Consent (The Loan Shark Duet 2)

A touch on my arm pulls me back to the present. Diogo’s face hovers over mine.

“I’m sorry for your loss, my dear. Now that you’re alone, let me know if you need a shoulder to cry on.”

Rhett, who’s never far, steps forward, but I hold up a hand. “No, thanks. I tend to avoid rapists.”

Kris jerks with a start. She looks like she wants to say something, but Diogo places his body between us, blocking her from my view.

He laughs, the sound soft and hollow. “Careful with the accusations. I may decide to sue you for name slandering.”

“I’d never make an accusation without the evidence to prove it. As it happens, I have the footage from the security cameras showing you with your dick hanging out trying to jump me against the wall. Isn’t that how you put it?”

He glances around and lowers his voice. “No need to get your claws out. I’m only offering my support.”

“Your support is unwanted. If I find you and your support anywhere near me again, I’ll splash that tape in all the places that matter and turn you into an overnight news celebrity. I’m sure one of the boys will enjoy jumping your ass against a prison wall.”

He points a finger at me. “Watch it, little girl. I don’t take to threats kindly.”

“Oh, it’s not a threat. It’s your new reality. If anything happens to me or anyone related to me, those files go footloose. Call it my personal insurance against jumpers like you.”

Rhett and Quincy are enjoying the show, but their smiles don’t diminish the ferocity of the warning looks they fix on Diogo.

Fire shoots from his eyes. All that’s missing is smoke billowing from his nostrils as he twirls around and stalks away.

Inside, I’m shaking. Of course, it’s all bluff. I don’t have the tape. I don’t enjoy playing this game, but I expected it. When someone as powerful and wealthy as Gabriel goes down, the vultures move in.

Captain Barnard, who’s standing nearby, walks up. “I’m sorry about your husband.”

“Thank you.”

“This isn’t the time or place, but call me in a couple of weeks if you’d like to clean up the loan shark business. We’ll strike a deal. I’ll offer you immunity in exchange for information.”

“I don’t need immunity. I’m not guilty of anything.”

“Of course not. I sense an honest, good woman in you, Mrs. Louw. I hope you’ll do the right thing.”

“So do I.”

When he tips his hat and walks off, Michael and Elizabeth Roux step up to offer their condolences.

Elizabeth stares after Barnard. When he’s out of earshot, she says, “What did Diogo want? I bet it wasn’t to offer sympathy.”

“Nothing,” I say.

“If he as much as looks at you again…” Michael leaves the threat hanging.

“Don’t worry.” Quincy takes my arm and pulls me away from Michael. “We’ve got her back.”

“Anything you need,” Michael continues with an unfazed air, “you just have to say. Elizabeth and I are here for you.”

“You’re coming to our place for dinner on Friday night,” Elizabeth says.

“That’s very kind, but––”

“No buts. I’m cooking, so it won’t be anything fancy. Just a dinner between friends where you can be yourself and let your guard down.” She glances at Rhett and Quincy. “Since they don’t seem to let you pee alone, bring your bodyguards, too.”

“They’re not bodyguards, not any longer.”

“Whatever.” She turns to the men. “You’re more than welcome, guys. Take care of her.” She kisses my cheek. “Call me anytime you need a friend.”

“Any last words?” the minister asks as the crowd starts to thin around the grave.

I stare at the heap of freshly turned earth. “This isn’t over, Gabriel Louw.”

The minister gives me a piercing look, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s probably happy this is over so he can go home to his comfortable slippers and newspaper.

“Ready?” Rhett asks.

“Yes.” I turn away from the open hole in the ground.

“Where to? Home?”

Gabriel stipulated in his funeral plan there was to be no reception after the ceremony. I’m thankful I don’t have to put on a show for the vultures.

“I’m going past the clinic to see Connor.”

“I’ll drive.”

“I have a car.”

“I’m not letting you go alone.” He says it like he means business.

Kris comes around and takes my hand. “He’s right. We’ll both come with you, and then I’m cooking you dinner at home.”

I only nod gratefully. I can do with her support, even if she’s already given me so much.

As we make our way to the cars, there’s a part of me that stays behind in that graveyard. It hurts, but not the kind of hurt when you lose the love of your life. It hurts with loneliness, and at the same time it burns with hope. Tomorrow morning I’ll take Gabriel’s ring to a jeweler to have it fixed and polished.

Throwing my full weight into dealing with the aftermath of Gabriel’s disappearance as I came to call it helps me cope. There’s enough to keep me busy so my mind doesn’t dwell on his absence. For starters, there’s Connor. There’s always Charlie. There’s my work at Kris’ practice, which I put on hold. We agreed to employ an assistant, and now that Kris is earning more she can afford to employ another vet. The most challenging tasks are taking care of Gabriel’s estate and the business.