Page 45 of Parker
Chapter thirty-six
Govan Shipyards, Glasgow
Joel
The warehouse is a hive of conversation.
All the Parker men have congregated for an emergency meeting.
Drayton, who seemed to be a small inconvenience, has been popping up and causing problems more regularly than I like.
Normally, when a man breaks away, they have a few misguided attempts at overthrowing us, then give up or are taken out.
But Drayton is gaining speed. More of my men are injured, and more of our operations are interrupted as the weeks pass.
Last week, his men crashed one of the clubs and aggravated the patrons.
He’s growing in numbers and strength, his path forward needs to be stopped – now – before he does real damage.
I stand in the center of the warehouse, on top of a pickup, with my men all circled around me. Men with weapons guard every door and the road to the deserted building. I raise my arms. They all fall silent.
“Men,” I bellow. “Jacob Drayton remains at large. He’s actively recruiting, and a direct threat to us all.
All our premises have been instructed not to permit entry to him or any of his known associates.
If any of you in this hall are moving to Drayton’s mob, go now.
If you’re found to be conspiring with him after five minutes have passed, then you will meet a watery grave. ”
I scan the room, looking for guilty faces.
“If you want to switch sides, fuck off. We won’t attack or shoot until the next time we lay eyes on you.”
Cooke moves, then hesitates, his focus on the door. Boyd sees it as I do. I know his life will end tonight. He will walk out of this warehouse, but never through his front door. Boyd’s nod to me seals the man’s fate.
“Boss,” a heavy-set member at the front with rows of tattoos shouts. “Do we know what he wants?”
“Power,” I reply, simply. “Drayton wants what every man wants. Control. Power. To direct a team. Be the most feared man in Glasgow. But we will not allow him that. Parkers will remain on top. Those not with us are enemies.”
A murmur of agreement bubbles under the surface. No one leaves. No one would be brave enough, even if they wanted to.
“Boyd will distribute your specific instructions. Protect the family and our dependents. Thank you all for your loyalty.”
***
Nicky
“You’ll not get away with long floaty tops and dresses much longer. I’m surprised you’ve hidden it this long,” Sophie says with a smirk. I stare down at my six-month pregnant belly.
Every day I get rounder. My boobs get bigger. I spend my days waiting for Joel to burst through the door and demand to know who the father is.
I still haven’t decided what I’m going to say to him.
“Perhaps they’ve stopped watching you?” Sophie suggests, and I roll my eyes. She giggles. “Yes, stupid suggestion on my part. But seriously, Nicky, he’s going to find out soon, and you need to decide what you’re going to tell him.”
“I know. It’s not much of a choice, though, is it? If I tell him the baby is someone else’s, he’ll want to hunt them down and throw them in the river. If I tell him that the baby is his…”
I twist a curl between my fingers.
“My baby will be a member of one of the most powerful families in Glasgow. With that come expectations and responsibilities. Joel didn’t want them as a young man. He’s had to mold himself into who he is now. The man I met didn’t have that hard exterior all those years ago. That’s developed.”
And what if that hardness is all that’s left?
“Did you find out the sex?” she asks. I nod. “I’m going to guess it’s a boy after the little speech you just gave. I assume he’d be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps.”
The dam bursts, and tears stream down my face. She runs to me, almost tripping over a roll of fabric in the process.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she says, sounding taken aback by my emotion. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You’re right. I’m terrified at what being Joel’s son could mean for my little boy. Bodyguards? Guns? A life in the shadows?” Sophie passes me a tissue, and I wipe at my eyes. “Do I want that for my son?”
I’ve seen what Joel’s men can do. Pictures of men with blood running down their faces sent to him late at night. Those images were not intended for my eyes. But I saw them.
“No one would blame you for being scared.” She rubs my arm with her hand in comfort. “But we need to be prepared to answer his questions. You know they’ll come as soon as he’s told about that.” She signals at my swollen belly. “And that won’t be long.”
June in Glasgow this year has been exceptionally warm.
Deciding my comfort is more important than Joel’s sanity, I slip into a fitted summer dress which displays my growing bump.
Walking out of my flat, I march toward the underground, hoping to make it to work before he appears.
I don’t think anyone follows me daily now, but I can’t be sure.
As I stand on the platform waiting to board the train, a huge man blocks my view by stepping in front of me.
Another stands behind, making me feel enclosed.
They’re both wearing dark denim and leather jackets, which is odd on a day like today.
The stench of sweat from them strong. But you see all sorts on the underground, so I think nothing more than what a rude pair of jerks they are.
Placing my hand over my handbag zipper to be sure it’s not a ruse, we all pile on. I’m bumped from side to side by people coming and going. Thank God the journey only takes eight minutes, then I have a short walk to the shop. My eyes fly around as I make my journey to work.
Still no Joel. No Boyd. No familiar shadows. Just them.
Eventually, I arrive at my destination unscathed. Sophie has the day off to attend an appointment. She said she may stop by later for lunch. Hopefully, she’ll appear earlier. I hate opening the shop alone.
After unlocking the front door, I lock it again behind me.
We don’t open until ten, and I find ensuring people can’t just walk in helps me focus on my daily tasks.
In the sewing room at the rear of the shop, I’m busy reattaching trim to a shirt for the second time.
The customer changed the color halfway through the process.
I exhale, settling into my routine. Just me and my fabric. Then a knock at the rear door comes…
Reluctantly, I leave my seat.
I push down the huge metal bar to open it; it swings away from me. The two immense men from the train stare back with a white van parked behind them in the alley.
“Can I help you?” My mind processes the situation, and I move to re-close the door. One man puts his hand on my wrist.
“Mr. Drayton has requested your presence,” he says with a sneer. “Come easily, or we’ll drag you.” My jaw drops open. He sniggers. The other man, slightly shorter than the first and with a long russet beard, prods his mate on the arm.
“Look,” he says, pointing at my belly. “She’s breeding. Did Drayton tell you that?” They both shake their heads. “Is it that bastard Parker’s? Drayton’s going to love dangling this over him. A baby is even better than you.” His focus returns to my belly.
“No,” I stammer, as all the pieces of the puzzle click into place. “It was a one-night stand.”
“With who?”
“I don’t know his name.”
“No matter. He’s probably dead anyway if Joel Parker found out he’s had his cock in you. Quite possessive, your ex, isn’t he? I tailed you for a while in the beginning. Before I jumped ship.”
A scream claws at my throat but doesn’t make it out. Where’s my phone? My eyes flick down. Sophie. Boyd. Anyone—please. But I’m outnumbered. Outpowered. My baby comes first. I can’t take the risk. I place a hand protectively over my belly. It’s my job to keep him safe.
“Shut the fuck up,” the other man barks. “You grab that arm. Let’s get her in the van. Don’t make a sound, Mrs., or I’ll gag you.”
***
Joel
“Nicky’s missing,” Sophie chokes out.
She burst into Parker Fashion moments ago, screaming into the intercom that she needed to speak to me.
“She got to the shop this morning but hasn’t opened up. When I arrived at lunchtime, the rear door was open. Her bag is there, but she’s gone.”
“Lifting my phone, I dial Boyd’s number. He answers on one ring. “Boyd, have we had eyes on Nicky today?”
“Not today.” He pauses. “Her station pass pinged. Nothing since.”
My heart pounds against my ribs as panic sets in. I don’t need his shit today.
“She’s disappeared from the shop sometime this morning.” He listens intently. “Sophie got there at lunchtime. Nicky hadn’t reopened the front door.”
“I’m on it.” Boyd disconnects the call.
I place my phone back on my desk. Sophie swallows as if bracing herself for bad news. Her fingers twist together, visible sweat is on her palms.
“Joel, there’s something else you need to know.”
My gut tightens. I already know this isn’t good news. I widen my eyes, signaling for her to get on with it.
“Nicky’s six months pregnant with your baby.”
Everything short-circuits. I can only gawk.
“What the fuck did you say?” She squares her shoulders, sticking her chin out defiantly.
“You heard me. The little goodbye fuck you had at Christmastime has had permanent consequences. Your little boy is growing in her belly. She’s due in September.”
“I’m going to be a father. I have a son. And no fucker told me,” I splutter. How the fuck did I miss this? I’ve been too wrapped up in my own shit to notice.
Grabbing for my phone again, Boyd answers immediately.
“Boyd, she’s pregnant. Find her now. Please.” My voice breaks as the enormity of the situation sinks in.
This baby is a miracle, and now we don’t know where he or his mother is. But most likely, they’re in the hands of one of my enemies. And I’m going to kill him.