She herself hadn’t fully comprehended, until this had happened, that he had another side to him. He hid it well, but it was there nonetheless. He had a kink in his nature, she knew that now for a fact. He had the capacity to completely disengage with anything that he felt was necessary to his own wellbeing, his peace of mind.

Her husband had told her, on the QT, the true story about the Barber brothers’ final hours but, unlike Des, who seemed to think that Michael’s part in the brutal murders was something to be applauded, she couldn’t help worrying about what kind of a man her daughter was tying herself to.

Since Des had regaled her with their soon-to-be son-in-law’s violent exploits, she had found herself watching him carefully. She’d observed him smiling and laughing as if nothing had happened – as though he had not a care in the world. He was still carrying on as normal and, in her heart of hearts, she felt that was wrong – very wrong. She understood that violence was a part of his life – it was a part of life for anyone in the criminal world. For people like the Costellos, violence gave them the edge, made their names and guaranteed them their place in society. She’d found it easy to accept until it had suddenly appeared on her doorstep.

She had been so pleased that Josephine had found a man like Michael, who could look after her, provide for her and give her a good life. Now she wasn’t so sure. If only she didn’t know so much about him; but Des had been proud to tell her how her daughter’s husband-to-be had proved himself to Patrick Costello as a man capable of anything. He had seen it as an achievement to celebrate, something to be admired. He thought Michael Flynn was a high flyer, and he was over the moon that he was going to take their only child to the top with him.

It felt wrong to her now; violence should not be treated so matter-of-factly. Michael actually frightened Lana. He was marrying her daughter, and Josephine might think she understood what she was getting herself into, but she didn’t. Josephine was a kind, trusting, loving young woman; Lana was convinced that if she ever knew the real truth about Michael it would destroy her. She was madly in love with him, and Lana knew that, even if she told her what she knew about Michael, Josephine wouldn’t believe any of it.

She wished Des had kept his big mouth shut; he might think Michael was the dog’s bollocks but now, thanks to him, she thought Michael was a dangerous fuck.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight