Mack sat and chatted for a while longer. In her mind she was trying to make sense of the new information that Jay had given her. There was no way she was ever going to step outside of her former role as enforcer for the Sharkeys. If her family needed her, she was there, and nothing could stop that need to help protect those she loved, even after the jail time she had just served.

Her devotion to her family was unshakable. Kevin Drury was the reason she’d served time and the reason Isla was so traumatized. She had to find out what was going on. Mack took her phone out of her pocket and called Jamsey.

“Jamsey, I’ve heard Malky McDade is back in town, and Kevin Drury is working for him. Find out from our people what he is up to. Cheers.”

How far back did Kevin’s association with Malky McDade go? Could he have ordered the hit on Isla? She’d need to speak to Nikki.

After she hung up, she thought of Flora. Did she get home safely? Mack wanted more than anything to phone her, but she hadn’t said goodbye to her that long ago. She might seem a bit overbearing.

Mack’s finger hovered over Flora’s number. What should she do?

Chapter Eight

It was quite a bracing winter evening, Flora thought as she drove home. She’d had such a good day. She’d spent time with Mack and Dexter and met the lovely Isla. Such a sweet, quiet girl, not like Mack at all.

Nothing seemed to bother Mack, but Isla was sensitive, she could tell. With what Mack had told her, it wasn’t surprising. Flora didn’t feel anxiety talking to Isla—she recognized a kindred spirit. Someone with issues similar to hers. They just seemed to get each other.

Flora was nearly home and she couldn’t wait to get in, make some food, and watch some Netflix. She pulled into her driveway and her heart sank. At the side of the house, her resident tormentors sat with friends around a firepit, drinking and smoking God knew what.

She absolutely hated having them downstairs, but this was even worse. The cool, crisp winter evening didn’t stop them from being outside.

Flora switched off her engine, then gathered up her bag pretending not to look, but she could see them looking at her, saying things and laughing. Her worst fear was a group of men, drinking, just like the night she was very nearly assaulted.

Just walk straight to the door, don’t look back, get in and lock the door. She gathered her courage and got out of the car. Flora let the hair fall down over her face so she could pretend they weren’t there.

Flora walked as quickly as she could to the door. She wasn’t looking, but she could hear everything.