Betrayal

by Margaret Bingley

  At the exact moment that she was retreating into the cupboard, Neal Gueras came smiling out of the Grosvenor House Hotel and walked briskly to his waiting car. Mike was already standing with the passenger door open, his face solemn. 'Not coming down with this 'flu, Mike?' he queried pleasantly, looking forward to a night in the flat with his wife.

  'I've lost her,' muttered Mike, keeping his eyes down.

  Neal stopped half-way in to the car. 'What the hell do you mean, you've lost her?'

  'She felt ill and needed air. I stopped the car to let her out and when I next looked she'd vanished.'

  'Into thin air? You can do better than that! What the bloody hell were you thinking of, letting her out of the car? If she needed air you should have opened all the windows. And if she was so bad she had to get out of the car, you should have got out too.'

  'I'm sorry, I never thought… '

  'Oh yes you did,' said Neal slowly. 'You thought about it very carefully and decided to let her go, isn’t that right?'

  Mike raised his eyes to his employer and they were totally innocent. 'Why should I "let her go" as you put it? She wasn't a prisoner, she was your wife. It never crossed my mind that she might be going to run off. Why should it? I thought you were both… '

  'Get me back to the flat,' snarled Neal as he brushed the young man to one side. Mike obeyed, trying to work out if he had any chance at all of saving himself before Neal could move against him. When the car finally drew to a halt his employer hurried out, gesturing for Mike to follow. He started to obey and then as Neal turned his back on him, spun the wheel hard to the right, did a U-turn in the middle of the road and with a dramatic screaming of tyres was away, heading for the centre of London where he could ditch the car and try to hide among the unquestioning people who lived rough in the capital every night. Beneath a pile of newspapers one person looked very much like another, and if he could get through the next couple of days then it might be safe for him to contact Bellini. At least he was going to try.

  After two hours, Lisa began to think it was all a nightmare. For the past hour the phone had remained silent. A circular had been pushed through the letterbox but apart from that everything was quiet. Even so, she didn't dare emerge from her hiding place and as she cowered there waiting for some unknown horror she wondered if this was how Jessica felt all the time. If she did, it wasn't surprising that she hid in corners and kept her head averted . Lisa too felt safer shut away.

  When her small, diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch showed 4 a.m. she heard the sound she'd been expecting, a key turning slowly in the front door. The hinges were well oiled, making it impossible to hear the door itself open, and only the gentle click of the latch told her that someone was now in the house with her.

  She moved further back until she was touching the wall, trying to make her breathing shallow and silent. Until she actually heard Renato's voice she wasn't going to move. It was still possible that he and Neal were together and she'd finish up being murdered right here. 'Lisa?' Renato's voice was deep but tentative. 'Are you there? I tried to ring but the phone must have been out of order.'

  She longed to move, wanting desperately to believe in him, but terror locked her limbs and her brain felt numb. Suddenly certain that he was the enemy as well, she gave a moan of fear, quickly stifled by her hand, but it was enough for the Italian. He spun round on his heel and dived for the cupboard, convinced that she was injured or being held against her will. As he flung the door open and stood with a gun held firmly in both hands, ready to shoot anyone who was harming her, she looked up, saw the weapon and knew that she'd been right. He was there to kill her. She began to scream.

  Quickly he reached inside the cupboard and pulled her out, ignoring her cries as he checked with hands and eyes for recent injuries. Then, finding none, he simply wrapped his arms round her and held her closely against him, realising what a shock the sight of his gun must have been and also aware that the weeks of strain had finally caught up with her.

  Lisa wasn't really aware of what was happening. All she knew was that he hadn't fired his gun and that she was at last being held by someone who seemed to understand that what she needed was a refuge. Simple, human contact unconnected with sexual feelings, so that she could relax and let herself cry until the tears finally dried up and she was sniffing and hiccuping in a most unattractive manner but feeling such an incredible release of tension that the dull headache that had plagued her for weeks was finally banished.

  When the worst was over, Renato led her into the kitchen and produced a fold-down chair from the broom cupboard. He sat Lisa on this before making two mugs of strong, sweet coffee. She wrapped her fingers round the large, stained mug feeling tired but relaxed. She also felt rather foolish. 'I thought you were going to kill me,' she admitted at last. 'I'd been here so long with that wretched phone ringing and ringing and I'd finally convinced myself it was all some complicated plot that you and Neal had rigged up between you, so when I saw a gun pointed straight at me I just lost control!'

  'I was ringing you! I wanted to be sure you were safely here.'

  'I hoped it was you but I knew that if it wasn't and I picked up the phone, I'd have given myself away to Neal.'

  'You were sensible,' he agreed. 'Stupidly I'd forgotten to give you my private number. Your gown is ruined,' he added, noticing a tear in the skirt and dirty marks down the sides and round the hem.

  'That doesn't matter. I couldn't wear it again.' 'How are your arms?'

  'Better than they were.' 'Still bandaged?'

  'Not all the time, only for this evening. I didn't want my dress rubbing against the scabs.'

  'We have to wait a while now until your children join us. There is nothing to fear, this house is unknown to your husband.'

  'Are you sure?'

  Renato wished he could do something to help her, to demonstrate that she had nothing to fear from him, but she was as jumpy and on edge as if he were keeping her a prisoner. His first instinct was to hold her again but wisely he kept his distance, talking instead of trivial things while her eyes continually moved to her watch as she waited for the children.

  'Tell me about the dogs,' he said at last. 'The dogs?'

  'Yes. Who set them on you? What were you doing when it happened?'

  'I don't want to talk about any of that,' she said firmly.

  'If you do not it will grow bigger and bigger in your mind until even a tiny terrier will be enough to frighten you.'

  'I don't know if I can.'

  'We have plenty of time,' he assured her. 'It does not matter how long you take.'

  Very slowly she told him what had happened, and only the tightening of his lips and involuntary gestures of disgust gave any indication of the overwhelming rage he was experiencing.

  When she'd finished she felt exhausted. 'What happens when the children get here?' she asked quietly.

  'We move to Giovanni Muti's house. It is well protected, with security cameras and guards in the grounds. You will all be safe there.' He didn't mention the dogs patrolling the grounds.

  'But once Neal knows I'm gone, he isn't going to let you keep me away from him.'

  'I have made my long-term plans, you must not worry about such things. It will all work out well, but as you rightly ay your husband will make a great fuss and this will have to be dealt with before I can take you back to Italy with me. All of which will be accomplished in the fullness of time.'

  'Back to Italy with you?'

  His sudden smile was exactly like Luciano's when he showed Lisa his remote controlled car. 'But yes, we will spend the rest of our lives together, will we not?'

  She wished it could be that easy but was aware of the fact that he didn't really know very much about her. He was attracted to her and liked her, but how long would that last after he'd taken her to his bed? One look at him was enough to confirm the stories she'd heard. He had the easy assurance of a man who'd known a lot of women, and by comparison with them she'd be a total disast
er.

  'I don't think that's a very good idea,' she said regretfully. 'I think it's an excellent idea; Luciano thinks so too.' 'Don't bring him into it, that isn't playing fair.'

  He frowned. 'What do you mean? Surely you want to be my wife? I have not imagined the feelings that there are between us? You find me attractive and I find you attractive, yes?'

  'Yes, I suppose so, but… '

  'I also admire you. You are a woman of spirit and a caring and compassionate mother. Together we will continue to heal Jessica, build up my little Luciano's confidence and raise our own children. All this part of your life will be as though it never existed. We will be happy together.'

  'I'd disappoint you. I told you before… ' 'What?

  She heard the sound of a car outside, quickly followed by the unmistakable noise of Jessica yelling. Jumping off the chair, Lisa ran to the front door, only to find Renato there before her, his hand on the catch. 'I will go first. We have to be sure.'

  'I want to see my children. Let me out!'

  He grabbed her wrist then closed his eyes as she cried out in agony, doubling up and moving away from him as her injuries sent pain shooting up her arm. There was no time for Renato to apologise because immediately there was a knocking on the door and he slid it open on the chain, saw Janice standing there with Alexi in her arms and a demented Jessica at her side, and swiftly let them in.

  Jessica made a mad dash for the stairs and then rushed up them, banging her shoes on the uncarpeted steps and giggling at the noise echoing round the house. Alexi, his eyes alert but perfectly placid, gazed around him silently, but Lisa was still recovering from the pain in her wrist and couldn't welcome either of them properly.

  'The children are safe!' exclaimed the nurse, putting her arms round Lisa. She nodded, trying to stand up as the pain slowly diminished.

  'Were there any problems?' she asked anxiously.

  'None at all. Bishop got called away and as soon as he'd gone, one of Mr Bellini's young men arrived. We piled the children and their clothes into the car and drove away.'

  'When was all this arranged? '

  'Several days ago. Mr Bellini thought it better that you didn't know.'

  Still appalled by what he'd done, the tall Italian shrugged apologetically. 'It was safest. Suppose you'd been taken and questioned about the children? This way you had nothing to tell.'

  'It's all right, you did marvellously. Where's Jessica gone?' 'Upstairs, clumping around enjoying all the noise. I'm sorry about your wrist, I forgot and…'

  'It doesn't matter! You've brought the children to me, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that.'

  'There is one thing,' said the nurse slowly. Renato and Lisa looked anxiously at her. 'That nice young driver, Mike, he's disappeared.'

  The Italian muttered a quick prayer. 'We must hurry to Giovanni's house,' he said urgently. 'Come, we go out the back way. I have a Jaguar waiting there. Lisa, get Jessica and bring her with you. Janice and I will manage everything else.'

  'It's my fault,' said Lisa hysterically. 'I've probably killed him. If I hadn't…'

  'He volunteered for the job,' snapped Renato, determined to stop her before she lost control. 'He knew the risk but wanted to do it. Even if he is dead, you are not to blame. Now get your daughter, and hurry!'

  'Why would he take such a risk?' demanded Lisa as she ran up the stairs, but Renato didn't answer her. He knew only too well why Mike had done it and thought that Lisa would come to understand in her own time, but now wasn't the moment to burden her with such knowledge.

  Chapter Thirty

  They sped through London at eight in the morning. Twice Renato jumped the traffic lights to shake off any possible tail. Lisa had never been driven so fast before and yet she wasn't worried. Renato Bellini handled cars like he handled women, very efficiently indeed. By eight-thirty they were safely in the grounds of Giovanni Muti's mansion, and after that Lisa stumbled through a confused hour of settling the children and Janice while trying to listen to what the two men were discussing, although they had an irritating habit of lapsing into Italian when they didn't want her to understand them. Finally Eleanor took her quietly upstairs into a lovely lilac and white bedroom with adjoining bathroom.

  'This is yours for as long as you wish to stay,' she said with a smile. 'Now I will send a maid to help you undress and then you must sleep. You are totally exhausted.'

  'I don't have any clothes with me!'

  'Signor Bellini has already thought of that. You will find day clothes in the wardrobe, and nightgowns and robes in the case beside the bed. Rest well, signora.'

  The maid, who didn't speak a word of English, helped Lisa out of her filthy ballgown and into the bath she'd prepared for her. Then, as Lisa used the enormous box of Chanel talcum, she brought her a cream silk nightgown with capped sleeves. At last, with a sigh of relief, Lisa slipped beneath the goose-feather duvet and closed her eyes.

  She'd expected to fall asleep immediately but her mind continued on its own mad whirl. She kept picturing Mike, wondering where he was and if he would manage to stay alive long enough to join them again. Annoyed at her wakefulness she tossed and turned, then jumped as her bedroom door opened. She sat up quickly as Renato came slowly into the room. 'Not asleep?'

  'No, I…'

  He saw the look of anxiety in her eyes and wondered just what kind of a husband Neal Gueras had been to reduce a woman of such obvious spirit as Lisa to a nervous wreck at the sight of a man in her bedroom. Surely she didn't believe he'd attempt to seduce her in her present condition? he thought, but from the look in her eyes she did. He smiled reassuringly. 'I bring you a pill. It will help to calm your mind and then sleep will come quickly, yes?'

  'I hope so!'

  'You are afraid of me.' He made the statement casually as he handed her the pill and a glass of water .

  'Not exactly.'

  'You look afraid of me.' 'I didn't mean to.'

  'Listen to me.' He sat down on the side of the bed, keeping his voice very calm. 'I love you but I would never force myself upon any woman. Love is special. It is a gift too precious to abuse, and if you love me then eventually you will want us to make love together. It will be your decision, I promise you, so no more anxious looks every time I appear, yes?'

  She gave a reluctant smile. 'I'm sorry, you must think me… ' with a yawn, she lost track of what she'd been saying. 'I shan't ask you to make love to me,' she muttered, her lids already closing as she lay back on the pile of pillows.

  'Why not?'

  'Because then you'd know.'

  'Know what?' He bent down to catch her murmured answer. She frowned, drifting away to sleep. 'Know what?' he repeated.

  'That I'm frigid,' she sighed, and then her breathing became regular, her lashes lay motionless against her cheeks and he knew she was finally asleep. Her answer made him smile. If ever he'd seen a woman who was made for love it was Lisa and his judgement in such matters was never wrong. She'd lost confidence in herself but that didn't matter. Once she was willing to take him as her lover her fears would quickly be removed, but it was another mark against her husband.

  While Lisa slept away the next twenty-four hours, Janice coped with Alexi and Renato himself sat with Jessica, letting her examine her room for as long as she needed, not even interfering when she wrenched down a shelf of books. Because he neither looked directly at her nor interfered with what she did, Jessica began to cast covert glances in his direction, intrigued by someone who ignored her presence so completely, and in consequence she settled relatively quickly.

  At tea-time, when Lisa still hadn't woken, Renato went into town, collected Luciano from his music lesson and took him straight back to the new house. He didn't even stop to pick up any of his son's clothes or toys, knowing full well that his own apartment was bound to be watched. Fortunately, Luciano didn't mind. It was all a great adventure to him and he was looking forward to seeing Lisa again.

  'Any word from Mike?' asked Renato when he
arrived back at the Muti's.

  'Not yet.'

  'I wonder where he is?' mused the Italian.

  Neal Gueras was wondering exactly the same thing.

  'Find him!' shouted Neal. 'I don't care how long it takes or how many men are needed. Just find him and bring him here. He must know where she's gone.'

  'Not necessarily,' said Bishop. 'He only let her go, he didn't have to have access to any further information.'

  'We're not talking about a computer, we're talking about a human being. He was obviously besotted with my wife and would never have let her walk off into the night. He knew where she was going and I want to know as well. Yes?' he added as Steve came reluctantly into the Chelsea flat.

  'I've had a call from Louise, sir.'

  'Do you seriously think I'm interested in talking to my daughter at a time like this?'

  'The children are gone.'

  Every man in the room fell silent and only Bishop had the courage to look at Neal's face which went purple with fury while the veins in his temples bulged. 'Which children?' he barked.

  'Jessica and… ' 'Yes?'

  'Your son.'

  'She's taken Alexi? How the hell did she manage that?'

  'A black cab arrived at the house just after Bishop left on that wild goose chase. Louise didn't realise who'd gone from the house until much later. She…'

  'I'm not interested in what Louise thought, she's totally brainless. It's a pity you rushed off on that call, Bishop. If you'd checked with me first my son might still be at home.'

  'If I'd checked every emergency call with you over the past two years we'd be a severely depleted organisation,' retorted Bishop, inwardly smiling at the way his employer had been out-maneuvered. 'Find that damned chauffeur!' instructed Neal, and then slammed off into the bedroom. They glanced at one another. 'Something wrong?' enquired Bishop.

  'He's bound to be armed,' commented Steve. 'So?'

  'We can't have a shoot-out in the middle of London. People might notice!'