A/N
Trigger warning: abuse / SA
I never really liked Walker's reason for revenge in the show, obviously he was unhinged in the end, but I thought it was a bit of a weak reasoning to go to the lengths he did! So I've taken some creative licence with it, all will become clear in the end.
Chapter 18
Brendan pov
"I didn't sleep with Simon"
"What?"
This was about Walker?
"What he said happened, it didn't happen"
Why did Steven let him think it had?
"But you"-
"He raped me"
His jaw tightened as the words coming out of Stevens mouth left him stunned into silence, he felt like the air had been stolen from his lungs, like he'd been kicked in the chest by a horse. Steven wasn't looking at him, he was barely looking at Steven, he couldn't focus on anything as he felt the rage bubbling up inside of him. With every bit of composure he could muster, he stood up and walked. Walked from the bench, out of Clairmont, into the carpark and darted into his car. He shoved the key in and grabbed the steering wheel, his hands were shaking, he gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white, glancing in the rearview mirror at his wild eyes.
Tyres screeched on the tarmac as he sped out of the estate and bombed towards the motorway. He started to replay conversations in his mind,
Walker told me everything…..how you let him fuck you
No
Aw, are you going to cry? Say it was a mistake?
Please
He smashed his fists against the steering wheel and roared into the empty silence of the vehicle. How had he not seen it? Steven's odd and skittish behaviour, his misery, his distance, self isolation, the anxiety he'd never shown before. All the signs were there and he hadn't picked up on them, Steven had never admitted to sleeping with Walker and Brendan had never bothered to dig any deeper, just took Walker on his word.
He knew, he knew Steven wouldn't have done that, that it wasn't in his nature. It hadn't made a lick of sense when Walker had told him but instead of listening to his instinct he let his possessive jealousy take hold. The image of Steven in the deli, eyes watering as Brendan shot his spiteful words aimed to embarrass and shame him that night, all the while he was probably desperate for Brendan to see what was going on, made him feel sick.
He knew what that felt like, that desperation and helplessness when you're willing, praying, begging for someone to see what's going on, that you need help. Needing someone to turn around and say 'What's wrong Brendan? Why are you acting like this?'.
He felt the bile rising in his throat and he started retching, managing to pull his car onto the hard shoulder and scramble over the passenger seat and open the door just in time to vomit on the grass hedge.
He'd not been that person for Steven and he'd almost died because of it. He thought back to the conversation with Dr Gallimore in the hospital, 'an episode of psychosis can be brought on by stress or trauma', this was it, this was what had brought that on, there was no doubt in his mind.
All the times he tried to convince himself that he was looking out for Steven, how everything he did was to protect him, was a lie because he'd not been there when he needed him, he'd not been there when it mattered, he'd not protected him from Walker.
But he'd get payback for him now. He'd finish Walker, he'd make him pay for every second of pain he'd caused Steven. He'd smashed Danny's head in with a hammer for threatening to hurt Steven, Walker was going to wish he had it that easy.
—-
He'd driven like a bat out of hell back to the village and straight to Walker's apartment block. He jumped out of the car not even stopping to close the door behind him and sprinted to the door. He smashed his hand onto the buzzer for No.2 repeatedly whilst simultaneously pounding his fist into the door.
"WALKER! WALKER!"
There was no response, no movement, no sign of life. After several minutes of his incessant knocking and shouting, the top floor flat window flew open and a woman in her late twenties with rollers in her hair peered down at him.
"What do you think you're playing at?" she shouted in her thick scouse accent
"Let me in! I need to get in!"
"Not a chance, look i don't know what your problem is but he's obviously not in. He works at a club in the village, he'll probably be there" she replied with an understandable attitude.
The club. The club. Of course that's where he'll be! He's down to work tonight. Brendan jumped back into his Mercedes and sped off towards Chez Chez. He'd noticed that his sister had been calling all afternoon and he'd ignored every single one, she was probably flapping about this event tonight and that was the last bloody thing on his mind. The distraction gave him a moment of clarity, he needed to put a plan together, he couldn't go storming into his packed club and beat Walker to death in front of everyone, as much as he wanted to. He'd end up back in prison serving a life sentence and he wouldn't be there for Steven.
He wanted to make Walker suffer, like he'd made Steven suffer, he needed to think this through.
As he pulled up into the club yard it was only 7pm but Chez Chez was busier than it would have been at this time because of the over-30s night, not ideal. Once parked he took several deep breaths and tried to calm the twitch in his cheek, he needed his facade in place for this to work, he couldn't lose his composure when he saw him.
He walked up the balcony steps and through the back entrance, legs shaking with each step, electricity spiking through every vein in his body. The bouncer guarding the balcony exit nodded a greeting at Brendan as he walked in, the rhythm of the night was reverberating around the club as the DJ paid homage to the 'over 30s' theme. He moved swiftly around the bannister and began scanning the bar; just Rhys & Ash. He spun on his heels and headed for the stairs when he felt a tug on his bicep. He shot a look over his shoulder to see an incensed looking Cheryl.
"Office. Now" she growled whilst digging her nails into him.
"Not now Chez"
"NOW!"
His sister's stern face and fierce grip on his arm let him know she wasn't playing around, he was baffled at why she was this irate though, was it because he was late back? Surely not.
He followed her closely into the office and shut the door behind them.
"What's going on?" she demanded
He eyed her up suspiciously, the timing was suspect to say the least. What was she talking about? What did she know? He didn't give anything away, giving a brief shrug accompanied by a lost look.
"What have you done? What are you involved in? Is the club involved?"
Ok now he really was lost.
"What are ye talking about, Chez?"
She sighed loudly as she hung her head in frustration.
"The police were here. Asking questions. They have an arrest warrant"
What the fuck?
"For me?"
"No, for Walker"
Walker. They want to arrest Walker.
"I know you've been up to things with him, thick as thieves you were when he arrived. All your little deals, your secrets, that business with the raid last month. Don't even try to tell me the police wanting him is nothing to do with you"
For once, he was actually lost for words. Yes, he and Walker had been partners on multiple deals since he'd shown up, but they were fairly hands off, or at least he was. They also hadn't had anything going on for a fair few weeks so it wasn't anything recent. He should probably call his lawyer to be on the safe side.
"Was he here? Did they arrest him?"
She looked at him in disbelief
"Don't you dare ignore me Brendan, have you got the club into anything?"
"No. no Chez, you know i don't mess around with this place. Where is Walker?"
"I don't know. He was here, then disappeared at some point before the police turned up and I've not seen him since. I've called, but nothing."
The police sniffing around Walker would throw a spanner in the works. He needed to make him disappear low key, not as a suspect in an investigation. Shit.
"Where have you been then? I've been calling you non-stop. I thought you'd been arrested too!"
"Steven" he croaked "i was with Steven"
Her face softened ever so slightly, realisation dawning on her that it was Sunday.
"I need to get back out there and help." She was still frosty.
She pushed her way past him and opened the door, stopping to glare at him "you better not be lying to me" she warned before exiting.
He dropped down onto the sofa and cradled his head in his hands, he tried to process the last 3 hours. His hands then balled into angry fists, Walker might slip through his fingers, he couldn't have it. He shoved his hand into his blazer pocket and pulled out his phone and thumbed his contacts to find the man. He hesitated over the call button for a few seconds before pushing it, each ring caused his breath to hitch, then a pause.
You've reached Simon Walker. Leave a message.
The sound of his voice caused Brendan to automatically sneer and grind his teeth together in frustration. He hit the red button ending the call without leaving a message. He refrained from launching his phone at the wall, reminding himself he needed self control to deliver the payback he wanted.
He spent the rest of the evening either in the office drinking or stalking around the first floor of the club, no one spoke to him, they knew better, they could see the foul mode he was in. He would come out, slam his hand on the bar until Rhys poured him a whisky, glare at various punters before skulking back to the office to stew over the day.
On his final venture out, the evening was over, lights were on and most of the clearing had been done, he hadn't even noticed the music had stopped. He chose to ungracefully lean over the bar to grab at the whisky bottle instead of just going around it, knocking one of the vodka bottles off in the process. He ignored the smashed glass on the floor, not his problem right now.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and quietly grimaced, Cheryl was going to be giving him the 3rd degree again.
A hand snaked around his side and grabbed his crotch, he jumped what felt like a foot in the air as he freed himself from the hand. Definitely not Cheryl! He grabbed the offedding hand by the wrist at lightning speed and yanked it back as he spun round.
Kevin.
He stared at the lad wild eyed with his lip curled in disgust.
"What do ye think you're doing?" he spat
"I thought you'd like it," he said, with all the seduction of a sack of potatoes.
"Clear that up" Brendan flung his wrist away and nodded towards the smashed bottle on the floor.
Kevin's face washed with indignance.
"You can't just ignore me!"
"Can't i?"
"You've been fobbing me off for weeks. You can't just pick me up and drop me when you fancy"
"You see Kevin, that's where you're wrong, because that's exactly what I've done. I had what I wanted and now I'm done. Consider yourself dropped"
The lad laughed disbelievingly "You don't mean that"
Brendan raised his eyebrow with a smirk, as if to say ' you wanna bet?'.
"Is this to do with that scrawny ex of yours? Yeah the American in the deli told me he'd gone away for a while. Thought you'd have better things to do than pine over him. What's so special about him eh? His two brats? His ASBO? His one brain cell? What's he got that I haven't?"
Brendan flew at him. Grabbing the lad by the jaw and slamming him against the bar bringing his mouth up to his ear
"Everything" he growled aggressively.
Cheryl came clamouring up the steps in her heels after hearing the commotion
"Brendan! Let him go! Let go of him!"
She gripped his shoulders and pulled with all the force she had to dislodge him. If he wanted to he could have held on, but he let himself be pulled off, he wanted this over.
Kevin had the wind knocked out of him, he looked distraught, and Brendan didnt give a shit. He felt nothing.
"Go home Kevin" Cheryl said getting between them.
"But"-
"HOME KEVIN!" she repeated.
The kid flew down the stairs and out of sight without another word.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Cheryl spat with rage. "The police, Walker, attacking Kevin, i want the truth and you better give it to me Brendan Brady i swear to god"
He sneered, where did he even start? How could he tell her anything? He didn't know anything, not really. He made a grab for the whisky bottle again but before he could get it anywhere near his lips she swiped it out of his grip and it went crashing to the floor.
"What did you do that for?!"
"I told you i want the truth, i'm not messing Brendan"
He held his arms out against the bar to brace himself and hung his head.
Cheyl let out a long sigh and perched on one of the bar stools with resignation.
"Are you in trouble?" her voice was level now, serious, but she'd lost her irate tone.
"No"
"But Walker is?"
He remained silent.
"Because of you?"
"Whatever he's done is nothing to do with me, he's nothing to do with me"
She scoffed. "Well forgive me if i don't believe you"
It touched a nerve, he didn't know why the police were looking for Walker but he wanted all ties with the man severed. He couldn't have himself associated with him and what he'd done, what he was. Rapist.
He spun around shocking Cheryl momentarily as he brought his face inches from hers.
"He's nothing to do with me, you hear me?!" he growled at her.
She winced at him aghast at his outburst.
He could feel his body trembling, his hands flexing in and out of fists, his rapid breaths were the only sound in the otherwise silent club. He was hit with regret at his actions towards his baby sister, he didn't treat her like that, he was directing his rage at the wrong person. He stumbled back from her and collapsed onto one of the sofas, elbows on knees, forehead on palms.
He didn't know how long they had remained in that silence, but his attention was caught when Cheryl cautiously rounded the low table in front of him and slowly sank down next to him.
"What's going on Brendan, i've never seen you like this"
He was rocking side to side ever so slightly trying to calm himself. He couldn't respond.
She tentatively placed her hand on his back and slowly started stroking up and down.
"Talk to me, please. I'm your wee sister, i want to help"
"You can't," he whispered.
"Try me"
He succumbed to his pent up emotion, just falling shy of actual tears but letting out an anguished sob whilst gripping his fingers into his hair.
The sight shocked Cheryl and she gasped before pulling him into her.
"I didn't protect him"
Not when it mattered. Not when he needed him.
"Walker?"
"Steven"
He felt her let out a long breath. She thought she knew what this was about, she had no idea.
"Was he okay today, at your visit?"
"No"
"Poor love. Why?"
"He told me why he did it"
Her hand movements on his back ceased, she clearly wasn't expecting that. Knowing Chez she was weighing up whether to ask for more details.
"I could have helped him, I made it all worse. I failed him"
"Awk Love, it's not your fault, you couldn't have known"
She really had no idea. If he'd listened, if he'd heard Steven out. If he'd trusted his instincts it could have been different. But he'd let the green eyed monster within him reign free, treating Steven like his property that another man had got his hands on, rather than the boy that deserves so much more.
"You don't understand. I didn't see it, I didn't pay attention. If anyone should have seen it,if anyone should have seen the signs it should have been me!"
"Brendan, now listen here; you aren't to blame, you weren't to know. You can't put this on yourself, i won't let you" she said indignantly.
"He was raped"
He slowly closed and opened eyes as he repeated the words Steven had confessed to him only this afternoon. It was real, this was happening, it wasn't a nightmare that he was going to wake up from.
"What?" her voice was strained with shock
He couldn't say it again.
"Oh my god. I can't believe it. The poor wee thing, who could do that to him? When?"
When he still didn't answer she shook him slightly, desperate for answers about her friend.
"I don't know" he didn't want to give away the information about Walker, there was still a chance he could get to him and he didn't need Cheryl jeopardising that.
"What do you mean you dont know?!"
"He just said that"
"Right, and then what did he say?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing? Well what did you say?"
"Nothing"
"What do you mean nothing?!" she questioned, irritated.
"I left"
"What?"
"I left straight away"
She stood abruptly and paced around the coffee table, not making eye contact.
"So let me get this straight. He told you that he'd been raped, thats why he'd had a mental breakdown, why he'd tried to kill himself, and you…. walked away, without saying a word, without asking a question. Is that right? Is that what you're telling me?"
He looked up at her, lost for words.
She shook her head in disbelief
"He told you this awful thing that happened to him, and you walked away, you left him, on his own?"
"I..i…uh.." he stuttered over his words as his eyes searched her face frantically.
"What is wrong with you? Are you that stupid? He probably thinks you don't believe him! You selfish bastard!"
He hadn't really thought about it until this very second. He'd been overwhelmed, sick with rage, consumed with the idea of Walker carrying on scot free whilst Steven suffered the consequences. He'd not thought about what it would have looked like from Steven's point of view.
"Of course i believe him!" he jumped up to match her stance
"And how does he know that? You abandoned him! You're sitting here crying to me about not protecting him, not being there when he needed you. He needed you today, can't you see that?!"
He'd got it wrong again, let Steven down again, no wonder he didn't confide in him, he couldn't be trusted to support a ladder let alone a loved one. As he let that reality sink in he couldn't help but frantically pace the floor, muttering to himself about how he just needed to sort it, end it, finish this.
He hadn't noticed Cheryl's panicked expression
"Brendan!"
"I need to see him, i need to speak to him" he headed for the stairs when Cheryl threw herself in front of him blocking his path and gripping his arms with a strength he didn't know she possessed.
"It's almost 2am Brendan, you can see him, you can't call him. Think about this, you try anything and you're going to make a scene, he won't thank you for that"
He nodded softly, vacantly. She was right, even if he wanted to ignore her advice there's no way he'd be able to physically see him with the security at Clairmont. You couldn't call the communal phones either, when Steven called him from them it came up as an unknown number. The idea being that patients set the boundaries with calls and contact, new age therapy nonsense as far as he was concerned, if he wanted to speak to Steven he should be allowed to. The only way you could speak to them without them calling you was going via the nurse administrators and even then they'd just 'pass on a message' and let patients return your call at their leisure.
Clairmont were strict on visiting days too. Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, it was repeated to them regularly. Only in emergencies would they allow an ad hoc visit and the doctor had to agree and sign off on it. Well as far as he was concerned this was an emergency, he'd go there first thing tomorrow morning and make his case and he wouldn't be taking no for an answer.
Cheryl touched his shoulder lightly
"Let's go home, yeah?"
He nodded and followed her as she turned off the lights and locked the door behind them. The village was completely dead at this time on a sunday night, or monday morning, whichever you say. There was a faint chill in the air, he shuddered ever so slightly as they headed back to the flat together.
—-
He closed the flat door behind them, taking care not to slam it.
"Lyndsays on nights this week" Cheryl said as she clocked his tentative movements. "I'm knackered, think I'm going to head up, unless you want to talk?"
She looked at him hopefully. Ever the optimist was his sister, but even she knew better. Brendan, talk? No chance.
"No, no. go up" he said whilst pouring himself a drink.
Cheryl appeared next to him and softly placed her hand on the glass he was holding, lowering it back down to the counter.
"Give that a miss shall we? Big day tomorrow, you'll need a clear head" she whispered before kissing him on the cheek and disappearing up the stairs.
She was right, he tossed the full whisky glass into the sink on the way to his room. Clear head. Big day. He'd get no sleep tonight, that was for sure, he had too much to think about. He needed to think about how he was going to make this up to Steven.
He collapsed onto his bed staring up at the ceiling, it was here in the darkness of this very bedroom some 2 years ago that he had realised that Steven meant more to him than another man had, or could. He let his eyes close as he took deep breaths, in and out, chest rising up and down.
….
"Are you leaving?" he asked leaning up on his elbows
"No, just got a bit cold that's all" Steven whispered as he stood by the side of the bed, t-shirt in hand and boxers back on.
He stood awkwardly as he shuddered, goosebumps appearing on his skin, visible even in the moonlight. Brendan wasn't sure if it was from the cold or the intensity of his stare. He leant back against the pillow and held his arm out to beckon the boy closer with his hand
"Come back to bed then"
A coy smile played across Stevens lips as he pulled his t-shirt on hastily and launched himself over Brendan and on to the bed like an over excited child. Brendan couldn't help but laugh and he wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders.
He'd only meant for Steven to return to his side, curled up into him the same way they had been when they drifted off to sleep some hours ago, but when the boy looked up at him all doe eyed and licked his lips, Brendan couldn't resist. He used the crook of his elbow to pull Steven's head up to his lips and crushed their mouths together, willing the boy to open up and let him in under the pressure. Steven was so compliant, he did as silently instructed and Brendan was able to deepen their kiss whilst simultaneously moving their bodies so that they lay on their sides facing each other, chest to chest.
He slipped his lower hand under Stevens neck, fingers resting on his spine and his downy hair whilst his thumb traced up and down his adams apple. His free hand groped the boy's hip and slowly moved to his waist, so tiny, he felt breakable. Brendan didn't feel like he had another round in him, although he was sure that Steven, 12 years his junior, would be more than up for it if the semi he could feel in his boxers was anything to go by. It made Brendan smile, who was he to refuse him? He slipped his hand into Stevens boxers and pulled them down so the waistband rested under the swell of his bum, revealing his growing manhood. He was still completely naked, easy access was underrated, and despite his earlier reservations his dick was responding excitedly to the situation before him.
Brendan spat into his hand and took hold of both of their erections and began to steadily pump them both, hand on dick, spit on dick, dick on dick. Stevens lay his hand lightly on Brendans chest, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow and rapid. Brendan couldn't help but study every inch of his face, watch every flicker of emotion in his expression, it was addictive.
"Open your eyes" he growled seductively
The boy's eyes fluttered open, lashes like fans, bright blue eyes looking intently up at him as a small smile played across his lips. Brendan could have stayed like that, intense eye contact, breathing into each other until they came, but Steven shied under his gaze and leant forward to place light kisses on Brendans jaw, this was a close second for a finish. Steven came first, moaning and panting into Brendan's neck and he followed closely behind.
After they both came down he reached for some tissues to clean his hand and their torso's, balling the soiled tissues up and launching them across the room into the bin. He turned back to see Steven shimmying his boxers back up and rubbing his forearms vigorously. Brendan cocked his brow, the boy must still be cold, barely any meat on him. He pulled him back into his hold, resting by his side under his arm, just as he'd planned when he coaxed the boy back into bed. With his free hand he pulled the duvet up and tucked it around Steven making sure it came right up to his chin. He watched intently as the boy's breathing evened out and he drifted off, he wanted to make sure he wasn't too cold to sleep. It was that moment that the he felt a pit form in his stomach, this wasnt an average fuck, Steven wasnt an average boy to him, he was in trouble.
…..
He woke with a jump as he sat up startled on his bed fully clothed, his mobile was ringing, the room was still dark, he squinted at the alarm clock, 3.30am, he must have only drifted off for half an hour. He blindly swung his arm out beside him, patting the bed until he located his phone, he looked at the screen.
Walker.
Now he was awake. Fully awake.
He pressed the green button and held the phone up to his ear silently. There was someone on the other end, but nothing was said, he could hear light breathing.
"Are you there Brendan?"
Walker's voice was low, calm, confident.
"Yes" his voice was hoarse
"You've been trying to get ahold of me i see"
"You didn't show up for work" he fought to keep any emotion out of his voice.
"No, i had a spot of bother"
"So i hear"
"The police have a warrant for my arrest, i'm going to have to disappear for a while i'm afraid"
"No! I'm sure we can sort whatever it is" he couldn't let Walker slip through his fingers.
"No, I'm not sure we can. But it's a real shame because I was just getting started you see. It was all going to plan, but he's gone and thrown a spanner in the works."
"He?"
"Ste"
He bristled at the mention of Steven.
"What are you talking about Walker?"
"Come on Brendan, don't play dumb with me, I know you know. I can hear it in your voice, this is killing you, talking to me."
"Enlighten me"
Say it, say it motherfucker. I dare you.
"You know what i did to him" Brendan could hear the smile in Walker's voice.
"I'm going to kill you" it was a promise, not a threat.
"Tut tut tut. We're just getting started Brendan, don't ruin the fun"
"Fun?" Walker really is out of his mind.
"Did he tell you himself?"
Brendan steadied his breathing before replying, he needed to keep control.
"Yes"
"How did that feel?"
He closed his eyes, reliving the moment Steven had told him. The memory caused him to grip the phone so tightly he thought the thing might break.
"Did it hurt? I bet it did. After everything you've been through, it had to have"
"Shut your mouth"
"No one protected poor little Steven, just like no one protected poor little Brendan….from daddy"
"You're dead"
Walker sniggered.
"Why do you think I did it?"
"It doesn't matter, i'll kill ye either way"
"Oh it matters, it always matters. Humour me"
He took a deep breath.
"You fancied him, he was interested, so you took what you wanted. Because you could.
Walker chuckled sinisterly
"Oh he fancied me alright, there's no doubt. But he's the type that needs to be worked on isnt he? You can attest to that. A sweet little thing that you take out to dinner and get to know before getting him in the sack. In another life i'd quite have enjoyed that" he mused "but it had to be this way"
"Why?" he choked
"Because you had to pay and the way to get to you is to hurt those you love"
Me? This is about me? No no no no no, it can't be.
"What do you mean?"
Walker chuckled again.
"You know I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you in prison that first day, of all the people, of all the places. There you were, it was meant to be, he sent you to me. You didn't recognise me, why would you? I thought maybe the name would ring a bell, but I suppose theres a lot of Walkers in the world isn't there, but I knew you; the infamous Brendan Brady."
He was flummoxed here, what the fuck was Walker going on about? What did Steven have to do with prison? How did Walker know him? The other man continued
"You still don't know who I am, do you?"
"Should i?"
"You knew my brother. My little brother"
Brother. Someone with the second name Walker. His jaw dropped slightly, a wave of dread washing over him. No, it couldn't be.
"Cameron Walker" The other man said slowly.
He swallowed hard. How had he never clocked it before? Besides the fact they had the same surname and Cameron had mentioned an older brother he had, they actually did look similar, tall, floppy hair, green eyes, vampire esq features.
"Wondering if I know what you did? How you got him killed?"
"Danny Houston killed him" Brendan retorted quickly.
"Ahh that's rumour, not that anyone ever paid for it, its an open case still"
"Danny's dead now"
"Doesn't matter, you're the reason Danny killed him. You sold him out, set him up."
"You've got it wrong Walker" but he didn't. He didn't have it wrong at all.
"no , no. don't do that Brendan. Don't try and twist it, he told me before they got to him"
Fuck.
"So this is your comeuppance Brendan. This is your reckoning"
"This is between me and you, let's settle it. Man to man"
"No, i want this to be painful for you, like it was painful for me, like it was painful for him"
"Meet me you coward" he growled down the phone.
There was silence for 20 seconds or so, he knew the other man was still on the phone from the breathing he could still hear.
"He fought you know" Walker was composed again. No emotion in his words. "But he was no match for me obviously. He cried too, tried to scream, I had him pinned on his front on the floor. Did he tell you that, did you want the gory details?"
It was like Walker had reached through the phone, torn his heart out of his chest and thrown it on the floor and stomped on it. A visual he'd been blocking out of his head all evening, the actual logistics. If Steven had shouted for help, if he'd been too scared to move, how violent it had been, if he'd been tied up, if he'd thought he was going to die. He wasn't prepared to hear any of the answers yet.
"I wondered if he'd tell anyone straight away, it was a risky move, I took a chance. But as I predicted, he kept it to himself like a good little boy. It's been so easy to torment him since, the poor thing, like a cat with its prey. I couldn't have predicted what happened though, that really was the cherry on top. Him losing his mind, you can't make that up!" Walker said in amusement.
Walker was enjoying rubbing salt into Brendan's wounds.
"You did it just to get to me? What if he'd never told me? How would that be payback? Eh?"
"Oh I always planned on you finding out, it was just going so well. Turning Cheryl against you slowly, ruining Steven, next was the business, i was going to burn the Brady empire down to the ground and when you felt like you had nothing else, that's when i was going to tell you what i'd done to him, what you'd made me do to him"
It was all falling into place, Cheryls obsession with Walker and her sudden irritation and anger with everything Brendan did, Steven's decline, the raid at the club. It was all part of Walker's plan.
"I got a bit cocky though, didn't plan on Ste going to the police after all this time"
What? That's what the arrest warrant was for? Steven had gone to the police and reported what Walker had done. The stupid boy, now it was on the police's radar he wouldn't be able to make Walker disappear without suspicion and further investigation.
"So change of plan" Walker said in a sing-song tone. "Like I say, I'm going away for a while, but don't worry I'll be back. This is far from over"
"Where are you? Let's finish this, tonight!" he shouted, he couldn't let him get away, he posed too much of a threat now. He couldn't protect everyone.
"Soon Brendan. Our time will come soon."
The line went dead.
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