Page 62 of Savage Redemption

“It seems our guest is awake.”

Jackand I leave the Darkes to settle their differences and head for the door. We’re halfway to the stairs when there’s a pounding of footsteps behind us. A breathless Rosie grabs my arm.

“I want to come with you. Please.”

“I don’t think your father would approve of that.”

“I need to see him. Talk to him.”

Nathan appears behind her. “You can’t go down there, Rosie. You need to stay well away from that man. He’s dangerous.”

“Please,” Rose repeats, gripping my arm.

I swing my gaze from one to the other and make up my mind. “Okay. You can have a few minutes. But not alone.”

“Thank you.”

“What the fuck? This is madness.”

Nathan looks ready to start swinging punches. I don’t really blame him, but I don’t have time to discuss this any further. “Jack, please see Nathan back to his apartment and convince him to stay there for the time being. Then you can follow us down to the clinic.”

Nathan Darke is a tall, athletic individual, but he’s no match for my underboss. Jack herds him back along the corridor, and I continue on my way, Rosie trotting along beside me.

The roompreviously occupied by Nataliya is empty. I assume Megan saw fit to discharge her into Faith’s care. I gather Mrs McRae moved people around a bit and found a spare apartment in the castle for them.

The guard I left is still stationed at the other door but stands aside to allow us to enter. Megan is standing beside San Antonio’s bed checking the monitors and charts. She turns when we enter.

“How is he?” I ask her.

“Fragile,” is the response. “He regained consciousness about half an hour ago, but he keeps drifting off.”

“Can he talk?”

“Maybe, for a short while. His throat is still very raw.”

Rosie darts past me to grasp his hand. “Adan? Adan, it’s me. Can you hear me?”

Megan sends a quizzical glance my way.

I shrug and leave Rosie to it. He may respond to her rather than me.

Sure enough, his eyelids flutter. He opens his eyes, and his mouth curves in the faint semblance of a smile.

“Rosa?” he croaks.

“Yes. I’m here.” She kisses the back of his hand. “I was so scared. You need to get well. I need you to get well.”

He lifts his hand but loses the battle, and it drops back onto the sheet. “Rosa,” he repeats.

“Ethan is here. You need to tell him what happened. Tell him about Kaminski.”

“Kaminski…?” The man looks ready to pass out again.

I take the seat on the other side of the bed. “Adan San Antonio? Is that your name?”

His brow furrows as though he’s trying to remember. “Carlos. Carlos di Santo,” he mutters.

“I know that isn’t your real name.”

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