Page 55 of Secret Redemption

She nodded, and he rose. “You all done? Do you need help with your dress?”

She shook her head, and he kissed her nose, “Okay, I’m going to check on Riley and make sure he is sleeping soundly before we go.”

“Sure baby, I won’t be long.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, and he didn’t know what to do to rectify that.

Closing the door as he left, he went to his son’s room which was directly opposite theirs. Riley had been thrilled with the new bed that was shaped like a digger that they had gotten him. With all the accessories that came with it, it had ended up costing quite a bit, but he had wanted his son to be comfortable, and it worked so he didn’t mind the cost.

Riley hardly wanted to leave the big yellow bed, and the cameras Will had installed were state of the art so they could keep a keen eye on their son without him being aware. He had gotten over his bug quickly, much quicker than Helen who was only now, starting to recover.

Looking in on his son, he found him fast asleep on his back, legs akimbo, arms thrown wide. Zack kissed his head and pulled the covers up over his legs so he wouldn’t get cold. He had Celeste helping Frank with babysitting duty, as Helen still wasn’t back her normal self.

Looking at his watch, he descended the stairs just as the doorbell rang. Checking the camera, he saw Celeste was there with Kanan. He swung open the door and greeted them.

“Come in, come in,” he ushered and laughed as Samson trotted in behind them.

“I see we have an extra babysitter tonight.”

“Yeah, he hates being alone for too long, is it okay?”

“Of course, the more, the merrier,” he laughed as he led her to the kitchen as K followed silently. Zack almost stopped short, as he realised how much his mood had improved and how much more he was laughing since getting Ava back in his life. It was like the dark cloud that had hung over him since Catherine’s death, and that had grown bigger with his captivity and torture had lifted.

“Help yourself to drink and whatever food, you want. We aren’t expecting trouble, but keep your phone on you at all times and remember Jack has one of his guys outside if you need them.”

“I’ll be fine Zack, just go do what you need to do and Riley and I will be fine.”

Zack nodded and turned as K gasped behind him. “Fucking hell bro, you are totally punching above your weight,” he stated, and Zack agreed as he looked at Ava, standing in the doorway.

Her pale creamy skin and beautiful auburn red hair was the perfect backdrop to the emerald green dress she wore. The strapless design was satin and fitted, tight from her breasts to her hips, flowing out into a wide fishtail at the bottom. Beads were sewn all around the bust line, highlighting her perfect curves. A simple diamond pendant hung at her neck, and a white gold arm cuff was on her left bicep.

“You look stunning!” he said and was miffed to hear his voice was husky.

An adorable blush stained her cheeks as she looked at him. “Thank you.”

Walking over, he took her arm and pulled her to him, kissing her cheek, “And nobody would know how wild and wanton you were earlier looking at the ethereal beauty in front of them.” His words made her blush again, and he smiled. “Come with me a second, I want to show you something.” He took her hand and pulled her from the room.

“Where are we going Zack?” she asked as she clutched the black silk wrap and clutch bag in her hand.

Opening the door to his office, he closed the door and left her standing there before he crossed to the safe. Opening it quickly, he reached in and took out what he needed. Turning he saw the quizzical look on her face and was relieved that it was overriding the worry from earlier. She had always been a sucker for a puzzle.

This was no puzzle though. He prowled to her slowly, taking in the way she looked, the way she smelled, Chanel Chance, the Zesty floral fragrance suiting her and making him hard. Ava was beautiful, and he wanted every man in the room tonight to know she belonged to him.

Dropping to his knee as he got close to her, he heard her gasp and looked at her face to find her hand over her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

Zack took her hands and held them as he spoke. “Ava, everything in my life has led me to this moment and to you. Every heartbreak, every mistake, every regret was all worth it because it led me to you. You make every bad thing that has happened in my life worth it, because had I changed any of that, my path may not have led me to you. You are my life, and now I ask you to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me.” He pulled the emerald and diamond marquise cut engagement ring from his pocket and offered it to her as tears gently fell down her cheeks.

“Marry me?”

She nodded and tried to speak, but her voice broke, so she swallowed as he slid the ring on her finger. “Yes Zack, I will marry you, and I don’t regret a thing either. I love you more than should be possible. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Zack stood, and the relief and elation swept through him but also a feeling of rightness, of belonging. He kissed her hard, marking her as his.

A knock at the door broke them apart, and he smiled as he kept her hand in his and opened the door to K. “Lucy and Jace are here,” he said and grinned at them both.

“Ready?” he asked as he turned to Ava.

“Yep, let’s do this.”

By some miracle, Lucy didn’t notice the ring until they were in the limo, and then Zack wished that he hadn’t been in such tight confines when his ears nearly started bleeding at the noise she made. He was hugged and kissed by her, Sly just grinned and congratulated him with a handshake.

By the time they reached the venue, it was almost forgotten that they were on a mission until they stepped out of the vehicle and then the professional operators were evident in their every move and look. The tension and electricity filled the air as they entered the elegant ballroom of the 18th Century Hall. Zack took in the camera’s that were situated around the room and the exits, already making plans in case they needed a fast exit.

Security was dotted at strategic points around the room, this was not a normal ball, it was like a who’s who of the rich and influential. With his hand on the small of Ava’s back, he led her towards the bar, catching sight of Drew and Angel on the other side of the room. Lucy and Sly had immediately gone to the bar and were now chatting with Lady Huntley and her daughter Veronica. Veronica was oohing and ahhing over Lucy’s dress by the looks of it as Sly looked on bemused.

They got to the bar, and he ordered a Whiskey and coke for himself and a glass of Champagne for Ava. Turning he handed her the drink and then touched his glass to hers, before taking a small sip for appearance sake.

“Let’s mingle,” he said and walked her through the room towards some seating.