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Drew it into his lungs. Imagined it hardening in his core.
    And then O'Neill put his gun away.
    "We'll not kill you yet," he said. "Don't want you stinking up the place. Might be here a while."
    Cormac jutted his chin at the boss. "What are you going to do when word gets back to my friends? You know they'll not be happy about this."
    O'Neill's mighty mono-brow bowed in the middle. "We'll think of something, son. Don't worry. Plenty of ways a lad can get himself killed on a job like this. Maybe I'll tell them John Gallagher did you in during an escape attempt. Just off the top of my head, like."
    Cormac snuffed air through his nose. Composed himself. He subtly tested the Scullions' grip on his arms, just a small shift in pressure here and there to see if they'd dropped their guard even just a little. Solid as shackles. O'Neill motioned Paddy forward.
    "Go on, fat man," Cormac said. "Have your pound of flesh."
    Paddy waddled forward. He stood with his nose inches away from Cormac's. His breath reeked of raw onion.
    "This could have all been avoided, you know," Paddy said. "If you'd just had the sense to stop for a second and ask me what happened... why I had to sort the wee shite out... Ach, why bother? You're a stupid bastard. I'm not even going to justify myself to you."
    Cormac tensed, expecting Paddy to grab a handful of fingers and get to work. But the fat man turned away from him and beckoned the kid off the mattress.
    Mattie stood slowly, his face wrought with trepidation. Then he darted forward. He dummied to Paddy's left. The fat man fell for it and Mattie dashed to the right. He almost made it to the door but in a moment of action that took everybody by surprise, himself included, Paddy kicked out backwards like a surly mule. The kick caught the door and swung it shut. Mattie got sideswiped in the arc and was shunted to the side. He bounced off the stud wall and stumbled backwards. Mick caught up with the moment and left Cormac's side to grab Mattie by the scruff. The kid flailed his arms in all directions, caught Mick by surprise and ran at the door again. But he'd lost his chance. Paddy grabbed him by the waist and dumped him on the mattress. Mattie refused to stay down. He sprang up and threw a low punch. Paddy went back, arse first, and avoided a brutal thump in the balls. Mattie took advantage of a lowered target and caught Paddy's jaw with an efficient right hook. He primed his fist for another swing but Mick had shaken off Mattie's wild attack. He stepped in and kicked the kid's legs out from under him. Mattie crashed to the floor and stayed down.
    Paddy coughed and gulped air, the sudden exertion too much for him. Mick Scullion stood between the fat man and the boy. Dared him to have another go so he'd have an excuse to batter him. Mattie knew he'd been beat but he returned Mick's stare and dared him right back.
    Cormac started to weigh up the situation. There might have been a chance to gain some sort of advantage over the other three while Mattie had pinballed around the room but that frantic moment was lost. He'd been too wrapped up in watching Mattie's sudden charge. But the balance had shifted. Cormac, one arm now free, primed himself for the right moment.
    "You wee fucker." Paddy's breathless voice whined. "Did you not learn your lesson the first time?"
    Mattie paled. He knew what had to be coming next. Cormac couldn't help but admire him. No tears, no begging. Just cool silence and that tough little look of defiance.
    Paddy pushed Mick out of his way. "Keep that prick busy." He pointed at Cormac. "You know what he's like."
    Pete let go of Cormac's arm and stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother. They shifted into loose boxing stances and invited Cormac to have a go with matching perverse smiles. Paddy advanced on the boy, his guard held low to shield his groin. Mattie scrambled to his feet and backed away from the fat man. He held up his small hands, palms out, to ward him off.
    Cormac could no