Page 26 of Devious Eyes
“You can look after yourself. You’ve been doing that for years.”
“Good to know you care, hermano.”
“Come home. With the diamonds. I need you to do that for me.” His voice softens for the first time, and I hear the fear I felt as I drove towards the airport that night.
“I can’t, Andreas. Not yet.”
“Damn it, Gabriella, don’t play games. I need those diamonds back.” His voice booms down the phone. It reminds me of when I was a teenager and would sneak in to his warehouse to find him. He’d bark orders at his friends, and they’d scurry off to do his bidding. He was like a general, commanding his troops. They looked up to him, wanted to follow him, and all I wanted was to be part of it, too. It was what drove me to step outside the lines of the law, but it didn’t give me the rewards I hoped for.
“I never play games. And I’m done with the mess you pulled me into.” My finger stabs the end call button, and I hold my breath for a few seconds to let the venom seep into my blood. Andreas makes me so mad. And I spent so long seeking his approval.
My exhale brings calmness back, and I put a smile on my face as fake as the diamonds around the neck of the bimbo I saw that first night.
“Hey, sorry about that.” I pick up the glass on the table and join Nate on the outside chairs.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just…” I consider telling Nate it’s nothing, but there’s something inside of my heart longing to share something real, something of me with him. “Family. They can be hard work.” And despite how much I hate my brother right now, I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. He’s not usually as mean to me as he was today. We’ve worked together, and he’s always shown me some degree of respect. This conversation was different, harsher.
“Hmm.” Nate doesn’t elaborate but sips at the clear liquid in the glass, the ice clinking as he sets it back down.
“My brother can be challenging. We’re different personalities.” He lifts a brow at me, interested.
“You have any other siblings?”
“No. He is plenty to handle all on his own. What about you?”
“We’re not talking about me.” He turns away, a wry smile on his face.
“Oh, don’t start that crap again, Nate. Knowing if you do or don’t have a brother isn’t going to change the last few days we have or give me any grand ideas past our time together.” Seems my brother’s bad mood is catching.
“Fine. Jesus. Yes. I have a brother.” He raises his hands as if I just asked him to admit to some scandalous secret.
“Was that so hard?”
“You’d be fucking surprised.” He scoffs, turning away again.
We both sulk, seemingly uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. The tension grows and becomes a physical barrier. Unspoken words and unanswered questions drift in the air between us.
It’s stupid. I knew what I was getting myself into when I walked up to Nate in the bar. Just because he’s stirred some feelings inside my chest and caused me to feel like I couldbelongsomewhere, with someone, for the first time in my life, doesn’t mean it’s destined to happen. It’s this place. This island. Luring me into a romantic state with its utopian views, exquisite surroundings and ‘nothing is too much trouble’ service. That’s all. Nothing to do with my heart. Or the ease with which Nate and I fit together.
If we were back in the States, or in Europe, it would be different.
“Would you rather eat in tonight, or shall I book us a table at one of the restaurants?” I try for a practical question to get us back on track. With only a few more days, regardless of how things will end, I should enjoy Nate while I have him.
Both of us should enjoy each other.
“I’m easy. You choose. Although something a little more private than the bar would be nice.” I nod and walk back inside. My eyes check the vase for the diamonds to ensure I’ve not missed them these last few days. Sure enough, they’re still where I put them.
The welcome guide is open on the counter in the kitchen. I flick through the restaurant options and choose the fine dining experience. Further at the back of the book are other evening entertainment spots. A linked hotel on the mainland has a casino and Friday nights are the big game events.
We’ve kept everything low key so far. It would be exciting to go and have some real fun. I can’t keep the smile from my lips as I run the plan over in my mind. Nate’s only seen the holiday version of me. Of course, I move in a lot of different circles and I can certainly hold my own at the tables.
“Hello, Mr Nate. How may we help you?” The operator picks up after a single ring from the in-room phone.
“Oh, hello. We’d like to book a table at Arii Moana for tonight, please. Can it be in a more secluded section?”
“Of course, Miss…?”
