Hannah looked away from the stars because they were too beautiful to be associated with this conversation. Maybe it was because he drawled the phrase ‘merely ceased trading’ when it had been the greatest disaster in her life and entirely at his instigation, but rage boiled up like molten lava. She halted his flow of business-speak. ‘So you’re breaking your word?’

He tutted. ‘I’m trying to explain—’

‘You offered, and I accepted, a goodwill gesture – which isn’t the same as goodwill in a business – to compensate me for the mark-up I’d expected to make on that stock over Christmas. Now you’re saying you’re not going to pay that. Correct?’ The scent of lavender became sickly.

Down the line, Albin sighed. ‘I’ve taken advice, Hannah. I’m sure of my legal footing.’

Hannah could hardly hear him for her blood thundering in her ears. ‘Don’t think you have all the power. Do your parents want “The Lair” or “The Den” or whatever you “hunters” call the place you conduct your polyamorous activities associated with their name? Do the other traders in Köpmangatan know about the sleazy club you’re going to open in their midst?’

A pause. Then Albin’s voice sharpened. ‘Threats aren’t worthy of you.’

‘Then don’t go back on your offer,’ Hannah returned, pretty sure her words were a tacit admission of threat-making but red-hot fury making it impossible to care. ‘Stand by what we agreed: compensation for you taking my livelihood away.’

Abruptly, Albin’s control snapped. ‘I’ll pay a small, reasonable sum to get you out of my hair and because of what was once between us.’

‘You should pay because it’s what you agreed and what’s fair,’ Hannah hissed.

‘You’re so provincial,’ he shot back icily. ‘I’m glad you’re back in your unimportant little village. It’s where you belong.’

Hannah felt a swell of triumph that she’d made Albin climb down from his lofty perch of smooth control to indulge in wild sniping. ‘You’re right. I belong with genuine, honest people who have integrity.’ She put enough emphasis on the words ‘honest’ and ‘integrity’ to annoy him.

‘I’ve learned from this,’ Albin said slowly. ‘I won’t be led by my dick in future.’

It was an obvious attempt to diminish Hannah by suggesting lust had led him into a relationship not worthy of him, just as he’d hinted before that he found her a bit downmarket. ‘But isn’t your new venture all about that part of your anatomy?’ she drawled.

The call ended and it wasn’t Hannah who pressed the button.