Murdo and Jamsey laughed. Everyone in their family knew who the love of her life was, but those on the outside would never believe it.

The car drove off and travelled through the Glasgow streets. The sights and sounds of daily life were something that she had dreamed of, while cooped up in her prison cell. One thing was for sure—she wasn’t going back.

When she’d taken the blame for her cousin, both Nikki and Nikki’s father, her uncle Thomas, promised her she could take a step back from the business and follow her dream to have a quieter life. Although when it came to family, Mack knew she would do anything for them, if it came to it.

The urban city gave way to the leafier suburbs, and before long they were driving through the gated entrance to the expansive Sharkey property.

They pulled up to a large modern home. Just next door was her mum’s house, built by Uncle Thomas. Mack saw her mum standing on the porch of her aunt and uncle’s house. She was waving frantically and smiling ear to ear. Mack got out the car almost before it stopped, and her mum ran into her arms.

She lifted her mum up and spun her around. Her mum kissed her all over her face. “I missed you so much.”

Mack set her mum’s feet back to the ground. Mary Sharkey was a petite woman, and even though Mack didn’t have many memories of her dad, she thanked God that she took her height from him.

“I missed you too, Ma—are you okay?”

“I’m fine now you’re home.” Her mum cupped her cheeks with her hands. “We’re so proud of what you did, but I don’t want you going back to jail.”

“I won’t. A quiet life is all I want now.”

“And maybe meet a nice wee lassie?” her mum said hopefully.

“Give me a chance, Ma. I’ve only been out of prison for two minutes.”

It was her mother’s dearest wish that she settle down, but Mack had never wanted a long-term girlfriend. She loved women but had never been in love. And the women she had met weren’t who she wanted to bring home to Mum. She doubted she would ever get that far with a woman.

“Well, just remember—I want a grandchild just like Isla.” Isla was her eleven-year-old niece, and adored by the family.

“Yes, maybe one day,” Mack replied.

Her mother clapped her hands together and said, “My baby’s home.”

Mack glanced to the car behind her and caught Murdo and Jamsey grinning.

She felt her cheeks go hot. “Ma, don’t call me that in front of the boys.”

Her mum looped her arm through hers and led her to the door. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”