Page 57 of Bully's Darkness
“Those fuckers,” hisses Smiler.
“It would’ve been around the time of our own little destruction job, which means at that point they didn’t know anything.”
“So, it wasn’t a retaliation for that,” Taz states. “Meaning they’re coming back at us daily, not bothering if we retaliate or not.”
“I need to see Liv. Check she’s okay for myself. I want you to get Whizz outta bed too and see what you can find out about tonight.”
“Pres, you can’t go out alone. He’ll be waiting,” says Taz firmly.
“I can’t not go and see my old lady,” I snap.
“It’s obvious they knew she was there. And it’s obvious your next move would be to rush to her side. A job you’d do alone, with no protection.” I think over his words. “Take Smiler. Go in the back. They’ll expect you to have your guard down, so they’ll be watching the front.”
I head over to the safe and put in the code then take out a set of keys and a new mobile phone. “I’m gonna try to send her to the safe house.”
Taz smirks. “Good luck with that.”
Getting around the back of Liv’s apartment block isn’t an easy task. We have to park the bikes three streets away and climb over fences, trailing through back gardens until we come to the six-foot wall. Smiler gives me a foot up. “I’ll wait out here, I’ll call if I see anything,” he mutters.
I tap on the service door, and the security opens it. I slip him the hundred Taz promised him when he called ahead to get me access.
Using the stairs to get to her apartment, I lightly tap on the door. When she doesn’t answer, I take out the key I had cut for emergencies like this and let myself in.
The first door I come to is already slightly ajar, and I peek in to see Bria sleeping soundly. I move to the next, carefully opening it and stepping inside. Liv is wearing one of my shirts, curled in a ball in the centre of the bed with her sheets screwed up at her feet. I smile, looking around the room at the girly décor. I remember her telling me about it when she came to visit me. She was so excited when she got this place.
I notice a card laying face down beside her phone, and I pick it up.
‘Mama, I hear you like white because red reminds you of blood. I’m sorry for losing it yesterday. It’s a tense time. Forgive me. D x’
I stare at the words. They don’t make sense, so I read them again slower. They burn a new kind of rage deep in my gut.Mama.He callsmyold lady ‘mama’. My jaw is tense as I read it a third time, each word slapping a little harder than before.Forgive him for what? This card implies he’s a lot fucking closer than she let on. How else would he know about her hatred for red roses? These are things I share with her, things only I shouldknow. Heat floods my chest. It’s not just anger burning away anymore but jealousy, sour and hot, threatening to bubble over and burn Liv if I don’t rein it in.
I drop the card on the side and pick up her mobile phone, taking it and heading back into the living room. I take a seat on the couch and open it.
The only messages in her phone are from him. And he’s not saved under Dagger or even Darren. D.Fucking D. Nicknames for one another like it’s a fucking love story.
I read through the first couple of him checking in on her. Another thanking her for meeting him and reiterating what he said on the card, that he’s sorry for losing it.
Then the ones from tonight. More urgent. More desperate.
D: Mama, are you okay? Just let me know you’re safe.
Within the same minute she replies.
Liv: I’m fine.
D: Did you talk to the police?
Liv: I’m not stupid.
D: You wouldn’t want to drop your old man in the shit.
I frown. He can’t be referring to himself, which means he’s blaming the gunfire onme.
Liv: It’s not that. I told you, I’m not getting involved in your war.
D: He could’ve killed you tonight, mama. Meet me.
Liv: I can’t. Bria is on one.
