The Coin, #1 by Maria Elena Alonso Sierra

Author:Maria Elena Alonso Sierra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, international thriller, international romance, suspense, France, car chase, psychological thriller, action
Publisher: Maria Elena Alonso Sierra
Published: 2019-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

At nine o’clock sharp the next morning, Richard paced the terrace, waiting for Gabriela to appear. He leaned through the open doorway, his hands pressed against the doorframe. “Gabriela. Let’s go, will you? We need to get things rolling.”

“All right, already,” she shouted from upstairs. “Stop barking like Roberto. I’ll be down in a sec.”

Richard resumed his pacing, exasperated and impatient. From the moment he had opened his eyes this morning, he’d been edgy, his gut on alert, and he couldn’t quite put a finger on why. He just knew he needed to get Gabriela out of there, have her study the aerial photos, and get his hands on the bulletproof car. If it weren’t for the blasted party that evening, he’d already have her tucked away safe and snug; but knowing how important this event was for her on a personal, as well as on a career level, he was willing to suffer through another twenty-four hours of nerve wracking tension if it brought her happiness.

Gabriela rushed downstairs a moment later. “Okay, Mr. Impatient,” she said as she stepped outside. “I’m ready.”

Richard turned to lock the doors, but before he could rotate the key, the phone rang. Gabriela became very still.

Richard cursed, pushed open the door, and rushed to the phone. “Hello?” he barked into the mouthpiece.

Someone tried to clear his throat to talk, but said nothing.

“Hello?” he repeated.

“Hello.” The voice was weak but recognizable. Richard’s expression turned nasty. It was the drunk.

“What do you want, Monsieur Ribaud?”

Gabriela tried to snatch the phone away, but Richard stopped her.

“Can I speak to Gabriela, please?” The tone was haughty.

“Richard, give me the phone,” she ordered. He disgustedly handed over the receiver.

“Thank you. Hello?”

Bernard got right to the point. “I need a favor.”

Gabriela sighed. He sounded sober enough, but there was an evident edge to his voice. There was probably no more wine in the house.

“I need to get some groceries, and I haven’t had any breakfast,” he whined. Pity wrenched her heart until she heard his next words. “I need to borrow your car.”

“What?” She couldn’t believe she had heard correctly.

“Merde! I need to borrow your car. Are you deaf?” He sniffed louder.

It was obvious Bernard had not forgotten last night. He wanted to stay disagreeable and rude. To think she had naïvely thought he was calling to apologize for his scathing words, wanting to talk as he usually did after a drunken bout.

“No way,” she said flatly, her anger beginning to grow.

“I don’t know why I even bothered to call,” he said petulantly, and paused. “I thought you were my friend.”

“I am your friend, Bernard. You know it. But you’re crazy if you believe I’d allow you to drive my car in your condition. I sure as hell don’t want your death on my conscience.”

The about-face was astonishing. “Then come over here and keep me company. Please, Gabriela. I need to talk to you. I need someone.”

“I can’t,” she said, feeling guilty. It was the first time she had refused Bernard in his need.

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