Page 5 of Lipstick Kiss

Luke didn’t think this happened any more in schools. What concerned him was that these kids weren’t hiding what they were doing.

“What does he owe you money for?”

“Protection.”

“For what?” Luke said, laughing.

“Not getting picked on.”

“By whom?”

“Ooohh, fancy,” one of the kids said. “Whom,” he sang.

“Shut it,” Luke said in a low tone, making the boy’s bottom lip tremble.

Turning his attention back to the ring leader, he said, “What will his money buy him?”

“Our protection.”

“So you want him to pay you to not beat him up, is that right?”

“Yeah,” he replied, proud of his racketeering.

“It’s half six in the morning. You’re dedicated. I’ll give you that.”

“Unless he’s at school, this is the only place we can get to him. Kenny does a paper round. He spends most of his time at home with his dad or at the Turner estate.”

“He’s earning money, and you’re stealing it? You’re a pathetic waste of space. Are you going to charge me too?”

“No, the protection is just for the kids at school.”

“All of them?”

“No, just the kids in the lower years.”

“What happens if they don’t pay?”

“They get a reminder with a boot and a fist to make payment,” the kid said, attempting to look mean but not entirely pulling it off.

“I think I need to teach you a lesson. It goes like this. If you threaten anyone else from this moment, I will come and pay you a visit and give you a lasting reminder with my boot and my fist. Are we clear?”

The leader wasn’t so brave looking at Luke.

“You know who I am?” Luke asked.

The boy shook his head.

“I’m Luke Turner. My aunt is on the board of governors for your school. You heard of Cynthia Turner?”

He nodded his head so fast that Luke thought it would rock off.

“Good. Hopefully, Cynthia Turner’s name alone will make you think twice the next time you want to use extortion as a means to earn money.”

Luke knew the kid didn’t understand what extortion meant, but he didn’t care. He’d had enough of keeping these kids in line. Instead, Luke wanted to get to his cottage, shower, and see Freya.

“Get lost,” he said to the kids, and they sped off like their arses were on fire.

Luke turned to Kenny, who hadn’t moved and was wide-eyed, looking at them disappearing.

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