Grace had no doubt that Nathan believed he’d made the decision to stop harassing her entirely on his own. He would never have done so otherwise. She knew him too well; knew exactly how to play him. Smiling to herself, she recalled the night she’d met a man named Patrick Carter. An encounter that would change her life beyond all recognition and lead to the realization that she could play Nathan Conlon at his own game – and win.

Chapter Three

Ten Years Earlier

Grace watched as the attractive man in the suit threaded his way through the crowd towards the bar. He looked vaguely familiar to her, and she was sure she’d met him before but couldn’t place him.

‘Pint of Stella please, love,’ he said.

‘Coming right up,’ she smiled as she set about pulling his pint.

‘Grace Sumner, isn’t it?’ he asked.

She nodded, surprised that he knew her maiden name. Most people knew her as Conlon now, much to her annoyance. ‘Do I know you?’ she asked.

‘You used to,’ he smiled. ‘But I’ve not seen you since you were a dot.’

‘I thought I knew your face.’

‘Patrick Carter.’ He extended his hand to shake. ‘You can call me Pat. I knew your dad. We went way back.’

Grace knew his name. Patrick Carter was a Liverpool legend. He’d worked for Nathan’s old boss, Tommy McNulty, and she wondered briefly if he’d worked for Nathan too. Carter had a reputation for being as hard as nails. Rumour had it he’d once been jumped by a rival firm. Six of them had taken him on and all six had ended up in intensive care, while Patrick had escaped with nothing more than a cut lip.

‘Oh, you were one of those friends, were you?’ she teased him.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ he laughed.

‘I know all about my dad’s colourful past, Pat. And no offence, but you look just the type.’

‘I wasn’t aware we all looked the same,’ he chuckled.

‘Yes.’ She nodded as she passed him his drink. ‘Trust me. I used to be married to one of you lot.’

Patrick nodded. ‘Yeah, I know. Nathan Conlon.’

Grace bristled. Mentally checking that her mobile phone was in her trouser pocket should she need to call someone to escort Mr Carter from the premises. Nathan’s former colleagues, John or Ben would do that for her if she asked.

‘Look, if you’re here to settle old scores with Nathan then you’d better think again. I have nothing to do with him anymore. This place is sod all to do with him.’