Read Online Red Alert by Margaret Thomson Davis - Free Book Online Page A

been out enjoying himself with some of his friends. This was Paul and Renee’s night off from the casino.’
    ‘God knows what would have happened with those weirdos if I hadn’t been here. As for your brother, Kirsty, he’s a menace and a danger to himself, as well as everybody else.’
    ‘You don’t understand.’
    How could Greg, always so confident, always so sure of himself, understand someone like Johnny?
    ‘What’s there to understand? As well as having weirdo friends, he’s in charge of a car and a gun, for God’s sake.’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Greg. The gun’s kept in the flat and he wouldn’t have been capable of driving or doing anything in that state.’
    ‘I’m being ridiculous?’ Greg’s voice rose with sarcasm. ‘Kirsty, the guy’s capable of anything and he knows you’ll let him get away with anything.’
    It was just that Greg didn’t know him, she kept telling herself. He hadn’t known Johnny as a sickly child unable to join in the games with other boys of his age. She remembered his hand in hers and his eyes saucer-sized with anxiety staring up at her as he said, ‘When I’m a big boy, I’ll be able to run faster than them, won’t I, Kirsty? When I’m grown up, I’ll be able to do anything better than them.’
    He always tried so hard. Even as a child herself, she had seen the terrible fear in his eyes and she had hastened to reassure him.
    ‘Of course you will,’ she said, and kissed his painfully thin face.
    The years had barely changed him. He still needed her reassurance, her protection, and her love, and nobody – not even Greg – could stop her giving her brother these things.
    ‘You just don’t know Johnny as I do, Greg.’
    ‘I know he’s a no-good weakling.’
    No beating about the bush with Greg. Sometimes Kirsty had to laugh at his startling forthrightness. But she couldn’t laugh now.
    ‘How dare you say that!’ she cried. ‘He’s got more kindness and compassion in his little finger than you’ll ever have in your whole life, and he’s none of your business.’
    She knew she had gone too far as soon as the words flew out of her mouth. In her ensuing panic, she realised how much she loved Greg.
    ‘Oh, I’m sorry Greg. I didn’t mean that. I’m just upset.’
    After a moment, Greg said, ‘Let’s get this straight.’ His eyes were hard, and chillingly cold. ‘When we get married, I don’t want your brother causing any more trouble between us. That’s why what he does, and what he is, is my business.’
    She managed to nod and push out more apologetic words.
    ‘I know, Greg. It’s just that I was so worried about Mum waking up and hearing what was going on. Or Dad coming in. He’s at some late meeting with the directors. And he’ll have been drinking too. I just wanted Johnny to be in bed before Dad came home.’ Fear filled her eyes. ‘Please forgive me, Greg.’
    ‘Of course I forgive you.’ He pulled her into his arms. ‘I love you and can’t bear to see you worried and upset like this. The quicker we get married and you get out of this house and away from your brother, the better.’
    ‘The time’ll soon pass to our wedding date.’ She hastily wiped at her eyes and smiled up at him. ‘Sandra and Tommy are really looking forward to it and we’re so lucky to get a hotel booking for the reception with a proper cake supplied and everything. As I told you, sometimes it takes a couple of years to get a wedding booking in such a good hotel.’
    Greg sighed and shook his head.
    ‘Well, I’m glad the lot of you are happy. You know how I feel. I would be more than happy to go to the nearest registry office. No cake, or any of the frills. Just a drink and then home afterwards.’
    She gave him a friendly punch. ‘That’s just because you can’t wait to get me into bed.’
    He grinned. ‘I get you into bed now. Or had you forgotten?’
    As if she could. Since Tommy had left Greg’s flat, and she and Greg could have the place to