Torvic let out a deep, harsh, and forceful laugh. ‘Rules? Are you delusional or what? There are no rules, you silly bitch. There is no honour among thieves. And there is no such thing as live by the sword or die by the sword. We write our own rules, lady, and that’s where you’ve fallen down. You’re weak, feeble, and sentimental. You said to me once that if you ever came face-to-face with the Governor, you would stoop to his level.’ He laughed again. ‘You haven’t got it in you, have you? You said the Governor had written his own rule book, and you, ya stupid cunt, said you would break every one of them. Play me! Me! At my own game? The only game you could fucking play is snakes and ladders.’

Zara stayed motionless, not even flinching, as he ranted.

‘Oh, I don’t say things lightly, I meant every word of them. Beside you are your two precious sons, and you, Torvic, will kill them. You see, you might think that by terrorizing innocent families and killing innocent people they were expendable, a necessary means to an end. And you might believe that I couldn’t stoop any lower. You are probably thinking that I haven’t the guts to match your game, but ya see, old-timer, I can stoop just that one unbearable step lower.’

Torvic suddenly went quiet. His face paled over, and his eyes filled up. No way. There was only one move she could make that would be lower than what he’d ever done. He held his breath, praying he was wrong.

‘Mike, you wanted answers. Do you want to take over for a bit? I need a coffee.’

Mike watched her in admiration. She was ruthless, the Devil’s daughter, but he loved her with every bone in his body. ‘Yes, Boss.’

The tables had been turned: never in his wildest dreams would he have ever thought he’d call the love of his life ‘Boss’. Over the years, they’d grappled over power in an affectionate way. It had been a real tug of war; but tonight, she’d shown her worth, and he had to respect the woman.

He stormed into the backroom and practically dragged the almost dead weight and threw him on the floor in front of Alastair.

Torvic sighed with relief. His worst fears were misplaced if Dez was the best they could do. He wanted to laugh. He had no affection for the man; he was just another foot soldier hooked on Flakka and eager to please. His eldest son, Stephan, suddenly came out of his shock and looked down at the bloodied mess in front of him as Dez writhed around the floor in agony. The blood-soaked jeans and anguish on his face made Stephan almost faint with nerves.

Mike kicked Dez in the back. ‘Look up, you piece of shit!’