Grace bristled, sitting up straighter in her chair. ‘Oh, fuck off, Sean,’ she said. ‘Don’t you dare lecture me on morality. It wasn’t so long ago you, and your dad were running around Liverpool giving out similar beatings yourselves – or paying someone else to do it. Don’t forget who put you here in your fancy restaurant and your suit and tie. If your idiot nephews hadn’t screwed up and taken it upon themselves to make decisions way above their paygrade, then none of us would be in this mess. I’m going to deal with Nathan in my own way. I always was. He’s not some no-mark dealer you can just take out with no repercussions. He’s a fucking lunatic with an army behind him. Not to mention, he’s my son’s father.’

Sean glared at her, but he didn’t challenge her any further. He knew she was right. ‘Michael tells me you’ve got a plan to fix everything?’

‘Yes. Did he tell you what it is?’

‘I got the gist. For what it’s worth, I think your mental. It’s brilliant, but mental all the same.’

Grace shrugged. ‘So, you know him and your dad and the boys will be out of the way for a while.’

He nodded. ‘I’ve told Sophia to take the kids to her mum’s. And Steph’s going to go with them. She doesn’t want to leave Antonelli’s when we’re only just getting established, but I told her to think of it as a working holiday. If she can bring some authentic Italian dishes back with her, it will only help the restaurant.’

‘And she believed you?’

‘No, she’s not stupid. But she’s a good girl. She’ll do as I ask.’

‘And what about you?’

‘I’m going nowhere.’

Grace knew it was no use trying to convince him otherwise. He wasn’t as pliable as his brother and father – he never had been. He was a stubborn sod when he wanted to be. It was one of the things she admired about him.

‘Fine. But stay out of the way.’

He nodded. ‘I won’t go looking for him, Grace. But if he should find me …’

‘Fair enough. But I plan on keeping him very busy,’ she said as she stood up to leave.

He took hold of her arm. ‘Be careful,’ he said softly.

‘I will.’

Chapter Fifty-Nine

‘Hiya Mum,’ Jake said, a huge grin on his face.

‘Jake, what are you doing home?’ Grace asked as she leaned over the bar to give him a hug.

‘I’ve been invited to a birthday party,’ he said.

‘Oh whose?’

‘Siobhan Davies,’ he smiled.

Grace rolled her eyes. Siobhan was a bright, funny girl with flaming red hair and an infectious laugh. She and Jake had been friends all through school but had drifted apart once they went to different colleges.