Alexei and Ratko were speechless but for different reasons. The first didn't want to say a thing that could render his charge more nervous and couldn't say something good about Repin. Pouring all his hatred of the man was useless and would only hurt the child more. 'Let him keep a good memory of the monster. He doesn't need to hit his head against the wall for being such an idiot to believe his lies.' Ratko, on the other hand, was still pondering if he had heard right: Repin… kind? The boy was crazier than anyone thought and he was sincere because he was now crying openly while Alexei did his best to calm him down. He hated nervous breakdowns. On the other hand, Repin had behaved very civilly when normally he would have stabbed, strangled, shot or drown the boy leaving him. That's why he had run from the control room the minute he had heard the boy sending him to hell. He had enough for one day.
Time to return to the kitchen, call Goran and ask what he wanted to do with the security tapes.
“Alexei, take him to his room and call the doctor. Pavicevic will kill us if he has another heart attack,” he growled while the Russian gently coaxed Guntram to climb up the stairs.
Both men had been watching the recording in the late afternoon. When it finished, Konrad closed his laptop with a dry thump. “Well Ferdinand, what do you think?” “We might have a problem. He told Repin that he will not get back his main incentive to pay us back.”
“Please Ferdinand, if Repin returns the money or not, it will have nothing to do with Guntram. He knows what I can do to collect my debts.”
“Yes, but he has the perfect excuse to refuse to pay. We didn't return the boy.”
“I will return the boy, Ferdinand. Repin can come here or send someone and, after we had verified that the transfer has reached us, the boy will be free to leave. If Guntram does not move, it's his problem, not mine.”
“Do you think he's going to be so stupid? Then what? Do we give the boy ten Francs for the bus?”
“We'll find out next February. In a way I would love that he does not pay me so I can end this threat for once and all. Guntram has burned down all his ships now.”
“And you love it. Now the boy has to do what you want if he wants to survive Repin's wrath after February. The minute that child—yes child, because his reaction to all this proves me that he's still a child—leaves your office, the whole Russian Mafia will jump after his throat to return him to Repin for a good price. Does he really believe that he can walk away?”
“All this proves that Guntram is a good person. His reaction is better than I expected. Can you imagine for a second what would have Roger done if he would have been in his place?”
“Perfectly well. He gets money from you, returns to Repin and makes him fight with you after he gets to be the administrator of his children's fortune. You kill Repin and he gets rid of the little slugs in less than a year.”
“No, he would keep the slugs alive squeezing all the money he can from them.”
“Don't forget the part when he comes back and sells you all what he has from the Russians,” Ferdinand smirked.
“No, that's too straightforward for him. He makes an alliance with the third in power so he annihilates Repin's successor and Olga Fedorovna -let's don't forget she's still the wife and gets fifty percent of the legal money-and gets all for himself,” Konrad snickered.
“Your plan has a hole my friend. Knowing Roger as we do know, he would have done exactly what Guntram has done so he can play the victim later, forcing Repin to eliminate the wife by himself, if he ever wanted to have his angel back,” Ferdinand laughed.
“You're absolutely right, Ferdinand. You see? Guntram looks so much like him that I'm starting to forget what a snake Roger is.”
“A black mamba, my friend. But Guntram is nothing like him. Hear me well Konrad. This boy is not guilty of what his uncle did to you. Don't play with him. He's in mortal danger now.”
“I know, he has proven to me that he's loyal and honest. Some degree of brains and strategic planning ahead would be also desirable, but we can't have everything,” Konrad sighed. “He will be a good companion for me.”
“Just be careful. He's a decent kid; don't hurt him.”
“I'll be as gentle as I can. If not, Friederich will kill me. He has already adopted him as his own. Remind me to tell Antonov that he should keep his paws off the boy. He's mine only,” Konrad finished the talk.
'Poor boy! From a jealous maniac possessive Russian psycho to a jealous possessive German control freak! And don't forget the deranged Serb who thinks that he's his little brother. Protons and electrons, it's like Oblomov said,' Ferdinand thought, but decided to keep it to himself.
“Ferdinand, the third week in July is free?”
“Ask Monika, I'm not your secretary!”
“If you are not nagging me about something, then it's free. I'll take a few days off and go to San Capistrano. I'll fly to Sylt in August. Nice is too sunny and hot for my taste.”
“If you can take Michael with you, then I will have the perfect month,” Ferdinand said with a grin.
“Didn't I tell you? Michael will go with you to China. Cheer up, Ferdinand, it's only two weeks with him. Perhaps you can start to appreciate each other.”
The tall blond Russian couldn't yet decide if he should be furious with the Duke or not. First, the man had ruined all progresses the youth had done in less than twenty minutes. Guntram had flown to London in business class, sporty enduring the crowded VIP's lounge in the airport, taken all his tests with excellent grades, spoken with his former classmates and considered seriously to visit Tate's on his own. Small feats that two months ago were unthinkable. Nevertheless, the Duke decided to “reward” the boy with an interview with the greatest monster he had ever met, pushing him to his limits. 'Lintorff is responsible that Guntram is a mess now. If he falls sick, it's his fucking fault.'
Alexei didn't know what else to do to get Guntram out of the dark silence he had fallen into after crying almost the whole night after his break up with Repin. 'I simply don't understand him. He does not love him, but still likes him to the point of feeling bad because he 'broke his heart'. As if that wolf could have a heart!' Guntram was again refusing to eat, mute and depressed, only obeying orders because if it were left to him, he wouldn't move a single finger by himself.
He was so sick the morning after the fight that the doctor recommended to postpone the flight for two days. When Alexei finally parked in front of the castle, he felt ten years older and wanted to strangle his employer.
Friederich had been shocked the moment he had seen the pale shadow standing miserably in the foyer; nothing comparable to the vibrant child he had seen good-bye just a week ago. The old man sent Guntram immediately to bed and stayed with him till he fell asleep.
Much to Alexei's satisfaction, Friederich had rebuked the Duke for his “incredible lack of vision, if we are to believe that you were acting in good faith.” He forbade him also to enter in the boy's room: “don't come to me now and tell that you regret your actions. Your duty was to protect him and the first thing you do is forcing him to face this monster! Did you even considered his health? No, you probably were looking for a way to weaken your enemy!”
Friederich soft voice could be heard through the thick walls when needed.
The Duke had tried to defend his position but the old man, Tutor, simply had ordered him to be quiet and reflect upon his actions “against a poor soul who never lifted a finger against you! You're a wolf circling the lambs and this is where I draw the line, boy! Guntram is the only person totally innocent in this game you've devised! Stay away from him!”
“Are you done, Elsässer? I'm taking him on July 12th to San Capistrano. The fresh air will do him good,”
Konrad finished the discussion.
Guntram de Lisle's Diary. July 1st
I'm feeling much better since the fever is gone. After I returned from London, I caught the flu in the middle of the summer. One morning, I woke up running a very high fever and had to remain i
n bed for five days per the doctor's orders. I was terribly tired and sad that I was partly glad to be put out of hassle.
I was very surprised yesterday morning when I found Konrad sitting on the couch in front of my bed.
“How are you feeling?” he greeted me and I replied that I was much better than before.
“I'm glad. The flu can be very treacherous.” He checked my temperature by placing his hand on my forehead. “You're still warm. You were really sick last night. Wagemann considered seriously to take you to the hospital, but in the last minute, you reacted to the medications,” he told me affably.
“I don't remember it.”
“With 39º C, you should not remember much. You gave us quite a fright, Guntram.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't worry. I was thinking to fly for a few days to Rome, to San Capistrano for holidays and take you with me. You would like the property. It's in the Lazio and harbours most of our Renaissance collection. You will love it.”
I smiled at him tiredly and he sat on the bed, next to me. “It's very quiet, sunny and you could draw there in peace.” He told me in a gentle voice. “You're also very stressed and a change of air might do you well.”
“I broke up with Constantin,” I confessed. “I was very nasty to him.”
“Tell me one thing,” he told me very seriously and I looked at him expectantly. “Did your talk take place in the music room?” I nodded. “All right. There's a set of porcelain figures over the mantelpiece. They're from Fulda; a gift from the Bishop to our family, well to a Guttenberg Sachsen married to a Griffin. Did they survive?”
“Of course! I didn't throw anything!” I shouted, shocked.
“Then you were not nasty to him. To make Repin understand something, you have to hit him very hard. I know it by experience,” he said very kindly while he took my hand and lightly squeezed it.
“He still loves me and I kicked him out. He did everything he could for me and I repaid him with treason. I'm a very bad person.”
“There's nothing like a protocol for breaking up, Guntram. One part always turns out grieved and the worst you can say is “let's be friends” because the relationship never truly ends and that person thinks they might have a chance. A clear break is the best you can do. After all, no one dies on the eve, as the Spanish say. And let's do not lie to each other, sex and friendship don't mix well together.”
“But I don't want be the cause of further problems for Constantin!”
“This is very different from being friends. You don't want to feel responsible for his actions and why should you be? Do you really think he will calculate his next moves against me based on you? You're just an excuse to attack me. How we further continue our war is our sole concern.”
“I'm afraid he takes unnecessary risks on my behalf.”
“Repin is a worthy adversary Guntram. Concern yourself that he does something rushed to get you back against your wishes. Wouldn't be the first time he takes a lover against his will. Massaiev takes care of the selection process,” he sighed, still holding my hand. “I can only offer you my protection, Guntram, but you will have to remain with me.”
“I will return to Argentina after this year is finished,” I said clearly and withdrew my hand from his. Did he look upset for a second?
“You can't. The minute you step a foot outside this house or away from my protection, Repin will kidnap you and do whatever he wants with you, exactly as before, when you were living in London. If you're nice to him, you will get a golden cage and perhaps some freedom but if you refuse him, he will make your life or other people you care about lives miserable.”
“When I tried to kill myself he said he was going to kill father Patricio in return if I ever tried it again and I didn't want to risk to know if it was true,” I told him.
“Guntram, he's a mobster, a criminal with no qualms when it comes to his own needs and desires. By definition, he disregards all rules. I was sincere when I offered you my protection and affection and I trust that you will return those feelings to me,” Konrad said and I was speechless. He certainly knows how to make things clear.
“Konrad, I think we could be friends at some point. You're a good person and have helped me out of kindness, but, as you said, some things don't mix together well,” I said very slowly, choosing the words with infinite care.
He laughed at my face. “Guntram, the fever was really affecting you!” he chuckled. “Some “things”—
as you call them and I believe you're referring to sex—can't be rushed or forced. I'm not planning to exchange security for sex with you. I can obtain “that thing” at a much cheaper price and with more seasoned lovers, without jumping into a young man's bed. I only want your companionship and nothing else. The rest might come later or not.”
“Why are you interested in me? I'm practically a dork.”
He chuckled once more, louder. “Your propaganda ministry needs some restructuring, Guntram. Maybe I like you because you're “a dork”. You're intelligent but very naïve, honest, polite, generous and for some unknown reason, you don't grate my nerves like ninety-five percent of the people I know do. I haven't shared my life with anyone for the past fifteen years because all the lovers I had, were thinking more of themselves than of me. How can you share something with someone if they're already naming the price? They all want something from me, but you don't.”
“I would also want something from you; protection from Constantin,” I clarified, not liking a bit his reasoning.
“I know and I don't mind providing it. Your character is naturally selfless, peaceful and kind. The person who came here in February is not the boy who stands now in front of me.”
“I'm very grateful to you, Konrad. You have been almost like a father to me.” A big cold water bucket should do.
“Perhaps I'm practising with you,” he giggled, unaffected by what it's supposed to be the greatest turn-off phrase in mankind's history. “I'm considering very seriously in having children in the near future. I'm forty-six and soon people will tell that I'm an old spinster. You can stay single till you're forty, then people start to suspect.”
What? Not even two minutes ago he insinuated that we should have sex, well not really, come to think.
He says he can get better elsewhere, thank you very much! I'm not such a dry old bone to the cast away! One look from me and Constantin was set in flames and now he wants to marry? Poor woman and children!
“Are you going to get married?” I asked, still shocked at his audacity. Shameless prick!
“No, I couldn't stand a wife. I don't like women outside the bedroom. I said I want children and nowadays is possible to have them without the inconvenience of a wife. Before too, but you had to spend the rest of your life explaining your reasons and you had to adopt your own son so he could inherit you.”
“Konrad, I'm afraid you are not making any sense.”
“I need a gentle person at my side to counterbalance my domineering ways, as someone told me once.
Alone, I would be too much for any child. They need stability and love in their lives and they don't care if the love comes from someone not blood related to them. Look at Friederich and me. He's like a father to me and has coped with me for the past forty-two years. He will die in this house and I suspect that I will mourn him more than my own father. Friederich has always been there for me, without asking anything for himself. He wasn't very funny when it came to study or discipline, in fact, he was very stern, but he protected and loved me like no one else had done it before. I want that my children have the opportunity to share their lives with a generous person like I had. Their lives will not be easy, exactly as mine was and they will need someone who's there to show them the right way. My father's best present was to bring Friederich from Salzburg. I've seen you with the children on Easter Sunday and they like you and want to be with you. You could take care of my children and help me in their education.”
When he finished his explanation I wa
s in shock, convinced that the fever had returned. “Are you offering me a nanny position for some non-existent babies?”
He was silent for a long minute and then he just said: “Essentially, yes I am.”
I just gaped like an idiot for a longer minute. “I know nothing about children,” I stuttered.
“Most people have no idea and have them, but you will get qualified help from a nurse for their menial tasks.”
“I know nothing about educating someone!”
“Don't you want to have children?”
“Yes, but my own ones; the normal way. Getting a nice woman to look after!”
“Life never turns out how we plan it, Guntram. Evaluate your real chances to get children on your own after one year. Let's assume that for some miracle you manage to avoid our Russian friends and escape to an X
country. You would need to start all over again, without money, friends or any kind of support. Get a new name, fake papers, and a low pay job as you have no special education of any kind. You would have to move every six months to escape the hounds after you. Perhaps Repin would grow tired in a year or two. Perhaps not, because for him this is a very cheap entertainment. How long would you last with your heart condition? A year? Two years? What would you do? Paint portraits in the streets? That's the first place where Repin's people would look. What about medical care?
You need it constantly and an insurance company to survive. The stress would kill you in less than a year. You've heard Dr. van Horn.”
“You said you would help me to get away from Constantin.”
“I said I would help you as long as you were a member and turning your back to us, by refusing to cooperate with your Hochmeister, is a serious crime bordering on treason. Of course, I would not punish you as I truly appreciate you and don't think that you could be a threat to us, but we would withdraw all our support. You will be on your own, Guntram.”
I felt like dying. Do what he wanted or take my chances with Constantin and I knew he wouldn't let me go. It was his way or the grave.
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