It was the expression in the woman’s eyes and the total silence in the room that alerted Claude Delano.The young man moved with the swiftness of the boxer he was and was across the room even as the woman turned and lunged at him, a deadly-looking knife in her hand. She swung her arm and caught him in the shoulder, for he was encumbered with the sling on his right arm but he still struck out, his left fist connecting with her chin and then, to his shock, the woman sprang across the room, brandishing her knife, her eyes flashing with rage and hate as he spun around. She raised her hand and made to fling something at the motionless frame of his brother who lay, forlorn and unaware of the commotion between them. Claude leapt forward and kicked out , his booted foot connecting with the woman’s wrist, catching her unawares and she let out a muffled oath as she spun away again.She was quick, he thought in some amazement, for someone who looked overweight she moved swiftly, precisely.He wa
Maja watched them out of the corner of her eyes; the man had gripped her small wrist and drew her to his body, saying something in a low undertone that made Proserpina blush prettily as she tucked her hair behind her ear. She sank down onto a chair that one of the men had drawn up for her and Maja saw how Proserpina turned to give the man a smile of gratitude.Even as all the people gathered around the huge table were eating and Maja was tucking into the delicious repast, the security men, omnipresent as they were, stepped to Lucien Delano. A look of panic went over Proserpina’s face and her husband reached out to hold her hand as he took up the phone that one of his men had brought him. His hard grey eyes immediately locked with those of James Schwartz, who had also stopped eating.With an oath, Lucien Delano rose to his feet, wiping his lips and flinging the napkin down,, all in one movement. Schwartz had also risen to his feet as did Proserpina, a look of bewilderment and fear on h
LucienThe Mafia Don strode into the hospital, his face set and cold. His men flanked him, trotting along to keep pace. The Boss was furious and they knew that heads would roll before the night was out. The senior doctors were there, looking white-faced, unhappy and frightened. When Lucien St Claire scowled, they fell over themselves to keep him happy. And now, he was like a raging bull.‘The f*ck did the woman get inside?’ he roared and the chief doctor quailed before him. Claude was in the hospital. He had required around thirteen stitches. Lucien had visited his son, a perfunctory visit but Claude had been sedated as well and had not been aware of his father standing over him, dark face brooding as he looked down at his son.Savagely, he rounded on the doctor again and the man trembled as he said,“She… she… managed to get into the nursing bay. Must have donned a uniform.’ he looked at the ground as he spoke fumbling for words to explain his incompetence, too scared to meet the Don
ProserpinaWhen she came awake, the sound of her husband growling in a low voice over the phone was what she heard. Reaching out a hand, she found the space beside her was empty but the warmth signified that he had just risen.Slowly, groggily, she lowered her feet to the ground, her hand going to her rounded stomach protectively. She should really stop depending on Beatrice and her strange concoctions that helped her to de-stress. Surely it must be armful for the baby, she thought restively.She could make out Lucien’s back. He was standing , his back to her, staring out at the wintry sunlight in the garden outside. As he was dressed, she guessed that he had been up and awake for a while now.She only had a vague memory of his getting to bed beside her, holding her to his large body, his face in her hair . When had he returned? She had no idea. But he had refrained from disturbing her. Soundlessly, she tiptoed to the bathroom.When she returned after showering, he was still in the sa
RiaThe pretty young blonde stared at the back of the head of the man sitting before her in the large Hummer.The Capo.He had been roped in to get her to bring her stuff back from her University and Ria was glaring daggers at him. She wanted to continue her studies at the University and she most certainly did not agree with her Pappa who had stonewalled all her protests.Unfortunately, all her tears and pleas had been in vain. Now that Paddy was safe at home and Claude was still recuperating from his assorted wounds. Lucien had decided she was returning home and that was it; end of discussion. There was no point in trying to get Mumma to support her; Proserpina Delano knew where her authority ended.Okay, so she was being a trifle obstinate as Piers had pointed out. He had agreed to give up a semester, maybe even take a gap year as he wanted to learn the ropes of the business as their father wanted him to. But Ria chaffed at the bit; she enjoyed the easy camaraderie with friends alth
Ria had put her foot down and got Philippe to take her to the University to bid goodbye to the Professor who had been her favourite. As she walked down the halls of the antiquated building, for the elderly Professor Wilkins had his rooms in the old building, she felt the Capo’s blistering gaze on her. But she ignored him.As they rounded a corner and began to make their way back to the waiting car, someone called her name and she turned. Philippe’s hand went to his gun at his waist automatically as he spun around to look at the newcomer.The young man who was approaching them, was Professor Wilkins’ associate, the much younger Professor Martin.Nick Martin had the reputation of being a flirt who helped young female students with their assignments. And was often rewarded with physical favours by his grateful students, said the grapevine gossips but no one had come forward with accusations so the handsome young man was still very much a part of the academic team.*Ria had steered clear
HilaShe sat in the half-empty room, the bottle of rum before her, drained with just a few drops remaining.Running a hand through her short black hair, she swore as the tears welled up in her eyes. Drink always made her weak, causing the memories she had stifled with a strong hand, to rise to the surface and plague her.She sniffled and stood up, swaying slightly as she made her way to the cupboard and took out another bottle. Her secret stash, to be used in emergencies, she had told herself, lips twisting contemptuously. Who was she kidding anyway?With unsteady hands, Hila poured herself another large drink.Alcohol was supposed to make you forget things, wasn’t it? Then why did she remember everything with such clarity when she had only been trying to forget those terrible incidents?Staggering to her feet again, she swore loudly as she looked around the near-bare room, void of anything that could trace her. This was what her life had become; that of a ghost, a shadow, living out
PiersThe weather forecast had predicted a mild snowfall and the snowflakes were falling outside in the garden as Piers entered the warm study where his sat mother working. It was evening and the aroma of food wafted in through the open door. Mumma had just come in after getting dinner started, he perceived fondly.She looked so beautiful, he thought with a smile, the dark head bent over her work and then, as she sensed his presence, she raised her head and smiled at him, a smile that revealed how much she loved him.Carefully, he lowered himself into a leather armchair facing her. His Mumma was working on her thesis; she smiled tiredly at him, rubbing her eyes as she took off her glasses, the ones she wore when she was reading. Proserpina looked into the eyes of her eldest born with love and said softly,“What is it, Piers?’He stood up again and paced the room restlessly.Then he turned to her abruptly as he blurted out the words,‘Mumma, I want to join Pappa.’Proserpina’s face bet