Shattered (Dividing Line #5) by Heather Atkinson Read Free Book Online

what happened to Mum my fault?”
    Ryan was stunned. “No. Why would you think that?”
    “Because I shouted at Uncle Alex at Grandma Martina’s funeral. Did I make him angry?”
    “This is not your fault Cupcake. I don’t want you thinking like that. This is Uncle Alex’s fault because he’s greedy and selfish.”
    “He told me his brother is my real dad but he’s not. I hate Danny. I heard Granddad telling Grandma that Mum keeps getting hurt because she was married to him.”
    “Leah, you mustn’t talk like that about Danny. He loved you and your mum and if he was alive he wouldn’t let his brother hurt her.” It was easier for him to stick up for Danny after what Rachel had told him. She’d always loved him, even when she’d been married to Danny, so now he could be generous when it came to his memory.
    “You’re my only dad.”
    “And you’re my daughter and I love you so much but don’t think of Danny like that. You must respect his memory Sweetheart.”
    “Okay,” she replied grudgingly.
    “If it wasn’t for him you wouldn’t be here. I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me you.”
    “I suppose. Oh Ethan what are you saying?” Ryan could hear his son babbling excitedly in the background and Leah sighed. “He wants to talk to you Dad.”
    “Okay, put him on. Hello big man,” he smiled in response to the boy’s babble.
    Ethan talked energetically about the swimming pool before saying goodbye then Leah came back on the line. Ryan thought it a blessing his boys were having a good time, blissfully unaware of this mess.
    “I’ve got to go Dad, Grandma’s taking us shopping.”
    “Have fun. Are the bodyguards going with you?”
    “Yes. They’re almost as big as Battler and Bruiser.”
    “Are they okay?”
    “Yeah, they’re fun. Fletch has two sons so he’s good with the boys. Uncle Alex won’t come here, will he?”
    “No chance. He’s been hurt too.”
    “Did you hurt him?”
    “No. Someone else did.”
    “I hope he dies.”
    Ryan knew he should tell her it was wrong to wish death on another human being but in this case it would only be patronising. He was sure she realised her own dad was intent on killing her uncle, so he decided it would be best not to comment at all. “I’ll let you go shopping then Cupcake. I’ve got to get back to your mum anyway.”
    “Can I talk to her when she’s well enough?”
    “Course you can. I’ll get her to call you.”
    “Alright. I love you Dad.”
    “I love you too Sweetheart.”
    He didn’t hang up until she did then he remained where he was, attempting to compose himself. Next he rang Leah’s school and spoke to the headmistress. She’d already heard about Rachel’s abduction, it was all over the news after all. Thank God they’d managed to contain the situation so everyone thought she’d been kidnapped for a ransom because they were a wealthy family. The headmistress listened sympathetically as he explained that Leah would be out of school for a while for her own protection because the ringleader hadn’t been caught yet. As it was exceptional circumstances she said they would allow Leah the time off and Ryan promised he would arrange a private tutor so she could catch up on the work she was going to miss. Fortunately the boys were in nursery so they could be kept off as long as was necessary.
    Just as he concluded the call a tall blond woman entered the room.
    “Am I disturbing?” she said.
    “No, you can come in,” he replied.
    She shut the door and took a seat opposite him. “Are you visiting someone?” Katia had been practising her clipped English accent, which was as refined as the man’s sat opposite her. Not a trace of her native accent remained.
    “My wife,” he replied more to himself than her.
    Katia was getting annoyed. He didn’t seemed to be paying her any attention and she was used to men falling at her feet. “Is she very ill?” she said in an attempt to keep him engaged.
    “Yes but she’ll