Page 1 of Fighting Salvation

Prologue

Niall poked his head into the sunroom where his mother was reading one of her favourite poetry books. Her head tipped back, and she graced him with a warm smile that even as a grown man, working in a highly dangerous job, filled him with a sense of security only a parent could give. “Ma, I’m going to head into town. Do you want me to get anything for you while I’m there?”

“No, my darling, but thank you for asking.”

“What about Dad?”

“Your father is in the garden practising his speech to the plants.”

Niall smiled, his father’s position as British High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa was one he took very seriously, and Niall knew not to interrupt if he was working. “I’m sure it will be perfect as always.”

His mum fluttered her hand in the air. Her delicate, gentle nature was in contrast to the strength he knew she had to have for her role supporting his dad at all of the functions and dinners he had to attend. They were incredibly proud of the work they did, and that patriotism was why he’d joined the British Army.

It was through his father that he’d met his now commanding officer and husband to Princess Lydia, Prince Mortimer. Without his encouragement, he may have gone into a completely different field and not met some of his best friends.

“It will be wonderful, but you know how he is about making sure everything is perfect.”

He did know that. “Is Sean home from school yet?”

His brother was in his last year of school and was hoping to study to become a doctor and he couldn’t be prouder.

“He should be soon, but he might have stopped off at the library. I believe there’s a girl he likes who goes there every Monday.”

“Sweet. Now I think about it, I have a book to return to the library.”

His mother pulled her glasses down and gave him the look only a mother could give, and he tried not to grin at her. “Niall Conall O’Scanlan, you will leave your brother alone.”

Niall leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Fine, I was only kidding.”

She patted his cheek. “I know but he likes this one so don’t mess with him.”

“Fine. I’ll be on my best behaviour.”

“My darling boy, I wish I could say that made me feel better, but we both know who got the rapscallion gene in this family.”

“Rapscallion? Really, Mum?”

“I don’t know how you kids talk, but you know what I mean.”

He laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, Mum, I know what you meant, and I promise not to misbehave.”

“Thank you, darling.”

Niall headed out with a grin. He loved being home, even if it was only for a few days. His family meant the world to him even though they drove him crazy sometimes. Moving out to SA when he was only ten, and leaving his beloved Ireland, had been a wrench, causing him to rebel a little in his teens. Finding a rugby club had certainly helped him quell that rebellious phase. He’d formed some strong friendships there with some of the older boys mentoring the younger group. Now, though, as a grown man he respected the work his father did in Pretoria. He made a difference in his role as ambassador, and not many in the position could say that.

Driving past the security detail that kept his parents safe, he gave a wave to the new guy who eyed him suspiciously and headed into the main township. It didn’t take him long to get the errands he had done, so he grabbed an iced coffee to-go and walked towards the library. He wouldn’t embarrass his brother, contrary to what his mum might think. He just wanted to make sure Sean was safe.

He was young and quite naive at times. He didn’t want him taken in by someone using him for who he was. After walking around a few times and not seeing his brother, he determined he wasn’t there and decided to head home. His mother was making his favourite bread and butter pudding for dessert, and he didn’t want to miss out.

He put in a call to Sean as he drove, to see if he needed a lift home, but it rang straight through to voicemail. Niall frowned but shrugged it off. Perhaps he hadn’t charged it again. He’d lecture him about that later. It was only now he was older that he saw the real dangers in the world and understood his parents’ constant worry.

South Africa was one of the most beautiful places on earth, but it was also one of the most dangerous. Turning the corner, he frowned as he saw the gate to the estate was open and the guard wasn’t at his post. His gut tightened and the hair on the back of his neck lifted in warning. He drove past the guard gate slowly, looking for any indication something was wrong and saw nothing, yet the alarm bells in his head were ringing full-tilt.

Applying more pressure to the accelerator, he made it to the front entrance in seconds. He took a moment to look around and assess his surroundings before his eyes caught on the broken glass near the front door.

His gut rolled as he pulled his side arm from the glove box and jumped from the car. He took the steps two at a time, his heart beating so fast in his chest he was sure it could be heard for miles.

Unnatural silence greeted him as he stepped through the entryway and his eyes caught on a smear of blood near the door to his dad’s office. Sweat dotted his brow and he had to force down the nausea he felt roiling in his gut.