Page 89 of Warlord’s Empire

Leeza looked puzzled. “No, she’s been making arrangements for weeks.”

“But how could she have known?” Saskia didn’t know herself until yesterday.

“Radik called a few weeks ago to tell Jozef he thought it was time for you to come home. They spent hours discussing your security before coming to an agreement.”

Saskia was stunned. Radik knew weeks ago he was sending her home. He didn’t tell her until yesterday. Why?

He’d seemed torn in the car, as if fighting himself. Maybe he wasn’t sure about his decision until she made it for him by saying she wanted to go home.

Understanding his motivations didn’t help her mood. She was still angry with him. Searingly, blazingly, set-fire-to-everything-in-her-path angry. Maybe he really thought he was saving her and the baby by sending her away, but who cared? While she was with him, she’d worked on her own fears about being part of a mafia family. She’d seen that being with him meant compromising her ideals, and she’d done it. She’d been willing to fight for him, to change for him.

But as much as he’d changed for her too, he couldn’t seem to take that last step to include their baby.

“Saskia?” She blinked, startled when Leeza touched her arm. “We’re here.”

Cold air washed over her and she realized Shola was standing outside by the open door waiting for them to get out.

Catching the concern etched on Leeza’s face, Saskia tried to smile but failed. “I’m fine, really.”

“I don’t think you are,” Leeza said in a low voice only Saskia could hear as they slid out of the vehicle. “I’ve never seen you act this way before.”

Saskia sighed, taking in her family home for the first time in several months. Rather than feeling a hit of nostalgia, she felt cold, disconnected and weary. It wasn’t her home anymore.

She touched her stomach protectively. She absolutely refused to raise a child in this house.

She was snapped out of her grim musing as a piercing screech tore through the calm quiet of the estate. “Teta Saskia!”

A smile split Saskia’s lips and she held her arms out to her three-year-old niece who ran full tilt toward her, smashing into her and bursting into tears.

“Oh no, what’s this about?” Saskia went clumsily to her knees to embrace her. “Don’t cry, Addy. Tell me what’s wrong?”

“Mished ew.” Her words were garbled against Saskia’s neck, but Saskia got the gist.

“I missed you too, sweetheart.”

Leeza and Shola both gasped as Saskia stood, picking Adeline up in her arms.

“Put her down!” Shola demanded, reaching for the child.

“Saskia, not while you’re pregnant,” Leeza admonished her.

Saskia laughed, feeling lighter. “I’m fine and she barely weighs more than a feather.” She narrowed her eyes at her sister. “I seem to remember you picking up Kris plenty while you were pregnant with this one.”

“That was different.” It was a weak protest and they both knew it.

“How?” Saskia demanded, carrying her niece into the house despite Shola and Leeza hovering anxiously.

“I’m bigger and more…”

Saskia raised an eyebrow. “Capable? Tough? Womb-made-of-steel?”

Leeza burst out laughing. “Okay fine, you’re right. I’m just used to worrying about you and it’s hard to stop now that you’re all grown up.”

There was an age difference of nine years between them and Leeza had acted as both parent and sibling when they were young. Saskia had resented her for it, but now, seeing her parents in a different light, she realized how much she’d needed Leeza’s influence.

In the sitting room, Saskia set Adeline down on one of the couches and grabbed her sister’s hand, squeezing it. “Thank you for always watching out for me. I might not need it anymore, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”

Leeza blinked in surprise before spontaneously throwing her arms around Saskia’s neck and hugging her tightly. “I missed you.”