Eddie made his way through the unlocked door which Ben and Grace had used earlier, and tentatively climbed the stairs. He heard a muffled voice. Pushing open the door to the flat, he walked inside, taking slow, deliberate steps to ensure he didn’t alert anyone to his presence. The smell of burning hit him immediately. The rich smoky air filling his nose and lungs, he stifled a cough which threatened to expose him. He took a few steps down the short hallway until he was standing in the living room.

He saw Ben McKinley, or more precisely the back of him. He was standing over Nathan, who was slumped on the sofa, either unconscious or dead. Ben simply stood there, while a fire started to spread around the sofa, the flames dangerously close to Nathan’s feet. If he wasn’t dead already, he soon would be.

Eddie was adept at familiarizing himself with his surroundings, another thing he’d learned to survive on the estate where he grew up. He’d spotted the golf club leaning against the wall beside him as soon as he entered the room. Without much more thought about it, he picked it up and brought it crashing down over Ben’s skull, sending him crumpling to the floor. Ever the opportunist, Eddie checked Ben’s coat pocket and relieved him of the keys to his expensive Audi. He checked Nathan for a pulse. He still had one, a strong one that was racing almost as fast as Eddie’s.

Despite his strong pulse and the fact that he was still breathing, Nathan was out of it and Eddie’s attempts to rouse him were futile. Using every ounce of his strength, Eddie pulled him from the sofa and down the steps into the car park. Unlocking Ben’s Audi, he bundled Nathan into the back seat before climbing in the driver’s seat and starting the ignition. Despite the situation, Eddie took a moment to appreciate the soft leather seat as he slid into it, and the warmth of the leather steering wheel in his hands. This was the type of car he was born to drive.

Eddie smiled to himself as he drove Nathan home. He’d never been so happy in all his life. Nathan was unconscious but very much alive. And Eddie had just saved his life. Nathan Conlon was going to owe him – big time!

Eddie had a feeling his life was about to get a whole lot better.

Chapter Eighty-Two

Nathan woke with a jolt. The smell of smoke and burning paper still in his nostrils. His throat was on fire and his head felt like it had been put through a meat grinder. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to his surroundings.

‘Shush, baby. It’s okay, you’re home.’ He heard a voice whisper. Soft hands caressed his face.