For Your Own Protection by Paul Pilkington

Author:Paul Pilkington [Pilkington, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
ISBN: 9781542048125
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2017-09-27T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The room was at the top of a dark wooden staircase. Overlooking the high street, it contained a round wooden table with eight chairs around it. The air smelled of stale smoke, and the deep bass was thumping through the floor from below.

‘This is where the games are played,’ Harvey explained. ‘Poker mostly.’

Matt moved over to the large window that spanned the length of the room. He leaned against the windowsill, and gazed down at the peeling white paint that came off on his fingers as he tried to steady himself. Just a few short hours ago, he had been dining in one of the most exclusive restaurants in London, and now here he was, drugs in his pocket and a victim of assault.

What the hell am I doing here?

‘You wanna drink?’

Matt was still lost in thought.

Harvey moved across to him. ‘Hey, Matt, you okay?’

Matt clawed at his neck as he flashed back to the cold, razor-sharp blade tracing along his skin. ‘Just a bit shaken. What would he have done if you hadn’t come along?’

‘I think he was just tryin’ to scare you.’

‘He succeeded.’

‘Tyrone is an idiot. Still can’t believe he’s datin’ my sister. But Rochelle has always liked bad boys.’

Matt couldn’t help but see the irony. ‘Have you fought with him before?’

‘Loads of times. I can’t see us makin’ peace anytime soon, if he goes round threatenin’ my friends.’

That word. Friends. Did Harvey really see Matt and him as friends?

‘Rochelle seems like a nice girl.’

‘She’s nice, but she’s sometimes her own worst enemy. See, tonight, like, I know what happened. Rochelle came on to you, started flirtin’, usin’ those hips, gettin’ in close on the dance floor. Am I right?’

Matt flushed. ‘I didn’t do anything.’

‘I know that. Don’t worry, Matt, I’m not accusin’ you of nothin’. I know what happened, ’cos it’s happened before. Rochelle and Tyrone. They have one hot relationship, man. They fight a lot. He tries to control her, and she rebels.’

‘So she was trying to make Tyrone jealous?’

‘Her way of makin’ a point.’ Harvey set down two tumblers and filled them about three fingers deep with whisky. ‘Get that down you. Help you get over the shock, bruv. I promise it’ll do the trick.’

Matt took a sip. It was good stuff, warming the length of his throat like honeyed molten lava.

‘So, what d’you think of the club?’ Harvey asked, pulling out a chair and sliding into the seat. Matt joined him at the table.

‘It’s a great place.’

‘My uncle owns it.’

That explained how Harvey had been able to commandeer the upstairs room without any question.

‘Yeah, my Uncle Robert, he’s one cool guy. He’s actually more like a dad to me. When my real dad ran out, he did a lot for us. And he’s always supported me. I’ll have to introduce you to him some day. He’s on holiday right now. I can introduce you to his daughter though, my cousin. She works here, and she’s on tonight.’

‘Harmony?’

‘You already met? I did text her to look out for you.

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