As she dried herself off with a towel, Grace was busy formulating her plan. Nathan would pay for everything he’d ever done to her, to Jake, and to the people she cared about. She’d worked hard to build a life without him – a better life than any she could have ever had with him, and he was intent on ruining everything for her. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone? He had Kayleigh, more money than he knew what to do with, his club, even a good relationship with his son, despite everything. Why wasn’t that enough for him?

Why did he need to have her too? It was as though he couldn’t bear to see her happy. To even go as far as telling Pat about Tommy’s murder, there was no reason for that, other than to cause pain. It was just cruel. Well, if he liked sharing secrets so much, then she had a belter to share with him. One that would bring his perfect little world crashing down around him.

Before she set those wheels in motion, she was going to meet Michael. It was important that he and Patrick were out of the way for the foreseeable future. She had to focus on Nathan and couldn’t be worrying about them every five minutes. And she wanted to explain to him why his dad was so angry with her. It was about time he knew the truth.

She wondered if Patrick would ever be able to forgive her for lying to him for all those years. Particularly as sometime soon, she was going to betray his confidence too, and reveal a secret he’d made her promise to keep. But she’d always known that was a promise she’d break one day. The information was too important, and too useful to her, not to share it with Nathan. After all, it was him who it would hurt the most.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Six Years Earlier

‘’Night, son,’ Grace whispered as she closed Jake’s bedroom door. He didn’t answer. Always sound asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Patrick walked into the living room carrying two plates of spaghetti bolognaise. ‘Here you are, boss. Get that down you,’ he said as he handed her the food.

‘Did today go to plan?’ Grace asked.

‘Yep. Not a hitch.’

‘Good,’ she nodded. ‘So, we’re all set then? The lads know what to do?’

‘Of course. And they’ll make sure to stay away from Nathan and John Brennan’s turf. Our lads will be focusing on the city centre pubs and clubs. I’ve squared it with Barry.’