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Chapter One
Sean Rattigan strode out through the jail gates, looked up at the sky, and breathed in the clean air. Freedom felt good.
Behind him, the gate slammed shut.
It was a year of his life he’d never get back. Time to start over.
His mind flickered over a well laid plan.
Time to get back what mattered.
The sound of his name being called out focused him. Sean’s brother, Rory, climbed out of a pickup truck parked nearby and raised his hand in greeting. Sean made his way over, glancing up and down the street to see if they were being watched.
Rory walked to the rear of the truck and unlatched the tailgate. A moment later he lowered a ramp, jumped up onto the truck and wheeled down a motorbike. Sean checked out the Harley as he closed in, nodding in approval. He was keen to get on the road, get the hell out of there.
Rory rested the bike on its stand then reached out.
Embracing his younger sibling, Sean ruffled Rory’s hair. “Thanks, bro, I appreciate this.”
Rory grinned and gestured at the bike. “It’s been serviced within in an inch of its life. Full tank. Everything’s good. Still planning to take to the road for a while?”
Sean nodded and glanced back at the jail. He wasn’t going to be leaving the experience behind, not completely. Some of the guys probably walked away and didn’t give it a second thought, but his time inside had changed him. “Yeah, I need to clear my head.”
“Whatever you gotta do,” Rory responded. “There’s a room and a job waiting for you in London, whenever you’re ready.”
Sean clasped Rory by the shoulder. “Just give me a few days, call it time out.”
Rory grabbed a pair of biker boots and a jacket from the back of the truck.
Sean kicked off his shoes and pulled on the boots, then shrugged the jacket on.
Rory reached into his hip pocket and pulled out some banknotes rolled with a rubber band. “There’s new gear in the bike panniers and a phone with a bunch of credit on it. Here’s some cash to get you started.”
“I’ll pay you back,” Sean said, as he accepted the money. “I’ll work it off when I get to London.”
Rory shrugged.
Sean noticed his brother looked well. A lot had changed for Rory since their hacking days. “How are things?”
“Good, getting on top of things at the workshop. Making tracks with the house renovation.”
Sean was pleased to hear it. Rory had stepped up to the plate and taken on the running of a motorcycle mechanic workshop, with accommodation thrown into the deal. “And Sky?”
“She’s happy. She started college, part time. She’s moved in. In fact, she’s painting one of the spare rooms for you right now.”
“Hey, tell her not to bother.” Sean wished they weren’t going to so much trouble.
“We’re glad to do it. We owe you, all of us.”
Sean shook his head. “I should’ve known better than hacking a major corp.”
They stood in silence for a few moments, then Rory nodded at Sean’s bulked physique. “You’ve built some muscle there.”
“I learned a few tricks from one of the guys I shared the cell with. Learned how to protect my territory too.”
Rory’s smile faded. Their childhood and teens had been blighted by violence.
“How’s Draco?” Sean asked about their stepbrother to break the tension. He didn’t want Rory to know about the shadows at his back, or his willingness to take his enemies down. “You seen him?”
“Yeah, he’s good. Things were difficult between us, for a while, but he’s got a great job in the banking district now and a classy girlfriend.”
“Classy? Seriously? How did he meet her?”
“I think I’ll let him explain that one, once you get to London.” Rory was trying to not to laugh, which made Sean even more curious.
“What?”
Rory shook his head. “Trust me. You need to be chilling with a beer in your hand when you hear about it.” He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, which he handed over. “You’ll need this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s Rowan’s new address, she’s moved in with the family in Prestatyn. Just in case you felt like calling by to visit.”
Sean stared down at the piece of paper, opening it. Rowan. The sound of her name made his stomach tighten. “I don’t know where I’m headed.” It was a lie. He didn’t want Rory to warn Rowan he was coming. In reality his course was set in stone, and it led straight to his stepsister’s side. Thinking about Rowan had got him through his twelve months banged up in jail. He couldn’t leave their relationship unresolved any longer, even if it turned out to be the wrong thing to do.
“Well, you have the address if you want to call in on any of the ladies.” Rory stared over at the piece of paper. It seemed as if he was holding something back.
“Ladies?”
Rory reached into the truck and passed over a helmet. “Yeah, Rowan and her Nan moved in with Aunt Gladys, hence the new address.” Again he looked like he was going to say something else, but didn’t.
“Okay.” Sean folded the piece of paper into his hip pocket and accepted the helmet.
“I’m sure they’d give you a bed for the night, at the very least, if you call by.”
Sean nodded. “Any news from dad?”
“No.” Rory gestured at the piece of paper in Sean’s hand. “These guys are our family now. Call by.”
Nodding silently, Sean pocketed the piece of paper. “Promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
