A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3) by Heather Atkinson Read Free Book Online

left and no choice if I don’t want to end up on the streets. I’ll miss it though,” he sighed.
    “ Is it on the market yet?”
    “ It will be in a couple of days. You heard fast.”
    “ Stephen Strang.”
    “ That arsehole. I don’t know how he heard but he’s been sniffing around for a few days. Why did he tell you? I thought you were rivals.”
    “ We are and that’s what’s bothering us, so we had to check it out,” Ryan smiled.
    “ Yeah, I suppose. Are you interested in buying?” he said hopefully. “I’d rather sell it to you than him.”
    Ryan took a sip of orange juice without replying, not wanting to commit himself just yet. “So, what exactly has Strang been saying?”
    Sid sucked in a deep breath before continuing. “Well, he comes in on the pretext of playing Poker, although he never bothered before. When he sees me making my rounds of the place - I like to keep my finger on the pulse - he starts pestering me with questions.”
    “ How good is he at Poker?” said Ryan.
    Clearly it wasn ’t a question Sid expected because his eyes clouded with confusion.
    “ He’s okay, no great shakes. Why do you ask?”
    “ I want to know how good his poker face is.”
    “ He’s a decent bluffer but he plays small, like his heart’s not really in it and that’s because he’s not here for the gambling.”
    Rachel considered asking if Alex ever came here then decided against it, not wanting to show there was dissent in the family.
    “I suppose it’s only natural he wants this place. He has two casinos already,” said Sid, knocking back his vodka and gesturing in the direction of the bar for another. A minute later the same waiter reappeared with fresh drinks for them all, giving them a polite smile but at the same time not intruding.
    “ Excellent service,” said Rachel, thinking even if they didn’t buy this place she’d still poach some of the staff.
    “ Thank you,” smiled Sid, pleased by her praise. In actual fact Rachel made him very nervous. He’d heard of her exploits and thought her a bit unnatural, despite how beautiful she was, how sweet her smile. In his mind she was the perfect partner for Ryan Law. They both scared the crap out of him.
    “ So, what do you think?” Ryan asked Rachel once they’d climbed back into the Range Rover.
    “ I think we shouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. There’s something weird going on. Sid was definitely jumpy.”
    “ I agree. Strang would probably expect us to ask around discreetly first, not approach Sid directly. There’s something odd about it all.”
    Rachel thought of Strang and Alex laughing together, the hurt returning.
    “Definitely but I think I know someone who can help us out,” she said.
    “ Who?”
    “ Dee. She loves poker, in fact she’s brilliant at it. Despite how clever you are, she’d kick your arse at it Mate.”
    He appeared amused. “I would love to test that theory. So you’re thinking of sending her in there to check it out?”
    She nodded. “Strang doesn’t know her and neither does Sid, she likes to go to the smaller, less pretentious clubs. I’m sure she’d be up for it if I gave her some stake money.”
    “ Give her a couple of grand, nothing flash but enough to justify her being there.”
    “ Knowing Dee she’ll come out with a lot more,” she grinned. “I’ll pop into Martina’s Bar tonight and put it to her.”
    “ I’m not sure I want you going there until The Slasher’s caught.”
    “ Those attacks were on the other side of the city and it’s Friday, he only attacks on a Saturday. I’ll be fine.” She planted a kiss on his lips when he pouted. “Tell you what, I’ll go in early, before it gets really busy. I’ll be back before ten, promise Sir.”
    His eyes flashed. “I like that. You can call me Sir more often,” he said, voice soft and seductive, making her tingle all over.
    “ Maybe I will, if you’re a good boy and let me go to club tonight with no argument.”
    “