The Feud

Gemma Rogers

Description

From the stranger in the car, to the madman at her door...
Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell

‘It’s a shocking thriller that grabs at your emotions on every page! Loved it.’ bestselling author Lauren North

The day my path crossed with Simon Fox I thought I’d already lost everything but then he almost ran me off the road with his flash car and belittling jibes.
The men in my life had undermined me for too long.
Enough was enough.
Fuelled by alcohol and the desire to get even, I decided a spot of petty vandalism would make me feel a whole lot better.
Wrong. Very wrong...
I hadn’t realised that Simon Fox was not a man to be messed with.
He showed me just how much I still had left to lose.
Soon I was battling for my home, family and life.

Praise for Gemma Rogers:

‘Captivating and enthralling, a story of revenge, infidelity, friendship and love. An outstanding book by an outstanding author, I give this book five shiny golden stars’ Anita Waller
‘A well-written and thoroughly entertaining thriller from a very talented author’ John Nicoll
'Unputdownable. a nail-biting thriller that grips to the very last page.' Keri Beevis
‘A beautifully written edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me guessing right until the end’ Dreda Say Mitchell
'A brilliant thriller from an exciting new voice. Stalker it had me on the edge of my seat' Kerry Barnes
'An atmospheric, taut thriller which keeps you hooked from the first page' Jacqui Rose
'A cracking read. Brilliantly written characters and a gripping plot. Highly recommended.' Caz Finlay
'A page-turning must-read. It will have you hooked from the first page until the last' Stephanie Harte
'An intense thriller - it's a must-read' Sam Michaels
‘An incredible read that had me engrossed from the first page. A five-star read’ Alex Kane
‘A real page turner, full of sinister secrets' Casey Kelleher

Sujets

• Policier & Thriller
• Policier
• Thriller
• Vie de famille
• Relations familiales
• Mashups
• Legal
• Psychological
• Women Sleuths
• Private Investigators
• Hard-Boiled
• Amateur Sleuth
• Conflict Resolution
• Political
• Thrillers
• Suspenso
• Friendship
• Street crime
• Psychological thriller
• Domestic
• Violent crime
• Corporate crime
• General officer
• Politics
• Psychology
• Organized crime
• Espionage
• General
• Crime
• Legall de Kermeur
• Family Life
• Suspense
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 10 mai 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781800486928
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE FEUD


GEMMA ROGERS
For Buster
Our Best Friend
CONTENTS



Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59


Acknowledgments

More from Gemma Rogers

About the Author

About Boldwood Books
PROLOGUE

The metal key was cold in my hand as I crouched, one knee pressed against the damp tarmac of the driveway, moisture seeping into my leggings. I shivered; drizzle hung in the air, the constant threat of October’s persistent heavy rain. It was not a night to be out for a walk.
Hamstrings twitched of their own accord as I stayed rooted to the spot; neglected muscles stretched into positions I was unaccustomed to. I had to get on with it, I’d get seen from the road if someone came past. If they innocently glanced through the open gates and found me squatted on someone’s driveway in the dark. Thankfully, the weather had meant the streets were quiet.
Shielded from view of the large double-fronted house, I was hidden by the F-Pace Jaguar I was yet to touch. Lights from inside glowed brightly through the open blinds into the darkness, but there was no movement from the front of the house, no sound carried on the still night air either. The motion sensor of the security light obviously didn’t reach the back of the large driveway which extended around twenty-five feet. Although I bet it would after today.
A bitter aftertaste of cheap vodka clung to my tongue which, combined with my heart racing, made my stomach swim. Through my single AirPod, I could hear the Teams meeting with the Americans I was supposed to be attending. Lisa’s Texan drawl grating, using her chance to speak as an opportunity for a sales pitch. I’d done my bit already and turned the volume right down. I wasn’t required to talk, but I had no idea if I’d be called upon again. I had to move fast while I had my chance.
I chewed on my lip as the muscles in my thighs pinged. I’d been in the same position too long, my legs protesting despite the adrenaline coursing around my body. Was I really going to do it? What would it be classed as? Criminal damage? I’d never so much as had a parking ticket, but I wasn’t putting up with shit from anyone. Not any more. Nothing came from playing by the rules. You got treated like a doormat. He needed to be taught a lesson and I’d bet the brand-spanking-new 71-plate Jaguar hiding me was his pride and joy.
Staying low, I rounded the side of the car, the bordering fence to his neighbour on my right. With one swift motion, I dragged my key from the back wing all the way to the bonnet, relishing the squeaking sound as it cut into the paintwork. The satisfying noise as the key sliced down to the metal. A rush of euphoria hit me as the alarm sounded, a loud, high-pitched squeal disturbing the peace.
Orange indicator lights flashed accusingly in time with the shrill siren, illuminating my presence beside the car as I stood, ready to make my escape. The security light flooded the space instantly, so bright it hurt my eyes, and I could hear a dog barking from inside the house. Before I had a chance to turn, a shadowy figure appeared at the window, their frame filling the space, looming large. It seemed to stare straight at me.
I froze, shivers shooting down my spine, unsure whether I’d been seen and not wanting to draw attention by moving. The shape in the window shifted and, jolted to my senses, I ignored the shooting pains in my legs and broke into a run; unable to contain the smile forming on my face. Payback was a bitch.
1
THE DAY BEFORE

‘I’m really sorry, Kay, I’m not sure how they can justify it, but you know how it is.’ Ed shrugged, his brown blazer crumpling at the shoulders as he leant over the microwave, waiting for it to ping. He didn’t care, he worked in Operations. Who was appointed in the Human Resources department was of no consequence to him. I scowled into my coffee, seeing my reflection swim. It tasted as bitter as my mood.
Behind me, the door to the small kitchenette was thrown open, knocking my elbow just as I took a sip, hot liquid escaping the mug and sloshing down the front of my cream blouse.
‘Fuck!’ I winced as the brown stain blossomed, causing the fabric to stick like molten lava to my skin.
Ed turned around at my curse, eyes wide, his mouth forming an oval. ‘Language, Kay!’
A silk-like voice came from the doorway as I gingerly peeled the searing chiffon from my chest and reached for the kitchen roll. I didn’t even bother to look up, let alone respond. I knew from the voice it was Tim, and he was on my shit list today.
Tim was the Global HR Manager of Winston’s Transport. A haulage company that covered the United Kingdom, with major hubs in Gatwick, as well as Birmingham and Newcastle, and a small head office in Tunbridge Wells. Tim was the most senior member of staff in the Gatwick hub, something he loved reminding everyone on a regular basis.
‘Here, let me help.’ Ed dived in, handing me reams of kitchen towel, all the time trying to avert his eyes from the lace of my bra on full display through the now transparent material.
My skin was on fire and, ignoring the audience, I ran the sheets under the cold tap and dabbed at my chest. Relief was instantaneous, its bliss swiftly broken by the sound of Tim clearing his throat.
‘Kay, I’d like to introduce you to the new HR Manager for the South. This is Liam Shepherds, previously from our Tunbridge Wells office; I don’t believe you two have met.’ It wasn’t a question.
I turned and pulled my lips into a tight smile while sizing up the man who had shuffled into the cramped space, back pressed against the worktop.
He looked in his early thirties, easily ten years younger than me. Dark green eyes framed by strawberry-blond eyelashes. His skin was pale and freckled, but he looked smart in a taupe suit teamed with a soft pink shirt. He thrust his hand forward, an innocent smile warmed his face.
‘Lovely to meet you,’ he said.
‘This is Kay Massingham, she’s our Contract Manager based here in Gatwick. Like you, Kay reports to me with a dotted line to our legal department.’ Tim’s deep voice seemed to boom around the tiny kitchen. With four people inside, the space had been absorbed, atmosphere claustrophobic.
I gave Liam a damp but firm handshake, hoping he didn’t notice my nails bitten to the quick.
‘Welcome to the team,’ I said crisply, anger bubbling in my stomach. Tim knew we’d never met. I’d not heard of him before, let alone seen him. I’d bet my last month’s salary he didn’t hold the CIPD qualification that was supposedly the prerequisite for the Human Resources Manager role. The qualification I’d spent months working towards in my own time, in the hope of adding another string to my bow.
‘Ed, would you mind introducing Liam to the Operations Department,’ Tim said. It was an instruction not a request, as was Tim’s way.
Ed and Liam exited the kitchen as the microwave announced Ed’s lunch was done – it would be cold by the time he ate it.
I turned my back on Tim, leaning over the sink, still trying to rescue my blouse which was now only fit for the bin.
‘I know this isn’t the outcome you hoped for, Kay,’ Tim said stiffly.
I clenched my jaw tight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the words escaping like projectile vomit. Pushed-down resentment rising and spilling out. ‘Five bloody years I’ve worked here, Tim. I’ve gone above and beyond for this company. Extra hours, weekends. I’m the only female who’s managed to claw their way into the management team,’ I went on, interrupted by Tim waving his hands like he was trying to slow a herd of rampaging buffalo.
‘Liam’s been earmarked for fast-track promotion by the powers that be. You know how it is. I didn’t have a choice.’
‘Oh, grow a pair, that job should have been mine and you know it,’ I snapped.
Tim’s eyes darkened; a shadow crossing his face. I’d overstepped the mark, but I couldn’t help myself.
‘Careful, I understand you’re upset. We might be friends, Kay, but remember I’m still your boss, for the time being anyway.’ He crossed his arms and I noticed dandruff speckling the shoulder of his blazer, fallen from his perfectly coiffed Just for Men hair. He should have gone grey years ago, well into his fifties now, and it was obvious he dyed it.
‘You’re not my friend, Tim, friends don’t screw each other over. We’re colleagues, and that’s all we’ll ever be,’ I retorted. He looked wounded, but I didn’t stop. ‘I’m taking the afternoon off; I need a fresh shirt. You can put it down as hours owed.’
I stormed past him and back to my office. In my peripheral vision through the glass-panelled wall, I could see Liam shaking hands with Gav and Sarge over in Operations.
‘All fucking lads together,’ I muttered as I pushed my half-eaten sandwich into the bin and switched off my computer. I should have got out of this company a long time ago. I was never going to get anywhere, not here.
Winston’s Transport was a haulage firm stuck in the dark ages, headed up by an old fart with prehistoric values who thought women should be relegated to answering phones and looking pretty. There were few females in management positions and to make it into one your face had