Falling For Her Italian Billionaire. Annie Claydon
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settled himself into the leather armchair opposite the one that Clara had chosen as a vantage point.
‘Which is?’ Clara wondered whether Alistair had been able to talk any sense into Gabriel.
‘I’m keen that no one here suffers any fall-out from anything that might happen to me. I was thinking of taking a step back from the charity for a while, but Alistair disagrees. Apparently he had a very fruitful discussion with one of your colleagues yesterday, and he won’t accept the possibility that I may become a liability. We’ve decided that I’ll maintain my involvement here for the time being but keep the matter under review. Do you have any thoughts on that?’
It didn’t matter what Clara thought. It mattered that she could keep Gabriel safe. But something about those dark eyes of his, and the sudden vulnerability in them, made her answer.
‘I think that now isn’t the time for you to abandon your core priorities. If the people here want to stand by you, then you should let them. Your work here clearly means a great deal to you.’
‘You thought it wouldn’t? What gave you the right to question my commitment?’ The sudden coolness in his eyes passed and he smiled. ‘The money, maybe...’
Yes, it was the money. And Gabriel’s charm, which made everything seem as if it was a game to him. Clara was beginning to learn otherwise, and she flushed in embarrassment.
‘Do you know how my brother died?’ he asked quietly.
‘Yes, I do. You were both visiting a cave, close to your parents’ summer home in Italy, and you were caught in a rock fall. That must be a very difficult thing to live with. I’m sorry.’
Gabriel nodded. ‘I’d find it impossible if I didn’t do something in support of the people who go into dangerous situations to help others. You must understand that. You were an ambulance paramedic.’
‘Yes, I do. I’ve seen people who work with the emergency services get hurt in the course of their jobs.’
He nodded, the warmth in his eyes telling Clara that this was exactly what he wanted to hear. That she wouldn’t just support his commitment to the work of his charity, she’d put her heart into it as well. Shame he didn’t know that her heart wasn’t a vessel that she relied on any more.
‘Thank you.’ He leaned back in his seat, smiling, and suddenly the atmosphere in the office seemed to change. Being with Gabriel was a lot like being on a roller-coaster at times. ‘There’s another...engagement that I should mention.’
‘Yes?’
‘There’s a cocktail party on Saturday. Alistair thought it would be better to cancel, but I’ve persuaded him otherwise.’ Clearly the conversation between Gabriel and his fellow director had been a matter of give and take.
‘You’re going to a cocktail party. The day after tomorrow?’
‘I’m holding one. At my place. It’s not just a cocktail party, we’ve put the guest list together very carefully.’
‘People who are in a position to help the charity, you mean?’
‘People who share our aims. We’ve asked a couple of Parliamentary advisors, chief executives from companies and charities and so on...’ He grinned roguishly. ‘I doubt any of them will be slipping me a roofie.’
And Gabriel wouldn’t call it off. Clara was learning that putting a few toes back into the water wasn’t his style. It was all or nothing with him, and he had to strip off and jump straight in. Clara tried to ignore the mental picture, because the temptation to dwell on the stripping-off part made her want to fan her face.
‘I’ll prepare a plan of action, then. Are there any other engagements I should know about?’
He shrugged. ‘I’m going to Italy for a few days in a couple of weeks’ time. It’s the anniversary of my brother’s death and I always go back, to be with my parents. In between then and now... I guess that anything that happens will be just as much of a surprise to me as it is to you.’
‘Okay. I’m sure we can handle it.’
‘Great.’ He got to his feet. ‘Now that’s settled, I need to go and see the Dream Team.’
‘Who?’ Clara picked up her bag, ready to follow him.
‘Come and meet them.’ He shot the words over his shoulder. ‘I think you might like them.’
* * *
The Dream Team was located on the next floor up, in a large office that contained three desks, some seriously hi-tech computer equipment and a lot of clutter. The muted colours of the offices below were replaced with posters and whiteboards, with a couple of bright purple sofas in one corner. An inflatable gorilla sat at one of the desks and the other two were occupied by a pair who seemed barely out of their teens. The young woman was concentrating on a large screen in front of her, and her companion was fiddling with his phone.
‘This is Kaia and Alfie.’ Gabriel frowned at the gorilla. ‘Where’s Ben?’
Alfie pulled a face and Kaia looked up apologetically from her screen. ‘He’s...gone home to get some sleep.’
‘And how long was he up for this time?’
Alfie and Kaia exchanged glances, and Gabriel rolled his eyes. ‘Okay, I don’t really need to know the details. Tell him that I won’t have any more all-nighters from him.’
Kaia shrugged. ‘He gets involved with what he’s doing, and he loses track of time. You know Ben...’
‘Yes, I do. And I know that he gets results, but I won’t have him doing it at the expense of his own health. If he can’t get into some kind of a routine where he eats and sleeps regularly, I’m going to have to...’ Gabriel shrugged. ‘I’ll think of something. Just tell him.’
‘Will do, boss.’ Alfie grinned.
‘While you’re at it, you might mention that if he tries coming into the office at the weekend, he’ll find a security guard who’ll politely but firmly refuse to let him in. You can organise that, Clara?’
‘Yes, I can revoke his access out of working hours. And we can tactfully make sure he leaves at a reasonable hour in the evening.’
‘Good. Thank you.’ Gabriel turned to Kaia. ‘Are you dropping by his place tonight?’
‘I thought I might.’
‘In that case...’ Gabriel took his wallet out, extracting a couple of notes. ‘Will you leave a bit early and go and get some shopping for him? Let’s see if we can introduce him to fruit, shall we? And perhaps a few things he can’t eat straight out of the packet?’
Kaia nodded, taking the notes and putting them in the pocket of her ripped jeans. ‘Will do. Thanks.’
Gabriel nodded, and both Kaia’s and Alfie’s gazes turned to Clara in silent curiosity. Then Kaia stepped forward, obviously the spokesperson for the two.
‘Hi, I’m Kaia.’
‘Clara. Alistair told you who I am?’
Kaia nodded. ‘He said we mustn’t get in your way.’
Gabriel chuckled. ‘He means you mustn’t get in my way. If you do then there’s always the chance that one of Clara’s team will spring from the shadows and tackle you to the ground.’
‘Really?’ Kaia’s eyebrows shot up and she backed away.
‘No one’s getting tackled to the ground.’ Clara shot Gabriel a glance, hoping it might imply it was perfectly possible that she might tackle him to the ground if he didn’t stop messing around. ‘My job is to make sure things never get that far.’
‘Of course. Forgive me. Kaia, Alfie and Ben are our design and ideas team. Ben’s alter ego is the only dangerous thing around here