Page 147 of Brighter Together

I could have rejected the proposal by email. I could have asked my solicitor to send a letter and never spoken to either of these men again.

But after seeing the marks Lee left around Ella’s neck, an email wasn’t enough.

I need them to hear me say it.

And, more importantly, I need them to understand that whatever hold they think they still have over Ella ends now.

Nick came because I asked him.

Partly as a witness.

Partly because I am not stupid enough to pretend I don’t need someone beside me when I walk into a room with the man who assaulted the woman I love.

Any of the FMR lads would have come.

Nick happens to be on half-term, which made dragging him to Manchester on a weekday considerably easier.

As we follow the receptionist along the corridor, he glances at me.

“You all right?”

“No.”

“Good.”

I look at him.

He shrugs. “If you’d said yes, I’d have been worried.”

The receptionist opens the boardroom door.

Lee is already standing.

“Thomas. Good to see you again.”

His words are friendly.

Nothing else about him is.

My stomach turns when I look at the hands he has casually resting at his sides.

Those hands were around Ella’s throat yesterday.

For one dangerous second, everything I promised her becomes much harder to remember.

Lee holds out his hand.

I take it.

I don’t crush it.

I want to.

Instead, I shake once and let go.

That takes considerably more self-control than it should.

“Lee.”