Head On (Strength And Love)(39)

I’ve made a coffee, when my phone beeps. My stomach does a somersault and I grip onto my mug for dear life, in case I let go and send it crashing to the floor. I’m expecting it to be a message from Ethan, probably telling me to fuck off or something, but Uncle Dave’s face pops up in my message bar. I sigh and swipe to open it.



Isla,

I’ve heard from a friend of mine that the Ann you’re friends with is Ann Kilbride and you’re hanging around with her brother, Ethan. He’s bad news. You need to call me, please. I’m calling your father, he needs to know what’s going on. You’re in danger. Ethan Foston is a killer.

The text ends abruptly and I roll my eyes. I already know that. He’s told me all about the army…navy. Another beep and more text appears.

I’ve looked into him, he was a sniper in the SBS. He and some other sailors were involved in something very nasty in Afghanistan. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. He’s a cold hearted bastard, and he is into some very dodgy stuff, okay? Some say arms dealing. It’s how he got such a big house, and those fancy cars. Please, please don’t let him see this text, but call me as soon as you can.

Uncle Dave. X



He’s not called himself Uncle for ages, and I can feel the worry screaming from his words on the page. Worry that has now infected me. What the hell is Ethan up to, and what did he do in Afghanistan? I saw the way he punched that guy. Okay, the man slapped my arse, but Ethan winded him, and looked about ready to murder him. I feel sick. Only two hours ago, I wouldn’t have believed Uncle Dave’s texts, but now I do. I’ve seen those guns. I’ve also seen with my own eyes what a lying bastard Ethan is. My heart aches and I want to curl up in a ball and cry, but I can’t. Dave’s going to call my dad and I don’t want to let that happen.

I go to the landline and pick it up, calling Dave as soon as I hear the ring tone.

“Christ, Isla, thank God. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Dave. Have you called Dad yet?”

“No, just about to.” His voice is shaking. He sounds terrible, and I wonder if I’ve got him wrong, thinking he’s been looking at me lustfully. I’m clearly an awful judge of character, which is what having a deeply loving, but seriously overprotective father will do for you. I’ve never put myself out there in the world, and it’s obvious I don’t know how to spot the sharks.

“Where are you? Ethan isn’t near, is he?”

“I’m at home.”

He lets out a long breath. “Okay. That’s good. I’m coming over. I’ll call your dad and let him know you’re okay. Do you think we should tell him now or when he comes back?”

“When he comes back. He’ll be worried, Dave, and I’m alright.” I’m not, I’m shaking where I stand, but I keep my voice calm. “I’m okay, honestly. I need to go have a lie down though. I’ve got a headache.”

“Isla. Listen to me.” Dave sounds as serious as I’ve ever heard him. “You’re in danger, and I need to come and see you to show you something about Ethan. I’ll be there in half an hour. Don’t answer the phone to him or his sister.”

He hangs up before I can say anything else. Oh, God. Marvellous. All I want to do is crawl into bed and hide for a month, and now Dave’s on his way here.





Chapter Nineteen



Ethan



I feel great as I pull up outside the house. I’ve sorted a new job. And Luka and Liam have made headway with Rick Smythe. The little shit is behind hiring me, but it gets way worse. So is Isla’s father’s business partner, Dave Dunn. The fucker. I’m glad I didn’t let on to anyone she was still here. I don’t like lying to Selina, even stringing her along by pretending I’ve no interest in Isla, but until this is sorted, Isla’s in danger. Dave’s a bit of a man about town, or so the twat thinks. Balding, in his late forties, and a real sleaze, he thinks he’s special because he’s got some cash to flash.

Climbing out of the car and heading to the door, I grin when I try it and find it locked. Good girl, she kept locked up. I put my key in and head inside, calling out to Isla. My two run up to me and I wonder where Sadie is.

“Isla?” I hope she hasn’t taken Sadie out. I doubt Dave knows she’s here. But she gave her father Ann’s full name, meaning it’s not as safe as I’d hoped.

Halfway into the room, I toss my keys on the table, look up, and my blood runs cold. There’s a picture of Isla, two pictures of Isla, next to one of Selina. all stuck to the wall. The first of Isla is her doing that selfie pouting thing at the camera. The second is her doing the same, but with a scowl and her middle finger front and centre. What the fuck? She looks stunning with the pillar box red lipstick all over her blowjob lips, but I drag my mind from that thought, because…what the fuck?

The picture of Selina has something taped to the bottom of it, and I go over to look at it. As I do, my eyes keep returning to the giant lettering scrawled all over my expensive paint job on the wall.

You lying filthy bastard. Rot in hell. Love, Isla xxx

I’m fucking shaking. I’m that angry at her. Stupid little girl. She’s clearly run off, and she’s no idea of what danger she’s possibly put herself in. Up close to the picture of Selina, I see what she’s pinned to it. My message stringing Selina along, and telling her I’ll see her again soon. Which means that sweet and innocent little Isla has been snooping.