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

get better.”
    “You’re lucky,” she said sadly.
    He realised how insensitive he was being. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude.”
    “It’s quite alright,” she replied. “You’re here for some peace and I’m disturbing. I’ve just been here alone for hours and I wanted someone to talk to. I don’t have any family in Manchester. Without my Mark I feel so lost.”
    “I know what you mean.”
    “When you’re in love you’re never quite whole without them, are you?”
    He just nodded, staring miserably at the floor.
    Katia was glad he was looking down because she experienced a vengeful fury, wanting to sink a knife into his neck or beat him over the head. This bastard was intent on murdering the man she loved. She would allow nothing to come between her and her future plans, not when she was so close to her ultimate goal. Alex’s marriage to Beth was over, she was as good as dead. All that stood in her way now was this man sat before her, off guard, unarmed. How easy it would be for her to slide a blade between his ribs while he was preoccupied. She recalled how he’d looked when he’d strode into that room in the brothel, the danger and power he’d exuded and thought if she tried such a direct attack she would come off worse and Alex would be furious. That’s if Ryan allowed her to live. This required subtlety and cunning and she had plenty of both.
    “You’re right,” he eventually said. “Look, I’m not being rude but I’m tired, I need some sleep.” He got to his feet. “It was nice meeting you…”
    “Leah.” She’d chosen this name specially. She’d done her research well.
    His eyes flickered with pain. “Leah.”
    “Maybe I’ll see you around? It would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
    “Maybe,” was all he replied before disappearing out the door.
    Katia smiled to herself. The first step had been taken and she determined it wouldn’t be the last he saw of her.
     
    “About fucking time,” said Frankie when Ryan entered Mikey’s old flat. “I’ve been going off my heid stuck in here. Let’s get to the hospital and pull Alex’s tubes out.”
    Mikey, Jez and Riley were already there, not looking too happy. Frankie had been ranting at them while they waited for Ryan to arrive.
    “Hold on Frankie, we need to discuss what we’re going to do,” said Ryan. “We can’t get to Alex while he’s in hospital, he’s too well guarded and I bet you don’t want to go to prison for him.”
    “Too fucking right I don’t, which is why I want him dead before the polis get anything out of him.”
    “You shouldn’t have taken Dom’s hand. Now the police know you’re in Manchester. DCI Taylor knows all about your business arrangement with Alex.”
    “How the fuck did that happen?” exploded Frankie.
    “I’ve no idea. Take it easy, he’s promised to keep it quiet, he’s on our side.”
    “I don’t want a fucking polis on my side, I hate polis,” he shouted petulantly.
    “He’s not any old polis, I mean police, he’s a bent one who’s been trapped in Alex’s pocket and desperately wants out.”
    “A desperate man is a dangerous one.”
    “True, so we prime him to explode and send him back into Alex’s camp. We must work every opportunity to our advantage.”
    “We’re not fucking doing anything when this is the perfect time to hit the prick hard and fast.”
    “If we do anything to him in the hospital then the police really will get involved. Thanks to Taylor they believe our story and they’re leaving us alone.”
    Frankie could see the sense of Ryan’s words but his temper was up and he needed to vent. So he continued to pace back and forth, spewing expletives. Ryan looked to the other three in exasperation, who all shook their heads.
    “Mikey, any luck finding Gavin Sugar?” Ryan asked him, interrupting Frankie’s tirade.
    “One of my men is watching him. He’s at The Wherry Tavern at the moment. He’ll let me know when he leaves.”
    “What are you