‘I have listened to you, and I accept what you’re saying, Dad, but me and my brothers need to be paid the same as Uncle Daniel’s boys. You control everything about us – you always have, Dad, and we don’t like it. So, while we are being honest, let me say my piece. I want to be paid my due, and then maybe I wouldn’t have to scam for it. As for a wife and family, how could I keep anyone on what you weigh out to us? I can’t even keep myself. And, as for my cards, I’m a grown man, and that is my prerogative. I’m twenty-four, Dad, not a fucking teenager. So, you think on what I’m saying, as I will on what you have said. I could get work anywhere and you know it.’

Peter Bailey saw the truth in his son’s words but it didn’t mean he trusted him, weak fool that he was. Gamblers would always look for the quick buck, the easy money; they only saw money as something you got in a win, not something you worked for. This son of his, his own flesh and blood, was everything he loathed in other people. That Petey had been the cause of trouble for one of Daniel’s sons weighed heavily on his mind. To know that he had bred a Judas like this was anathema to him. How could this have happened? How had he produced such a fucking loose cannon? He hated to think it, but this lad had a lot of Daniel in him; he had the same arrogance, the same need to be noticed. Except Daniel knew the strength of an earn, whereas this cunt wanted it on a plate.

Petey looked at his father, and he knew exactly what was going through his mind. He realised he had to rein himself in, but it rankled. He wanted to break out on his own, he wanted his own crew. He wanted everything, and sooner rather than later. His father was the past and Petey wasn’t willing to wait for years to take over the family business. He wanted it now. He didn’t have the firepower yet, but he would wait, and he would watch. Until then, he would toe the line – outwardly at least. For now, it was all he could do.

Chapter Forty-Four

‘She’s gorgeous, Lena, look at her beautiful hair!’

Tania could hear the compliments coming her way, and she preened with delight. All her life she had been told how beautiful she was, how clever she was, and how loved she was. Despite that, she still felt frightened when she was alone. It was only when she was surrounded by her family that she felt secure. She was learning to dance and she loved showing off what she’d learned.