There was still no answer. I provided it for him. ‘Let’s get together and make some cents.’ Nothing. ‘Okay, okay. So it’s an American joke,’ I said. ‘It’s still good though, right? You can still understand it. And, you know what? This, right now?’ I waved my arm. ‘You being here? It’s making no sense. Your boss, whoever he is, will get his money. But seventy-two hours is ridiculous. We need more time. You tell him that you don’t scare me. You want a fight then I’m here and I’m ready.’

I puffed up my chest, emboldened by the continued silence from the enforcer. It was all for show, of course. I didn’t fight. Ever. ‘What’s your boss’s name again?’

Unsurprisingly, the monster-shaped man didn’t answer. I was going to have to be a damn sight cleverer than that. ‘Strong and silent, eh?’ I asked. ‘I’m betting you’re actually a real softie at heart. You probably hate violence.’ I took one step up. ‘You play the part of the bully but really you like puppies and pansies and crying at romantic comedies.’ I took another step up.

There was another loud rumble. I forced myself not to clutch at the banister as the entire house shook. It took me a moment or two to work out what the sound was. Shit. It was laughter. I shrugged.

‘Okay then. I pegged you wrong. You do like violence. You are a bully. But you know what? Most bullies can be beaten. You probably live off your size. People run away in fear before you even raise your little finger. Well,’ I said, hoping to hell that I sounded bold and confident, ‘I’m not scared of bullies. Not any more. Until you’ve faced a vicious Sidhe teen girl, you don’t know the meaning of the word bully. So you? You’re nothing.’

He still didn’t bloody move. This was like talking to a brick wall. I stepped up once more. I was getting closer. And he was still a freaking statue.

‘I’m Sidhe, you know,’ I said casually, hating myself for bringing up my heritage. What the hell. I was leaving town anyway. ‘You want to know who my father was? Gale. From Clan Adair. He was a mean wanker with more power in his pinkie than you could ever even dream of.’ So I’d been told. I flicked a cold smile up at the statue. ‘Clan Adair might not be around any more but I’ve got his power. I am his daughter.’