you suggest we do?’

Everyone in the room was quiet, holding their breath because, in reality, tonight had been like a declaration of fucking war. It was a criticism of Aiden − even though it was done in a placid and nice way. That was not something their brother would swallow without taking some sort of umbrage.

Aiden was furious and it was only because Jade was looking at him so intently that he thought that maybe he should box a bit clever. This was, without a doubt, of significance to his siblings. That his mother was in a drunken and drugged stupor really wasn’t helping either. This was important to everyone here, except him. His reaction to this night would be of enormous importance to all of them in the future.

Aiden was a lot of things, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew when it was necessary to play the part required. He knew that and he had to deal with this in a reasonable and competent manner even if he couldn’t care less about this shit. He took a deep breath and, letting it out slowly as he found a smile, he said seriously, ‘You are right, of course. Tonight was a fucking disgrace. But we all know what Reeva is capable of.’

He looked at his siblings one after the other, finally allowing his gaze to settle on Agnes.

‘We should never have left you with so much responsibility, Aggs. And I will make sure that this never happens again, darling. You have my word on that.’

Agnes grinned. This was exactly what she wanted to hear, even though she didn’t believe any of it. But she had witnesses and that was all that she really cared about.

‘Look, Aiden, I love having your boy here, you know that. But when Mum goes off, I need you lot to back me up. Fucking hell, we were nearly nicked tonight.’

Aiden snorted angrily. ‘Like that would ever happen, for fuck’s sake. Like the local plod would fucking dare!’

Agnes had no intention of making this easy for her brother. ‘Hang on a minute, you. I was the one dragged into it, not you, Aiden. I am the one who has always had to sort out her shit. I have been doing it since I can remember. I’m the girl, so you all leave me to sort Mum out. I’m sick to death of it. I want a life too, you know.’

Aiden sighed heavily; it was taking all his willpower not to lose his shit.

‘Well, what exactly do you want, Aggs? I’m not a fucking mind reader.’

She felt she had won at last.

‘What I want is a wage. A decent wage. You know I had to leave school to look after her but I need a life too. So, money and help with Mum when she goes off the rails. That’s all. I deserve that and more, Aiden.’

He was more annoyed than he thought possible − was she taking the fucking piss? She didn’t need to cause this fucking aggravation to get what she wanted − all she had had to do was ask.

‘I want a guarantee that if Mum even looks like she is going on the rampage one of you lot will come as soon as I call.’

Aiden shrugged in agreement.

Tony felt like kissing Agnes; this was what he had wanted for years. They all knew that one day Reeva would go too far − that it had not happened already was a miracle. And Jade knew that Agnes had needed to bring her brothers’ attention to the fact that she was left in sole charge of Reeva. When Reeva went on one it wasn’t exactly an easy fucking ride, and it was something that they avoided like the plague. Jade was as bad as the boys in some respects; after all, she left her son in this house five nights out of seven − more if she could get away with it. But that wasn’t because she didn’t love her boy, it was because she needed to keep her eye on Aiden. He had a chip on his shoulder these days, and there was nothing she could do to change the situation. Eric Palmer knew it too, and that was the real concern.

Aiden looked over each person in the room closely. They were each in no doubt that he felt that he had done what was expected − and that he wasn’t happy about how it had gone down tonight.

Agnes felt a moment’s sorrow for him, but she quickly swallowed it. This was her only chance to make them see what was actually going on in her life, how shit it was that she was expected to shoulder her mother’s lunacy on a regular basis. She didn’t regret a second of it. For the first time ever, she had made her brothers stop what they were doing and admit that she had the rough end of the stick. She deserved not just their affection, which she knew she had always had, but also their time, and more importantly, their interest − that was something she had not had from any of them for years. That was why she had needed to cause so much aggravation this night. If she wasn’t careful, she would get lost in her mother’s world of violence and alcohol and she was determined that was not going to happen to her. She did what everyone expected from her and what she knew was the right thing to do, but she was fucked if she was going to carry on doing it without any of her brothers recognising just how difficult it was for her.

Chapter Seventy-Two

Jade got into the passenger seat next to Aiden, and, as she put on her seat belt she said airily, ‘That was a turn-up for the books.’

Aiden pulled away from the kerb with a screech of tyres; he was not amused at all. ‘Oh, I don’t know, I think you might have had a hand in that fucking nonsense, Jade. You and Agnes are as thick as thieves.’

Jade didn’t say anything for a while. Aiden was more than aware of his shortcomings; she didn’t need to remind him. They drove through the night together in silence. Jade knew when to keep quiet and when to press home a point.

‘She looks after our boy, Jade, you know that as well as I do. I wonder if it’s good for him, you know, being around my mum so much.’

Jade sighed gently. She had known he would say that to her and now it was her job to placate him, make him feel good about himself. She had just had to wait for him to start the conversation − she knew that he would talk to her first. That was how she coped with him on a daily basis; it was like an intricate puzzle that she played twenty-four hours a day.

‘Look, Aiden. I pick him up and take him to school, and it’s not like he is at the local fucking comprehensive, is it? We both work long hours, and that’s the truth. We just dropped the ball for a while. Agnes is a star and she’s the reason we let our lad stay there, because of her sensible head. I know she picked a bad time to put forward her case. But fucking hell, your mum was so out of it tonight she couldn’t even defend herself.’

Aiden knew that she was not just telling him the truth, but that she was saying it in the way that he wanted it. Jade was absolving him of any kind of wrongdoing. She knew what he needed.

‘I fucking hate her at times, you know? All my life I have had to fucking either live her down, or sort out her fucking antics. But she is me mum. She loves us, and she adores our lad. If she could just stop going off on one of her massive benders…’

Jade didn’t say a word; neither of them was ever going to say what they really thought. It grieved her that she had to play a game with this man of hers. She always had to swallow her pride and temper her natural reactions because she could not stand it if she lost him. Without her beside him, he would completely fuck up everything they had worked for. Eric Palmer depended on her to keep Aiden on the right track, but she understood how hard that was for a man like Aiden.

‘Listen, Eric’s ensconced the Clarks in the club. It’s not too late. We can meet them there. And, think about it, Aiden, it wouldn’t do any harm for them to think that they weren’t our priority, would it?’

That was exactly what Aiden wanted to hear; it appealed to his ego as Jade had known it would. It saddened her how low she was willing to go to keep this man and his ego onside.

Chapter Seventy-Three

Patsy, Eugene and Porrick were following Aiden and Jade to the club. They were aware that they had been the cause of serious annoyance where Aiden was concerned, but they were sure that they had done the right thing. They felt bad about Agnes. She was a good girl, and she had never been any trouble to them. She had never even had a boyfriend, really. Plenty of boys had shown an interest in her, and their mum had done everything in her power to get Aggs to go out with them. Reeva thought her daughter was unnatural because she didn’t think that drinking, clubbing and looking for a man was the highlight of life.

Eugene lit a joint and, taking a deep toke, he held it in his lungs for a good while before letting out the smoke. Then, passing it to Patsy, who was driving, he said seriously, ‘Fuck Aiden. Who does he think he is? And Jade for that matter. They dump that boy there for days on end. They know that Mum can’t be trusted for any length of time.’

Patsy laughed and passed the joint to Porrick in the back seat. ‘Remember when she went after your teacher, Porrick! Coked out of her head when the school rung up saying you had been suspended for fighting.’

They were laughing now, as they remembered one of Reeva’s more spectacular moments.

‘Fucking hell, when Mum burst into the classroom I nearly fainted. Poor old Mr Thomas, he shit himself. Then when she started rowing him out…! I know she was a pain but, in fairness, she always had our backs.’

‘Thing is, though, she’s a complete nutbag. Look at tonight − she has been a fucking diamond for months, and then she just decided to go on one of her fucking mad half-hours. She was on the coke again. And when I find out who supplied her they won’t fucking be stupid enough to do that again, I know that much. Poor Agnes is really treated badly by us. No, we did the right thing tonight. Our little sister needed to make her point.’

Porrick was nodding in agreement, and, laughing once more, he said nastily, ‘Our Aiden needs a fucking reality check. I mean, I know he is good to us, I would never deny that. But be honest, guys, I don’t know if I trust him. He never seems to me like he is on the same planet as everyone else. I think he sees himself as above everyone, including us.’

Patsy pulled the car to a halt; it was like an emergency stop on a driving test.

Then, turning around in his seat, he grabbed his little brother by the throat and, pulling him viciously towards him, he said threateningly, ‘You fucking stop there, mate. Aiden is our brother, and he is also the reason we earn a fucking good wage, and why we can live a charmed fucking life. Don’t you ever criticise him to me again. Do you hear me, Porrick?’

Eugene pulled them apart and, seeing the fear on Porrick’s face and the disappointment on Patsy’s, he wondered how long it would be before real trouble would begin.

As much as he loved his brothers, Aiden included, in his heart of hearts he agreed with Porrick one hundred per cent. He didn’t trust Aiden either. The difference was, he had the sense to keep his opinions to himself.

‘Come on, you two. It’s been a fucking poxy night. Let’s get to the club and have a few drinks, for fuck’s sake.’

Patsy started up the car again, and they carried on to the club, but no one was talking. They didn’t know what to say.

Chapter Seventy-Four

Colin Clark had not been impressed to have the meeting cancelled at such short notice.

Being the type of man he was, he looked for an insult and convinced himself that there was some kind of skulduggery afoot. Not that he had expected anything less, of course. Aiden O’Hara was a cunt of the first water as far as he was concerned. It was only the fact that Eric Palmer was the main broker of the deal that had really piqued his interest. Eric Palmer was a man you would be a fool to refuse if he saw fit to offer you an earn. He had his creds, and he had them in spades. As big a fucker as he could be, Colin Clark knew that if Eric Palmer wanted to offer him a deal, he would bite his fucking hand off, and kiss his boots if that was what was needed. Who was he kidding? He would happily kiss the fucker’s arse.

This deal was what he had dreamed of, what he had been waiting for. He needed an in when it came to the big money, and if he could achieve that, then he would feel that he had done his fucking job. This was a golden opportunity − and even his brother didn’t need to drum it into his thick head. This was a different level of villainy, and that he had something Eric Palmer wanted pleased him no end.

The only fly in the ointment was Aiden O’Hara. He didn’t like him on principle. Aiden O’Hara was his nemesis in many ways. He was a hard fucker, that was a given, but then so was Colin and a lot of others. That Aiden had been fortunate enough to come to the attention of Eric Palmer was just how the world worked. Colin Clark knew better than anybody that the majority of people who achieved in the world of criminals were often only there because they were in the right place at the right fucking time. He accepted that, even though it galled him if he thought about it too much.

Colin had earned himself a good reputation and, because of that, he had always believed that it was only a matter of time before he would be noticed and brought into the inner circles that he craved so desperately. But, as his brother, Timmy, had reiterated over and over, he had to find a way to work with men like Aiden because, if he didn’t, Eric Palmer would abandon them without a second fucking thought. Aiden O’Hara had Eric Palmer’s ear, and to the outside world, he had proved himself worthy. Although, if all the gossip was to be believed, Aiden had fucked up more than once because of his massive fucking ego. Knowing that could only work in Colin’s favour − if he used his loaf. His brother might be the brains of the outfit, but Colin had the cunning required to get on in their chosen profession. He could sniff out an earn, as well as a snide − that was his contribution to the partnership. Timmy always respected his reaction to any deals offered because, although Timmy might have a brain like a calculator, it was Colin who had the nous to suss everything out. That was what had got them as far as they had.

Aiden O’Hara was Eric’s blue-eyed boy, and he held him, and that old woman of his, Jade, in high regard. He trusted them with everything he had, and that was a very impressive shout-out to anyone who had to deal with them. It was something that Colin Clark could not dispute and had the utmost respect for. In short, whatever people might say about Aiden O’Hara, Colin understood that he was not a man to underestimate in any way.

Now, as he stood at the top bar in the new club that Aiden had recently opened, Colin could not help but wonder what the next step would have to be, how they were all going to merge as a single unit where the deals were concerned. Tonight could be either the making or the breaking of him and his brother; this was what people would refer to as a watershed moment. If it all went fucking pear-shaped there would more than likely be ambulances arriving.

Colin gestured to the barmaid for another drink. Timmy was chatting up a right fucking horror with dyed black hair and an unconvincing breast job − she was just his cup of tea. Timmy always went for the obvious, the girls who would flash their clouts for a few drinks and the promise of a bit of coke. He argued that it suited him because they knew what the score was − especially him!

Colin could see his point, but personally he avoided those fucking slags like the plague. They tended to gravitate to wherever you were and act like they were family or something. They believed because you fucked them once, it gave them some kind of reason to come into your real life. As if you would be seen in daylight with them! What did these girls expect? They weren’t exactly fucking virgins who were all big eyes and turn the lights off. They fucked like porn stars − nothing was off the menu. Like that would encourage some kind of love job! He would cross the road to avoid them. Why didn’t they suss that for themselves? He wasn’t looking for the love of his life, but he wasn’t willing to trump some old sort who had been with everyone within a ten-mile radius like his brother. No, Colin liked to romance a nicer class of woman. He was quite happy to take them out a few times, spend a few quid on them. They had to be a cut above the usual, and they had to be decent girls. No bad language, no dirty jokes, and definitely no interest in drugs − that was a complete no-no as far as he was concerned. He had his standards, unlike his brother − though, in fairness, Timmy loved them and left them without a backward glance, and the girls were quite happy for him to do just that. Colin, though, liked to work for it − he liked to earn his reward. It was all the sweeter when he finally slipped them a portion, knowing that they weren’t giving out to anyone with a nice car and a few bob.

As he ordered yet another drink, he saw his brother step away from his latest horror and, turning towards him, he realised that Aiden O’Hara had just walked into the bar with his brothers. One thing about his brother, Timmy, was nothing, absolutely fuck-all, ever got past him. Colin stood stock still and watched as Timmy stepped out to shake hands with Aiden O’Hara. He looked him over greedily, interested in this man who he would have to work with on a daily basis.

‘Great to see you, Aiden. We understand you had a situation tonight. This is my brother, Colin, as you know.’

Colin held out his hand and, as he gripped Aiden’s outstretched hand, he was amazed to see that Aiden was just a bit taller than him, although they were similar in every other way. Both were muscular, well dressed and they were both far too interested in the other. They stood there hands clasped for a good thirty seconds, and then, laughing, they hugged like long-lost relatives.

Timmy Clark watched them with apprehension; he felt instinctively that these two men should never be allowed to form any kind of alliance. They were volatile, flakes in many respects, and neither of them would ever see a deal through to the end. That was what Timmy Clark and Jade were for. But, apart from all that, these were men who were dangerous enough alone, the last thing they needed was a kindred fucking spirit. But the damage was done. Despite everything they had decided about the other, once they had met properly they were on a fucking love job. Talk about two peas in a pod! They genuinely really liked each other.

Aiden grinned roguishly, but said seriously, ‘Oi, where the fuck did you purchase that fucking suit?’

Colin laughed out loud; he couldn’t believe his luck. ‘Bespoke, Aiden, of course. And cheap as fucking chips, and look at this…!’ He opened his jacket and showed Aiden his name hand-embroidered on the inside pocket.

Aiden was well impressed, and it showed. ‘Do you know what, I want you to introduce me to your fucking tailor, mister.’

Patsy and Timmy were amazed to witness these two men who until now had never really formed any kind of relationship outside their families, treating each other like visiting royalty. They were only too aware of their brothers’ lethal similarities. What should have been a good thing was potentially a catastrophe of Olympian standards. These fuckers were both complete lunatics; loners who were only able to be persuaded to do the right thing by the people they trusted. No one had predicted them striking up a friendship immediately; both were renowned because they didn’t exactly encourage friendships. Now, though, they were like a pair of long-lost brothers, drinking whisky together and asking each other questions − not in the usual confrontational way they grilled people, but with genuine interest in each other’s answers.

‘Fuck off, Colin! Casino? Fabulous film. Joe Pesci as Nicky. Brilliant portrayal of the character. I was gutted when they fucking took him out.’

Colin Clark laughed with delight. ‘I said exactly the same thing. He was fucking brilliant. When they killed his brother in front of him, I don’t mind admitting, I had tears − actual fucking tears − in my eyes. He was my favourite character too.’

Timmy Clark and Patsy O’Hara looked at each other in amazement. Nothing was actually said, but they understood the enormity of what had just occurred. As Eugene and Porrick chatted up the birds and drank, Patsy felt the urge to smash the pair of them because they really didn’t get what was going on. When Aiden called them over and introduced them, they were as happy as fucking larks because they liked Colin Clark as well. Who wouldn’t? He was a handsome, jovial man, full of smiles, full of jokes, willing to laugh at himself. But Colin was a blond Aiden − he was a fucking psychopath in a handmade suit who had just met his black-haired counterpart.

Patsy would have laid out good money that these two men would not have ever liked one another. They would have worked together only under observation, and because Eric Palmer desired it. But now they were drinking heavily together, and acting like they had known each other all their lives. Which, in a funny way, they probably had.

Timmy Clark handed Patsy a large vodka and tonic and, shrugging, he said, ‘Eric already explained that it will be me and you doing the donkey work, but I pretty much worked that one out for myself. I’m sure you know the score as well as I do. So let’s take a leaf out of their book and decide how we are going to work this so it’s in everyone’s interest.’

Patsy took a large swallow of his drink before saying genuinely, ‘I hear you, but tonight I think just a few drinks are in order. Let’s see how these two develop over the next few days before we plan any kind of strategy.’

Timmy nodded; there was a logic there that he could not overlook. Chances were they would be fighting the fuck out of each other at a whim, or over a sudden slight if the fancy took either of them. Neither was known for their willingness to make friends. In fact, they were both known for the complete opposite.

Both were antisocial fuckers, who nobody approached unless they had to. But as the night went on the two men seemed to get on like the proverbial house on fire.

Chapter Seventy-Five

Jade listened to Eric Palmer with her usual quiet demeanour. She could listen intently and, unlike most of the women Eric had known, she didn’t interrupt at every available opportunity. Jade had the mind of a man − not that he would ever say that, of course, but it was one of the things he admired about her.

Like everyone else, Eric was interested in how the meeting between Aiden and Colin had gone. Unlike everyone else he thought it was a good thing that they were so friendly with each other. Eric Palmer recognised that there would be friction − that was par for the course in the world they inhabited − but, by the same token, you didn’t have to like the people you did your business with. If that was a requirement, no one would ever earn a fucking shilling. If you genuinely liked the person you were dealing with then that was a bonus, but realistically no one gave a flying fuck. It was about finding the right person to do your business with and, regardless of personal opinion, you just kept them on an even keel. It wasn’t fucking rocket science; most of the people you were forced to deal with in the criminal world any normal person would cross the road to avoid. You weren’t going to fucking marry the cunt − it was just business.

It annoyed Eric that he had to explain this to an old hand like Jade. She knew better than anyone the need to deal with people you couldn’t fucking stand, but you made sure your personal feelings were kept private.

‘Look, Jade, the bottom line is it’s a good thing if they get on. Fucking hell, you were more worried that they would hate one another. Now they are like fucking bosom buddies you are still not happy. Is it because you think they will be out on the hunt, darling? Colin has a reputation, I know.’

Jade sighed heavily; she was offended that Eric could think she was that shallow. ‘Are you finished, Eric?’

He nodded, unsure of where this was going. As far as he was concerned this was a winning situation for him. He couldn’t get what the problem was.

‘Listen to me, OK? Aiden wouldn’t know a friend if they fell out of a tree and landed on his fucking head. He has acquaintances, and he has me and you, who he loves and respects. You because you are what he wanted to be all his life, and me because I am the woman he saw as his mentor. I am the only person who can tell him what he doesn’t want to hear. He knows that I would never put him wrong, that I will always have his back. He loves our boy because he sees him as a part of him. Aiden Junior is his flesh and blood, and that has an importance for him because of Reeva. She might not have done much in the way of parenting but she made sure that her kids understood the importance of family. Now, I know you think we are worrying about nothing, but I am telling you now, Eric, that Colin Clark and Aiden is not a healthy relationship. They are both fucking two paving slabs short of a patio. They are too mentally unreliable to become a team. They already egg each other on, dare each other to do things that are not just fucking stupid but make no fucking sense. I don’t know where it will end.’

Eric sat quietly as she spoke and the fact that he was questioning her told her everything she needed to know. Well, he didn’t give a fuck; he was retiring, and he was just bankrolling everyone.

‘Last night they caused murders in a private gambling hole in Barking. They turned up drunk as fuck, and pulled a gun on old Tommy Brewer because he asked them to keep the noise down. It’s a big money game as you know, because it’s our game. We own that fucking club. Aiden took advantage of that and I am not going to let that slide, Eric. He needs to be put in his place, sooner rather than later. He knows that he has not fulfilled his early promise, and I blame you for that. Too much too soon, and he fucked up. Now he is putting everything he can lay his hands on up his nose, and drinking like a fucking fish, and that is not good for any of us.’

Eric Palmer listened. She was right − she always was. ‘I know what you are saying, Jade, and I agree, but that’s Aiden. He has fucked up, yes, but, by the same token, he has flashes of brilliance. And he has a reputation as my main man. When it comes down to it there isn’t a man on the pavement willing to take him on. That is just plain fact. I know that you are his fucking dream − he adores you – and he knows deep down in his boots that you are the real brains of the outfit. Oh, God! He had such fucking promise, and he still has the mental capacity to find a way out of any eventuality. My advice is to put him on the right track. You are the only person he listens to.’

‘Eric, darling, listen to me, please. Aiden and Colin Clark are not a good partnership. Remember that I warned you about them.’ Standing up, she stretched with tiredness. ‘I’m going to pick up my boy, and I’m going to spend a rare evening with him. Because, for once, your businesses can run themselves. I need a break, Eric.’

He smiled at her. He genuinely cared about Jade.

As she slipped on her coat, she said quietly, ‘Seriously, Eric, even Reeva is not impressed and that alone speaks volumes.’

After she left, Eric Palmer poured himself a large brandy and, as he sat behind his desk, admiring his expensive offices, he sighed heavily. He truly believed that Aiden and Colin were a good fit; the fact they got on so well could only be to everyone’s advantage. He had taken on board what Jade had said; he trusted her with his life. But he also knew that she had her own reasons to keep Aiden beside her and not want him out on the fucking town with Colin Clark. They were getting a reputation together, and that suited Eric Palmer. The truth was, he genuinely saw their friendship as bringing nothing but good to the table. Both were well known for their aptitudes for extreme violence, and for the fact that they would not suffer fools in their circle. They were men of honour in their own way; they believed that you should never bite the hand that fed you. He trusted Aiden to keep Colin in line because, when all was said and done, it was Aiden who would be calling the shots. Eric had made perfectly clear that he expected that from Aiden. Aiden had appreciated his input, because it took the onus off him. Aiden could always remind Colin that it was Eric who ran the show and, even though he was retiring from the front line, he would still be running everything for a good while yet.

Chapter Seventy-Six

Reeva was not really sure about Colin Clark, but she had to admit he did make her smile at times − he could be very funny. As she dished up one of her legendary dinners, she could not help laughing as he said to Aiden, in mock annoyance, ‘Hang on a minute, you, Aiden O’-fucking-Hara. I still think that Scarface pissed all over Goodfellas.’ He looked around the table at all the brothers and they were laughing as he said jovially, ‘“Say hello to my little friend!” Hilarious and clever dialogue from Oliver Stone. The man is a fucking legend.’

Aiden was laughing along with everyone else. ‘No way. You can’t beat Goodfellas when they did the robbery at the airport. That was fucking class. Especially when that cunt turned up with his old woman in a fur coat. I loved the truth of that. He had told them all, don’t spend any money, do not draw attention to yourselves. It stands to reason.’

Colin grinned and, taking a large mouthful of Reeva’s perfectly cooked roast beef, he said truthfully, ‘Yeah, I give you that one. Very astute. But when they went after his wife, I didn’t like it. That’s why I fucking loved Tony in Scarface. He wouldn’t harm a woman or kids. He shot the fuck before he could blow the car up.’

Porrick was rolling up, he loved this banter – they were like a fucking comedy duo. ‘Look, The Godfather is the ultimate. It had everything.’

They all turned to look at him in shock; he wasn’t normally one to throw out an opinion.

Eugene shrugged as he poured out the wine. ‘I agree with him, though for me it was The Long Good Friday. Stunning fucking film, and British.’

There were nods of agreement. Reeva loved dinners like this; her boys around her, feeding them good food and watching them enjoy it.

Eugene put his fork out to grab another roast potato when Colin said jokingly, ‘You are really black, Eugene. Blacker than him.’ He gestured to Patsy.

Tony looked straight at Reeva, wondering how she would react, while the others looked at Aiden.

‘I mean it in a good way, mate. But Patsy is much lighter than you, ain’t he?’

Patsy didn’t find the conversation funny at all, and that was clear when he said dangerously, ‘Why would you give a fucking fuck?’

Aiden looked around the table for long moments before saying to Colin, ‘My brother, the brown one, not the really black one, has a point, Colin. Why would you fucking care?’

Colin Clark sensed immediately that he had just made a major fuck-up. The tension around the table was palpable. Suddenly, laughing uproariously, Aiden said, ‘Are you trying to say he is not as black as he’s painted?’

Colin started to laugh then too. ‘Fucking Spike Milligan, talking about Gandhi!’

The others smiled in relief though there was something going on that none of them could understand. Reeva felt dread deep inside and it frightened her.

Just then Agnes came in from Mass. Aiden pulled out a seat for her and she sat down quietly, looking around the table at her family and, smiling shyly at Colin, she said, ‘What have I missed?’

Aiden hugged her tightly saying happily, ‘Nothing really. How was Mass?’

Agnes sighed. ‘Really nice. I like the new priest, he is young and he isn’t as serious, you know?’

Aiden was busy piling her plate with food. ‘I know. I think he will do well. Aiden Junior likes him, and he is usually a good judge of character.’

Colin Clark was watching Agnes surreptitiously; she was a good-looking girl and decent too − she was a fucking Brahma. Bit too religious for his liking but he respected her for her beliefs. The chattering had started once more around the table and the awkwardness passed, but Colin Clark had learned a big lesson. Thanks to Aiden he had dodged a bullet. Aiden had chosen to overlook his faux pas, but Colin was quiet for the rest of the meal, and that did not go unnoticed. There had been a subtle shift in the dynamics somehow, and everyone around the table was aware of that. Colin Clark was amazed to find that it had worried him when he had believed that Aiden had taken offence. Not just because it had made him a bit nervous but because he actually did like him.