“Bash.” Sean didn’t even have to phrase it as a question. He could clearly see now what Nick had set built here, on this remote island. He’d set himself up to do the job that the nations of the world should perform, but so often failed to do, whether through a lack of resources or a lack of conviction.
“Among others,” Nick said. “The fighting men who go into harm’s way, putting their lives on the line to do what is right, to facilitate what needs to be done to make a difference. Sebastian and his cadre are our heart and hands. TheyareFortress.”
Politicians, Sean had long thought, were first and foremost concerned withremainingpoliticians, and secondarily concerned with doing what was right, and only then if it was politically expedient. Which was probably an unfair generalization, he acknowledged, but the failure to act was often behind many evils in the world. Nick didn’t have to worry about pleasing anyone but himself.
“And what are you?” Sean asked quietly, turning to look at Nick.
“Fortress is my contribution to the world, my attempt to do what I can to make it a better place for those who come after me. I suppose I am its father.” Nick shrugged slightly, as though his own contribution were of little worth, then met Sean’s gaze. “Shall we go?”
Sean nodded, remaining silent as they returned to Nick’s office. The teapot had been refreshed, and Nick gestured for Sean to take a seat. Nick joined him, then half turned toward him, raising one dark brow in inquiry. “What do you think?”
“I’m impressed,” Sean said truthfully. “It’s amazing. And very generous.”
Nick was quiet, gazing at Sean with an appraising look. “I’d like you to think about what you’ve seen. Look around. Talk to anyone you’d like, observe, participate if you’re interested. You’d be a fine addition to Fortress, if our work appeals to you.”
A part of Sean wanted to jump at the chance; he liked the idea of being part of something so large and important, to make a difference in situations where no one else could be called upon for help. Yet he loved his job caring for children, and he knew he made a difference in that way, too. It was something he would need to think over.
“All right,” he said. “I will think about it, I promise.”
“That’s all I ask.” Nick smiled, then changed the subject, chatting with Sean about people he knew in England and the places they’d both been. As he talked, the feeling of familiarity Sean had from the moment they’d met returned, and suddenly he knew what it was about Nick he’d noticed subconsciously, but hadn’t been able to name until now. He drew in a startled breath; Nick looked at him in curiosity, but didn’t press when Sean shook his head as though it were nothing. But it wasn’t — it was possiblyeverything.
After a time, Nick rose. “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, and please, feel free to come to me any time. At the moment, unfortunately, I need to consult with my accountants. I can have Jamie show you back to your rooms or to any other part of the island you care to see.”
Sean got to his feet as well and held out his hand. “Thank you, I appreciate it,” he said, as Nick took his hand in a firm grasp. “I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.”
“Take all the time you need. In the meantime, you may stay as long as you like.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Sean replied. He paused for a moment, then couldn’t stop himself from asking the question uppermost in his mind, the conclusion he’d drawn and now couldn’t shake. “About Bash… he doesn’t know he’s your son, does he?”
Nick froze, and for a long moment, he stared at Sean, and Sean saw something much deeper than surprise or anger in Nick’s gray gaze. It was a combination of pain and fear, and it went to the depths of Nick’s soul.
“Whatever gave you that idea?” Nick asked, seeming to recover himself. It wasn’t a confirmation, but Sean was more certain than ever that he was correct.
“There was something about you I couldn’t put my finger on at first,” Sean said. “Then I realized I’d seen your eyes before, and your jawline, and the way you sometimes smile as though whatever you’re thinking about amuses you. I’ve spent the last two days with little to do except look at Bash’s face, and that’s when I realized why you seemed so familiar. Then it all clicked: the way you came to meet us yourself in Turkey, and why there is always pride in your voice when you mention his name. Especially when you spoke of him being the heart of Fortress.”
Nick was silent, simply gazing at Sean with an expression that was hard to read. Then he raked his fingers through his hair. “In all these years, you’re the only one who has guessed.”
Sean hoped he hadn’t just made an enemy of a man whose power was beyond imagining, but he believed Nick to be a good man, one who wouldn’t retaliate against him for learning the truth.
“Probably because of a unique set of circumstances,” he said. “As a pediatrician, I have always found it interesting to see the features of parents reproduced in their child and the way the randomness of genetics leaves its imprint on the body. I think others wouldn’t notice as much because other than the eyes, your colorations are so different. Plus, there would be little reason for anyone, even Bash, to suspect, would there? You are Greek, and Bash is an American who didn’t meet you until he was in his teens.”
“Perhaps you are correct.” Nick seemed to hesitate. “I have no right to ask this of you, but I am willing to beg, if I must. Please, don’t tell him.”
Apparently, Nick had some reason for not wanting Bash to know, and Sean knew it wasn’t his place to expose Nick’s secret. “I won’t. I promise.”
“Thank you.” Nick inclined his head in gratitude, apparently willing to take Sean’s word. “There are reasons I don’t wish him to know, and yet more reasons I don’t wish other people to know. But if it makes you feel any better about it, I do love him, and I am enormously proud of him. You were correct about that as well. Fortress… it is, in part,becauseof Bash that I built it.”
Sean suspected he knew why, but he didn’t ask. “I do hope you’ll tell him one day. He deserves to know.”
“Perhaps.” Nick moved to his desk and pressed a button on the surface. “You are a very observant man, Sean Grimaldi. And, I believe, a good one. Think about my offer.” He smiled wryly. “You have keen skills of observation, and I’m more convinced than ever you would be an asset to Fortress.”
Jamie arrived then, and Nick bade Sean farewell as Sean followed him out of the room.
Once they were in the hall, Jamie smiled at him. “Where would you like to go? It’s a big place, but if you’re here long, you’ll get the hang of it.”
Sean already knew what he wanted to do. “Bash asked me to come find him after talking to Nick,” he said easily. “Do you know where his room is?”
“Of course!” Jamie nodded, then led Sean through a maze of corridors. Fortunately, Sean was used to big hospitals, so he noted various landmarks to familiarize himself with the layout. Then Jamie stopped in front of a door and gestured for Sean to knock. “I’ll wait a moment, in case he’s not here and you need to go anywhere else.”
