Hunted by Heather Atkinson Page B

he couldn’t believe his luck. In Joel’s experience if something seemed too good to be true then it probably was but he wasn’t about to dismiss the man so easily. “Go on.”
    “Here’s not the place to discuss it. Contact me when you get out of here.” He tossed a business card onto the bed beside him. “I look forward to your call.”
    Joel watched the big man swagger away, drawing admiring glances from the scary nurses. He picked up the card and frowned. On it was printed a mobile phone number but nothing else. Joel didn’t need anymore details. It was Jared Slattery, he was sure of it. Normally Joel would have baulked at the prospect of getting into bed with a southerner but he was his only shot at getting revenge on the Maguires and he would take it gratefully.
     
    “You look better today,” said Mikey when Jules walked into his office. “Calmed down?”
    “I’m fine. I told you it was just a nicotine deficiency.” It had been a relief when she’d woken up feeling much calmer than she had the day before. Hopefully Mikey would think it was just a one off.
    “I’m glad because Mark will be here in a few minutes.” She was standing beside him, her musky perfume overlaid with cigarette smoke wafting over him. He didn’t know how such a mixture could be alluring but it was to him. “Stand over there,” he said, pointing to the far corner of the room, needing her away from him or he wouldn’t be able to concentrate.
    “Have I been naughty?” she said saucily.
    “No, I just don’t want Mark thinking we’re crowding him,” he snapped back.
    She held up her hands. “Fine,” she said, retreating to the spot he’d indicated. “Don’t wind yourself up, Mark will detect it and it’ll make him nervous.”
    “I know that,” he barked. How could he be so attracted to someone who got on his tits so much? Maybe that was part of it, attraction and anger all rolled up together. It was an explosive mix.
    “What happened to your knuckles?” she said, nodding at the small cuts there.
    “Me and Jez had a word with the Starklaw brothers after they attacked him outside the MMA arena.”
    “Are they alive?”
    “Yes but they’re currently enjoying the best care the NHS has to offer.”
    It took Jules a lot not to laugh out loud. She’d arranged that attack on Jez. The man she’d hired to do it had been instructed not to actually hurt him, he’d just made sure Jez thought he was going to so she could jump in and play the heroine. It had worked and she’d gone up in Jez and Mikey’s estimation. The fact they’d thought the Starklaws had been responsible had been a bonus, she hated the annoying little tossers.
    Mikey frowned up at Jules. She had that odd look again and he was glad when there was a knock at the door and Mark was escorted in by Grant.
    “Glad you could make it Mark,” said Mikey, getting to his feet to shake his hand. Grant closed the door, leaving the three of them to talk in private.
    “Good to see you again,” said Jules, from behind Mikey, making no move to shake his hand. Mikey had instructed her beforehand to ditch her trademark black leather biker jacket so she stood there in just a sleeveless black vest and jeans to show Mark she carried no weapons, especially her knives.
    “And you,” said Mark.
    Jules gave him a flirtatious smile, which he returned.
    Mark turned to Mikey and smoothed his expression out into an emotionless mask. “So, what’s the offer?” he said, straight to the point, as usual.
    “Please sit and I’ll explain. Drink?”
    “No thank you.”
    Mark listened with interest as Mikey outlined what his duties would be, which mainly included bodyguarding, ensuring the security of the compound and removing anyone who got in Mikey’s way, which was pretty much what Mark had been expecting. The salary however was more surprising.
    “Trying to buy my loyalty, are you?” said Mark as he stared at all the zeros Mikey had written down.
    “I’d rather earn