Page 96 of Savage Redemption

“Black Combe.” Rosie has told me something of her childhood home. I know she loved it there, but I can’t somehow see me and Nathan Darke rubbing along happily in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors. And in any case, the spectre of Kaminski looms large. He knows all about Black Combe, I don’t doubt it for a minute. I see no point making things too easy for him.

I need to get to the point. Ethan is already checking his watch.

“I need to neutralise the threat,” I announce.

“I see. By which you mean?”

“Kaminski.”

“You tried that already.”

“I tried playing nicely,” I remind him. “I went to Tenerife to reason with him, to offer him a deal. A good deal. He wasn’t listening.”

“And you have the scars to prove it,” he observes with a wry hint of a smile.

“Exactly. As I said, he needs to be out of the picture if Rosie and me are to be safe.”

He considers my statement for long moments, then, “You mean to kill him?”

I draw in a breath. What’s to stop Ethan calling Kaminski and telling him all about my plans? It’s a risk I need to take. “I have no choice. It’s him or me. Us.”

His gaze is level and not in the least perturbed as far as I can tell. “I see. What do you have in mind?”

“I was hoping you might have some ideas.”

His eyes narrow. “I understand your problem. I’d arrived at the same conclusion, in fact. But he’s an ally. Okay, not one I trust an inch. A treacherous bastard, actually, but I have Janey to think of. She loves him.”

“You won’t help me, then?”

“No, I won’t. But neither will I stand in your way. One stipulation, though, and you’d better listen to me on this. Choose your method with care and donotharm Janey, or youwillhave me to answer to. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly.” I get to my feet. “I’ll let you get on.”

I’ve got as far as the door when his voice halts me. “Family meal in my apartment this evening. Nothing too formal, just us and the kids. About seven. Bring Rosie, and Erin.”

It’s an olive branch. I’ll take it. “Until seven, then.”

Bartosz answersmy call on the third ring. “San Antonio. I was expecting to hear from you before long.”

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint. How are you, Bartosz?”

“Not bad. You?”

“Recovering well, thanks to you.” I’m trying to work out where he is. The ringtone definitely sounded to be overseas.

“You still on Caraksay?”

“For now. That’s why I’m phoning you.”

“Thought it might be. So, how do I feature in your future plans?”

“I’m going to take out Kaminski. Before he hits me first.”

There’s a lengthy silence on the other end of the line, then, “And this concerns me how?”

No point beating about the bush. “Will you help me?” I don’t bother to spell out why he has as much to gain as I do from Kaminski’s untimely demise. He knows Kaminski better than I do. He must appreciate what his old boss is capable of.

“I took an oath,” he reminds me. “We all did, somewhere along the line, and that means something. I don’t work for him anymore, but I owe him some loyalty.”

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