End?

Joey stood staring out over the water. He knew he was playing with fire but sometimes there really was no option. He had to keep his family and Martina safe. That was all that happened. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he watched the various ships and shipping containers leave and arrive the dockyard. He sighed, knowing he could only imagine the history the place had. His grandfather had worked at Liverpool Docks as a young man so he knew all the stories about the 'ladies of the night' and the sailors who came into and out of the port. He knew all about the violence that had happened there and didn't want to add to that statistic.

"Joey."

He turned as he heard his name called. A smile plastered across his face that he knew was false he nodded.

"Yeah."

"What? No greetings." The other man asked. Joey winced, knowing his customary greeting was being mocked.

"Why am I 'ere. C'mon Shifty." He watched as the other man smirked. "You could have killed me more than once. If that was what you wanted. All that crap with the Loan Sharks you were in bother with when our Amber came to live at ours, this stalking grandad, running me Jag off the road. Its overkill. You lived next door to me. Ate at the same table. You could have done it at any time you wanted. For whatever reason you wanted."

"Didn't want to. Not to start with."

"Well, thats good to know." Joey rolled his eyes as he looked at his cousin. He knew Shifty well enough to know when he was hiding something. He had no choice but to wait. He had no intention of taking a step closer to him. "What changed?"

"Nothing really." He ran a hand over his face. "You, Joseph Frederick Boswell. Eldest and most perfect son of the Boswell clan. You know they all worsip the ground your black leather shoes walk on."

"Jealousy then."

"And then you and Amber click instantly."

"What you did to her mum is nothing to do with me. She's a good kid. And its Mam who got custody, not me."

"Made me think though. You and Siobhan got on really well."

"We did. She was too good for you." Joey narrowed his eyes. "I don't think I like where this is going. You think me and Siobhan? What? When you were in Young Offenders? I was with Roxy, remember?"

"Ah Roxanne. Love of your life."

"I thought so when I was a kid. Not now."

"Now its Martina. Isn't it?" Joey straightened up as best his injuries could allow him. He knew Martina was with Aveline and his mum. He knew she was safe. Shifty shrugged.

"What you got that I haven't?"

"This is all about jealousy? I can't believe this, Shifty. I never went with Siobhan. I get on well with Amber because she is a smashing kid. And she is family. Never had a reason not to like the girl. She's like her mother. You know Roxy destroyed me, kept me hanging on for years. No more. And I reckon you owe someone money. It is usually money when you are like this. Don't tell me. Yizzel. He hates me, you traded me instead of the money." Joey did his best to hide the fear as he felt rather than saw someone move. Shifty pulled a gun out of his pocket, pointing it directly at his cousin. Joey didn't know if he was more annoyed than scared. A loud hiss of breaks and a cacophany of noise caught his attention, as police appeared from every possible hiding place. Shifty was bundled into the police van in what felt like seconds as a female police officer walked towards him.

"Mr Boswell."

"Thats me." He smiled at the younger woman. He felt sick, the adrenaline wearing off as he leant against the railings.

"We got the other two men, Mr Yizzel and his friend in custody. We'll need a statement."

"Its over." Joey sighed. "Isn't it? It's ok now, isn't it?"

"Go home to your family Mr Boswell. You need them as much as they need you." She squeezed his hand as he nodded slightly, desperate to get back to Martina and his grandad. He had to tell them it was over.

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