Page 98 of Savage Obsession

I spot Lily and Janey, stretched out on sunbeds. Both are wearing sunglasses, designer, of course, and skimpy bikinis. They look to be dozing in the late afternoon sunshine. I opt not to disturb them, skirting the deck with care to reach the gangplank unnoticed.

I glance over the side, just as a dark-grey Audi comes to a silent, smooth halt at the foot of the gangplank. The windows are blacked out, but I know it’s Baz.

A crewman rushes to open the safety gate at the top of the gangplank. He tips his cap. “Have a nice trip ashore, ma’am.”

I mutter something by way of thanks and make my way down to the jetty.

Baz hops out of the driver’s door and moves around to open the passenger side for me.

I slip in and fasten my seat belt, taking care to avoid eye contact. It would be too painful, too intimate.

Baz slips the car into drive and pulls away, respecting my silence.

I appreciate his consideration and keep my unseeing gaze firmly fixed on the shimmering Tenerife countryside as it slides past. The only sound is the welcome drone of the air-conditioning. The car purrs along the country lanes, heading inexorably inland towards the foothills of Mount Tiede.

The traffic is light, and the drive takes about forty minutes. It seems less than that, and too soon the huge gates guarding the hacienda come into view. Baz slows the car to operate the gates using a remote control he takes from the glove box. They close automatically behind us, and the guard salutes as we glide past.

Baz toots at him and waves back.

Moments later, we arrive in front of the main house where Sophia Hernandez is waiting on the doorstep to greet us.

I’ve never really warmed to the woman. She always seems somewhat austere to me. Even so, her smile of relief and welcome seems genuine.

“Señora Bartosz, it is such a pleasure to see you home, and safe. We have been so worried. I thought… I am sorry, I should have?—”

“It wasn’t your fault, Sophia. I was…”

“My wife realises her mistake,” Baz interrupts me. “It won’t be happening again.” He ushers me inside the airy house. “Sophia, please ensure that we are not disturbed.”

“Of course, señor. I could?—”

“We don’t need anything. Thank you.” He gestures for me to precede him up the stairs to the first floor where the bedrooms are located. “You can take the rest of the day off, Sophia.”

CHAPTER 24

Baz

Apart from briefly greeting the housekeeper, Julia hasn’t said a word since we left the marina. I would have preferred questions, more protest. Pleading, even.

Mutely, she follows me into the master bedroom we share at the front of the house. I check that fresh water has been provided, offer her a glass.

She shakes her head.

“Any questions?” I ask her.

Another head shake, then, “Yes. You said a couple of dozen…?”

“I did say that.”

“Two dozen? Twenty-four? Then, you’ll stop? It’ll be over?”

“Yes. Unless it seems to me that you haven’t learned the lesson you need to learn. That’s the point of this, after all.”

“What? But—” Panic flares in her hazel eyes.

I cup her jaw in my hand. “Julia, believe me, you will learn your lesson, and I seriously doubt it will be necessary to drag this out.”

“Do you promise?” Her voice is little more than a whisper.

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