‘Yeah, silent partners, and that suits me right down to the ground. In future I’ll sort out Vic the Maltese or anyone else who wants to muscle in, all right? You sort yourself out. I still own the lion’s share of this place, mate.’

Tommy smiled sarcastically.

‘Of course you do. You always owned the lion’s share of everything didn’t you? Well, now I’ve been put well and truly in my place, I’ll fuck off.’

As he walked out of the door Briony threw her own glass of scotch at the door. It smashed into thousands of tiny pieces. Tommy shut the door quietly behind him without looking back. Briony sat down at her desk, the tears running down her face. How could he have done this to her? How could he have walked in here, all sweetness and light, and then dumped her back down on the ground so wickedly? She had felt so euphoric at seeing him, telling herself he could not live without her the same way she couldn’t live without him, and all the time it was just business. Plain, simple business.

Stalking across the room, she opened the door. Spotting Julian, she bellowed, ‘Get Marcus Dowling, now!’

Julian winced visibly as the door was slammed. Walking through to the club itself, he spied Marcus at the bar with Bernadette.

‘Briony wants you, now. And I do mean now. She’s rather upset.’

Briony was standing by her desk when Marcus walked into the office. ‘Oh, so you’ve come then? I understand you did a bit of business with Tommy late tonight. A bit of business you should have consulted me about?’

Marcus licked his lips. ‘That’s correct. I did a bit of business. But I didn’t see fit to bother you with it, Miss Cavanagh. After all, I am your number two. It’s what I’m paid for. I deal with things as and when they come up.’

‘Did Tommy Lane approach you?’

‘Yes...’

Briony cut him off.

‘You’ve been reporting to him, haven’t you? Now don’t lie to me, Marcus.’

He sighed. ‘I have never lied to you, Miss Cavanagh.’

‘No, you ain’t lied, you just ain’t said nothing. Well, I’m telling you now, as the person who pays your wages, you owe me, not Tommy Lane, your loyalty. He’s a sleeping partner. I am the main owner of this place. I don’t employ dogs and then bark myself. Do you get my drift?’

Marcus nodded. ‘Yes, I understand. But we was trying to protect you ... We was just ...’