Page 73 of Savage Redemption

Ah, so we are negotiating at last. “You agree to leave me and my family alone, and I will offer you first refusal on a range of lucrative investment opportunities.”

“What opportunities?” Bartosz wonders.

“Currently I am looking at a variety of property development options. Retail outlets in the main in European capital cities. Rome is first, then likely Paris and Brussels. You know I can pull this off, the question is, do you want to be a part of it?”

“Why would I trust you, San Antonio? You’re a lying, self-serving lowlife who already tried to kill me once.”

“We’ve all moved on since then, Kaminski. My agenda has shifted.”

“Mine hasn’t, and you’re a risk I’m not prepared to take.” He glances at the door. “Guards,” he shouts.

My two surly companions from earlier must have been waiting right outside. They burst in.

“Take him downstairs,” Kaminski orders. He levels a cold smile at me. “I thought you’d be back. We kept your old cell warm for you.”

The guards grab me and haul me towards the door.

I still try to reason with him. “You need to talk to Ethan, Kaminski. Don’t be a fool.”

“Fuck you. Enjoy your stay. It won’t be a long one this time. I thank you for the five million, but I’m afraid you’ve outlived any usefulness you may once have had.”

I make one last attempt to appeal to his second-in-command. “Bartosz, you need to?—”

Bartosz shakes his head. “Get him out of here.”

Rosie

“It’s beenfour days and not a word from him.” I take Erin from Eva and hug her to me. “I should have heard from him by now.”

Calm as ever, Eva does her best. “Four days isn’t long. It would have taken him a day to get there.”

I shake my head. “It’s only a four-hour flight. He should have been there and back by now.”

“Please, try not to worry,” Eva replies. “Give him time.”

I can’t ignore the gnawing in the pit of my stomach, this unshakeable dread. Something is horribly wrong. “He’s in danger, I know it. I can feel it.”

My dad manages to keep his opinions to himself, just, but his expression speaks volumes. He sincerely hopes we may have seen the last of Adan San Antonio. I’m not rising to it. I’m done talking, it’s time I did something.

“I need to go after him, find out what’s happened.”

Now my dad does have plenty to say. “No! No way are you going there. That lot, they’re… they’re fucking criminals. It’s too dangerous.”

I ignore him. “Could you look after Erin, please? I’m going to talk to Mr Savage.” I pass her to Eva.

“He’ll tell you the same as I just did,” my dad announces to my back as I head for the door.

He may be right, he usually is. But I have to try.

“I’m sorry,Miss Darke. He isn’t here.” The man — Tony, I think — seated at Ethan’s desk looks up when I enter the office, demanding to see his boss. “Can I help at all?”

I shake my head. “When will he be back?”

“I’m not sure. Tomorrow, perhaps.”

“I need to speak to him. Do you have his phone number?”

“I’m sorry, miss. That’s not information I can give out. I could pass on a message, perhaps.”

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