‘One move, big boy, and I’ll splatter your guts all over this house!’ She looked at the two other hoods, still sitting in the fireside chairs. ‘Take out any weapons you’ve got and place them on the floor in front of you.’ Skip started to put his arms down and Briony pushed the gun into his back once more.

‘Don’t even think about it! I’ll just take you with me, boy. I’ll take your gun myself, thank you.’

As she spoke Daniel and Boysie walked into the room. The sight of sawn-off shotguns gave all three prisoners a sinking feeling in their guts.

Boysie and Daniel, smiling now, were looking the three Americans over.

‘Imagine leaving your back door open.’

‘Especially in an area like this. It’s a wonder you weren’t burgled. Now I think we need a few explanations, and you three are going to provide them.’ Danny’s voice was soft as silk.

As Skip looked at the two young men and the tiny redhead he knew he would never see the outside of this room. Shaking his head in amazement, he resigned himself to that.

One thing Skip had always had in his favour: he knew when he was beaten.

Chapter Thirty-eight

Chapter Thirty-eight

Briony listened with barely controlled emotion as Evander told the whole story. His voice was low, honest and without guile. He did not attempt to underplay his own role or justify himself, which did him some good with Briony and the twins. The East End had a saying: ‘If you get a capture, hold your hand up.’ When he said that Skip was related to Tommy Corolla, a Mafia don, the twins laughed out loud.

Boysie, always quick to joke, said to Skip, ‘I couldn’t give a fuck who your godfather was, mate, my godfather’s bleeding Jonathan la Billière. You’re dead as a frigging doornail, not because of what you done, but because of who you done it to. You so-called Mafia prats should find out just who you’re dealing with before you start your little games over here.’

To prove his point he punched Skip in the head three times, knocking him to the ground. Boysie was losing that famous temper of his. Briony watched calmly.

‘Leave it for a while, Boysie love. Let Evander finish.’

‘He’s a ponce, they’re all ponces, that black bastard included!’

Kerry was crying softly. ‘Look, leave it, please, I just want to go home now!’

Briony patted her arm and said loudly, ‘What you want, Kerry, is a drink. Well, this is one time when you’ll have to wait. We have to sort this thing out tonight, once and for all.’

Looking at Evander, she said, ‘I take it you’re sorry now, for all this?’

Evander looked at the ground. He nodded.