‘It’s the only way, Adele. I need you here. I’m fuckin’ clueless with the books, like I’ve told you before, and I don’t wanna get anyone else involved. I’m not having a stranger nosying in my fuckin’ business. Besides, what else are you gonna do? You’re best off here with us. I wanna fuckin’ protect you.’

‘No you don’t! You’re just looking out for your own interests. You’re as big a fuckin’ crook as he is,’ she shouted, her eyes switching to Glynn.

Then she stormed out of Peter’s office for the second time that day, too infuriated to think straight about what had happened.

But that would come once she had calmed down and thought long and hard about her situation. And sooner or later she was going to have to reach a decision.

Chapter 47

As soon as Adele had gone, Peter rounded on Glynn. ‘What the fuck did you have to tell her all that for?’ he demanded.

Glynn hit back. ‘There was no fuckin’ choice. She was going to the cops, for fuck’s sake! We couldn’t let her do that. If she got the coppers involved they’d soon find out about the protection money and maybe even find out it was us that killed Sam and that other guy. Then all our fuckin’ necks would be on the line.

‘Besides, she’s no fuckin’ innocent. She’s been doing the books for long enough. She must have known there was summat going on.’

‘She didn’t know fuck all!’ shouted Peter, ‘because I kept all that from her. As far as Adele was concerned, I’ve got a nightclub, a few fuckin’ sunbed salons and a bookies. That’s all.’

‘Well, it was the best way, as far as I’m concerned.’

‘No it wasn’t! She could still go to the fuckin’ coppers, and now she knows all about the protection money.’

‘Will she fuck go to the cops!’ Glynn grinned before adding, ‘She’s too scared of the consequences.’

‘Well, I just hope you’re right,’ said Peter.

‘Course I am. No worries,’ said Glynn. ‘Anyway, what’s this about you fuckin’ paying off Alan’s firm?’

Peter broke out in a sweat and loosened his shirt collar as he felt the heat rising through his body and up to his face. ‘It was the only way,’ he said.

‘Well, it didn’t fuckin’ work, did it?’ said Glynn. ‘So now they’ve had your money and they’re still doing us over. They must have thought you were a right fuckin’ mug!’

‘Shut the fuck up!’ yelled Peter. ‘I’m running this firm so you’ll keep your fuckin’ opinions to yourself if you wanna keep your job.’