The street outside the Garrison was colder than it looked.
I stood there for a moment, coat buttoned, listening to the noise behind me bleed back into laughter and music. Inside, men drank and forgot. Outside, work waited.
Two lads Arthur had sent with me stood a few steps back, pretending not to watch me. New faces. Watching to see whether I'd lead—or hesitate.
I felt it then. That faint pressure behind my eyes.
This wasn't about collecting money.This was about being seen doing it.
James came out of the pub like he belonged there.
He was one of our bookmakers—one of the ones trusted to count, collect, and bring it back to the family without games. Except lately, the numbers had been wrong. Not wrong enough to scream. Wrong enough to stink.
He buttoned his coat and started down the street, head slightly lowered, like the night air was bothering him.
Like guilt didn't weigh more than cold.
I stepped into his path.
His eyes landed on me and widened—just a fraction.
Then he forced a smile.
"Mr Shelby," he said quickly. "Evenin'. Didn't see you in there."
The two lads behind me shifted. Waiting.
James tried to keep his voice light. "Everything's alright, yeah? I was just—"
"Just going home," I finished for him.
He nodded too fast. "Aye. Long night. Busy."
I held his gaze. Didn't blink. Didn't raise my voice.
"Tell me the truth," I said. "Where's the missing money?"
His smile twitched.
"Missing?" he repeated, like the word offended him. "No, no—there's no missing money. It's just—some of the punters have been slow this week. It happens. I was going to square it up—"
He leaned in a little, lowering his voice like we were sharing something.
"Tommy doesn't need to hear about small delays, does he? It'll only cause trouble—"
That was the wrong sentence.
I didn't explode. I didn't shout. I didn't make it dramatic.
I simply stepped forward and hit him.
One clean punch.
The sound was sharp in the cold air—like a door slammed shut.
James went down on his back, gasping, hands coming up too late.
The street didn't go silent, but it changed. Like everyone suddenly remembered how to listen.
James tried to scramble up, eyes wild. "Mr Shelby—please—"
I grabbed his coat and dragged him upright just enough to look him in the face.
"You stole," I said quietly. "Then you tried to hide behind Tommy's name."
He shook his head, lips trembling. "I didn't— I swear I didn't—"
I turned my head slightly, just enough to make sure the people watching could see. Just enough to make sure they'd remember what happened next.
I let him drop to his knees.
Then I crouched beside him and spoke low, almost calm.
"You're going to pay back every penny," I said. "And you're going to pay extra for thinking I'm stupid."
He swallowed hard.
"And if I hear even one more whisper about missing money," I continued, "I won't come find you again."
His breath came out in short, panicked bursts. "I'll pay, I'll pay—tonight, I swear."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the razor.
James flinched so hard he almost fell sideways.
A few people in the crowd shifted back.
Not because I waved it around.Because they knew what it meant.
I held James's chin in my hand—not rough, not gentle. Controlled.
"This is so you don't forget," I said.
And I marked him.
Not a savage slash. Not a butcher's cut. Just enough—clean and deliberate—across his cheek. A line that would heal. A line that would still be there when he looked in the mirror.
James made a sound like a sob and clapped a hand to his face.
Blood ran between his fingers.
I stood up slowly and looked at the men watching.
Not angry. Not loud.
Just present.
"Take him," I told the two lads behind me.
They moved quickly, grabbing James under the arms.
As they hauled him away, James kept nodding, voice breaking.
"Tonight, Mr Shelby—tonight—please—"
I didn't answer him.
I didn't need to.
The point had already landed.
People stared as we passed. Some pretended they weren't looking. Others didn't bother hiding it.
And I could feel it—like heat crawling up my neck.
Not pride.
Attention.
Whispers would spread by morning. Not because I screamed it into the street.
Because the street had seen it for itself.
I walked away without rushing, hands steady, blood drying on my knuckles like ink.
Then—soft as a thought—
A chime.
Reputation +35
Current Reputation:50 / 50 Task Completed
My breathing slowed.
Another line appeared.
Rewards Received:
Perk Points +5
Cash +£100
The pressure behind my eyes eased like something had been satisfied.
And I knew—without anyone having to tell me—
Tommy would hear about this.
In Small Heath, nothing stayed quiet for long.
Especially not a message written in blood.