“Why would Enzio want to shoot up the Russian’s house?” Gabriella looked at her brother, who was topping up his drink.
“I told you it wasn’t me.”
“I don’t think it was you personally. But did you give the order?” Nick leaned forward on his chair.
“I don’t have to discuss my business with anyone.”
“I don’t think you understand. I’m going to try to explain it to you once more, slowly. You don’t want to be on Barkov’s radar. He’s not known for negotiating. Understand?”
“He’s a stupid thug. I can’t believe you want me to sit back and allow him to carry on as if Cape Town belongs to him.”
“If you’re Superman, why did Ken and I have to move to Cape Town? You know you’re no match for the Russians,” Gabriella interrupted.
“Is that what your husband says?”
“It’s what I say.”
Allegretti’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his sister. “If I were you I’d watch what I say.”
“Why did Ken suddenly go up north?” Nick asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t ask him about his business.”
Nick sat back again. “Let’s get back to your security arrangements. From now on, nobody drives anywhere alone. The cameras stay on and if they have to be switched off, they get switched back on within an hour. I’m sure you can do whatever it is you want to do in an hour. The security at the club must be stepped up, and you –” he looked at Enzio “– don’t do a thing unless you’ve cleared it with me first.”
“When did I start working for you? You’re the hired hand who’s supposed to make sure I’m safe. You do your job, and I’ll do mine.”
“That’s right, but I can’t do my job if you start a war without telling me about it.”
“I don’t need you to sort out my problems. If you want to make yourself useful, why don’t you get Clara to move in? Talk to Williams, do something, make it happen.”
“Now isn’t a good time. Can’t you wait a month or three so we can figure out what’s going on?”
“No, I’m not going to wait. Don’t even mention it again.”
“Then tell her uncle we have everything under control and we’ll look after her.”
“I tried, but he says it’s his conditions, or she doesn’t come.”
“I don’t have time for strangers getting underfoot.”
Gabriella got up and sat down on Nick’s lap. “Let’s do something fun. I don’t feel like listening to him any more. Or to your boring talk.”
Nick lifted her off his lap, got to his feet and fetched a bottle of water from the fridge behind the bar counter. He drained the contents in a single gulp. “Don’t be difficult.”
Enzio got up too. “I have to go. Clara’s at a shoot and I’m meeting her there.”
“You’re not going on your own.”
“You know I do what I want, but because I know you’re liable to run to the old man, I’ll humour you and let Fritz drive. Don’t push your luck too far.”
“I want at least two people in the vehicle with you at all times.”
When he had left, Gabriella walked out onto the patio. Nick watched as she pulled her dress over her head and dived into the pool, clad only in a G-string.
His erection was so sudden and so fierce that for a moment he felt light-headed.
“Come keep me company,” she called when she came up for air on the other side of the pool. “I won’t bite.”
“I need to go. There are a few people I still have to see.”
She got out of the pool and came walking towards him. He found it hard not to stare.
“My brother is a shit-stirrer.” She stood in front of him and tossed back her hair, showering him with droplets. He imagined he could hear a sizzling sound.
“Well, speak to him. He’s no match for Barkov and company.”
“He won’t listen to me.”
Drops of water glistened on her skin. He fetched a second bottle of water from the fridge and drained that as well.
“Gabi, I’m not going to interfere in your marriage, but maybe you should warn your husband not to bite off more than he can chew.”
“I don’t really care what he does.”
“Whatever … he’s looking for trouble and it’s going to affect all of you.”
She lay down on a sofa without towelling herself dry and Nick nearly laughed out loud when he thought about his mother. He couldn’t decide what would be worse for her: the naked woman in the sitting room, or the wet body on the furniture. She would be proud to know that, at the age of thirty-eight and in his current situation, he still remembered her admonishments.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
He sighed and shook his head. “We’re not having this conversation again.”
“Look at me and tell me you never think of the possibility of the two of us.”
He looked at her naked body and felt his fingertips tingle. “Any man would look at you and dream.”
“It doesn’t have to be a dream.”
“I work for your father.”
“You’re using my father as an excuse. You know as well as I do that he’d give me to you on a silver platter.”
“He likes me because I do my job. Work and pleasure have never been bedfellows.”
She smiled. “Such a cliché.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you’ll give us a chance.”
“Don’t complicate your life. Try to work things out with Ken.”
“And if I leave Ken?”
He shook his head. “Don’t do it.”
“You know I can’t help who I am. I didn’t choose to be an Allegretti.” Her eyes were very bright.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean it’s a sentence. Find something to do with your life. Keep yourself busy. It’s not healthy being idle.”
“Should I go and work at a nail bar too?”
“An honest day’s work might not be a bad thing.”
She laughed out loud. “You know I’ll never stop hoping.”
He walked to the lift. A man could only stand so much. Waiting for the doors to close, he saw her get up and stretch before pulling her dress over her head. She saw him watch and smiled.
“Get a job!” he called out before the doors closed. For a moment he rested his forehead against the mirror. Danger and stress he could handle, but not torture.
CHAPTER 10
On Friday morning at seven, Nick locked the door of the apartment and set off on foot in the direction of Sea Point. He was slightly early for the bus and joined the short queue.
When the bus came, he took a seat right at the back and watched the other passengers who got on. School