“No.” I didn’t. But if I’m going to be honest with him, the information has to stay between us. “Besides, you barely gave me a chance to object.” He raises a brow at that and carries on doing something on his phone. “A little desperate, hey?” He doesn’t acknowledge my last point or offer any smile to my attempt at amusing. He just tosses his phone at the table beside him instead and slowly looks back at me, a bored expression all over his features.
“Are they off? I’m trusting you.”
He nods. That seems the only offer of trust I’m getting.
“My name is Gabriella Alves. My brother is Andreas Alves.”
“Again, those names mean shit to me.”
“My brother was working on a deal that would see him as a partner to Marco Mortoni. Unfortunately, he needed some of the skills I have in order to pull that off.” I have no way of knowing how Nate will take this, so treading carefully is the safest path.
“And exactly what skill is that? You a honey trap? Ready to fuck the partnering deal to secure funds?” Anger taints every word from his mouth, and it all stems from my actions. I left him. No explanation. And he’s hurting. He’s lashing out at me.
He snorts, disgust pouring from his features.
“No. I acquire certain items. Items that may or may not be readily available.”
“Cut the crap, Gabby. I’m fucking bored and—”
“Diamonds.” He frowns, annoyance coming straight at me still. “I trade in diamonds, Nate. And I steal particular items of value or interest to me. For fun mostly.”
His frown deepens, eyes flicking away from me before he pulls in a long breath and starts to stand up.
“You’re a thief.” It seems more like a statement rather than a question, anger still lacing his tone. I force my own eyes to remain level and not drop to the floor.
“Yes.” It’s been my choice for a long time. I shouldn’t be ashamed of it, no matter what his reaction is.
“A goddamn thief?”
From his reaction, I can tell this isn’t going to go well. There’s only a split second to make a decision that I hope will get this conversation back on track. “I started out originally to impress my brother.” He turns his back on me. “Nate, please. Sit.”
He scoffs and turns his head to the side, shaking it in what I feel is disbelief. I tuck my feet under me and sit on the far end of the sofa. “Let me explain this.” If he wants he can choose to look at me and behave like an adult. After what I have to say he’ll have two choices. Believe me and accept it.
Or not.
“Our parents died when I was very young. My brother looked after me, but he was too busy running his gangs and falling into trouble to notice me as soon as I could fend for myself. So, I started to do things that would get me noticed.”
“Like what? How old were you, anyway?”
I can hear he’s curious, but doubt laces his words as he moves to the other side of the sofa again, head still turned away from me.
“I was twelve when I first worked up the courage. I picked a guy’s wallet in the street. I ran home to show Andreas, thinking he’d be pleased. Of course, he was. He realised he could use an innocent looking girl to do his dirty work. Didn’t care that he was using me. The better I got, the less he saw me. I became a tool—a means to an end, rather than his little sister.” I sigh at the memory of it, annoyed with my childish self. “He is the only family I have, and I had nowhere else to go.” A smile pulls on my lips. “Until I became old enough and smart enough to choose for myself, that is.”
“And diamonds?” He finally turns to look at me.
“They were pretty. That’s how it started. I didn’t have anything special in my world. My first diamond was on a bracelet of a wealthy woman. It escalated quickly. Andreas was still using me, but I wanted to do things for myself. So, I researched. I learned until I built my own world around me. I grew into a very accomplished diamond thief right under my brother’s nose.” The story is sadder when I share it. When it was just my life, I could hide behind the front I built. But by setting it free and admitting it to Nate, I’ve made myself more vulnerable than ever.
“I thought you said your brother uses you to expand his business.” Nate’s interest is piqued, and I capitalise.
“He does. Over the years I’ve built up contacts all over the world, or rather, the key diamond trading areas of the world. Andreas knew I worked with diamonds. He just never knew the full extent of what I’d amassed over the years. I source the diamonds and provide the authentication for them to be sold without raising any suspicions. Andreas eventually found out, wanted a larger share of the drugs business he’s been running for Mortoni, and so offered him a way of expanding. This time as a partner.”
“Marco wanted in on the diamonds?” Nate’s eyes squint as he looks at me, confused.
“Yes. We arranged the first deal a few weeks ago, but something went wrong. I don’t know what happened. A third party showed up and got in the middle of the action. Guns were fired, and I’m pretty sure no one knew what was going on or who to trust.” My mind runs over the scene again, still confused. “Andreas ran, so I did, too.”
“To Bora.”
“Yes.”
