Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection: The Trap, Payback, The Wronged. Kimberley Chambers

going to blow the whistle on me.

      At first, out of fright, I agreed to do such a terrible thing. Then, I looked around at the party and saw Roy and Colleen gaze into one another’s eyes like I once used to gaze into yours, Queenie. It was then I decided I could not go through with it.

      When I told Vinny my decision, he tried to bribe me with money, and it was when I still refused that he leapt on the stage and told my secret to everybody. Michael will vouch for my story if you do not believe it. I have told him everything.

      As a massive favour, I ask that you do not share the contents of this letter with Vinny or anybody else. I just wanted you to be aware of what type of person our eldest son is, so you can guard the backs of yourself, Michael and Brenda in the future. Our grandson needs to be protected too, because if he isn’t, chances are he will grow up to be evil just like his father.

      I hope you take heed of my warning, Queenie. As we both know, Roy’s bullet was meant for Vinny and I would hate to see any more casualties. I cannot come back to Whitechapel ever again, as I know my son will have me killed if I do, so it is left to you to sort out this mess. You created a monster, so best you deal with it.

      Good luck,

      Albie.

      Cursing under her breath, Queenie tore the letter into shreds and put it in her bedside drawer. How dare that drunken old bastard not only refer to her wonderful son as a monster, but also have the cheek to blame her for it? Yes, she had encouraged Vinny to make something of himself like the Kray twins had, but that was only because she didn’t want him to have the shit life that she’d had to endure.

      Wanting to cry through temper, Queenie forced herself not to, and instead repaired her windswept hair in the mirror and put on some more red lipstick. If Albie was telling the truth about Vinny wanting to split up Roy and Colleen, and that was a big ‘if’ with Albie’s track record, then Vinny must have had good reason to do so.

      Her first-born was the heart and soul of the family. He was the one who had put food on the table when Albie had been squandering every penny they had in pubs and on whores. Vinny had always treated and respected her like a shortened version of her name. He had looked upon her as a queen, and no way would Queenie ever turn her back on him. He was even buying his old club back just for her, for Christ’s sake.