‘No, you stay, Lachlan,’ Alistair says, generous and affable.Despite the loss of two people Lachlanknowshe cared about, he seems radiant and fit.‘You have been through much and we haven’t had the chance to speak privately.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Alistair sits beside her bed.‘I’m told you don’t remember?’
‘The last thing I remember before I woke up was my birthday party,’ she tells him, ‘and swimming in the sea.’
‘This will be hard to explain, but I’ll do my best.’Alistair takes a breath, expression solemn.‘Your mother was very ill, as you know.She has needed transfusions for the past two years.’
Savannah nods slowly.‘Yes.’
‘The night of your birthday, you agreed to perform another blood transfusion but during the process the island was brutally attacked.That attack was orchestrated by Mikhail Sorrenko, who sought to kill not only myself and your mother, but also our children, thus ending the line and inheriting all.’
She frowns.‘Inheriting?’
Alistair touches her face lightly, as if committing the moment to memory.‘Your mother and Mikhail are—werevery distant family.We shared a bloodline from long ago.I believe Mikhail attempted to consolidate power and misjudged the extent of his son’s devotion to you.Roman and Lachlan saved us all.’He lifts his gaze to Lachlan with quiet gratitude.
The lie turns Lachlan’s stomach, but he keeps his expression neutral.
‘As Lachlan is family to me, so are you, my dear girl, and Vasily as well.Until he comes of age, I will hold his assets and inheritance in trust and see them properly safeguarded.But you are now legally an adult.You may remain here, where you will always have a home and family, or go wherever you wish.Like Vasily, you are the sole beneficiary of your mother’s legacy.’Alistair strokes her hand.‘Whatever you decide, remember that it was your mother’s dearest wish that you and my son be married.I should very much like to see that wish fulfilled.’
Understandably, Savannah seems overwhelmed but handles it well.
‘Thank you.That means a great deal to me.’
‘What a lovely girl you are.I amsoglad that you’re healing well.You rest now.I will let the children know they can visit you.They have been asking day and night.’Alistair rises to stand, bids Lachlan follow.‘Anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’ll see you later,’ Lachlan tells Savannah.
She smiles.‘I’d like that.’
They walk together into the West Wing through the quiet Estate.
Maddox knows to excuse himself at the door but Carrigan comes inside the office with Lachlan and Alistair, even takes a seat.Visibly surprised, Alistair’s expression flickers with rare impatient displeasure.
He tells her, ‘I do not require you.’
Carrigan blushes hard.‘Oh.I—I thought that—’
‘Leave.Now.’
Alistair watches her go.
‘Women have their uses,’ he says while she’s still in the room, ‘but not all uses have value.’Carrigan closes the door behind her and Alistair scoffs lightly.‘I will be replacing her soon.She is inadequate and overly ambitious.Sit with me, Lachlan.I am going to be very honest with you because you stood through my lies to that poor girl and you deserve the truth.’
Lachlan takes a seat, waiting.
Ever since he executed Sorrenko, Lachlan has now accepted that he’ll need to kill Alistair Penhalyx at some point.It’s only a question of when and how.
Alistair studies him openly.‘They tortured you?’
Lachlan nods.‘Yes, sir.’
‘You held up very well.I have scheduled surgery for the replacement of your molar.No arguments, no polite refusals this time.I am going to tell you the truth of what happened and you will understand that fixing what is broken in you is the least I can do.’Alistair takes a breath.‘I ordered the attack.’
Lachlan’s jaw slowly drops, helplessly astonished.
