4
‘So did you take her?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Did she like it?’
‘Yeah, that was the easy part. Getting her to stay there with me maybe a little harder.’
‘We’ve got to Phe.’
‘I know.’
‘Sure she’ll be up for it?’
‘If she’s not I’ll make her.’
‘And her brother?’
‘He’s cool. He’ll be up for it.’
‘I just hope that you’re right.’
‘I am trust me.’
‘Well I’ll get going tell me when it’s all set.’
‘I will.’
Coeb walked away. Phoenix pulled away.
He smiled, and slowed down. ‘Kelley.’
She turned. ‘Oh hi.’
‘Hop in.’
‘I cant I’m meeting Kieran.’
‘Where? I’ll drop you off.’
‘In town. The juice bar.’
‘Hop in.’
She looked at him with caution.
‘I won’t bite.’
‘Okay.’
Phoenix opened the door, she slipped into the passenger’s seat closing the door behind her.
‘Ready?’
‘Yeah.’
Phoenix pulled away.
‘Do you like me?’
‘You’re okay why?’ she said looking at him strangely.
‘Good.’ He paused. ‘So you okay with me and Ash?’
‘Yeah. What’s with all the questions?’
‘I’m taking her to that hut we went to the weekend.’
‘Does she know?’
‘Yeah, and you’re not going to stop me.’
‘Excuse me!’
He slammed on the breaks jolting them forward, slamming back into the chairs. He looked at Kelley who was sitting there nervously. ‘I know you don’t want her to go with me.’
‘It’s up to her not me.’
‘I know, so you know what I suggest?’
‘What?’
‘You keep your opinions to yourself because she’s coming with me whether you like it or not. And you can’t do anything about it got it!’
‘Yeah sure.’
He placed his hand on her face. ‘Good.’
He moved forward, making her nervous. He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
He moved away. ‘You best keep that to yourself too.’
‘I will.’
‘Good as long as we understand one another.’
He took his foot off the break onto the accelerator and pulled away.
Kelley sat nervously.
‘No need to be nervous Kelley we’re friends.’
He pulled up. ‘Well here we are.’
She opened the door slipping out.
‘Ke.’
‘Phe.’ He said walking over to the car.
‘Hope you don’t mind me giving Kelley a lift.’
‘No not at all.’
‘Cool I’ll come round tomorrow I want a word.’
‘Sure.’
‘Tell Ash I’ll see her tomorrow.’
‘Will do.’
Phoenix beeped the horn as he drove away.
‘That was nice of him.’
‘Yeah.’
‘What’s wrong Kelley?’
‘Nothing.’ She lied.
‘Sure?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Come on then.’
He took her hand and they walked away.
Kieran opened the door. ‘Come in Phe.’
‘Cheers.’
Phoenix stepped in, and Kieran closed the door behind him. ‘Come through moms out.’
‘Where’s Ash?’
‘Out with Kelley she’ll be back soon.’
‘Okay.’
They both walked into the lounge and sat down.
‘So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?’
‘I want you to join us’
‘You mean you and your gang?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Killing those that don’t deserve to live.’
‘You’re talking about the Scorpions right.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Geese Phe you’re aims are high they’re mental.’
‘So are we.’
‘Where do I come into this?’
‘We need a front man, someone who can find there where abouts and tell us.’
‘You do know how big that gang is?’
‘Yep.’
‘What about Ash?’
‘Leave her to me. There’s a reason for everything, and that hut is one of them.’
‘It’s your hid out isn’t it?’
‘You catch on quick.’
‘Ash aint going to like it.’
‘Like what?’
They turned looking at Ashleigh and Kelley.
‘Like what?’
‘Nothing babe.’
‘I’ll get us a coffee.’ Kieran said pulling himself up walking out of the room into the kitchen.
Ashleigh sat next to Phoenix who draped his arm round her, Kelley sat on the opposite sofa sitting nervously waiting for Kieran to return.
‘So where did you go today?’
‘Town.’
‘So no where important then?’
‘Not really.’
Kieran walked back in placing the mugs of coffee on the fire place, sitting next to Kelley, placing his arm round her holding her hands.
They drank their coffees in silence.
‘Well I better be going. Phoenix looked at Ashleigh. ‘Coming?’
‘Yeah.’
He took her hand pulling her to her feet.
‘I’ll see you later.’
‘Yeah later.’
‘Bye Kelley.’
She smiled.
Ashleigh and Phoenix walked out of the room.
The door closed behind them.
‘What’s wrong Kelley?’
‘Nothing.’
‘You sure? You seemed a little on edge.’
‘Nothing I’m fine really.’
Phoenix closed the door behind them leading Ashleigh into his bedroom, and they lay on the bed.
Phoenix looked over Ashleigh, gliding his hand down her face. ‘What’s wrong babe?’
‘What’s with you and Kelley?’
‘Nothing. Why?’
‘Just she seemed a little jumpy round you.’
‘Cant think why.’
He leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her hungrily.
‘So did you get to see Mackenzie?’
‘Ice yeah.’
‘How is he?’
‘Fine. All he seemed interested in was how grown up I’d became. He asked how your mom was.’
‘Did she tell him about Phoenix?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘Not much, just told her to watch herself. Although he did grab me on the way out.’
‘Why?’
‘He told me he had a brother.’
‘And!’
‘He’s inside too, same thing. They share a cell. He’s got a kid too same age as Ash. He told me to take care of Ash. Justin said he’s mental case, he said he’d just started college, the same time as me and Ash, said he’s just like Justin. What are we going to do? What if he’s Justin’s?’
‘Then they’re related, then we’re in deep shit.’
‘What did he want to talk to you about?’
‘Nothing.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yeah.’ He lied. ‘Just keep this between you and me. We don’t want Ash freaking out, she may be Ice’s, but there very different.’
‘I know.’
Their first term had ended and little did Ashleigh know that she was going with Phoenix, he’d already slipped her bag into the boot of the car.
‘So what’s it going to be Ash? Are you coming?’
‘I told you I can’t.’
‘Wrong answer.’ He took her hand dragging her to the car.
‘No Phe.’
He opened the door pushing her in, closing and locking the door
He jogged round the car opening the driver’s door he slipped in closing the door, starting the engine slipping it into gear.
‘Why Phe?’
He drove away saying nothing.
Ashleigh’s eyes full. ‘Why?’
‘I already told you I love you. I want us to be alone.’
‘We are most of the time.’
‘Most of the time isn’t good enough forever is better.’
‘My mom will freak.’
‘So will mine, but who cares.’
‘Where’s Ash?’
‘She’s with Phe. They left ten minutes ago.’
Kieran pulled up. ‘What’s wrong babe?’
Kelley turned heel footed, looking at him. ‘Phoenix has taken Ash.’
‘I know.’
‘What do you mean you know?!’ Kelley said angrily.
Coeb looked at Kieran. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
Coeb walked away leaving an angered Kelley with Kieran.
‘Well!’
‘It’s what he wanted.’
‘It wasn’t what she wanted.’
‘Look Kelley it’s their life let them sort it. He loves her.’
‘And that’s good enough for them to up and leave?’
‘I guess.’
‘And I suppose he took her there?!’
‘I don’t know all I know is she‘ll be safe.’
‘She better because you won’t be answering to me if she’s not!’
‘She will be. Hop on.’
Kelley swung onto the bike. Kieran pulled away.
Phoenix pulled up outside the hut. He closed the door closing the car door, he walked round to the other door opening it.
He took Ashleigh’s hand pulling her out, closing and locking the door behind her.
‘Why are we here?’
‘This is where we’re staying.’
‘But.’
He pulled her away from the car into the hut closing and locking the door behind them.
He pulled her into the bedroom, pushing her onto the bed kissing her.
She pulled away. ‘What do you want from me?’
‘Your help.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Bate.’
‘What for?’
‘We’re on a mission, and you’re part of it.’
‘Is that why you asked me out?’
He smiled evilly. ‘The guys thought you’d be out best option.’
‘Is that all I am to you an option?’
‘No I love you.’
‘So what is all this in aid of?’
‘Death my sweet. We’re going to rip them to shreds, and you’re going to lure them in.’
‘NO!’ she said pulling herself up.
He pushed her back down. ‘You’ll do it!’
‘Stop it Phe you’re hurting me.’
‘So you’ll do it?’
‘I suppose I’ve got no choice.’
‘I suppose you haven’t!’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her hungrily undressing them both, making love to her.
He pulled away. ‘Oh and by the way we’ll be alone most of the time, but not completely alone.’
‘How long have you been planning this for?’
‘Long enough, we just needed a girl a perfect girl, you.’
‘Great.’
‘Don’t worry Ash they’ll be dead before they hurt you.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
Phoenix pulled up outside the college, him and Ashleigh got out of the car closing the doors, which he locked. He took her hand. ‘Just act normal okay.’
‘Okay.’ She said silently.
They walked over to his friends. ‘Right this is Coeb, Sab, and Kelt Crew Ash.’
They smiled, she returned there smile.
‘Ash has kindly agreed to you know what.’
‘So when does you know what go down?’
‘As soon as.’
‘Do we know where they’re hiding?’
‘No, but we will do soon.’
He turned to Ashleigh. ‘We’ve got to go babe I’ll see you at the end of the day.’
‘Okay.’
He placed his hand on her face pulling her towards him, placing his lips on hers kissing her hungrily. He pulled away dropping his hand off her face. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you too.’
‘Here okay.’
Ashleigh smiled and walked away.
‘You’ve got her right where you want her aint you Phe?’
‘Yeah rapped round my little finger.’
‘You can’t be seriously in love with her.’
‘She’s a nice girl.’
‘That weren’t the plan Phe.’
‘Just chill guys, everything’s going to plan.’
‘What about Kieran?’
‘I’m seeing him tomorrow.’
‘Sweet.’
They all walked into the college.
‘Ash!’
Ashleigh turned, a red haired girl bounced over, flinging her arms round her.
‘Chill Kelley.’
‘I thought.’
‘No. I’m fine really.’
Kelley dropped her arms from round Ashleigh. ‘So where did he take you?’
‘Sorry I can’t tell you.’
‘He’s got you right where he wants you hasn’t he?’
'No.’
‘He wanted you to bunk up with him you have.’
‘I love him.’
‘Don’t give me that shit Ash. You’ve been sucked in, it’s all he’s ever wanted you where no one can get to you.’
‘Can you keep something to yourself, don’t even tell Kieran.’
‘Yeah sure.’
‘I’ve missed I think I’m you know.’
‘How many have you missed Ash?’
‘Just the one.’
‘Does he know?’
‘Not yet I’m not absolutely certain.’
‘Be careful Ash. He doesn’t seem the type for commitment, not that kind anyway.’
‘So how are you and Ke anyway?’
‘Fine, he’s awfully secretive these days, he’s hiding something.’
‘What?’
‘I don’t know, but he seems to be hanging round with Coeb and some others an awful lot.’
‘What’s he up to?’
‘I don’t know Ash. All I know is I don’t like it.’
‘I’ll find out I promise.’
‘Well I better get going.’
‘Sure Kelley. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’
‘Okay.’
Kelley walked away, Ashleigh walked into her next lecture un-aware that Phoenix had been watching them.
Phoenix walked through the corridor. ‘Hey Kelley! Wait up!’
She looked round. ‘I thought you said all there was to say before term ended? I kept my word I kept my mouth shut what more do you want?’
He pushed her up against the wall. ‘I’d prefer if you didn’t talk to Ash.’
She’s my best friend. She’s got no one else.’
‘She’s got me.’
‘Well I’m not okay, you’ve already taken her away.’
'Told you I would and I did.’
‘Just leave me alone.’
‘I can’t do that. ‘He said gliding his hand down her face.
‘Why?’ she asked nervously.
‘Cause I like you.’
‘I thought you and Ash.’
‘We are.’
He leaned forward.
‘Don’t Phe.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
He moved away, squeezing her lips together. ‘There goes another secret you’ve got to keep.’ He looked at Kelley blank, emotionless. ‘Keep away from Ash when I’m around or I’ll kill you got it!’
‘Yeah.’
He loosed her lips. ‘Good girl.’
He walked away walking over to his friends.
‘I thought you and Ash?’
‘We are a little fun never hurt anyone.’
‘But she’s Ke’s girl.’
‘What he won’t know won’t hurt him.’
‘That’s the old Phe.’
She walked passed Phoenix and his friends nervously.
‘Tell Ke I’ll catch up with him tomorrow.’
She smiled walking passed them un-easy.
Phoenix and Ashleigh got into the car. Phoenix pulled away wheel spinning. Kieran pulled up. ‘What’s wrong Ke?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Hop on.’
‘Oh by the way Phoenix said he’ll catch you tomorrow.’
‘Sure.’
‘What’s going on Ke?’
‘Nothing hop on.’
She pulled herself on to the bike he changed gear and pulled away.
Kieran walked over to Phoenix who was sitting on the wall waiting. ‘So anything for me?’
Kieran pulled out a small piece of paper that had been halved. He passed it to Phoenix, who then slipped it into his pocket. ‘Cheers.’
‘No problem. So when’s this going down?’
‘Tonight.’
‘Bet Ash aint to happy.’
‘She’s in on it.’
‘Bet that took some persuasion.’
‘A little.’
‘So the guys heading down to the hut?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And me?’
‘You’re safe. You just keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll tell you when to come to the hut okay.’
‘Sure.’
‘Oh and Ke.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Look after Kelley.’
‘I will.’
Kieran walked away, Phoenix smiled as Kieran disappeared round the corner.
‘So did you get it?’
‘Yeah.’
‘When we doing it?’
‘Tonight.’
‘Sure Ash is ready?’
‘The more time we give her and put it off the less ready she’ll be. We need to strike while the iron’s hot, they’re going down.’
Phoenix pulled himself up and he and Coeb walked away.
Phoenix and Ashleigh got into the car closing the car doors and he sped away.
‘What’s the rush?’
‘We’ve got to get sorted we’re meeting the guys on the wreck.’
‘Why?’
‘You remember what I said? We’d be alone but not completely alone.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Well now is the time.’
‘What have I got to do?’
‘Just walk into their pad and you’ll be greeted by one of them. We’ll be there and ready, don’t worry babe everything’s going to be fine.’
He pulled up outside the hut, they got out the car closing the doors. He took her hand and they went into the hut closing the door.
Phoenix and Ashleigh met the crew on the wreck.
‘So where to?’
‘It’s not far from here follow me.’
They followed suit to the edge of the wreck looking down on the scorpion’s layer, one of many.
‘You up for this Ash?’
‘I guess.’
‘Don’t worry babe we’ll be watching, not far behind.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her. ‘You’ll be fine.’
She smiled nervously before walking cautiously down the embankment.
‘She’ll be okay wont she?’
‘She’ll be fine, we’ll just get a little closer and spread out, so if there’s’ any sign of shit we’ll be there.’
Ashleigh walked across the rubble. Many boxes piled high she just hoped Phoenix knew what he was doing.
‘Well wellwell, what do we have here?’ a butch tattooed male said
Ashleigh turned her heart beating faster.
‘What’s such a nice looking skirt like you doing here?’
‘Sorry I must’ve taken a wrong turn.’
‘Who you looking for darling?’ he said walking towards her.
‘Scorpio.’
‘Guess you found him.’ He said gliding his hand down her face. ‘So what do you want?’
‘Your help.’
‘With what?’
‘Johnson he’s been bothering me. I’d like you to do him in.’
‘Johnson aye. Haven’t heard that name in a while. Hear this guys Johnson’s back.’
Five others emerged from the darkness. All butch and tattooed as he. ‘Shall we help her or what?’
‘Sure why not.’
‘Do you want our help?’
She smiled.
He suddenly grabbed her pulling her round a knife he placed on her throat. ‘Come out Johnson!’ He whispered in her ear. ‘Shame you seem such a nice girl.’
‘Come out Johnson or I’ll kill you’re fucking slut!’ He shouted.
Knives flew across the air, blood joshed in a blood shower.
Phoenix held the knifes edge to Scorpio’s throat. ‘I suggest you let her go or I’ll slit your fucking throat.’
‘Never!’
The knife slashed across Scorpio’s throat and body, the blood sprayed as he dropped loosing Ashleigh.
Phoenix looked at Ashleigh. ‘Come on.’ He said taking her hand.
‘Hey Johnson!’
Phoenix turned, a rough looking male was coming towards him and Ashleigh. He loosed Ashleigh’s hand shielding her as the knife glided through the air slashing the male.
He grabbed Ashleigh’s hand. ‘Guys it’s over.’
The crew joined Phoenix and Ashleigh who was shaking. They all got into the car. Phoenix revved up and sped away.
Ashleigh was still shaking when they arrived back at the hut. They all got out of the car closing the doors. ‘Go in guys.’
‘Sure.’
They all walking into the hut.
Phoenix placed his arms round Ashleigh. ‘Well that weren’t bad for a beginner, you’ll get better.’
She looked at him. ‘He nearly fucking killed me!’
‘Like I said they’d be dead before that.’
He wrapped his arms round Ashleigh. ‘Stop shaking Ash. You’re fine I won’t let anyone hurt you, trust me.’ He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
He moved away. ‘Come on let’s get cleaned up.’
She smiled briefly.
They walked away from the car and into the hut. Phoenix closed the door behind them locking it.
‘We’re just going to get cleaned up then we’re heading off to bed, so we’ll see you guys in the morning.’
‘Sure Phe.’
Phoenix and Ashleigh walked through into the bathroom. ‘Here I’ll help you.’
He pulled her clothes off. ‘We’ll get them cleaned in the morning.’
He pulled her close. ‘This is only the beginning Ash. The more you see the stronger you get.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
He moved away, turning the shower on, he took her hand and they stepped in washing away the blood from the fight.
He switched the shower off and they stepped out. He rapped a towel round them both drying the both of them. He took Ashleigh’s hand leading her out of the bathroom across into the bedroom, closing the door behind them. He pulled her close kissing her hungrily, the towels dropped to the floor, they to fell on the bed where he made love to her.
Phoenix pulled away. ‘I love you Ash.’
‘I love you too.’
He smiled placing his lips on hers kissing her. He pulled away. She turned, he draped his arm over her as she closed her eyes.
‘She okay Phe?’
‘Yeah just tired.’
‘Sure last nigh didn’t freak her?’
‘She’ll get used to it.’
‘Do you want anything to eat?’
‘Yeah.’
‘What about Ash?’
‘Yeah do her something too.’
‘Sure.’
Coeb closed the door behind him. Phoenix glided his hand down Ashleigh’s face. ‘Wake up babe.’
She slowly opened her eyes. Phoenix smiled, she smiled wearily.
‘Time to get up Coeb’s doing breakfast. One not to be missed.’
She smiled.
They pulled themselves up, getting dressed. He took her hand. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah.’
He leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her he pulled away and smiled. They pulled themselves up off the bed walking out of the room. They walked into the living area.
Sab looked at Ashleigh. ‘Nice to see you’ve recovered from last night.’
She smiled politely.
‘Foods up.’ Coeb said walking past them with plates of full English.
Ashleigh smelt it and ran.
‘What’s up with her?’
‘Don’t ask me.’
‘You are using protection aren’t you?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘Phe if she gets caught we’re fucked you do know that don’t you?’
‘Yeah.’
Ashleigh walked back in. Phoenix placed his arm round her. ‘You okay babe?’
‘Yeah.’
‘There’s nothing you’re not telling me is there?’
‘No it’s just a bug.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yeah.’
They walked over to the sofa and sat down.
Coeb passed them their plates of full English. Then sat down.
Well guess we better get into college.’
‘You guys go.’
‘Sure we’ll see you later.’
Coeb and the guys pulled themselves up placing the empty plated in the sink, walking out of the hut closing the door behind them.
‘You could’ve gone.
Phoenix turned to face Ashleigh. ‘I wanted to stay here and look after you.’
‘I’m fine.’
He placed his hands on her face. ‘You sure? You look a little pasty.’
‘I’m fine it’s a twenty-four hour thing.’
‘Good. At least then you’ll be up for it.’
‘Up for what?’
He smiled.’
‘No not again. Not after last night.’
‘Just look at it this way once it’s all over we can be together.’
‘When will that be?’
‘Once they’re all wiped out. We’ve got to find all of them.’
‘And their leader?’
‘Every gang has its own leader Ash. If we knew where the top dog was we’d wipe them out a lot quicker.’
She looked at him.
‘I love you Ash. We will be together alone I promise.’
‘So you in?’
‘NO!’
Phoenix grabbed Ashleigh pushing her to the floor, her arms behind her back, her wrists bent back. The pain held in her facial expression, hiding her tears.
‘What have I told you Ash?’
‘We’re in it together.’
‘Exactly. You can’t back out now. Without you we can’t do this.’
‘I can’t you nearly got me killed.’
‘I love you Ash that would never happen!’
‘I don’t believe you.’
He began to pull her fingers back one by one. ‘You in?’
‘NO!’
‘Well!’
‘N.’
‘Ash you in?’ he asked bending the next finger back.
‘YES!’
‘Good.’
He loosed her wrists pulling them both up. He pulled her round, her eyes in line with his. ‘I love you.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
He moved away. ‘Come on college waits for no one.’
He took her hand and they walked out of the hut closing the door behind them.
Phoenix walked over to Kieran. ‘Got it?’
‘Yeah.’ He said pulling his hand out of his pocket slipping the paper to Phoenix who then slipped it into his pocket. ‘I’ll see you in the morning, and bring Kelley okay.’
‘You want her in on this?’
‘Whatever suits. We just need to keep her protected too.’
‘Sure.’
Ashleigh walked over to them. ‘KE.’
‘Sis you okay?’
‘Yeah fine. What are you doing here?’
Kieran looked at Phoenix then back at Ashleigh. ‘Nothing.’
‘Bullshit he’s collard you into this as well hasn’t he?’
‘No.’
‘I seriously don’t believe you sometimes.’
‘Ash.’
‘Forget it I’m off.’ She looked at Phoenix dead and walked away.
‘Sorry Phe.’
‘It’s cool she would’ve found out sooner or later.’
Ashleigh walked through the college corridor twinging as pains shot through her stomach.
‘Ash you okay?’
‘I’m fine Kelley.’
‘No you’re not what’s wrong?’
‘Kieran.’
‘Why what’s he done?’
‘He’s in with whatever Phoenix is doing.’
‘I knew it.’
Ashleigh keeled over twinging.
‘You sure you’re okay Ash?’
‘I’m fine.’
She fell to the floor.