Savage Redemption (The Caraksay Brotherhood #10)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

V ienna, six weeks later

Rosie

“ Mochtest du Toast mit deinen Eiern, Kleines? ”

Adan passes me a milky coffee. “When do you have to leave?”

“About ten minutes,” I reply. “Rehearsals start at eight, sharp. Do you think we should…?”

“ Cleveres M?dchen. Sie verwenden Ihren ganz eigenen Loffel. ” There’s the sound of clapping from the next room where Greta, our new nanny, is giving Erin her breakfast. Eggs and toast by the sound of it, and apparently Erin’s table manners are improving.

“No, they’re doing fine,” Adan assures me. “Let Greta get on with it.”

“She does seem very good,” I concede. “And Erin adores her already.”

“That was the plan.” He grins at me. “Quite a find.”

She certainly was, and it’s all down to Adan and Eva.

When we first arrived in Vienna, we moved into a traditional townhouse in the Baden district south of the city centre. We’ve rented it for the year with an option to extend if we stay longer. It involves a bit of a commute for me, but the property is perfect for us. Five bedrooms, spacious reception rooms, three acres of grounds, and a park with a playground right on the doorstep. There’s self-contained accommodation for Greta, a guest room for my parents when they come to visit, and a room we’re soundproofing for me to practise in. We have a playroom downstairs, and Erin loves that.

Our accommodation sorted, I was fretting because with all the pressure of rehearsals, I couldn’t find a spare moment to even read application forms, let alone sit down and interview potential nannies. Adan took the whole lot from me and told me to leave it to him. He drafted in Eva to help, and between them they sifted the dozens of hopefuls into those who met our basic requirements in terms of qualifications, experience, and references. They ended up with eight candidates, and Adan invited them all to come and meet with him and Eva. And Erin. She was present in the room when the candidates arrived and either sat on her father’s lap or played on the floor while the interviews progressed.

It was an approach that puzzled me. “Won’t it put them off?” I asked. “Maybe we could find someone to watch her.”

“If Erin being there puts them off, they’re no good to us,” he insisted. “You go and do your thing, leave this with me and Eva.”

I was just leaving for the theatre when the first one arrived to be greeted by Adan and invited to take a seat in the dining room. “We’ll be with you in a few minutes,” he said. “Meanwhile, this is for you, a list of the questions we’ll be asking you.”

The woman looked as bemused as I felt.

“Why did you do that?” I hissed as I made for the door. “Won’t she just…?”

“Just what? She only has ten minutes. Not enough time to go on the internet or phone her mother. But now she knows what’s coming, there are no surprises, nothing intended to catch her out. She can relax and let us see her at her best. Or worst, however it turns out. At least we get to see the authentic person and we can decide based on that.” He dropped a kiss on my mouth and shoved my violin case into my hand. “Go and shine, cara .”

Two days and eight interviews later, he passed me a sheet of paper over dinner. “My preferred candidate,” he announces. “Eva agrees.”

I scan it eagerly. “Greta Fischer?” I peer up at him. “I remember this one. Not the best candidate…?”

“On paper, perhaps. But she has all the necessary qualifications and the rest.”

The rest? “Why did you choose her?”

“She has warmth. Real warmth. And she’s kind. Erin took to her immediately.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some of the candidates totally ignored her. Those we discarded immediately. It wouldn’t have mattered what they said to us after that.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“All the candidates could do the job. We were looking for the one who would do it well, the one Erin wanted to be with. That was Greta, by a mile. She actually got down on the rug and chatted to her before the interview started. They hit it off, and we both liked her, too.”

That was good enough for me. Greta joined our household less than a week ago, and Erin is blooming in her care. Although Adan is usually at home as well while I’m out at rehearsals, Greta has taken charge of the childcare, and he’s turning his attention to making money.

Lots of money.

I don’t quite know how he does it. It seems he only has to sniff the air and he spots a potential deal. A half share in a South African diamond mine, an option to develop a sports arena in Venezuela, mineral deposits in Ukraine. Who would have thought there were millions to be made from titanium, lithium, and beryllium, and even such mundane things as fluorite and nickel?

Up to now he hasn’t needed to jet off anywhere. He’s conducted all his transactions on the phone, but there’s talk of business trip to Australia in the coming weeks. If I can get the time off, I might go with him, but if not, we’ll manage. It’s unlikely, really. Rehearsals are gruelling, and attendance is mandatory.

Eva’s poised to fly over at a moment’s notice if we need her, and my dad has really surprised both of us.

He came with Eva, for the interviews, and cornered Adan in the dining room after I’d gone off to rehearsals and Eva was poring over application forms.

Adan offered to get out of his way, but my dad said it was him he wanted to talk to, and did he have a few minutes? Adan was somewhat stunned but never backs off from a confrontation. He sat back down and offered my dad a coffee. What came next was a real bolt from the blue.

“I’ve been ambushed,” my dad started, but according to Adan he didn’t seem unduly bothered. “First Ethan, then Eva. Now even Tom is singing your praises. What do they see that I’m missing?”

“My innate wit and startling good looks,” Adan ventured.

My dad just snorted, apparently. “Whatever, they all seem to think you’re serious about Rosie. That you’re actually good for her. And for Erin.”

Adan was a bit shell-shocked at the sudden about-face but had the sense to keep quiet and let him finish.

My dad went on, idly stirring his coffee as he spoke. “She seems happy, I’ll grant you that.”

“Yes, I think she is. She loves playing in the orchestra, and living in Vienna.”

“I always hoped she might make a career out of music. She’s so talented…”

“Absolutely.”

“I gather we have your influence to thank for that. You convinced her to audition.”

“It was her decision,” Adan protested. “I only gave her a nudge.”

“Then supported her to follow her dream.”

“Well, it’s my dream, too. This way we can all be together.”

“She loves you , for reasons best understood only by her,” he replied. “I admit, I have my reservations. You know what they are, so we needn’t go over all that again. But she loves you, and you seem to make her happy, so that has to be good enough for me. It’s all I ever wanted for her, to be happy. And safe.”

“I know that.”

He just nodded. “So, we’re clear then? Keep her happy. Keep her safe, and don’t ever give her, or me, a reason to regret trusting you.”

“I mean to. Believe me.”

“Good. That’s all right, then.” He got up to leave. “Oh, and by the way, Eva says you’re welcome at Black Combe any time. And Tom’s looking forward to having his late-night drinking buddy back.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Who’d have thought you two would hit it off?”

Adan pushed his luck, just a little. “And am I? Welcome?”

My dad took his time answering, then, “I suppose we’ll just have to get along, won’t we? Or Eva’s going to make my life a misery and Rosie won’t be happy.”

“I guess we’ll try.” Adan offered his hand, and my dad took it.

Adan related the whole story to me that evening over supper. Baby steps, but… wow!

“My dad’s a good man, you know that?”

“I do. He loves you, as I do.”

“It was always about that, about wanting to protect me. It was never about you, never personal.”

He quirked his eyebrow. “Well, I guess we’ll be sharing that job now

“You all right, cara ?” He props himself up on his elbow and reaches for the bedside light.

“I’m fine. Did I wake you?”

“No,” he lies.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Is it problems with rehearsals? The hours are long. You’ve been tired these last few days.”

I shake my head. The work with the orchestra is relentless, the quest for perfection never-ending. The Vienna Philharmonic is not known to be the best of the best for nothing, but I can cope. It’s what I signed up for, and I love it. “It’s all my dreams come true, actually.”

“All of them?”

“Well, nearly all.” Some things I never even imagined I could dream about.

He settles against the pillows. “I had dreams, too. Once upon a time.”

“And now?” It’s my turn to prop myself up.

“Now, I have it all and more.”

“I think I understand. All this.” I glance around the elegant room. “Our beautiful home, our baby, my family are on our side. Peace and quiet. Feeling safe.”

His palm cradles my cheek. “I love you, cara . Thank you.”

I lean down to brush my lips over his. “I love you, too, Mr San Antonio.

“Can you sleep now, do you think?”

“Yes. Yes, I do think I can.” And I do.