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“No mess,” I growl.
“Nothing I won’t clean up before tomorrow. We open at eight p.m. And I just hired Pippa for Front of House and Nancy as your assistant, and I haven’t screwed either one of them.Yet.”
“Tell me what you know about my son, Viper.”
He gazes at me steadily. If he’s caught off guard by my question, he doesn’t show it. “Four days after Alex was born, Semenov took him from Ada. She hasn’t seen him since.”
“How did you find out about him?”
“I had eyes in London the whole time, same as you.”
“Have you seen photos?”
He shakes his head. “As far as I know, he’s been in Russia for most of his life.”
“I should have kept a closer eye on him.”
“How the fuck were you meant to know he was your son? Eyes on the prize, Lastra. What time is Santiago getting into town tomorrow?”
“Six. Grayson just messaged. He wants us on the tarmac when he lands.”
“All hail the Prince of Darkness. Is London ready for this?”
“Just so long as the Red Compass aren’t.”
I watch him lift his hand at the bartender. “Something with alotof alcohol in,” he says, turning back to me. “I’m going to need it to pass the Santiago inspection.” He glances over my shoulder and lifts his eyebrows as Bambi approaches. “Evening, sweetheart. Frankie’s just told me he’s taking you to Africa. Happy birthday.”
I shoot him a dirty look over the rim of my milkshake.
“It’s tomorrow, not today,” she corrects, smacking Viper in the chest. “Stop being a dick-idiot. Frankie doesn’t want to take me to Africa. Can I have a tenner? They’ve got a gift shop downstairs and everything.”
“Good to know consumerism is alive and well, even on the Masai Mara.” He hands her a twenty. “Keep the change. Do they serve food in the place, or are we meant to lick the animal paintings?”
I slide him a menu as Bambi drifts off again. He opens it up, still grinning at me. “Is this a war of attrition, or have you two called a truce?”
“I don’t want her ending up in the crossfire,” I warn, sliding a matchstick into my mouth.
“She won’t. How’s my sister?”
“How the hell should I know?”
“I’m not stupid, Lastra, but there are only so many times I can warn you off. You’re a grown up. You know what’s at stake.” He glances around the restaurant again. “So, Aiden Knight’s not as much of an arsehole as I thought he’d be.”
“Is this your attempt at small talk? I prefer your other methods of torture.”
“Do you ever think about that night in the basement?”
I pause. He said it too quickly. It’s as if it’s been sitting in his mouth since Spain, and he’s done holding it in.
“No, but it finds me anyway.”
A double vodka is placed in front of him, and I gesture for the same. Bambi’s not here anymore. No need for drinks concessions.
I watch him down it in one and order another.
“O’Sullivan’s wife was the one who got me out.”
I pause, my drink halfway to my mouth.I wasn’t expectingthat.
