A neat little reception office conveys the proper surroundings for the furniture business the building doubles as. I walk right on in and up the stairs before anyone even thinks to challenge me. The ‘manager’ sign on the door gives me a clue and I burst in. I pull out the faux-leather chair opposite Andreas and kick my feet up on his desk before he has time to greet me.
“Make yourself comfortable, hermana.”
“Oh, don’t you worry. I intend to.”
“Have you brought my diamonds?”
“Not what we need to address right now. I just walked right through your business and up to your office with no questions asked. And you are meant to have a hit out on you. Care to explain?” Andreas sits back in his chair, mimicking my own pose.
“They knew to expect you. If it were anyone else, you’d have never reached me.” His bravado won’t work on me.
“Really? Well, glad to see you value your life. Was it really necessary for me to come to your aid? Hmm?”
“What the fuck, Gabby? I’m your brother.”
“Yes,” I state, standing and leaning over the desk. “You are my brother. That’s the only reason I’m here.”
“Are you done? Have you got them? My diamonds?”
“Mydiamonds, hermano. I am the one who gave you the means to deal in stones and look where it got you.”
“I don’t know what the fuck went down. That’s not on me.”
“Of course, it’s your fault!” I slam my palms on the wooden surface of his desk and make sure Andreas has no room for confusion. “You let a bunch of armed men raid your deal and make off with half the payment for your partner. This was your deal. You should have known all the elements, all the potential players. Who you were dealing with, who might be interested, how they might disrupt the situation, who your future buyers could be, your competition, your allies. Do you want me to go on?” I tilt my head to the side and wait for his response.
“Don’t come in here and pretend that you know what you’re talking about. Getting some forged documents and a few million in blood diamonds is hardly the biggest deal I’ve brokered.” His smug grin makes my palm itch to slap it off his face.
“If you weren’t so self-centred and cocky, you might be able to see where you went wrong. You fucked up, Andreas. So you’re going to listen to me and take my help. It only comes one way. All or nothing. If you choose nothing, then the diamonds and all my connections walk. We will be done. For good.”
“Big words from you.”
“Feel free to test me. I assure you, after this, we are done anyway.”
“And the deal?” It’s the first time he’s shown any sign of real concern.
“That’s now up to me. I’ll run the deal. I’ll make the decisions. All I care about is that this Mortoni guy lifts the hit on you.” I walk around Andreas and his desk and wait for his answer.
“You were much easier to please as a little girl, Gabriella. I sometimes forget that you are a grown woman now.”
“You forget a lot, Andreas. Now, explain the deal, all of the details, and I need Mortoni’s phone number.”
Half an hour later, I leave Andreas and head back to the hotel. Everything I need is on my phone, including a recording of our conversation. Detail is key when planning anything, and I need to be able to recall and know the finer points of my brother’s world as readily as he does.
After making two laps of the hotel and a ten-minute stop in the lobby, I make my way to my room and lock myself inside. My first job is to make contact and set the meet in motion with Mortoni. How he reacts and what his rules are will determine the rest of my actions. The priority is to keep my brother from his grave.
For now.
“Mr Mortoni?” There’s no answer as the phone connects.
“Who is this and how do you have my number?”
“My name is Gabriella. I believe we met a few weeks ago. Or rather, we were due to before being rudely interrupted.”
“Andreas’ sister.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“And what can I do for you?”
