‘Now, there’s the Jamie I know and love.’
Jamie chastised himself. He couldn’t allow Gregg to draw him back into a world he hated. Aggression, crime, emptiness.
‘Hang on,’ added Gregg, chuckling. ‘Married her, did you? Well, there’s a turn up. Does she know about all those women you slept with while she was hanging around here with your granny?’
Jamie unclenched his fists, trying so hard not to take the bait. ‘There were no women.’
‘Yeah, but she doesn’t know that.’
‘So that’s your plan, is it? You’re trying to blackmail me by using lies.’
Gregg shrugged. ‘Just helping my little bro.’
‘Perhaps prison will help him. It certainly changed me.’
Gregg narrowed his eyes. ‘I don’t want him going inside.’
‘And I don’t want this being my business.’
‘Then do something to help.’
‘No.’
Gregg smiled. ‘Fine, then I’ll tell your missus a whole heap of crap, and we’ll just let that sit on her chest for a while. See what grows of those seeds.’
Jamie took a calming breath. ‘Why are you being so nasty? What did I ever do to you?’
‘He was always jealous of you,’ said Alice, standing in the doorway.
Jamie’s stomach flipped, and not in any good way. There was no telling what lies Gregg was about to say, and Alice might believe some. He didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t even think straight.
‘Hello, love.’ Gregg winked at Alice, but she just scowled at him. ‘Been there long?’
‘Long enough.’
Gregg sat on the table. ‘So you can see my dilemma?’
Alice shook her head. ‘No. All I see is a loser trying to get my husband into trouble.’
Gregg laughed. ‘Ooh, you look so tough, Dipple.’
‘It’s Stark. And, no, I’m not tough — I’m just not entertaining you. Neither of us are. So you, and your brother, can rot in hell for all I care. You’ll get no help here.’
‘And there was me thinking you so nice.’ Gregg’s smile changed to a smirk.
‘Get out of our home, and don’t come back. You’re not welcome here. Oh, and just so you know, you can make up a million lies about Jamie, I’d never believe you.’
‘That’s because he’s got you wrapped around his little finger, as always.’
Alice smiled. ‘Good. That’s exactly where I want to be. Now, if you don’t mind, we have a happy life to get on with. Good luck with your crappy one.’
Gregg’s nose wrinkled as he stepped towards her, but Jamie moved between them, daring him with his eyes to touch her.
Alice placed her hand on Jamie’s back. ‘Let’s just see him to the door.’
Jamie wasn’t about to take his eyes off Gregg, and Gregg wasn’t giving the impression he was going to leave anytime soon.
‘Get out,’ snapped Alice.
