CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN #3
When he’s finally allowed to see her, he doesn’t really know what to expect.
She’s resting in a plush hospital bed in a clean, white space.
It’s comfortable, futuristically homey. There’s a water feature trickling nearby.
The air is fresh. No nasty sterile static in here.
Her hair is gently braided off to the side.
She’s regained a little colour.
Lachlan says her name and she opens her eyes, smiles at him the same way she always does and then her eyes fill with tears and the smile breaks.
‘I s-saw him die,’ she tells Lachlan in a crushed little whisper. ‘I loved him so much and I saw him die.’ She grieves for Roman with Lachlan in the first few minutes of their time together. Lachlan sits beside her, holds her hand.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he tells her, wishing he could hug her, but he’s too cautious of the bullet-wound. Even so, her movements are easy, no stiffness, no wincing.
‘I don’t remember anything but that.’ She wipes away her tears, sighing heavily. ‘Just… seeing him. They told me what happened, of course. The attack by the Moroz Front.’
It wasn’t the Front.
Lachlan doesn’t correct her, though.
There are people everywhere here.
‘What else did they tell you?’
‘They told me we were all trapped in a safe room. That they used medical equipment to try and save my mother, but she didn’t make it.’ Savannah frowns to herself, voice dropping low. ‘It doesn’t sound right, though.’
‘I know.’
‘Will you tell me—?’
‘Savannah, darling.’ Alistair’s voice comes from behind Lachlan, several pairs of footsteps accompanying him. Lachlan stands up, releasing her hand. Carrigan and Maddox are with the old man. ‘You look so much better today.’
Savannah gives a polite nod. ‘Thank you.’
‘Now then. I’ve come to explain and answer your questions as best I can,’ Alistair tells her, ‘given that I was witness to all the horrors that affected you, your mother and dear, poor Roman.’
Carrigan looks especially sharp and stylish today.
She hasn’t spoken to Lachlan once and only gives him a cursory nod now.
‘Shall I leave, sir?’ Lachlan offers even though he’d rather die.
‘No, you stay, Lachlan,’ Alistair says, generous and affable. Despite the loss of two people Lachlan knows he 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—were very 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 am so glad 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.