Page 34 of Secret Redemption

That was as close to an apology as he was going to get. “Fine see you soon.”

Zack sat back and thought about the two conversations he had just had. Some threats to keep track of, and so many lives to worry about keeping safe. He stood and walked to the armchair in his office. His team were the best, but there were so many external factors now, and Fortis was not equipped to handle it all. The problem was, at this point, he didn’t know who to trust. He rubbed his head in frustration, the beginnings of a headache forming.

“You okay son?” Zack looked up at Frank, who was standing in the doorway.

“Come in, Frank,” he beckoned.

Frank came in and went to the mini bar and poured himself a drink, before coming to sit opposite Zack.

He watched Zack for a minute without speaking, and Zack wondered if the great Frank Drake had ever felt like this; as if he was drowning and dragging everyone down with him.

“Frank, have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it won’t be enough? That there is just too much, and you aren’t good enough to lead the people that look to you, out of the mire.”

Frank boomed out a laugh at that and Zack prickled in defence. “All the damn time son, all the damn time.”

“What did you do to get past it, to help you see the wood for the trees?”

“I looked at my wife and daughter, the people who I was doing it for, and saw the belief they had in me, that I could fix anything in their eyes. That belief and the love and support of a good woman helped me through. I also had one hell of a team at my command, as do you.”

Zack nodded and took another sip of his whiskey, “My team are the best, and you’re right, I have Riley to think of now. He’s all the motivation I need to finish these sick fuckers off.”

“Just Riley?” Frank asked, with a rise of his eyebrow.

“Don’t worry Frank. I’ll keep Ava safe if it’s the last thing I do.”

“I know you will, son. Have you two worked things out?” Frank asked, and Zack felt his stomach churn.

“Yes, we have. We’re going to marry for Riley’s sake. He needs a father, and I won’t allow it to be anyone else but me.”

“For Riley’s sake? What about love?”

Zack sighed and swirled the amber liquid in the bottom of his glass. “I can’t make her love me, Frank. All I can do is love her and hope one day she feels the same.”

Frank looked at him as if he had grown two heads and then shook his head. “You, Zack, are one of the best, if not the best, operatives and commanders I have ever worked with. Not that I would ever tell my men that they weren’t as good as a Brit. You are clever, cunning, quick, strong, and brave. But, I’ll tell you what you haven’t got that my American boy’s do have, and that’s common sense. You, boy, are as dumb as shit if you can’t see how my daughter feels about you.”

Zack was angry now, he had poured his troubles out, and now here he was being insulted for it. “I don’t know what the hell that is supposed to mean, but you’re out of line, and I will remind you, you are here at my discretion,” he said coldly.

Frank stood and smiled a cunning smile at him, before shaking his head. “Dumb!” he said before finishing his drink and walking out of the room, silently closing the door behind him.

Zack could still hear his booming laugh as he walked away though.