Savage Sisters, page 23
‘All right, sweetheart?’ Dean asked her, turning in his seat to face her.
Rose appeared to soften slightly at his charming grin and gave him a small smile in response.
‘Ms Simpson said you had a fight with Ethan Patterson,’ Jane said.
Rose nodded, still looking miserable.
‘And that he started it by pushing you over?’
Another nod while Rose continued to avoid eye contact with her sister.
Both Jane and Carly were becoming increasingly concerned by this display that was so unlike the gregarious girl they knew and loved.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’
Tears filled Rose’s eyes but she looked angry rather than upset. ‘He told me the Alexanders are going to kill you all.’
‘What?’ said a shocked Jane.
‘He overheard Ross and Cole talking with his brother, Billy. They’re going to kill you and Carly and my cousins and Uncle Eddie, leaving me and da’ all alone,’ she cried, the tears spilling down her cheeks now. ‘And when da’ dies, I’ll have no one. Ethan laughed; he thought it was funny.’
Jane enveloped her in her arms and Rose sobbed on her shoulder. The poor girl had clearly been holding her fears in until it was safe to release them all.
‘Oh, sweetheart,’ said Jane. ‘That’s not true.’
‘But it is,’ said Rose, raising her tear-streaked face to regard her. ‘The Alexanders threw a brick through our window and have been causing trouble. Even Cole’s in on it. I liked him, I thought he was sweet and funny, but he’s a prick,’ she wailed.
Jane took her sister’s face in her hands. ‘Now you listen to me – no one is going to kill anyone. Yes, things have got a bit tense between us and the Alexanders but that’s all it is. We’ll soon sort it out. Ethan was just winding you up.’
‘Really?’ Rose said suspiciously.
‘Aye.’
‘You’re not just telling me that to make me feel better, like I’m a wee wean?’
‘No. We will sort it out, I promise, and we’ll all be fine. Uncle Eddie and Dean and Harry have even got a house to rent close to our flat. They’ve decided to move here so we can be a happy family together. Would you like that?’
‘Yes, I would, but I’m still worried about the Alexanders and it really hurts that Cole’s turned against us.’
‘Cole went through a lot while he was in prison and it changed him. We should feel sorry for him rather than hate him.’
‘He used to make me laugh but Ethan said he hates us now.’
‘He doesn’t hate us. Prison messed him up. Unfortunately, it does that to some people and you shouldn’t listen to Ethan Patterson. He’s a wee dick.’
This made Rose smile at last. ‘Aye, he is.’
‘Ms Simpson said you knocked out his front teeth,’ Jane said with a raised eyebrow.
‘He deserved it. He said horrible things about Da’.’
‘In that case, well done.’ She smiled, making Rose’s eyes sparkle. ‘Don’t tell Da’ about the fight or what Ethan said. We don’t want to upset him. We’ll say you felt a bit unwell.’
‘That might worry him too.’
‘We’ll say you’ve got bad period pain. That’ll stop him from asking any more questions.’
Rose giggled. ‘Periods frighten him.’
‘They frighten most men. Just hide in your room when we get home and it’ll be fine.’
‘Okay. Can I have some of that cookie dough ice cream that Uncle Eddie got? That’s really good for period pain.’
‘Course you can, he won’t mind.’
Rose smiled and settled back in her seat, looking much happier.
When they’d returned to the flat and Rose had vanished into her bedroom with the tub of ice cream after popping in to explain to her embarrassed father why she was home early, the rest of the family once again went into conference in the kitchen.
‘I want to go round to the Pattersons and batter the living shite out of that twat, Billy,’ hissed Jane. ‘I’ll also make sure his wee dick brother never bothers Rose again.’
‘You can’t do anything to Ethan though,’ Dean told her. ‘He’s just a kid.’
‘I don’t intend to. The example I’ll make of his older brother will scare the little bastard rigid.’
‘Good idea,’ said Carly, who was equally furious. ‘Let’s do it.’
‘Hang on a minute,’ said Eddie when the sisters rose and stalked to the door. ‘Have you thought through what you’re gonnae do? Are the Pattersons a big family? Will they fight to protect this Billy prick?’
‘He’s got two brothers and a sister,’ said Jane. ‘One of those brothers is only sixteen, so we don’t need to worry about him. The oldest brother moved to Aberdeen two years ago, so we don’t need to worry about him either, and the sister’s a nasty bitch who we can easily deal with.’
‘What about his parents?’
‘We’ll handle them too.’
‘Wait, I…’ Eddie sighed when they stormed out of the room, heading towards the front door. ‘Boys, go with them,’ he told his sons.
They went in Harry’s car, Jane sitting up front with him so she could direct him to the Patterson home. Dean kept glancing at Carly during the journey but her gaze remained locked on the window. He knew she wasn’t seeing the view; she was lost in her own fury. When they arrived at the Patterson house, he fully expected to see her lips draw back over her teeth as they had when the Alexanders had attacked. He wanted to take her hand but knew his brother’s sharp eyes would spot that in the rear-view mirror so he restrained himself. Plus, he wasn’t sure she’d appreciate the gesture in that moment.
Dean forced his gaze off Carly. The speed at which his feelings for her were developing was rather startling to him. He’d never met a woman whose mere presence made his stomach flip over with excitement. It was typical that she would have to be his own cousin but he didn’t care. He wanted her and he was determined to get her.
23
The Savages pulled up outside a four-storey red brick tenement. The moment the car came to a halt, the two women leapt out, the men hurrying to catch up with them as they stormed inside one of the blocks and jogged upstairs to the second floor. Jane banged on the door, which was pulled open by a tall, thin woman of her own age with wild, curly dark brown hair that seemed to sit up on her head in a frizzy tangle.
‘Where’s Billy?’ demanded Jane.
Sharon Patterson took a drag on her cigarette and blew the smoke in Jane’s face. ‘How the fuck should I know?’
‘So he’s no’ in?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ replied Sharon with an infuriating smile.
‘I’m no’ in the mood for your games. Just tell me where he is.’
‘Why do you want him? You’re no’ his type if you’re after his cock.’
‘The only reason I’d want that thing would be to cut it off. Oh, I’ve had enough of this,’ she said, shoving Sharon roughly aside and stalking into the flat. The living room was airy with a bright bay window. It was clean and warm, a pair of fluffy white cats curled up asleep on the lap of the man sitting on the beige couch watching football on the television. He looked up in surprise when the four of them burst in.
‘What the hell’s going on?’ he demanded.
‘Your wee brother attacked Rose today,’ said Jane.
‘Aye, we know. The school called and said she knocked out his front teeth. My maw’s had to take him to the dentist. And you’ve got the cheek to barge in here all outraged. That wee sister of yours is a demon, everyone knows that.’
‘This isn’t Rose’s fault, it’s Ethan’s,’ interjected Carly. ‘He’s always been a bully because he’s weak and pathetic, like you.’
Billy shot to his feet, sending the cats scattering in opposite directions. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are? Get out before I throw you both through the bastarding window.’
Billy was a big man, strong and muscular with dark hair and a matching beard. He would have been handsome had it not been for his eyes, which were small, piggy and set far apart in his head. His thick, blubbery lips gave him the aspect of a particularly vicious toad.
When Dean and Harry tensed, ready to attack, Carly waved at them to stand down before turning her furious glare back on Billy.
‘Actually, we’re no’ just here about our sister beating the shite out of your brother,’ Carly told Billy, making him grunt with rage. ‘We’re here because you’ve been plotting against us with the Alexanders.’ She tilted her head to one side curiously. ‘You seem to be under the impression that you’re going to kill us.’
‘Ethan, you gobby wee shite,’ Billy muttered to himself.
‘We know what the Alexanders have planned and we’re here to tell you that they’re going to fail spectacularly and that anyone who sides with them will be punished. We need someone to make an example of and you, Billy, are it. Blame your wee brother for that.’
‘Four on one,’ he sneered. ‘That’s hardly fucking fair.’
‘Dean and Harry will not lay a finger on you.’
‘So, just you two?’ he said, looking amused by the prospect. ‘Actually, that could be pretty hot. Come on then girls,’ he added, opening his arms wide. ‘Go for it.’
Harry and Dean watched in astonishment as their cousins simultaneously attacked the large, strapping man. While Jane went in higher, being the tallest, Carly went in low, targeting his knees and groin. It was clear they’d fought together many times because they moved in perfect harmony. As Billy collapsed to the floor, bleeding from his mouth and nose, Sharon charged into the room clutching a rolling pin, screeching at the top of her lungs.
Before the brothers could intervene, Carly turned, grabbed her arm and dragged her to the floor. She stomped on Sharon’s arm and tore the rolling pin from her hand.
‘Stay down,’ Carly yelled at her.
Sharon didn’t listen, jumped back to her feet and launched herself at Carly with her arms extended, fingers curled into talons. Carly kicked her in the stomach, knocking her back onto the couch, leapt on her and punched her twice in the face, finally subduing her.
‘I said stay the fuck down,’ she snarled, lips drawing back over her teeth again.
Sharon groaned and nodded, putting a hand to her burst lower lip.
Satisfied that this time she was going to do the sensible thing, Carly joined her sister in staring down at the fallen Billy.
‘What did Ross promise you?’ Jane demanded of him.
‘A deal with the Tallans,’ he muttered back.
‘That’s not his fucking deal to promise. You will break off your arrangement with the Alexanders,’ Jane told him. ‘If you don’t then we won’t take it out on you. We’ll come back for her,’ she added, pointing to the flailing Sharon. ‘And Rose will knock out the rest of your brother’s teeth.’
Billy raised his head, lips cut and his right eye badly swollen. He looked like he was about to argue, until he sighed and nodded. ‘Aye, all right. I don’t want all this shite.’
‘Good.’ She looked to the others. ‘Let’s go.’
Dean, who had picked up one of the cats and was stroking it, the animal purring in his arms, gently put it down on the couch and left too.
Billy glared at the cat. ‘Traitor.’
The cat gave him a haughty look before settling back down to sleep, using Sharon’s splayed hair as a cushion.
No one spoke until they were back in the car and had set off, leaving the Patterson residence behind.
‘I wish our Da’ had seen that,’ said Harry as he drove. ‘Then he might change his mind about women not being able to fight.’
‘Savage is certainly the right name for you two,’ commented Dean, turning in his seat to face them.
‘No one fucks with our wee sister,’ said Jane, gazing out of the window with steel in her eyes.
‘Did you believe Billy when he said he’d break his deal with the Alexanders?’ said Harry.
‘I don’t know,’ she replied. ‘He could have just said that to get rid of us, although the threat against his brother and sister might encourage him to keep his word.’
When they returned to the flat, Eddie was sitting talking with his brother in his bedroom.
‘Hi Da’,’ said Carly, concerned by how exhausted he looked. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘He’s all good,’ said Eddie. ‘We’ve been discussing old times, haven’t we, Alec?’
His brother nodded.
‘We were terrors back in the day,’ continued Eddie wistfully. ‘The scourge of Glesga.’
‘I can well believe it,’ she said, smiling. ‘Can we get you anything, Da’?’
He shook his head. ‘No sweetheart. I’ll just have a sleep.’
‘Oh, sorry,’ said Eddie, getting to his feet. ‘I’ve been keeping you awake with my chatter. We’ll leave you to it.’
Alec gave his daughters a searching look and Carly knew he was wondering where they’d been but was too tired to ask.
The sound of pop music quietly playing emanated from Rose’s room. Carly popped in on her and found Rose lying on her bed reading a magazine. She assured her sister she was okay and Carly left her to it.
‘How did it go?’ Eddie asked his nieces once they were back in the kitchen.
‘Fine,’ said Jane. ‘Billy and his sister have been put in their place.’
‘Nice one,’ Eddie told his sons.
‘Don’t look at us,’ replied Harry. ‘We didn’t do anything. Jane and Carly tore them both apart.’
‘Really?’ Eddie said, surprised. ‘Well, I suppose you caught Billy off guard.’
All four of them rolled their eyes.
‘Billy said Ross promised him a piece of the Tallan deal,’ Jane told Eddie.
‘The cheeky bastard. Who the fuck does he think he is, offering something that isn’t his?’
‘He’s an arrogant sod,’ said Carly.
‘I wonder if he’s noticed the devil face on the back of his car yet?’ said Harry.
‘I’m sure we’ll soon find out.’ Carly glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘Jesus, I need to be at work in ten minutes.’
‘You’re better off no’ going in,’ Eddie told her.
‘I have to, I can’t leave Derek in the lurch.’
‘Doesn’t he have anyone else who works for him?’
‘Aye, and usually Anita would work this shift but she’s off sick. There’s no one else and I need the money.’
‘I keep telling you no’ to worry about money any more.’
‘Well, I still have to go in.’
‘Fine, Dean, go with her,’ he said.
Dean nodded and got to his feet, picking up his brand-new laptop.
‘Are you sure it’s wise bringing that?’ Carly asked him, indicating the computer.
‘If anyone does do anything to it, I can use it as a weapon,’ he replied with a rare twinkle.
Carly smiled and shook her head. ‘Let’s go.’
‘Jeezo, lassie, there you are,’ rasped Derek when Carly arrived at the pub with Dean. His face was bright red and shiny with sweat and he was hopping from one foot to the other.
‘Away you go before you pish yourself,’ she told him with a smile.
Derek shot out from behind the bar and dashed across the room, shoving one drunken man aside.
‘He should really see a doctor about that,’ said Dean. ‘Maybe it’s a medical problem? He could have cystitis or a urinary tract infection? Does it burn when he pees?’
‘I’m very pleased to tell you that I’ve never asked him,’ replied Carly.
Dean settled himself at his usual table while Carly turned to serving the thirsty customers.
Carly felt edgy as she worked and struggled to keep her mind on the job. Twice she gave someone the wrong change and once she knocked a pint of lager over a customer, who was fortunately a regular and took the accident in good part, especially when his new lady friend began wiping his crotch with the cloth Derek handed her.
‘What’s wrong with you, hen?’ Derek asked her, not unkindly. ‘This isnae like you.’
‘Sorry, I’m just a little tense.’
‘Has something else happened?’
‘Aye. Ross, Dominic and Cole attacked our flat.’
‘What? Cole too?’
Carly nodded. ‘He’s as bad as his brothers now, if not worse.’
‘Are you sure about that?’ he said sceptically.
‘There’s no doubt.’ Carly glanced around to make sure no one was listening before continuing. ‘He set me up the other night to be kidnapped.’
‘What?’ Derek exclaimed, loud enough that most of his customers looked his way. He cringed. ‘Sorry,’ he told Carly.
‘His plan would have succeeded too if it hadn’t been for Dean and Harry. They saved me.’
‘Jeezo, that’s crazy. Why would the Alexanders do that?’
‘It’s a long story and there’s some things I can’t tell you.’
Derek glanced Dean’s way. ‘It’s something to do with his lot, isn’t it? Them coming here was supposed to help you but it’s made things worse.’
‘No, it’s no’ like that. Honestly,’ Carly added when he appeared unconvinced.
‘Does Alec know what’s going on?’
‘No, thankfully.’
‘It must have scared the shite out of him having those Alexander arseholes bursting into your flat.’
‘Actually, it didn’t,’ she told him proudly. ‘He managed to get himself out of bed and told them to piss off. He was amazing.’ She thought it would be better not to mention the shotgun.
‘He always was a strong, brave bugger and no illness will take that from him but Christ, Carly. This is getting out of hand. I mean, kidnapping? That’s heavy duty.’
She wondered what he’d say if he knew she was in on kidnapping Brian and torturing him.
‘Maybe you should go to the polis about this?’
‘No way. Savages do not go to the polis.’
‘That’s what your da’ used to say,’ Derek said with a fond smile. ‘Does he know you were nearly abducted?’
‘Of course not. I’d never put that stress on him.’
