Risking It All

by Stephanie Harte

  Our room was incredible. Champagne-coloured walls contrasted with dark blue carpet and furnishings. The enormous bed, covered with a navy velvet bedspread, looked tiny in the great expanse of the room. A full marble bathroom and dressing room adjoined it.

  ‘I hope you have a pleasant stay,’ the bellboy said.

  ‘Thank you, I’m sure we will,’ Nathan replied.

  ‘As this hotel is the birthplace of the Black Russian cocktail, you might like to go to the Metropole bar to try one,’ the young man said, drawing our attention to this interesting fact as he was leaving the room.

  Once we were alone, Nathan collapsed back onto the bed. ‘I could get used to living like this.’

  I looked straight into my husband’s dark brown eyes.

  ‘What’s up? Don’t you like travelling around Europe, staying in first-class hotels?’

  ‘I would, if we were on a proper break, but you’ve forgotten one tiny detail. We’re on the run.’

  ‘That’s a bit melodramatic. Don’t overreact, Gem. We’re not on the run.’ Nathan laughed.

  ‘We will be when the police catch up with us.’

  Before Nathan had a chance to reply, someone began pounding on the door. No prizes for guessing who that is, I thought.

  Alfie strode into our room in his usual confident manner, only accompanied by his sidekick Knuckles. He’d left the rest of his entourage behind.

  ‘Get us a drink will you, Nathan.’ Alfie pointed towards the minibar.

  ‘Jack Daniel’s?’ Nathan asked.

  Alfie nodded. ‘And you’d better bring one for Gemma – she looks like she could use a stiff one.’ Alfie threw back his head and laughed.

  ‘You have such a lovely way with words, Mr Watson,’ I said. Alfie’s biggest problem was that he mistook being an arsehole for being funny, but I decided maybe I should keep that to myself and not say it out loud.

  ‘You’re acting like a prude. Lighten up, Gemma. You know the sexually repressed librarian look doesn’t suit you. You haven’t got the figure for it.’ Alfie glanced across at my husband to gauge his reaction.

  The joke had gone too far, but Alfie either didn’t realise or didn’t care. Fury was boiling up inside me. I opened my mouth, intending to give him a piece of my mind, but something told me not to, and I managed to hold my tongue. I’d only give his schoolboy humour airtime by venting at him, so I decided to blank him instead.

  Nathan, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate. He must have sensed my anger; I wasn’t very good at hiding it. ‘Don’t you dare speak to my wife like that.’ He looked like he wanted to rip Alfie’s head off.

  ‘What are you going to do about it?’

  Nathan couldn’t take any more and lunged forward. Grabbing the lapels of Alfie’s suit, he squared up to him. Knuckles pulled Nathan off, pushed him to the ground and pinned him face down on the floor.

  Biting my tongue, I resisted the urge to cry out. I forced myself to stay still and keep quiet. I didn’t want to make the situation any worse than it already was. But it was torture having to stand by and watch, knowing there was nothing I could do to help.

  ‘You’re a fucking hothead just like your mother, Nathan.’ Alfie dusted off the front of his suit.

  24

  Gemma

  I ran the shower until the room billowed with steam, then walked behind the glass screen of the wet room. I closed my eyes and stood under the steady flow. As soon as the warm water started running over my naked body, it began to wash away the stress of the day. I could feel myself beginning to unwind.

  I didn’t hear Nathan open the bathroom door but suddenly felt him cover the side of my neck with warm butterfly kisses. My whole body tingled. Nathan placed one hand on my stomach and pulled me back towards him.

  ‘Mind if I join you?’ Nathan whispered in my ear.

  His hand wandered down my body, and he began kissing the other side of my neck, right behind my ear. It felt good when his strong body pressed mine against the cold, wet marble tiles.

  Turning to face my husband, I wrapped my arms around his neck while keeping my back against the wall. He moved his mouth onto mine, and our lips touched, softly at first, and then our kiss became more passionate. My body ached for him as his strong fingers entwined in my hair.

  Nathan held me close as we exchanged steamy kisses. Lifting one of my legs, he slid his hand along my thigh and gripped my buttock.

  ‘I love you, Gemma. Don’t ever forget that.’

  ‘I love you too.’

  Our eyes locked and he gently entered me. Nathan moved slowly at first, but then he began pushing deeper and faster. The muscles on his back tightened more with every thrust he made. Our bodies locked together as each wave of pleasure washed over us. Ecstasy built up inside my body until finally, my muscles tensed around him.

  25

  Gemma

  We were staying just around the corner from the Grand Place, so Nathan and I decided to take a stroll around the beautiful gardens and historic buildings. It felt good to be out of the room, even if Frankie and Johno were tailing us, at a discreet distance.

  I was finding it difficult to ignore the temptation of the chocolate-filled window displays as we walked along the traditional cobblestoned lanes. The heavenly aroma hit me as I opened the glass door of Godiva’s. It was so strong I could almost taste it. I considered myself an expert when it came to chocolate, but I’d never seen anything like this before. I was almost drooling as I stared at the trays of individual chocolates, sat behind the glass cases.

  Picking up some blond cigars, I began making my way around the shop. By the time I’d got halfway, chocolate-covered pretzels, nuts and biscuits had somehow found their way into my hands. Nathan pulled the plug on my shopping spree after I’d asked the assistant to fill the largest gold ballotin with a selection of gourmet truffles.

  *

  Nathan and I were watching TV when Alfie let himself into our room just before midnight. ‘You two look like you’re having fun.’

  We both glanced in his direction but didn’t get up. I was sitting between Nathan’s thighs on the plush sofa leaning back against his broad chest. He had one arm draped over my shoulder as we shared a bottle of red wine.

  Nathan put his glass down on the table, picked up the remote control and turned off the sound.

  ‘I just came to tell you that we’ll be moving on in the morning.’

  I sat upright, swung my legs around and placed my feet on the floor. ‘Where are we going?’ I asked.

  ‘To Antwerp – you need to be ready to leave at ten.’

  *

  Antwerp was Belgium’s diamond district. No prizes for guessing why we’re going there, I thought. We’d spent the last few days relaxing, eating waffles, and taking full advantage of the luxurious bathroom facilities. We’d sit at opposite ends of the enormous whirlpool bath, filled with scented bubbles, like a couple of bookends, gazing into each other’s eyes, the way we used to when we first met.

  I should have known Alfie would put an end to our enjoyment sooner or later. But I promised myself then and there that if we ever got out of this, the first thing I was going to do was treat us to a Jacuzzi bath. Every couple should have one.

  26

  Gemma

  ‘That’s the World Diamond Centre headquarters,’ Alfie said, pointing out the Mercedes’ window.

  The heavy security presence on the street outside the building indicated its importance. I hoped he wasn’t expecting me to steal something from in there.

  ‘Most of the world’s production of rough diamonds trade in Antwerp,’ Alfie continued.

  I didn’t care how many diamonds passed through this city; I just wanted to know what he had planned for me next.

  ‘Head to Willemdok, Knuckles.’

  *

  Alfie led the way to an incredible motor yacht berthed in the marina. Nathan and I stood on the sun-bleached decking admiring the ultra-modern, all-white exterior of the gleaming vessel. It must h
ave cost a fortune. Living a life of crime obviously did pay after all.

  Alfie climbed onto the deck and offered me his hand.

  ‘Are we going somewhere on this?’ I asked, hoping for once he’d give me a straight answer.

  Alfie flashed me a knowing smile but declined to answer. ‘Welcome on board the Lady Nora. She’s a beauty, isn’t she?’

  She certainly was. This was the kind of toy the uber-rich owned. The Lady Nora was a status symbol.

  ‘Knuckles, get the yacht ready to sail. We need to move her out of here and moor up somewhere else that isn’t tidal.’

  ‘We could berth her at Breskens instead. That marina’s got immediate access to the North Sea,’ Knuckles replied.

  *

  As we left the port of Antwerp, I wondered why we needed access to the North Sea. I was tempted to ask but didn’t bother. There was no point. Alfie never answered my questions. That frustrated me beyond words. He had such a skill of avoiding them; if he fancied a career change, he could easily have become a politician.

  I sat on deck, with the wind in my hair, watching the world go by. Huge container ships, barges and other yachts accompanied us as we cruised down the busy stretch of river, and even though it was noisy, it was strangely therapeutic.

  *

  ‘We’ll moor here tonight, and tomorrow morning, you and Tommy are going back to Antwerp by speedboat,’ Alfie said to Nathan. ‘You get to stay on board and relax, Gemma.’

  ‘Aren’t I the lucky one?’ I laughed, but it sounded forced even to my ears.

  Why wasn’t I going with them? Don’t get me wrong, I was delighted not to be, but the thought of staying behind on the yacht with Alfie filled me with dread. My mind was full of conflicting emotions.

  ‘Let me give you a guided tour of the facilities.’

  Alfie led Nathan and me below deck to the luxurious dining area. Traditional cherry wood surfaces and gleaming brass contrasted with the modern all-white interior.

  I ran my fingers along the back of one of the leather chairs pushed under the large table that could seat ten.

  ‘She’s beautiful, isn’t she? That’s why I named her after my mother,’ Alfie said, beaming with pride.

  Alfie threw me with that comment. Was he about to reveal he had a caring, tender side to his personality? Maybe I’d misjudged him after all. But when I thought about it, the idea of this violent man having a mushy, sentimental side was ridiculous, and I almost laughed out loud. Men like Alfie didn’t show their feelings. He’d see that as a weakness.

  I was about to make a snide remark but stopped myself just in time. I remembered I was going to be on my own with him tomorrow, so it probably wasn’t the best idea to get on the wrong side of him.

  ‘There’s plenty of room to accommodate all of us in the four staterooms,’ Alfie continued. ‘Mine’s the one on the left.’ Alfie gestured towards the back of the yacht, like a steward pointing out the emergency exits on a plane. ‘You and Nathan take the one opposite.’

  Alfie disappeared up the staircase as Nathan and I made our way along the corridor to the spacious cabin. We stopped in our tracks when we heard his muffled voice coming from the deck above us. Nathan and I strained to hear what he was saying. From what we could make out, Tommy and Nathan were going back to Antwerp to carry out a bit of business while the rest of us would be staying on the yacht. Nathan and I looked at each other. We both knew that whatever business Alfie was planning to do, it wouldn’t be legal.

  27

  Alfie

  Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? The day Nathan came to me and asked to borrow money from the firm, I jumped at the chance. The Stones and the Watsons had old scores to settle, so I was delighted to kick-start the cycle of revenge. Nothing would give me greater pleasure. It had been a long time coming, but the dish was best served cold, wasn’t it?

  More than twenty years had passed, but I still couldn’t forgive Rosa for what she’d done to my family. I’d carried the pain with me for such a long time and it had festered inside me like a cancer, spreading and multiplying through every cell of my body. It seemed only right that her precious son, Nathan, should be punished in return. Rosa loved him more than anything in the world. Making him suffer for something she did would be torture for her. Now it was my turn to destroy what she valued most in life.

  The desire to get even with the Stones hadn’t been forced upon me, it was a primal instinct. I had an unquenchable craving for revenge. It flowed through me like the blood in my veins. My negative feelings towards Rosa hadn’t dissipated. They had intensified and become an obsession. Inflicting suffering on her was high up on my bucket list. I was fully committed to ruining her life. The first thought that came to mind every morning when I woke up was how I could make her pay.

  One of my greatest pleasures in life was getting revenge on a person who had wronged me, so I’d become a bully at an early age and had honed my skills over the years. The process felt as normal as getting out of bed in the morning. Intimidation was a powerful tool. A threat often served as a form of protection. It ensured the person wouldn’t try anything in the future without fear of retaliation.

  I never expected to reel Nathan in so effortlessly. He’d walked right into the trap. Nobody in their right mind would ask me to lend them cash. He was like a lamb to the slaughter and more naive than I’d given him credit for. Nathan hadn’t borrowed the money from a bank, so naturally, I was going to exploit him. Did he seriously think nothing bad would come of it?

  The size of the debt was no longer relevant. Gemma and Nathan had broken the law on countless occasions. Now I had them right where I wanted them. They couldn’t walk away from me because they needed the protection of the firm to keep them out of jail. Gemma had nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t let her see the inside of a cell. I couldn’t say the same for Nathan. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in his shoes. I could be a nasty bastard when the mood took me. Everyone knew I had a vicious streak and I couldn’t be held accountable if I was provoked by someone I didn’t like.

  Thanks to Nathan’s stupidity, he’d got them trapped in a situation of his own making. No wonder their marriage was in trouble. My heart bled for him. As if!

  28

  Gemma

  The calming sound of water lapping against the hull, and the gentle rocking motion of the boat lulled me into the most peaceful night’s sleep I’d had in ages.

  ‘It’s time to get up,’ Alfie said, hammering his fist on our door and waking me with a start.

  A beautiful sunrise was seeping into our cabin, bathing our room in rosy light. I pulled back the curtain behind the bed and watched the golden sun edging its way over the horizon, casting pink and orange rays across the still water. What a breathtaking scene.

  ‘We’ll be out in a minute,’ I replied, settling back down under the covers.

  I nudged Nathan with my elbow. He pulled me towards him and wrapped his arms around me before planting a kiss on the top of my head.

  ‘I’m not happy about leaving you here with Alfie,’ Nathan said.

  I wasn’t delighted by the prospect either, but Nathan had enough on his plate at the moment, without worrying about me.

  Alfie threw open the door. ‘What’s taking you so long? You need to hurry up – we’ve got to catch the tide.’

  After putting my coat on over my pyjamas, I stood on deck and watched the speedboat leave the marina with my husband on board. I’d be lying if I said Nathan’s concerns about my safety weren’t on my mind. I was apprehensive too, and given Alfie’s track record, I was well within my rights to feel the way I did. As the boat faded into the distance, Nathan pulled up the collar of his jacket before he turned and waved to me. His dark hair was dishevelled, blowing wildly in the chilly morning air.

  *

  Tommy moored the boat at Willemdok marina. ‘You see that building over there?’ he said, pointing to the large red-brick construction on the riverbank. ‘That’s the Museum aan de Stroo
m, the one I was telling you about.’

  ‘I remember, and the Diamond Pavilion’s next to it,’ Nathan replied, putting on a baseball cap and dark sunglasses.

  ‘Make sure you’re quick. We’ve got to get back out of the marina on this tide,’ Tommy said, giving Nathan a handgun.

  Nathan put the gun inside his jacket and walked calmly along the jetty and through the glass doors of the pavilion. He walked past a security guard and followed the sign directing him to an exhibition showcasing precious metals and jewels. Once inside the room, Nathan pulled out the gun, pointing it at the two members of staff setting up the display.

  ‘Do exactly what I say, and nobody will get hurt. Put the jewellery in that case.’

  Nathan passed a large black bag to the young man, who filled it. Taking the bag from his shaking hands, Nathan fled out of an emergency exit, running the short distance to the waiting boat. Once Nathan was on board, Tommy opened up the throttle and sped out of the marina. He weaved in and out between the other vessels while negotiating the river’s many bridges and locks.

  ‘You nailed it,’ Tommy said, slapping Nathan on the shoulder.

  29

  Nathan

  Thank God that was over. I’d been seriously dreading that job. After the fiasco in Boucheron with Gemma, I knew I couldn’t afford to fuck it up. Alfie was gunning for me. He’d laid the blame firmly at my feet for the aborted switch, which was fine by me. It was bad enough that Gemma was involved in this. I didn’t want her to suffer for our failed attempt.

  We were at the mercy of a cold-blooded crime boss because of my stupidity. If I hadn’t gone through with the robbery, there was a very real chance he was going to kill me. I knew how some gangsters operated and wondered if I’d lose a body part, have my teeth pulled out or be fed alive to a sty full of hungry pigs before our ordeal was over. Fear was a powerful driving force. It could make a person agree to do almost anything.