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“You've met Nico?”
“And Gravel.” Porter is close enough to the Russian's name to have met the guy.
“Wow. You really did impress Dad.”
There is no way on this earth my dad showed Porter to the warehouse where wequestionpeople without a great deal of trust and acceptance.
“Is Nico old enough to run a club? He can't be more than eighteen, and that's being generous knowing you would let a kid translate for a torturer.”
Oh dear. I don't have the strength to shatter Porter's apparent belief in me.
“His mum was to my sister what Caeo is to me. She was an unfortunate victim of the whole fiasco that cost my sister her life. I've been looking after him financially ever since.”
“How old was he then?”
“I don't know.” I absolutely will not tell Porter my guess is around twelve. My mind was filled with anger and hatred back then, the last thing I wanted was a child to worry about. Especially a wild one who only spoke in his native tongue. An unregistered Romanian orphan wasn't someone I could save with the police asking questions all the time. He seemed to pick up Russian faster than English so dumping him with Gavriil, and an allowance discharged me from any guilty feelings.
“So, you're running it in his name?”
“Yes. I can't do much for him, but providing financial security for his future is within my grasp.”
“That is so sweet,” Porter teases me. “Big hard Knox Thayer has a soft spot for orphans and donkeys.”
“Runts and asses, more like,” Caeo jokes. “And more owning rather than saving.”
“Caeo, you can't hide your soft spot for Nico by making me look tough.”
“Me? A soft spot for that little runt. Never,” Caeo blushes.
“Send the kid a pizza as an apology and tell me about the other thing,” I insist. I've had Porter's house emptied. Along with taking all the things from her flat, I'm hoping to leave Tiffany with nothing but the life her brother so kindly bestowed on her.
“What else have you done?” Porter looks between me and Caeo with a concerned look.
“We've emptied your mother's house into storage while she is in rehab,” Caeo explains. “Mr Thayer has ordered new carpets, bathroom and kitchen to be fitted and we're going to repaint the walls. A fresh house for a fresh start.”
“I'm sorry. I wanted it to be a surprise.” I smile at him, hoping my real motives never become known.
“It's wonderful. Thank you. She'll really appreciate it.”
“We'll need your opinion when it comes to choosing colours and putting fittings back, but for now, you just leave it all to us.”
“You've kept everything?” Porter frowns.
“For now, it's all in a storage container. We'll go through everything when it goes back in, you make all the decisions. I promise you are in control of everything.” I'm not interested in going through his mother and sister's crap, just stopping her getting hold of anything. I was always raised to believe this kind of revenge was women's work, but it feels pretty satisfying. Knowing she is out there, trying to find her way has me grinning. No money, no shelter, no contacts. I can almost taste her assumed panic, like velvety chocolate muffins.
It's my panic I taste, as bile in the back of my throat as the doorbell rings. I hope Porter is ready for this.
fifty
Porter
Thedooropensandthe moment I've been dreading is finally here. How this is more nerve-wracking than killing with Edward like I'm one of the boys, I have no idea. But it is. I've met Edward Thayer, but this time I will find out his opinion of me. I hope he judges me kindly, but I forced him to reveal the family's dark secret and who knows how he will respond to my presence in Knox's life. I know nothing of Knox's mum to fear her, but anyone who can be married to someone like Edward must have nerves of steel or a heart of ice.
“Mr Edward Thayer, and Mrs Caroline Thayer.” Mr and Mrs Thayer are introduced into the room by Freddie, the butler-guard. Caeo takes the opportunity to run away. I shouldn’t call it that, but he scampers like the bomb squad just asked for volunteers.
“Mother,” Knox greets, casting off the blanket I wrapped around his legs as if he's preparing to stand.
“Don't you dare,” I warn. I stand up in his place and greet the woman the way I assume he would greet her.
