Paulie could see the anger building inside Michael. He had to be the voice of reason, but he had not had any other choice here. Rob Barber had shit on their doormat, and that could not be tolerated. Still, it had to be sorted with finesse. ‘Listen to me, Michael. My first instinct was to take the fucker out the first night he rolled up here, but I knew that would only cause more trouble. So I swallowed because, as big a cunt as he is, there are still his brothers and their firm to deal with. Patrick and Declan have to be in on this, mate. You have to see the logic of that. They must have the final say.’

Michael knew that Paulie was right, but it was the principle as far as he was concerned. That little shit Rob Barber would have known that it was his name on the door here, that the Costellos had given the club to him. Rob Barber had really been challenging Michael, and that was hard to overlook.

He had earned his place in the Costello family, he was respected by everyone in his orbit. When Patrick Costello singled a person out, it was assumed – rightly – that the person concerned had done something very noteworthy indeed. Something that warranted their meteoric rise through the ranks. To be treated so disrespectfully by someone like Rob Barber – a man who was a laughing stock – was fucking outrageous.

He had to calm down; he knew that giving in to his emotions was a futile exercise. He needed to keep a clear head, think this through properly. ‘You’re right, Paulie, we need to sort this with care. But you should have told me the score from the off. It should never have gone as far as it has. And I can tell you now, mate, Patrick will already know everything there is to know. He has ears everywhere – I learnt that very early on. I left you to it, and I know you were only trying to sort it out yourself to save me any aggro but, in future, you tell me anything of relevance sooner rather than later, OK?’

Paulie nodded. ‘I didn’t want to bother you with it. I honestly never thought it would go so far. But you’re right, Michael, in future I’ll know better.’

Michael smiled then, a big, bright smile. ‘Oh, and tell all the doormen he’s barred on my express order and if Rob Barber wants to discuss it, he can come and see me – personally.’

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

‘Are you looking forward to us getting married, Michael?’

Michael opened his eyes slowly at Josephine’s question. He was just about to fall asleep, he was so tired, even though it was the middle of the afternoon. It had been a long, stressful week.