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‘I can’t drink instant.’ He nodded to the jar of coffee that had been bought to replenish his empty cupboards yesterday.
‘So you decided to take a stroll and get some. Along with a morning paper.’
‘I brought coffee back for the night guards as well. I was going to get some for you, but I didn’t want to wake you.’
His charm was working overtime. Liquid brown eyes that seemed to collude with her and invited her to collude with him.
‘You can’t do this, Gabriel.’
‘I just have.’ He shot her a penetrating look. ‘You’re not my keeper, Clara.’
The words rolled off his tongue so easily, as if he’d come to the conclusion that no one was his keeper a long time ago. They’d be sure to hurt anyone who cared about him...
Clara placed her palms on the table in front of her, leaning forward. ‘I am your keeper, because that’s what I’m paid to be. And if you think that bringing everyone coffee is going to make any difference, when you’ve just gone out of your way to demonstrate that my team can’t do their jobs properly, then you’re wrong.’
She was taking a risk. But Gabriel wasn’t going to terminate the contract and order her out of the house. Even
if he didn’t care to acknowledge the risks he was facing, he obviously cared about his mother and wouldn’t do anything to worry her.
‘It wasn’t the night guards’ fault. I take full responsibility...’ A flicker of genuine remorse showed in his face.
‘That’s not how it works, Gabriel. If some harm had come to you, they would have been held responsible. I won’t have them treated like that.’
‘All right. I hear you, and I apologise. But I won’t make this house into a fortress that I’m afraid to leave. It’s like...being buried alive.’
Gabriel seemed suddenly hollow-eyed at the prospect. He had been buried alive. The details in his file were scanty, but basic facts had been noted. The accident that had killed his brother had trapped him underground for three days.
‘I hear you, too.’ She could feel his pain, hanging in the air between them and pounding in her chest. ‘If you’ll work with me, I’ll respect your wishes. Always and without question.’
Suddenly he capitulated. ‘All right. I’d like to go in to the charity’s offices this morning, there are a few things I need to discuss with Alistair. If you can facilitate that, I’d be grateful.’
Clara nodded, puffing out a breath. ‘Thank you. We’ll be ready to go when you are.’
‘Half an hour? I’ll make you some coffee. Instant, I’m afraid...’
He’d made a concession and now wasn’t the time to tell him that coffee was the last thing on her mind. ‘Thank you. I’ll go and tell the guards and be back in a moment.’
* * *
Clara had seen Gabriel approach each one of the night guards before they went off duty, and had heard his apology. He’d thanked them for their night’s work and shaken their hands. It wasn’t necessary, they were all used to being treated like part of the furniture, but it was a nice thing for him to do and everyone appreciated it.
She’d also seen the words that Molly had mouthed to Ian when she handed over to him. He’s so hot... Ian had delivered a smiling reproof. That wasn’t something that anyone needed to notice, and Clara should take the advice on board too.
The charity’s offices were just ten minutes’ drive away. Quietly exclusive, the three-storey building looked out on a leafy square, bounded by iron railings. Gabriel waited until Ian opened the door of the SUV for him and followed him up the front steps. Once inside, he seemed to regain his momentum, giving the guard in Reception a brisk wave and striding through into an open-plan studio.
‘These are our main offices, and we have a development team upstairs, along with a meeting room. Our clinic is next door, and it also takes up the top floor of this building.’
Clara knew that already. She’d seen the schematics for the two buildings. But Gabriel seemed to be intent on co-operation and she wasn’t going to discourage him.
‘Thanks. That’s useful to know.’
He gestured towards a couple of glass-walled offices at the far end of the main space, one of which was occupied by a man who had sprung to his feet when they entered.
‘That’s my office and Alistair’s is next door...’ He broke off, greeting the man with a smile. ‘Alistair. This is Clara Holt. She’s closer to me than my shadow at the moment.’
That was the aim. When she could keep up with him.
‘Nice to meet you, Clara.’ Alistair gave her a relaxed grin, and Gabriel hurried away, towards his own office. ‘We need to talk, Gabriel...’ he called after him.
