Let’s get you curious with an extract!

Synopsis

Odele Gardia . . . married to wealthy businessman Howard, is the hard-nosed matriarch of the family and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She’s ruthless in the boardroom and not afraid to lean on adversaries. 

Sebastian Gardia . . . Odele’s brother and business partner. His wife, Freya, reveals that she is pregnant with their first child.

Elliot . . . the prodigal son, is returning from America with his girlfriend, intending to propose to her.

Business is booming, her brother is going to become a father, and her son is coming home – it’s surely a time to celebrate. But Odele is hiding a huge secret and is constantly looking over her shoulder. If the secret came out, it would destroy the family.

Jimmy Alder . . . booted out of the police force, has been paid to spy on the family. The discovery he makes could have catastrophic consequences for them all.

A dysfunctional family, protectors of their power, wealth and each other, have no warning of the revelations about to erupt and the cost to their dynasty.

Extract

Wealthy Odele Gardia, the ruthless matriarch, is looking for a fixer. She requires someone discreet to ‘lean on’ a family member.

Odele parked her car in the executive car park that she’d purchased a permanent parking space for, and made her way down in the lift and out into the fresh air as she started the short walk to the office. As she approached the entrance, the vagrant was back, sitting on the pavement. She’d labelled him as a vagrant, but he was far from it. While he might be unshaved and dressed shabbily, he was too good looking to be who he was trying to be. And she was well ahead of him now, anyway.

“I paid you to move on. Why are you still here?”

He shrugged. “I need more money. Ten quid doesn’t go far.”

“Can’t you take yourself off and loiter somewhere else?”

“I could,” he nodded to the paper cup at the side of him, “but I don’t get handed Costa coffees down the side streets.”

“Where do you live?”

He shrugged again. “Here and there.”

“Are you Jimmy Alder?” she asked and she noticed the surprise in his eyes.

“Lady,” he said, “I can be anyone you want me to be.”

“Very funny. I understand you used to be a police officer?”

He didn’t answer. 

“Well, did you?”

“I might have been.”

“But you got kicked out of the force.”

“Did I?”

“That’s what I’m told. And now you’re being paid to watch my brother?”

“Really?”

“Yes, by his wife, my sister-in-law. You’re following him, that’s why you’re here, so no need to play the innocent.”

“Look lady, I’m happy to move on if you pay for a decent lunch for me.”

“I can do better than that. I can give you some work.”

“What sort of work?”

“Work that’ll bring you in some money, so you don’t sit outside my office every day.”

“I’m listening.”

“Are you discreet?”

“It’s my middle name.”

Odele glanced at her Rolex. “Do you know cafe Valerie on the high street?”

“Yep.”

“Meet me there at midday.”

“And you’ll shout me lunch?”

“Yes.”

“How can I refuse, then? A man’s got to eat.”

Odele opened her purse and tossed a ten-pound note at him. “In the meantime, clear off. I’ll see you at 12.”