Dangerous Lady by Martina Cole Read Free Book Online Page B

what I mean. But, the only thing left to do is to get them married. I hope you will change your attitude, soften towards them?’ His voice was now redolent with an underlying threat that was not wasted on James Grierson. Michael Ryan was offering him a face saver and he knew it. He was being told in no uncertain terms that he could come out of all this as the loving, caring father who would do anything to keep his daughter’s reputation; who welcomed her choice of husband with open arms; who would not bow down in the face of adversity, but would rise up and conquer it.
    For the first time in his life James Grierson felt a’ grudging respect for a Ryan. He knew he was being manipulated but, he asked himself, what was the alternative? He had heard stories about Michael Ryan. That he was as queer as a nine-bob note. That he had taken over Joe the Fish’s businesses and made a name for himself among the villains. At nineteen Michael Ryan was already becoming a neighbourhood legend. ‘Cruel but fair’ was the local opinion. Could he really let his only child become a part of this family? Even as the question formed in his mind he knew it was useless. If he went against this young man sitting opposite him, he would in effect dig his own grave. The course was already set. Janine was marrying Roy Ryan whether he liked it or not. What he had to do now was stretch out and take the hand of friendship being offered to him. He sighed heavily and his voice came out in a nervous croak.
    ‘You’re right, of course. If they really care for one another …’
    He swallowed deeply as Michael Ryan took his hand and shook it, the animal strength of the handshake
     
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    reminding him acutely of exactly what he had done. His lovely Janine had brought him this low, had brought Michael Ryan into his home. He could have wept. Three weeks later, on the first Saturday of July, James Grierson gave away his only daughter to Roy Ryan. It wasn’t until after the reception, once home in his bed that he finally gave way to the tears that had been building up inside him since Michael’s visit. He felt he had taken his only child like a lamb to the slaughter. It would be twenty years before he discovered how right he had been.

Chapter Four
    1957
    Michael was fuming, his blue eyes dark with anger. He
    rubbed one hand across his face and stared stonily at Joe.
    ‘Look, Michael, you had no right to borrow any money behind my back. This is my business.’ Joe the Fish pushed a pudgy finger into his chest.
    Making a fist Michael smashed it down on the desk in front of him, causing their empty coffee cups to rattle in their saucers.
    ‘So it’s your business now, is it?’ Michael’s voice was bitter. ‘I suppose this is your office as well? Don’t let’s worry about the money I’ve brought in …’
    Joe sighed loudly. He interrupted Michael as if he was talking to a little child.
    ‘Oh, for Christ’s sake, Michael. No one’s disputing that you’ve done well. What’s annoyed me is the fact that you borrowed out five grand without even bothering to mention it to me.’ Joe’s voice was cajoling. In his heart he was frightened of Michael, frightened of his phenomenal temper. ‘Come on, son … try and see it from my Point of view.’
    Michael picked up his pack of Strands from the desk and li t one. He sat at the desk, his head hanging forward on his chest, taking quick drags on his cigarette. Joe was conscious that Michael’s hands were shaking. He knew he was trying to calm himself down.
    Joe sat in the chair opposite and placed his elbows on the desk. Michael was such a difficult boy. He gravitated from extreme happiness to a difficult and dangerous depression in the space of seconds. Normally Joe would have let Michael have his head, he was a good businessman, but this latest flouting of the rules had angered him. He had loaned five thousand pounds to Phillip Wreck, one of the most notorious villains in Paddington, and in Joe’s