“He’s already mentioned that he wanted to be the one to send me. So he’s ahead of you, Kaskov.” She frowned as she remembered something else he’d said. “Another promise? What do you mean?”

“I told you that there was a multitude of reasons why I decided to hire Tanner to get you out of Russia. One of them was more important than the others.” He shrugged. “I have a granddaughter whom I allow myself to see for one month a year at her discretion. Mine, too. I prefer no one be aware of our relationship. During one of those months I played one of your CDs for her. She was very upset when I told her that there could be difficulty getting you out of Russia so everyone could hear you. She can be very determined and doesn’t understand or care about my business problems.” He met Lara’s eyes. “All she cares about is the music.”

Her eyes widened. “You promised her?”

“And it was a promise I couldn’t break. She wouldn’t have understood.”

“I believe I’d…like to meet her.”

“That’s why you’re here. I had to show her that I hadn’t broken my word. I expect you to get along famously.” He nodded at a charming cottage a little distance away. “They call it the Lake Cottage. Not exactly my style, but my granddaughter loves it when she comes to visit here. I think you’ll enjoy it, too. She’ll probably want you to join her when you’re on a break from school.”

She shook her head. “She doesn’t even know me.”

“She knows you. And you know her.” He showed her the photo on his phone. “You might have even heard her play. She’s had a lot of airtime recently.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “It’s Cara Delaney, the violinist. She’s wonderful.”

“She said the same about you. Before she made me give her that promise.” He frowned impatiently. “Now stop waffling. Do you know what I’m giving you? So you have a lover and everything is bright and shining in your world. But Cara could be a friend who knows how you’re feeling when you play. It’s something you both could share and be enriched. She loves the music. And she has a family that she’d also share with you and Maria. That’s something you’ve never had. You’ll meet them today. Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn and their son, Michael. Cara is crazy about them. Absolutely no more loneliness. Ask Tanner if he can match that.”

She smiled. “You speak as if it’s a competition.” And maybe it was, she thought. The two men had always been contentious and driven where this mission had been concerned. Completely different motivations, but the combativeness had been there. Though perhaps not terribly different. Lara hadn’t known about Cara. She felt a rush of warmth. She was grateful for Kaskov’s help, yet she couldn’t let Kaskov think that she was on anyone’s side but Tanner’s. “It would be hard. But if Tanner tried, he might be able to do it. He’s made a habit of being the best. Of course, he doesn’t have a family, either.” She was looking back at the cottage. “I think I’m definitely going to meet your granddaughter, Kaskov. Are you coming to introduce me?”