Page 107 of Savage Redemption

“I’m assuming it all checked out?”

“It did, more or less. There was the little complication of Kristian’s baby son. His heir.”

“But the baby is only…”

“Less than a year old, yes. Hardly the stuff of which Mafia bosses are made. Yet. Baz swore to protect him, and when the time comes, if the boy wants it, to make him his own heir.”

“What about his own family?”

“A wife who dislikes all things Mafia, and a daughter whose only interest is horses. I think young Leon is welcome to his inheritance. His mother’s not happy, though.”

“Well, no. She wouldn’t be. HowisJaney?”

“Distraught. Refusing to leave her yacht. Spends all day sobbing in their cabin and swearing to get even with everyone who was involved in murdering her precious husband.”

“Awkward. How’s Baz taken that?”

“He let her have the yacht. It actually belongs to the firm but it’s her home for as long as she wants it, and he’ll keep an eye on her. If she’s silly enough to make a move against him he’ll deal with her then. Personally, I doubt it will come to that. It’s grief talking right now, but when she calms down, considers her son’s precarious position and the need for Baz’s protection, well, she’ll come around. Or at least learn to live with what’s happened.”

“I didn’t know her very well, but I got the impression she and Kaminski were close.”

“Devoted to each other, by all accounts. That was part of Kaminski’s problem. He’s neglected the organisation for months now to spend all his time playing happy families. It was okay while Baz was around to keep things running, but… His men resented it, resentedher. She’ll struggle to attract anyone prepared to back her in any plan to attack Baz and seize back what she’s lost.”

“She could always go back to Caraksay.”

“That’s what Ethan wants, and he’d take care of Leon, too. Baz trusts him, so that could be a good solution. We’ll see.”

“So, Baz has stayed on the island?”

“Yes. Moved back intoLos Vinedos.”

I thought that belonged to Kaminski. Isn’t it Janey’s home now? And Leon’s?”

“Same as the yacht, it’s the property of the firm, tied up in some complicated trust arrangement. As head of the ‘family’, the terms of the trust state that Baz has first claim to the use of it

“I suppose Julia will be glad to be back. She loved it there.”

“She’s still in Brazil, with Lily. But Baz is arranging to medevac the pair of them back to Tenerife.”

“How’s Lily doing?” Rosie hugs her own little girl to her chest.

“No change. She’ll live, but…”

She nods. We all know the chances of Lily walking again are slim, a stark reminder of how precious children are. And how fragile.

A gentle tap on the door disturbs our tête à tête. A middle-aged woman enters when

“Coffee, miss. And tea. I brought some scones as well, fresh baked, they are.”

“Thank you, Glenda.” Rosie gets up and takes the tray from her.

“Will your visitor be staying for dinner, miss?”

“Yes, he will. And for breakfast, too.”

The woman never turns a hair. “I see. I’ll prepare a guest room?”

Rosie hesitates, then, “No, thank you, Glenda. That won’t be necessary.”

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