She was unable to answer him with complete honesty, because she knew that he was right – she would be terrified. They were silent until they reached the house and, once inside, she turned to him and said quietly, ‘I think I would be sensible enough to act the innocent, make him believe that I knew nothing of any merit. But if Terrence Allen was fool enough to come after me, take me off the street or whatever, then I think he would know as well as I would that he could never let me go home again. So it’s a moot point really, don’t you think?’

Then she started to cry, the truth of his words penetrating her mind, while Billy Allen’s screams filled her head. Running to her cousin, she threw herself into his arms, and he held her, impressed with her logic, and aware that she was indeed growing up fast.

As he stroked her hair, he could feel her body as she pushed against him. She was holding him tightly to her, and she was ripe, all right – he knew she was as aware as he was of the reaction she was getting from him. He was excited; she was not only young and up for anything, but she was also dangerous, very dangerous indeed. She was his cousin, she was his uncle’s daughter, his baby, and she was offering herself to him. And, even though he knew what he was doing was wrong, he couldn’t help himself. He had always loved the chase, loved the conquest, and this was the ultimate forbidden fruit; it would taste all the sweeter because of that. He liked being first, and he liked them young.

When she put her arm around the back of his head, forced his face down to hers, and kissed him, Petey Bailey forgot everything except that she was there, she was willing, and no one would be interrupting them for the next few hours.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Seven

‘It’s like he’s disappeared – no one’s seen or heard from him.’ Delroy sounded as frustrated as he felt.

Peter and Daniel had expected as much. Now, as Daniel changed his clothes after showering in freezing cold water, he knew they could do nothing but wait. All their lads were on the hunt now – dragging people out of bed, visiting every club and pub they could think of, and offering a reward that was big enough to tempt even the most prosperous of their counterparts. But it was still a waiting game, and that was the hardest part.

‘He must have found out we were on the lookout. He’ll know his brother’s been lifted wherever he is – he must be shitting it.’