Page 12 of Secret Redemption

Chapter Seven

As Zack crossed the threshold of his property, he chanced a look at Ava in the back seat. She was curled so that she protected Riley, her hand across his small body in the seat next to her. The seat was way too big, and he would have to see about sorting out a child seat for him. Ava must have felt his eyes on her, as she looked up, and their eyes locked for a fraction of a second before she looked away.

She looked exhausted, the shadows under her eyes clear even in the dim light. He could only imagine the fear she had felt trying to get out of that hotel with Riley. Even now his hands shook slightly as he thought about how close they had come to Riley getting hurt. Getting out of a tight situation wasn’t new to him, but doing it with his son’s life at stake raised the game exponentially.

Pulling into the closed garage at the side of his property, he parked and went to help Ava. Opening the door, he helped her out and gently nudged her aside when she reached to lift Riley out.

“I’ve got him,” he said gently, noticing the fear that crossed her face and not knowing what it meant. “You take my keys and open the door. If I carry him up, you can tuck him straight into bed,” he continued, and she smiled nervously. He wasn’t sure what was causing it, and he didn’t fucking like it.

Ava did as he asked, and Zack went through the door, stopping only to put his thumb on the alarm pad. Riley shifted in his sleep, and his tiny arms came around Zack’s neck. His warm body nestling against him in his sleep. He was still in awe of the fact that this little human had come from the time he and Ava had spent together.

He heard Frank close the door behind him and turned. “Frank if you and Helen want to go into the living room, I’ll help Ava put Riley down and then be back,” he said, nodding to the door on the right.

Frank nodded and herded Helen towards the living room. Zack felt Ava at his back as he walked down the long hallway to his bedroom. He entered and moved towards the big king size bed. Ava ran and pulled back the quilt cover, and Zack gently deposited his son on the bed. Stepping back, he watched in silence as Ava pulled off his shoes and tucked the covers around his neck, before tucking his teddy in beside him.

Running her hand over his head in reverence, Ava touched her fingertips to her mouth and then to their sons. It was a moment Zack would never forget. The emotion it evoked made his gut clench, and heart beat faster. She was so beautiful in her love for their son, and he vowed right then, that nobody would ever hurt them, not while he still had breath in his body.

He saw her hand start to shake, and her body convulse. Going to her as if it was the most natural thing in the world, Zack took her in his arms. She came easily, and he felt her shudder as soundless sobs escaped. Stroking Ava’s hair as he held her against him, he spoke his vow out loud. “I won’t let anyone hurt either of you, honey. Not ever!” The conviction in his voice must have gotten through to her because her sobs started to ease and she stepped back.

Ava looked up at him through tear-spiked lashes, and he wondered how he had ever let her get away. Even now looking back, he had known in Kandahar that she was the one for him, but had been too chicken to go after her after he had been rescued by Lucy and Zenobi.

But he wasn’t stupid enough to let her get away twice.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“For what?” he asked as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He watched her blush and look down.

“For taking this so well. I know a child wasn’t in your plans, and I promise you we won’t be any trouble.” The dejection in her voice worried him, and he hoped to fuck it was just shock and fear for Riley.

“Ava,” Zack’s voice was stern but low, “look at me, honey.”

Her head came up, and she looked at him.

“My son is no bother to me, and neither are you.” He caressed her cheek, and he felt a satisfaction he couldn’t ever remember feeling when she tilted her face to his palm. “Get some rest, we can talk more tomorrow.”

“But my parents?” she started, and he stopped her.

“I can sort your parents out. You stay here and get some sleep. I’m sure he gets up early.” Zack replied and saw a smile touch her mouth.

“Uh yep, he sure does.”

He smiled back and turned to leave, but not before placing a tiny kiss to his fingers and stroking the side of his son’s face. “Night Riley,” he said and walked out of the room, leaving Ava alone with her thoughts.

~~~

Ava watched Zack leave and sank to the side of the bed in exhaustion. Her nerves were fraught, and her emotions were all over the place. Part of her wanted to take what Zack offered, give in, and let him handle things. The other part wanted to fight him. He had broken her heart once, she wouldn’t allow him to do it again; she wouldn’t survive it a second time.

Watching the tender way he handled Riley was weakening her resolve though, and the way he had copied her by kissing his fingertips and saying goodnight to Riley had her biting her lip in an effort not to cry.

Rising from the bed, she crossed to the dresser in search of something to wear. Her hands brushed over t-shirts worn soft from wear, and she realised they were Zack’s. Turning she surveyed the room for the first time and noticed its masculine appearance. Opening the wardrobe, she saw all Zack’s suits, trousers, shirts, and jackets hanging up.

Going back to the dresser, she grabbed a soft t-shirt and proceeded to the en-suite bathroom. Sure enough, when she flicked on the light, she saw his shaving stuff, deodorants, and aftershaves lined up in the bathroom cabinet.

Yep, this was Zack’s room, alright. Ava shivered with the knowledge that she would be sleeping in Zack’s bed again. After washing her face and brushing her teeth with a spare toothbrush that she had found in the cabinet under the sink, Ava climbed into bed next to her sleeping baby. Cuddling up to him, she nuzzled his soft hair, which was so much like his fathers. The pillow smelled of Zack and thoughts of him kept Ava awake, until exhaustion finally won and she fell asleep.

She woke to her son’s cries. Her eyes still half closed, she reached for him. Riley trembled, and she knew he was having a nightmare. Although he had by some miracle slept through most of the excitement earlier, he’d still had quite an upheaval over the last few days.

She rocked him until his cries turned into whimpers, and he fell back into a peaceful sleep. She wouldn’t be so lucky. Ava lay with her arms around her son and thought about the danger they were all in. The temptation to take Riley and run was so strong, her instinct to protect him was clawing at her. The flip side was that she wanted to help her friends too, and that was what the Fortis team had become; her friends.