Page 106 of Callous Shot

Not on my fucking watch.

We began ascending the stairs towards my mum and Neil. I waited until we were almost level with the group of thugs, and then I made my body go limp. I tripped up the steps, falling into the closest man and bringing the man holding me down with us both.

After that, it was a blur. I smashed my fist into the face of the closest thug, hearing the satisfying crunch as his nose broke. Neil and my mum made the most of my attempt at a distraction, both going for two of the other thugs. I focused on the guy who’d been manhandling me, who was now staggering to his feet. Spinning and twisting, I got him in a headlock before taking him out, leaving him groaning in pain on the floor, and⁠—

A resounding crack brought everything to a screeching halt. The first thing I saw was Sid bursting into the rink, clotheslining one of the guards, and then Paula standing at the main entrance, holding a gun and smirking down at the guy she’d incapacitated.

“Of course she brought a gun, even though I specifically told her not to,” Neil muttered, resigned. He smashed his elbow into the face of the groaning thug attempting to reach for him, and then straightened up, rubbing his hands together. Above us, Stephen appeared at the top of the stands, stepping over an unconscious guard. He did a complicated sweeping hand movement, and Neil nodded in acknowledgement, his lips quirking. “Ah. Good. It seems as if everything’s going to plan. Now, where were we before this little interlude? Oh yes. Frank Culverhouse, back from the dead.”

“Neil Hoyton.” Frank spat. “You should have died alongside your brother.”

“As you can see, I’m still here, hale and hearty. Much as you seem to be, for someone who supposedly perished in a warehouse explosion.”

“Aye. Everything went to plan. As you can see, though, I didn’t escape unscathed.” Lifting his arm, his sleeve fell back, revealing severe burn scars travelling the length of his arm. “I’ve been biding my time, rebuilding my network brick by brick, and now the time has come to take my rightful place.”

“As a corpse?” I suggested.

“Behind bars,” Neil said at the same time. We exchanged glances, and I shrugged. As long as he paid for what he’d done, I was good.

“Unfortunately, that won’t be happening.” A slow smile spread across Culverhouse’s face. “I spent a long time preparing for all eventualities.” He made a show of looking at his watch. “Right about now, Harold Bellingham will be filing paperwork confirming the transfer of all your premises to Cartwright Limited.”

For a second, my heart stopped. Harold Bellingham. Lincoln.

“Forgeries,” my mum hissed. “You won’t get away with it.”

“I think I will, love.” His smile widened. “It’s time to end the Hoyton Firm’s reign and take what’s rightfully ours.”

I laughed, despite the chill of unease trickling down my spine. How fucking deluded was this man?

“That might be difficult,” Neil mused before lunging at Culverhouse, sending him smashing into a row of seats. They grappled with each other, sliding along the folded chairs and losing their balance before staggering to their feet. Neil twisted Culverhouse’s arms behind his back, dragging him over to the metal guardrail at the front of the section of seats, and I heard a click as handcuffs snapped into place.

All of Culverhouse’s fake bravado disappeared instantly. “Let me go!” He desperately cast around, trying to find an ally to free him, but too bad for him, all his minions were incapacitated.

My mum stepped up, standing tall and proud, and I fist-pumped the air.

“Go, Mum!”

Her arm shot out, backhanding him around the face, and his head jerked to the side as a scream of rage tore from his throat.

Her gaze flicked over him disdainfully. “Are you finally ready to face the consequences of your actions? That was for my husband, by the way.”

“Is that all you’ve got?” Culverhouse spat as he struggled to right himself. “Pathetic. I rigged the warehouse with explosives and sent your dear husband to his death, and all you can come up with is a little slap?”

I saw red. Sliding my brass knuckles on, I stormed over to him, drawing my fist back and punching him harder than I had ever punched anyone in my life. My entire body vibrated with the force, the jarring impact reverberating through my body, but it was worth it for the crack of his ribs and the scream of pain that rent the air.

Shallow, stuttered gasps came from him, and I idly wondered if I’d punctured a lung. “Neil? Might wanna get the doctor back. Just in case.”

Neil shook his head, shooting me a fond look. “Already on it. Now, where were we…? Rachel, Dan, you’ve both had your turn. I guess that means it’s time for me to have a go.” He made a point of straightening up, cracking his back with a deep, satisfied sigh, and then stretched his arms out and cracked his knuckles pointedly. “Brace yourself.”

“Oh, wait.” I dug around in my pocket, pulling out the bone-shaped chew toy. “Here ya go, Culvers. Bite down on this. It’ll help with the pain.” Jamming it in his mouth, I stepped back just in time for Neil to slam his booted foot down on Culverhouse’s polished loafer before delivering a vicious uppercut to his jaw. The toy squeaked loudly as Culverhouse reeled back, and I laughed to myself.

Neil caught my eye, and although he was in badass crime boss mode, amusement was clear in his gaze. It faded quickly, though, and he shot me a warning look.

Okay, okay. I could take a hint. It was time to be fearsome. Fun times were over.

Stepping back in front of Culverhouse, I ripped the toy from his mouth and threw it to the floor, grimacing at the abundance of saliva now coating it. Disgusting.

“Well, this has been fun. Nah, actually, that’s a lie. Can’t wait to see you rotting in prison.” I saluted him.