‘So, we can’t cancel?’ I think I’m going to cry. Does this mean they’ll track Luke to England? Hank Junior is so intimidating and yet all he is doing is standing a few feet away, talking. He has such a powerful aura. He has a real hardness to him that wasn’t there before. Maybe Liberty has had a lucky escape.
He shakes his head. He’s standing, legs wide apart, arms folded. A solid mass of man. With a bored sigh, he says loudly, ‘A deal’s a deal. I’ll be seeing y’all later.’ It sounds more like a threat.
No, no, no, this isn’t happening!
Holding my breath, I watch him walk confidently away. My legs are wobbling, barely able to hold me up. I reach for the nearest table to rest on and sag into an empty booth.
Fuck.
25
I’m hyperventilating, hunched up in the booth. What do I do? I haven’t had a proper full-on panic attack for years, but I recognise the signs immediately. My skin feels cold and sweaty. I wipe at my brow, gasping to control my breath. I grab the sides of the table and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to control the inner turmoil.
‘You okay, Big Guy?’
My eyes snap open. It’s Big Sue.
‘Thank God!’ I cry, putting a hand to my chest to help get the words out. ‘It’s him. He’s back. He found me.’
Quick as lightning, Big Sue slides in beside me. ‘Who’s back? Luke?’
I shake my head. ‘Hank Junior.’
Her face drops. ‘What did he say? Did you tell him to cancel the job?’
‘Yes, but he said it’s too late.’ I panic. ‘What does that even mean?’
‘Tell me everything that happened.’
‘I think he’s angry that Liberty stood him up. He said something like payment had already been made therefore there was no backing out of the deal.’ The words are tumbling out of my dry mouth. ‘And he looked really mean. And he had two bodyguards. And he was standing with his legs too far apart and…’
‘Stick to the relevant details, babe. Did he mention’ – she lowers her voice – ‘Luke?’
I rack my brains. What did I say? What did he say? Where’s Cherry and her memory when you need her? ‘He just said it was too late to cancel.’
‘Does that mean too late because he’s already “taken care” of him?’
Fucking hell. Poor Luke.
‘Have you tried ringing him?’
I shake my head. ‘Ged said that Matteo told him he made sure Luke got away safely. He should be in the air by now. Oh God. What if there’s a killer on the plane? We’ll not know if he ever made it until he lands. And even then…’ I trail off, clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides to stop my mind spiralling with terror.
Big Sue’s thumbs are whizzing over her phone. ‘I’m messaging the group. We need an emergency meeting. Now.’
‘It’s no use. Everyone is off doing other things. I’m on my own for the birthday bash. It’s going to be a disaster. Nancy is going to kill us. Ged and Liam won’t step in because of Celinemust-seeDion.’
‘Breathe, hun,’ she says softly, taking off her Barbie ponytail and rooting around in her bag. She pulls out a small hairbrush. ‘Can you quickly brush the tats out of that for me please?’
This is absolutely not the time for caring how we look.
‘Please. While I get the troops together. And try not to blame Celine. She’s had a tough few years, babe. Namaste and all that.’
‘Okay,’ I say, taking the wig and hairbrush from her. I stare numbly at my phone, lying on the table in front of me, while I gently stroke tats out of her wig. The rhythmic action is oddly soothing, and the shine on the white-blonde synthetic material is very satisfying. Big Sue has messaged that the eagle has landed. Code red. Usual rendezvous point. How is anyone supposed to know what the heck she means? They’ll never reply anyway. Too busy living their best lives while I sit here frozen with panic, brushing a wig.
Ping. Big Mand is on her way.
Ping. Liberty is on her way.
