Page 113 of 5+Us Makes Seven

They walked into the kitchen, Conall and the other white guy taking two chairs and leaning back like they owned the place. The guy with dreads perched himself on the side, arms crossed.

Conall rudely put his dirty boots on my dining table, sighing as he shook his head at me.

“Now I’m gonna ask you something. You better tell me the fucking truth, or you’ll be in trouble.” He looked at his two henchmen in turn, nodding at them.

“One of my guys was in your bar the other day, minding his own business. Having a few beers.” Conall gestured thoughtfully with his hand, feigning a faraway expression.

“This friend of mine told me you been chatting to cops. One of them was a detective. Did you tell them anything about me? Did you say a fucking word to them about me? Us?” He leaned forward aggressively.

“No, Conall. We were just chatting. I told you I wouldn’t say anything, and I mean it.” I crossed my arms, waiting for the accusation that was bound to follow. Conall had already made his mind up what he was going to do, what he was going to say. All I could do was protest my innocence.

I continued anyway. “Only one of the guys was a cop. And that was my old friend Lucas, my friend’s cousin. We talk fairly often, and never about you. I swear.”

Conall was shaking his head. “Thing is, the other guy you spoke to was a detective. The one that took down my fucking uncles. Forced me into hiding.”

“Oh, him?” I feigned ignorance. “I just thought he was Lucas’s friend. Didn’t realise he was a detective.” I frowned thoughtfully.

“I won’t speak to him again, if that will make you happy. He wasn

’t asking about you or anything, anyhow. Just wanted some drinks is all.” I waited with breath held.

“You better be telling me the truth. ‘Cause if you ain’t, me and my boys here will come back. And we won't be so nice,” Conall spat. The guy with the gold teeth was grinning, teeth flashing under the light above him. His piggish eyes one my body, roving from my hips to my breasts. I felt sick.

“The cops ain't got shit on me yet. If they did, I’d fucking know about it. So, if they start sniffing around, I know who’s to blame. And I better not catch you chatting to your detective friend again,” he said, wagging a finger at me. He straightened, and his mean expression started to fade.

“I hope you like what I brought you before. I got some more for you,” he said, smiling. He took out another bag of meth. Larger than the last time.

“Conall, I…”

“Don’t fucking Conall me. This isn’t open for debate. I’m giving you a gift, and you’ll accept it. OK?”

“I don’t want it Conall. I don’t need it anymore,” I whispered, fear creeping into my chest.

Conall rose to the door, blocking it. He gestured towards his goon with dreadlocks.

“Teach her a lesson,” he growled, in a low, mean voice.

The guy with dreadlocks eyes widened as he looked to me, then back at Conall.

“I’m not gonna be hitting no woman, Conall. I do anything you say bruddah, hit any man you want. But not…”

“I don’t fucking care. Shut up.” He looked over to the other of his henchman.

“Goldie. You’re up.”

The guy rose slowly, swaggering towards me. Smirking meanly. He rolled his shoulders as he approached, swinging his arms from left to right.

Pain exploded as his fist lashed out and struck me on the left cheek, just below the eye. I staggered back, crying out as I held my face.

“Fucking hell, Goldie. I meant a slap, you goddamn animal.” Conall was smiling nonetheless. Goldie shrugged nonchalantly as he leaned down, his breath acrid with the smell of cigarettes and stale alcohol as he spoke in my ear.

“You don’t do what Conall says, you’ll be getting more than my fist next time. A lot more, sweetheart.” I was sickened by his repulsive presence so close to mine. I cowered away from him, into the corner of the kitchen.

“That's enough, Goldie. Let’s go.” I saw Conall leave the room, his two goons following him out.

“Oh, enjoy the meth. It’ll help with the pain!” Conall shouted, laughing as the three left. I heard the front door slam, and the house was suddenly quiet. Filled with merciful silence.

I shuddered with emotions of fear, shame, but mostly anger.