Michael stared at her. He rarely saw her angry. Annoyed, yes. But rarely angry. ‘I owe you everything, Grace. I would do anything for you,’ he said, his tone softer now, sufficiently chastised. ‘But this is my dad we’re talking about.’

He stood up and walked away from her, and she followed him. ‘Have I ever let you down, Michael?’ She stroked his cheek with her fingertips. ‘I promise I’ll sort this. But we can’t handle this your way. You have to let me do my thing. There’s still the twins to think of too.’

He took hold of her hand. ‘I wish you’d let me finish this now. I hate sitting around doing nothing.’

‘I know that. But you trust me, don’t you?’

He nodded and pulled her close to him, close enough that she could smell his aftershave. It was Tom Ford – her favourite.

‘I wish I could kiss you,’ he said.

She knew if he did, he’d taste of peppermint and coffee. He always did. ‘You have a wife at home waiting for you. Remember?’

He released her from his grip. ‘Let me know when you’ve decided what we’re doing, Grace.’

Then he was gone too, and Grace sat in the pub alone. It was only after she’d bolted the door behind Michael that she finally broke down, her sobs echoing in the empty pub. Her beloved Pat tortured and left for dead. Nathan seemed intent on ruining her life. He just couldn’t seem to let her go. And now Patrick had paid the price.

Grace knew one thing for sure, if she was going to be rid of Nathan for good, she had to do it herself. He was a hard man to get to at the best of times, but after being shot he’d be extra cautious. And now he was on the warpath. She had to figure out a way to get close to him. He would never suspect a thing. He hadn’t before. Not even when she’d contacted the police and told them all they’d needed to know to earn her husband twelve years in prison. She supposed she was responsible for Michael’s and Sean’s sentences too. The evidence the police found in Nathan’s lock-up had led to a whole load of arrests and prosecutions. The irony of that didn’t escape her. Michael and Sean thought they owed her – but it was really her who owed them.

Chapter Forty-Six

Twelve Years Earlier