Page 90 of Warlord’s Empire

Saskia hugged her back, holding her for a minute. “Same.” She sniffed back tears. “I think it took being away to see how much you mean to me. It’s too easy to take something for granted when it’s always there.”

“Hey, what’s all the crying about?” Havel demanded, striding through the door.

Saskia smiled and pulled away from her sister, pinning him with a stare. “And why weren’t you at the airport to greet me, brother-by-marriage? You don’t seem as concerned about me as everyone else around here.”

His laugh boomed through the room as he pulled Saskia in for a long but gentle hug. “I’m the only one here who knows your secret, that’s why I stayed behind.”

“What secret?” she asked.

“That you’re more capable of handling yourself than any other person in this family.” He hugged her a little tighter before releasing her.

His words meant more than he could know and she tried to convey it in a heartfelt, “Thank you.”

He winked at her and grabbed his wife, pulling her into his side. “Where’s everyone else? I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.” Leeza laughed, rubbing his belly.

The whereabouts of the others was quickly resolved as the heavy front doors were thrown open and a brightly chattering group burst into the sitting room, coats flung about for the servants to take care of.

Nonna and Nikka, who had never left their home continent before, were beyond pleased to accept Shaun and Jozef’s hospitality. They were welcomed into the home as if they were part of the family as arrangements were made for them to stay at the mansion for the duration of their extended vacation.

Saskia settled on the couch next to her nine-year-old nephew, who was sitting quietly by himself. He hadn’t hugged Saskia, but that wasn’t unusual. He didn’t like being touched, tolerating it only occasionally. It was one of his special quirks from being on the autism spectrum.

How are you doing, sweetheart? Saskia asked, using sign language. Though he could speak verbally, he preferred non-verbal communication.

He signed back, You were gone a long time.

Yes, I was, she agreed. I went on a visit to Africa. I met lots of interesting people and learned lots of new things. I will tell you about them some time and show you some of the pictures I took.

He shook his head and lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers. He didn’t do eye contact often and she was surprised he was looking at her now. No, you were gone because someone took you and refused to give you back. I was scared and worried.

It took everything in her not to pull him onto her lap for a big hug, but it would only make him more anxious, so instead, she signed, How do you know that?

My parents talk sometimes when they think I’m not listening. They said a warlord took you and they worried what he might do to you. Mom didn’t sleep and walked around the house late at night a lot. Sometimes I stayed up with her.

Saskia was shocked at of his level of understanding and saddened because he shouldn’t have to know that his aunt had been kidnapped by a warlord.

I was never in any danger, she assured him. And now I’m home, at least for a while, so neither you nor your mom need to worry anymore.

He nodded, and leaned over, resting his head against her arm.

She didn’t touch him, but she kissed the air over his head.

She’d told him she was home… at least for a while. She still felt hope that Radik would come after her, realize that sending her away was the biggest mistake of his life, beg her to come back with him. She wouldn’t, of course. She had her pride. He’d have to grovel and even then, she wouldn’t give in. Eventually, he’d have to kidnap her again, the way Jozef had kidnapped his wife. Twice.

A smile twitched her lips, and she relaxed into the cushions, cuddling next to her nephew. She watched her family and her African companions with love as they argued, bantered and laughed together. It was good to be home… for a while.

Chapter Forty

Saskia was standing in her small kitchen, her hand hovering over her phone. “Pathetic,” she muttered, but even she didn’t know if she was referring to Radik’s not calling or her desperate desire to hear his voice. “We’re both pathetic.”

Depression was creeping in with each day that passed. It had been over a week since she left Marifiya and not even a check-in to see how she was doing. It was like their brief love affair had flamed out as fast as it started.

But despite only being with him for a short time, everything outside of Radik’s orbit felt off to her. Out of sync. Like the life she used to live couldn’t be achieved anymore. Nothing felt right without him.

She picked up the phone and hit the call button on his contact. Yes, she wanted to hear his voice, but that was because she was pregnant with his child. She wasn’t the pathetic one, he was.

“Saskia,” he answered, and that single word stole her breath for a few seconds leaving her unable to say anything. When she didn’t respond, his tone grew concerned. “Saskia, are you injured? Do you need help? Where’s Shola?”