‘Randy’s sick. He’s got something wrong with his heart. He was up the hospital the last two weeks, so he wouldn’t have had the strength nor the will. He ain’t like Dez. In fact, none of my brothers are like Dez. We try to help him, but for years he’s lived off our reputation and bullied people. Mr Regan, I am what I am, a drug dealer, and, yeah, I’ve bashed up people. I’ve done wrong things, like all of us, but nothing like Dez.’ He wiped his tears away, and gave a sad, defeated smile. ‘You won’t hurt me sister, will ya?’ His eyes begged.

Mike blinked slowly as he shook his head. ‘No, Woodrow, the war is between good and bad, really. This Governor may have hurt your sister, but me and my firm wouldn’t do so, not in a fucking million years. Did you honestly think I would?’

Woodrow nodded. ‘I have to say I did. That’s why I told you it was Dez.’

‘I’m a ruthless bastard, but hurt a woman? Never, mate. Before you get outta me car, don’t get too complacent, though. I still have Randy, so you do as you’re told, yeah?’

Woodrow smiled. ‘Believe it or not, Mr Regan, I’m now on your side. Ya see, this Governor man would’ve hurt my sister. That’s the difference between you and him. It’s why I want to help. You need to find this bloke and kill him!’

‘Oh, believe me, I fucking will. Now, I need to find out who this other bloke is who bashed the life outta my son.’

‘And Randy, he’s a kid, he’s not like Dez. Please . . . ’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll get the boy to the hospital, but be warned. If you fuck me over, I can soon ’ave a change of heart.’

With his eyes looking directly into Mike’s, Woodrow replied, ‘I swear to you, I won’t do that. I want the Governor dead as much as you do. I hate this drug. I hate even more how we’re all held to fucking ransom, and more than that, I hate that this cunt has so much power. He’s raising a fucking army.’

‘No man is that invincible. President Kennedy got shot!’

Woodrow raised his brow, and a hint of a smirk adorned his face – a thought he digested as he left the car and headed to the estate.

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN