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Reparations

Luciano let out a breath heavy with decades of pent-up emotion. Claudia's legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, sobbing. The nightmare for half their lifetime was finally over. But the time lost with their daughter would never be refunded, and now that her life was in danger, they could lose her forever.

Francesco sat in his seat, unmoving. The emotions assaulting him left him too numb to feel anything but emptiness. His mother still smiled. After everything that had happened to her, she could still smile. After believing Nicholas was his father for so long, she still loved him. She didn't hate him; she wanted him. She looked him in the eyes and smiled. The boy closed his eyes. How long does it take to smile again? Could Crystal have waited that long? Boots...Sammy....

Luciano walked over to Nicholas' father and laid a hand on his shoulder. "That was your son. My condolences."

"You killed him." Raul spat.

"I did. Didn't I?"

"You monster!" Frieda cried.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I too know what it's like to lose a child."

"What are you going to do to us?" Raul asked hesitantly.

"I want you to become Francesco's god-grandparents. You can dote on him and give him Nicholas' share and inheritance. It'll be like you have a son again."

"You are out of your mind!"

"Perhaps. But it would be a shame that when you die, your fortune is divided up among your relatives and not given to an heir of your choosing."

"You wouldn't dare!" Frieda shouted with panic.

Luciano turned to the woman, wide-eyed. "That was your son. The monster that hurt my daughter almost killed her, and almost killed my grandson. Yet I'm still willing to work with you. To help you."

"Are you going to kill us?" Raul asked quietly.

"Of course not. What kind of madman do you take me for?"

"If we don't agree?"

"You're a free man, Mr. Oliveria. Your choices are yours." Luciano waved his hand, and the guards released Raul and Frieda.

As the couple stormed out, Luciano called out to them. "Think about my offer."

When the couple left, Luciano removed his gloves and retrieved his phone. "Publish it."

Luciano met with Logan and Francesco in the private office after he calmed Claudia. The father-son duo sat opposite Luciano, who spoke to them from behind the large wooden desk.

"Mr. Jordahl, thank you for saving my daughter. If she hadn't met you that night, she may already have been dead."

"I didn't save Aurora; she saved me."

Luciano chuckled and nodded as he accepted Logan's view. "I make no apology for trying to separate you two. I'm sure you now understand why it would have been safer for both Aurora and Francesco to come home."

"She's my wife." Logan looked across at Francesco. "And Adam is our son. I won't let you or anyone else take them away from me."

Luciano gave Logan an icy glare. "You did nothing to protect them while they were in your care."

"I did my best!"

"Your best is not good enough! My daughter is fighting for her life right now."

"Who's fault is it?! You knew everything, and you didn't do a damned thing! You're just as responsible for what happened as Nicholas. Everything he did to her is your fault."

Luciano stared at Logan, silently seething. "I know that." He said softly. "She should have come to me." Luciano said, gritting his teeth.

Silence enveloped the room, and the two men stared at each other, neither willing to back down.

"What happens now?" Francesco asked, drawing their attention.

"You will remain here until Dr. Van de Merwe gives word about your mother."

"And Dad?"

Luciano watched his grandson carefully; his eyes touched Francesco's scar before he looked away. "He can stay."

Luciano left the father and son alone in the office. Minutes ticked away as Francesco and Logan sat quietly. Logan looked across the space between them. "How are you?"

Francesco met Logan's stare. "Fine, I guess."

Logan nodded, and the silence between them stretched on again.

"Adam I —"

Francesco sprang from his chair, walked over to Logan, and hugged him tightly.

"Dad." He whispered between sobs.

Logan breathed a sigh of relief. "Son." He hugged the boy back, smiling.

The two shared the chair, and Logan wrapped his arm around Adam as the boy laid his head against his father. Logan tousled his son's hair gently.

"Don't ever leave us again, Adam." He kissed the boy's forehead.

"If you guys promise not to let me go again."

"This time, yeah." Logan kissed his son again. "I never want to feel that empty again. Not with you or your mother."

"You guys missed me?" Adam asked, looking up at Logan.

"Everyday. Your mother cried herself to sleep in your room every night. Riding was no longer fun. It's like all the joy; all the laughter we had was gone. Did you miss us?"

Adam nodded. "A lot!"

Logan hugged his son tighter, and the two chatted away until they fell asleep.