Vengeance Is Ours

By Peter D. Bull

Harry and Jack owe money to O'Brian, a violent gang boss. They've spent his money, so have to hide in Amsterdam. Jack falls for a beautiful prostitute. Harry returns when told of O'Brian's death at the hands of the Rossi crime family. Harry and Terry (his brother) meet Jack on his return. Whilst at a brothel they're faced by one of O'Brian's gang. Terry kills three of the Rossi gang. Whilst on remand, Terry is killed by the Rossi's. That starts a vendetta, "Vengeance is Ours" is the mantra as Harry an Jack take revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9780244110468

Book preview

Vengeance Is Ours

VENGEANCE IS OURS

BY

PETER D. BULL

COPYRIGHT

Published by Lulu Enterprises Inc.

3101 Hillsborough Street

Suite 210

Raleigh, NC 27607-5436

United States of America

Copyright © 2018 PETER D. BULL

Category: Fiction, General

ISBN: 978-0-244-11046-8

Front cover image © PETER D. BULL

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organisations, events or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE

Harry Brooks and his cousin Jack had been forced to abandon their digs, due to the fact that they were being sought by a man that they owed money to. The money was long gone, and the thought of being caught by the man did not bare thinking about. Harry and Jack knew only too well that if caught, and were unable to give the man what was due to him for the sale of his drugs, they would at the very least, lose their kneecaps. The man was an ex IRA member from back in the dark days of Northern Ireland, so such an act would not be a problem for him at all. O’Brian had relieved many men of their kneecaps over the years.

It had been an ill-fated decision to spend the proceeds on a couple of prostitutes for half an hour of debauchery, but neither of them could resist the beautiful eastern European girls. They had only gone into the Pink Pussy bar for a drink and a laugh but had been propositioned whilst standing there drinking by the two beauties. They had been more or less forced to buy the girls drinks by the roving muscle man that watched every move of every punter in the place. Once the girls had started to rub at their groins, the game was well and truly over.

What’s the matter, don’t you like me? Svetlana had asked with a pout to end all pouts.

Of course I do, it’s just that. Harry got as far as saying.

It’s just that what, my darling? She asked as she rubbed harder and more quickly.

It’s just that we don’t have much money. Harry said sheepishly.

Not to worry my darling, we take cards as well. Ivana replied with a lovely smile.

Jack looked at Harry with a worried frown upon his forehead. He knew what was coming next.

How much are the drinks we bought you? He asked, making the pair look like the cheapskates they actually were.

I don’t know darling, maybe ten pounds each? Svetlana said with a theatrically disappointed look on her pretty face.

Harry swallowed hard. Twenty quid for two lemonades? He questioned.

Aren’t we worth it my darling? Svetlana purred.

Believe me boys, we’re worth every penny that you have on you. Ivana said sexily.

The muscle man was hovering, and was listening to what was being said.

There’s a minimum spend of one hundred and fifty pounds. He said menacingly.

Both men gulped hard and realised that there was no choice in the matter. Once the drinks had been bought, they’d entered into an unsaid contract to have sex with the girls.

The five hundred pounds that they had held for O’Brian was as good as gone.

Alright. Harry said. How much will it cost us for half an hour each?

One fifty each. The bouncer said aggressively.

Once again, the two looked at each other and knew that the time had come to commit to the deed.

There was no way on earth that they were going to get out of the Pink Pussy with O’Brian’s money intact.

The man’s large hand was held out, and Harry shook as he counted out the money as discreetly as he could.

Three hundred. He said as he handed over the money with a shaking hand.

Three FORTY. The man said. Drinks too.

Oh I forgot about the drinks. Harry said with a tremble to his voice.

It’s a good job that I remembered then isn’t it? The oaf said with a menacing grin.

Harry and Jack both smiled a resigned kind of smile at the man, but he in return gave them a piteous look.

Two more mugs have hit rock bottom. He thought as he walked off.

Jack and Harry were taken to a lift, and after a short wait, it stopped and the doors opened to allow a very embarrassed older man to shuffle out, and to walk quickly to the lit-up area of the exit.

Jack looked at Harry and whispered. I bet HE’S not been left skint. He looks like a judge or something. 

The two were taken to the third floor by the girls and were ushered into two separate rooms as quickly as possible. The girls wanted to get back down to the bar area, and to get back to work.

Although they’d paid for half an hour, both men were finished in less than half the time. Harry was the first to arrive down in the bar, closely followed by Jack.

Thank you boys. Ivana said as she walked away. See you again some-time I hope.

Svetlana had left the lift and had walked away without saying a word.

Didn’t take YOU long. Jack said with a grin.

Listen to fucking super stud. Harry retorted. You were seconds behind me. Not exactly a marathon for you either was it?

Alright keep your hair on. Jack said mockingly. I was only kidding.

Harry ignored him and walked out into the daylight. He squinted as the bright sunshine made his eyes water.

Jack walked up beside him. We’d better not hang around here Harry. You never know who’ll see us.

I know. Harry replied. We’ve got to get well away from here. We’re dead meat if we’re seen by any of O’Brian’s mob.

How much have we got left? Jack asked nervously.

About a hundred and sixty I think.

Then we’ve got to make a decision as to whether to give the one sixty back to O’Brian, and tell him that we owe him the rest out of what he pays us to shift the stuff, or.

Or WHAT? Harry asked after a wait of five seconds or so.

Or we keep the rest and piss off somewhere he can’t find us.

Oh brilliant. Harry said sarcastically. "You think he’s gonna stand for that do you?

I can just see it now. Oh never mind about you ripping me off, take as long as you like to pay me back.

Well what do you suggest then? Jack asked. We piss off then do we?

To be honest, I can’t see any other way. Harry said.

Just at that moment, as they walked along the crowded pavement, they heard a familiar voice call out.

Oi Harry, slow up a bit.

Both men stopped in their tracks, forcing other pedestrians to divert around them.

Shit. Jack said. That’s all we need.

Hi Mickey, what’s up? Harry asked nervously.

He didn’t yet know whether or not Mickey knew that the two of them had absconded with O’Brian’s money. Mickey was another of O’Brian’s runners. He doubled as an enforcer too. He was a big man with muscles on his muscles.

Nothing’s up. Why should it be? Mickey said with a grin. I’ve been laid up for three days with food poisoning. I’ve not been more than five steps away from the bog in three days. I’ve lost half a stone I reckon.

Yeah you look as though you’ve lost a bit Mickey. Harry said. Where you off to now then?

I’ve got to see O’Brian, but I can do without it. I feel the shits coming on again, but he’ll kill me if I don’t pay him what I owe him today. I’d better get on or I’ll shit myself.

How much have you got for him? Jack asked.

A grand. Mickey said in a hurried fashion.

We’ll give it to him if you like. We’re seeing him later today to give him what WE owe him.

Mickey’s face lit up with glee. Fantastic. He said thankfully. Make sure he gets it though. I’ll ring him to tell him that I’ve seen you. Got to go lads I’m busting.

With that, Mickey slipped a white envelope into Harry’s hand and said his goodbye’s as he ran off through the crowd holding his arse.

Jack’s face lit up like a candle in the dark. Our luck’s changing Harry. We’re out of trouble.

Or deeper in it. Harry said with a look of despair.

Well in for a penny, in for a pound. Jack said excitedly.

More like in for a penny, in for a pounding. Harry said with a frown.

Now we’ll have Mickey onto us as well as O’Brian. That’s not enough money to get us to Argentina is it?

Argentina? Who wants to go there? Jack exclaimed. We’ve got enough to get us to Amsterdam though. That’ll be far more like our scene.

Harry’s face was next to light up. Amsterdam! I’ve always wanted to go there. 

Let’s get a coffee and talk about it eh? I know nothing about the place except that everyone smokes weed. He added.

Yeah. We’ve pushed our luck a bit ain’t we? Let’s get away from here before Mickey rings O’Brian. There’s more than just weed over there, there’s the women too.

Good idea. Harry said as they both shuffled off into the throng of shoppers.

Within the hour, the two were miles away from the area that was known to be O’Brian’s territory.

They sat down in a coffee shop and sighed a sigh of relief.

I suppose you DO know what Mickey did for a living before he got with O’Brian don’t you? Harry asked.

No I don’t. What did he do? Don’t tell me he was a copper.

No he wasn’t a copper. He worked for the LEB on high voltage stuff in the street.

Jack looked at Harry as if to say SO WHAT.

He got the sack when it came to light that he’d done three years for armed robbery. His CV was a joke.

Really? Jack said. "Fuck me, he’s a dark horse ain’t he?

Yeah. He told me when you were off to see your mum when she was ill that time.

Jack took a sip of coffee.

What else did he say then? He asked.

"He told me that when he was in there, he befriended a bloke who couldn’t stand up for himself. He was a wimp.

Apparently, another prisoner, a bloke about six foot six tall, was taking all this blokes snout and money, so Mickey encouraged him to do something about it."

What happened? Jack asked, almost uninterested in the answer.

He told the bloke to wait until film night, and to get the seat behind him. Mickey supplied a billiard ball from the recreation period, and some sand that he’d got from his gardening duties, and put them into a sock. He told the bloke to wait twenty minutes, and then to stand up and bash him round the head as many times as he could to knock him out. Trouble was though that the bloke chickened out and couldn’t do it despite being egged on by Mickey.

Shit. What happened then? Jack asked excitedly.

Well, Mickey said that he snatched the sock from his mate and smashed the bloke over the head as hard as he could, but it didn’t knock him out. He just fell to the floor holding his head. Bleeding like a pig with its throat cut.

And? Jack asked with childish excitement. And what?

The bloke just picked Mickey up, and threw him into the other prisoners, who all started to fight with each other.

Jack was listening to Harry with his mouth dropped slightly open.

Well get on with it. What happened next?

Well he told me that the bloke that he’d hit with the sock was seriously hurt, and wasn’t expected to live, but he did. Mickey got a couple of broken ribs, broken knuckles and two black eyes, and for all that, he got another three years inside.

What a nutter. Jack said to himself.

Yeah. He’s the same nutter that you just talked out of a grand. A grand of ANOTHER nutter’s money. Harry snapped.

Oh fuck!  Jack said with a grin. Let’s find out about the cost of getting to Amsterdam. It’s sounding more attractive by the minute.

CHAPTER TWO

Two days later the two arrived at Schiphol airport.

Within the hour they were entering the city limits by taxi.

This is more like it. Jack said. I can smell the weed in the air from here.

They booked into a cheap hostel and unpacked their meagre belongings.

We’ll have to go easy with the money. It won’t last long over here. Harry said. It’s got a reputation for being expensive.

Well we can have at least one good night out. We need to unwind don’t we? Jack said.

Well we’ll go out tonight, but after that we’ll have to find ourselves jobs to pay for the rent. That’s the most important thing we have to pay for. I’m fucked if I’m sleeping rough again. Harry said forcefully.

OK. Was all Jack said before lying on his uncomfortable bed to take a nap.

It was eight o’clock when Harry woke him up.

Come on then. He said as he shook his shoulder. I’m ready to go so get your arse up a bit sharpish.

Jack was groggy, and for a brief moment, he didn’t feel like going out, but as soon as he’d washed his face with the cold water that was tapped into the room, he felt ready to enjoy a night out.

Right then let’s get off. He said with a grin. He picked up his jacket and hung it over his shoulder.

I bet it can get cold here with the water being so close by.

Harry agreed, and put on his own coat as they left the house

..........................................................................

They walked around to get a feel for the place, and also to look for somewhere cheap to eat. Each street smelled strongly of cannabis. Every pub door that was opened seemed to release clouds of smoke into the night air. Every couple of minutes, either one or the other of them was almost hit by a cyclist.

You’ve got to have eyes up your arse here haven’t you? Jack said.

Just then another ringing cycle bell forced him to jump out of the cycle lane.

Well get used to it mate, cos we’re stuck here for the foreseeable future. No way can we go back yet. Either O’Brian or Mickey will be looking for our blood that’s for sure. Harry said.

Don’t remind me. All for a couple of hookers. My old dad used to say that a standing prick has no conscience. He got THAT right didn’t he?

Yeah we fucked up big time. Harry said with a shake of the head.

You can say that again. Jack said as he jumped to avoid a tram.

Fuck me, we won’t HAVE to worry about O’Brian or Mickey, we’ll be dead within a week at this rate. He added.

They had something to eat and walked out into the freezing night air. Their breath looked like smoke as they exhaled into the night.

Music was blaring into the night darkness, and every club or bar that they passed had somebody outside attempting to get them in.

Let’s go to the red-light district. Jack said. It’s supposed to be pretty good there.

Harry agreed to go but they wandered for an hour or more looking for it. They were heading down dark, wet and misty cobbled lanes that looked like something out of Oliver Twist.

This is a bit spooky don’t you think? He asked.

Finally they found the district after having been told by a helpful young lad, to follow the canal.

What a fucking dump. Jack said as they approached the first of the red lights. There was a window with a fat black woman with a double stomach, perched onto a rickety old white chair.

She’ll fucking starve to death. Jack said. No way does anyone pay for sex with HER.

I’d rather stick my cock in a bucket of worms. He added for good measure.

Thanks for that invaluable piece of information. Harry said with a grin. You really DO have a way with words mate.

Well. Just look at it. What does she think she looks like? Jack sneered.

It takes all sorts Jack. Harry answered. She may be all some blokes can afford.

Yeah, well she can fucking keep it, she won’t get my money.

They walked on and stopped for a drink at a pub that was situated on the corner by a bridge. The bridge was full of young people standing around laughing and taking the piss out of the many normal looking tourists. Most of the youngsters were drunk and on the verge of becoming abusive. They were all smoking dope as far as the two could see. Many of them looked like students to the cousins.

We’ll have to get a bit of gear you know. Jack said. We have to at least try it don’t we?

It would be churlish not to Jack. Harry answered with a wide grin.

They couldn’t get over the fact that they could go into any coffee shop, and openly ask for anything they wanted. There was even a shop that was openly selling weed from every part of the world. They had a window full of it.

Get a bit of skunk. Jack said. Get the good stuff.

Whilst in the shop, Jack picked up a pamphlet showing the Museum of prostitution.

I don’t believe this. He said. What a place. They’ve got a Museum of sex, look at this.

Harry took a cursory look at the pamphlet, but was trying out a particularly good bit of skunk from Pakistan. He started to cough. His eyes watered.

Fuck me that’s good stuff. He wheezed as he coughed some more.

It says here that there are over twelve hundred hookers here in this district. They have to pay a hundred and fifty Euros a day to stand in those windows.

Harry was already getting the giggles. I bet that fat one’s working on overdraft then at that rate.

They both cracked up and were joined in laughter by the sales assistant who was laughing more at the two of them laughing, than what they were laughing AT.

I’ll take some of this please. Harry said as he wheezed and giggled some more.

......................................................................

The two were standing at the end of the bridge.