At first Flora didn’t look up, but when she did, Mack made Dexter wave his little paw. Flora gave her a big genuine smile, which made Mack’s heart thud. It was such a beautiful smile. Being who she was, one of the closest members of the Sharkey family, and being around the casino, pubs, and clubs they owned, Mack had a lot of women flirting and giving her fake smiles, just to get her attention. None were like the smile Flora just gave her.

Then Mack placed her palm to her heart and mouthed the words thank you. Finally she stuck out her tongue and pointed to the blue dye on it, to show she had enjoyed the fizz bombs already.

Flora started to laugh, and that was exactly what she wanted. Maybe she could try to talk to Flora tomorrow.

* * *

“Kevin Drury’s here to see you, boss.”

Malcolm McDade—Malky—looked up from the files in front of him. “Send him in.”

Since returning from London to take over the business after his dad died, Malky made his office in the back of one of the family’s car mechanic businesses. It was only one of the many business operations that the McDade family used to launder money. Taxi firms, florists, hairdressers all gave the family somewhere to filter through their drug money.

Until recently Malky was based in London. He had a myriad of contacts that supplied the McDades with the drugs they sold on the streets of some territories in Glasgow and the surrounding areas. After his father’s death he came back to Glasgow to take the helm of the family and make sure no one took advantage of the temporary shift in power.

Malky looked down at the pictures his informants had given him. Thomas, Nikki, and Mack Sharkey. “I’m coming for you.”

The McDades and the Sharkeys were bitter rivals. They’d been good friends before vying for territory, and then ultimately Malky’s grandad ordered a hit on one of the Sharkey children.

He heard the door open, and Kevin Drury walked in. Malky sat back in his seat and just stared at him. Malky was short, but stocky and intimidating to most, especially someone like the snivelling Kevin Drury.

Malky continued staring silently until Kevin said in a shaky voice, “You wanted to see me?”

“Believe me, Kevin. No one wants to see you, unless we have to.”

Kevin was one of their dealers on the street, and an essential part of the plan that Malky had convinced his dad to give the go-ahead for. It didn’t go exactly to plan, but it had struck a blow against the Sharkeys and reminded them that the McDades were still here.

“I’m sorry about your da, Malky,” Kevin said.