One
ONE
HARLEY
Sixteen Years Old
Most of my life has been spent learning about my Da’s business. My father isn’t a good man, but then again, nobody who lives around here is. South Shields is rough. The coastal town, close to Newcastle, in North East England has seen better days.
When you’re raised in a world that’s dangerous, you very quickly learn to grow a thick skin. Fear isn’t something I know much about. My father’s the head of one of the most notorious criminal organisations in the North East, perhaps even further afield, but I haven’t been far enough away from this shitty little town to find out. The only other place I’ve been to is Newcastle, which is the closest big city.
As the daughter of an infamous gangster, I’ve been taught to fight back if anybody threatens me. The thing of it is, though, I’ve never had to fight, because everyone is scared of my father. They call him Scarface, but all he is to me is Da. When my mother died, just after my twelfth birthday, I closed myself off to everyone around me except him. He was the only one who understood just how much pain I was in. I’m still in.
The organisation does illegal shit, but my father has always tried to keep me out of it. He told me he doesn’t want me growing up in this life, but there’s nowhere else for me to go. I’m definitely not going to some fucking boarding school.
I don’t do posh.
I stare out at the water, where the ocean and the River Tyne meet. The coastline is picturesque, and I feel a sense of freedom standing on the outside edge of the country like this. I know there are many more towns along the coast, but this one is my favourite because this is the place I call home.
I’ve often wondered what it would be like to move to another town or even in a city, but each time the thought pops into my head, I realise I would be walking away from my father if I left. He’s already suffered enough, losing the love of his life.
Most people who work for him see the cold-hearted bastard they believe him to be. But I see him in a different light. I’m not oblivious to who he is or what he does, but I still can’t see him as a monster. He’s done the best he can for me over the years, playing Mam and Da to a girl who wanted to hide away from the world.
“Ley!” My name being called means my time watching the water is over. “Ley!”
“What?” I turn to see David, one of my father’s men, walking towards me. He’s only recently joined the fold , as Da likes to call it.
“Your father is looking for you. He needs you back at the house.”
There’s a posh lilt to the accent of the young man addressing me, and I wonder if he’s run away from home. Something tells me David hasn’t grown up in a rough neighbourhood, but then again, I’ve learnt you can’t judge a person by the way they speak or dress.
“Okay.” I sigh as I take one last look at the sea and inhale the scent of salt in the air. Turning, I follow him as he makes his way back to the car he came in. “I have my own transport,” I tell him, gesturing to the bicycle that Da bought me when I turned thirteen.
“I’ll put it in the back,” David responds without looking at me.
Most of the men, especially those closest to my age, have been warned to stay away from me. They know if they so much as attempt to chat me up, they’ll be answering to my father. Sadly, since no lad is going to take on the big and mighty Shaun Hunt, I’m pretty certain I’m going to die a virgin.
By the time we’re in the car, I’m tense wondering why my father has called for me. Maybe I’m in trouble. I do try to keep my head in my books and focus on my studies, but who knows what has Da wanting me back at the house. Unless there’s a new threat against him.
As the leader of a crime firm, there are always hits being taken out on him, and because I’m his daughter, I tend to get them directed at me, too. As much as I try to portray a strong-willed, hard exterior, I’m scared of dying. It’s a fear I’ve had ever since I’ve been old enough to understand who and what my father is.
I walk into the house and find it crowded with my father’s men. They’re all standing around the lounge and foyer with pints in hand. They don’t take note of me walking in. I’m mostly invisible to them.
On entering the dining room, I find my father sitting at the long table, and my feet stop dead in their tracks. With him are two lads I haven’t seen before. They look so similar, and I immediately conclude they’re twins. The only difference between them is that one of them is talking to my father while the other is staring straight at me.
The one watching me is making my heart thud wildly against my chest. He’s sitting with his hands resting on the table in front of him, his fingers entwined, and I note that they’re inked. His full lips are pursed, and those eyes pierce a hole right through me.
He doesn’t look out of place at all. There’s a confidence about him that has his shoulders squared and his face stoic. He looks like he belongs in this world.
The sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows casts colourful patterns on the marble floor, creating a pathway that leads directly to him. I want to smile, but I don’t because my father has turned and is now looking at me.
“Ah, there she is,” he says in his booming tone that I’ve come to love. “Harley Bear, come and meet our two new recruits.”
I cringe at the nickname Da gave me when I was very young. Amongst these dangerous men, it seems so out of place. I take a few steps towards the table, and my father reaches for me, snaking his arm around me and tugging me to his side.
“This is my daughter,” he proudly tells the new men.
Two sets of matching dark eyes look up at me, but it’s the one on the left with the inked hands that has me wanting to fall into his darkest depths.
I’ve never really had a crush on anybody before. Granted, most of the men who work for my father are arseholes, but there’s something different about this new lad.
“This is Hadrian,” Da says, and the inked man I’ve been drooling over nods his head. “And this is Hades.” Da gestures towards the other lad. “They’ll be looking after collections for me.”
“Oh,” I manage to mutter.
Hadrian shifts to face me, and our eyes meet. His dark stare is intense, piercing, and for a second, I feel a jolt of something I can’t quite define. He pushes to his feet, and I note he’s tall with a lean, muscular build, and there’s an air of quiet strength about him.
“Heya,” I say, my voice sounding smaller than I intended. “I’m Harley.”
“Lovely to meet ya, Harley,” he replies, his voice deep and steady.
He extends a hand to me, and I shake it, noticing the firmness of his grip.
“The lads will be staying with us until they get settled. I think it’ll be good if they’re close by, so when I need something done, they can take the lead,” Da continues, clearly not noticing the tension between me and one of his newest recruits. “They’re going to be valuable assets to our team.”
I nod, trying to hide my nervousness. “That’s ace. Good to meet you both.” I look at my father, who’s beaming, and wanting to get myself out of this embarrassing situation, I say, “Da, I have to get my homework done.”
Da claps Hadrian on the shoulder. “Let me show you and Hades around. Harley, I’m sure your studies can be left a bit longer. Why don’t you join us?”
I don’t reply. Instead, I obey my father, like the good little lamb I’ve been raised to be. I fall into step beside the two young men as Da leads us through the house, pointing out various rooms and explaining their purposes.
As we walk, I steal glances at Hadrian, trying to get a sense of who he is. He’s composed, attentive, and asks thoughtful questions. There’s a quiet self-assurance about him that’s both intriguing and a little intimidating.
We end the tour in Da’s study. It’s a large, book-lined room that smells of leather and old paper.
My father gestures to the desk. “This is where I do most of my work, so when you need anything, come into my office. I can tell that both of you are going be important to this organisation, so I need you to be honest and loyal. That’s all I ask.”
Hades finally speaks. “You can be sure we’re both of those things. Our da raised us to be men who can be counted on.”
“Why is it that you’re not with him anymore?” Da asks, but he doesn’t seem to notice the look that passes between the brothers.
Hadrian steps forwards to answer, “We lost him a few years ago.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. But I’m glad to have you both here,” Da says with a smile. “Harley, why don’t you take Hadrian and Hades to the guesthouse? They can get settled in, and we can talk some more over supper.”
“Sure,” I agree, my heart beating a little faster. “Follow me.”
We walk in silence for a few moments, heading out through the back of the main house and across the manicured lawn to the guest house. They both seem calm, and I steal another glance at Hadrian, trying to read his expression, but find Hades watching me, instead.
Hades smiles when he notices me staring at his brother. Neither one speaks, but there’s a hint of curiosity in Hadrian’s eyes as he takes in the surroundings.
“So, what do you think?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“It’s fuckin’ lovely,” Hades replies, looking at me with a slight smile. “It’s a long way from the place where we grew up. I can tell ya that much.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling a flush of pride. “It hasn’t always been like this, but with my father’s work going so well, it’s changed our lives.”
“I can see that,” Hadrian says, nodding. “And you? What do you do?” Those dark eyes pierce me, stabbing right to the very heart of me.
“I’m still studying,” I admit, feeling a little self-conscious. “I’d like to help out with Da’s business, but I’m not allowed.”
He nods again, his expression thoughtful. “Is it something ya want to be involved in?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
We reach the guesthouse, and I unlock the door before stepping inside and holding it open for them to follow. The interior is cosy and well-appointed, with a small living area, a kitchen, and two bedrooms.
They walk around the space, providing me with a chance to watch them. They’re so similar in how they walk, move, and even talk, but it’s strange because Hades doesn’t have the same effect on me as Hadrian.
“This is ace,” Hades says appreciatively. “Thank you for showing us.”
“No problem,” I reply, trying to sound casual. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“He will,” Hades promises with a chuckle and a slap on his brother’s shoulder while meeting my eyes again. “Thank you, Harley.”
I nod, feeling a strange mix of emotions. “You’re welcome. I’ll see ya later.”
As I walk back to the main house, I can’t stop thinking about Hadrian. There’s something about him that’s different from anyone I’ve ever met before. It’s not about his looks, although he’s definitely handsome, it’s the secrets in his eyes and the way he carries himself, like he owns the space around him. He’s confident with a sense of purpose and strength that I find captivating.
I’ve yet to discover just how dangerous that combination will be for my teen heart.