ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many thanks to Boldwood Books for all of their support.

A great big hug and thank you to Avril and Sue, both good friends who believe in me when I doubt myself.

Thank you to all of the readers and the book clubs who support me.

Last but definitely not least, thank you to Emily Ruston, my editor, who puts up with all of my diva moments and gives me the strength to carry on when I waver. Patience of a saint.

MORE FROM GILLIAN GODDEN

We hope you enjoyed reading Nasty Business. If you did, please leave a review.

If you’d like to gift a copy, this book is also available as a paperback, digital audio download and audiobook CD.

Sign up to Gillian Godden’s mailing list here for news, competitions and updates on future books.

Dangerous Games is another addictive gangland thriller by Gillian Godden, available to order now or read on for an exclusive extract…

1

The Runaway

‘Come on, Antonias, get up. Shush now, quickly.’ The bedroom was in darkness; only the moonlight shining through the blinds at the windows gave a little light to see by. Antonias yawned and rubbed his eyes.

‘Mummy, where are we going?’ The little boy, just five years old, looked up at his mother as she pulled back the bedclothes and began manoeuvring him out of his bed.

‘Shush, Antonias, we’re going to play a little game of hide and seek on Grandma and Granddad. Get up, now. Let’s be as quiet as mice.’

Little Antonias was still half asleep, and bleary eyed. It was the middle of the night. He stood while his mother dressed him in a T-shirt and trousers.

Annette was already dressed. She was being as quiet as she could, so she didn’t disturb the rest of the household, but even her breathing seemed to make a noise, and her heart was pounding in her ears.

Annette would be glad to see the back of this place. When she had met Marias on holiday, she’d thought this was going to be la dolce vita, the sweet life. But all she had got was life on a boring grape farm, owned by his parents.

She was nervous but tried to hide it; she didn’t want to frighten her beautiful little boy. His mop of hair – golden, like her own – was a rarity, considering he was half-Italian, although his blue eyes were like his father’s – his, and that bitch, Miriam’s.

Smiling and hugging him close to her, Annette made it all seem like a little secret game they were going to play.

Antonias was still rubbing his eyes, and smiling and giggling with his mummy, when Annette picked up the holdall containing the money she had taken from the safe. Miriam, her mother-in-law, had given her a cheque, but it wasn’t enough; she needed more if she was going to leave this place and start again.