Page 51 of Secret Redemption

“Roz is coming here?” she asked, completely confused now.

“Yep. Lots to explain, but first food, a cup of tea, and some painkillers for you. Don’t think I missed the way you keep wincing.”

She smiled and let him lead the way.

~~~

Ava dressed in black yoga pants and a pale blue top, leaving her hair down; she still had a mild headache from the blow to the head. Zack had dressed Riley and taken him downstairs, leaving her to get ready at a more sedate pace.

Riley had seemed better and after cuddles with her, had willingly gone to Zack with the promise of more marmite on toast. She wrinkled her nose at the thought of the disgusting stuff that the men in her life loved.

Heading down the stairs and deep in thought, she didn’t see her father until she nearly walked into him. “Dad,” she said putting a hand on her chest, “you made me jump.”

Her father didn’t speak for a second and Ava watched as a thousand different thoughts and expressions passed his ruddy cheeks.

Reaching up she touched his shoulder. “Are you okay daddy?” she asked and watched his eyes close. When they opened a slight sheen of moisture glistened in them. But she only caught a glimpse before he pulled her to his chest.

“I’m so sorry, baby girl. I let you down,”

Ava pulled back confused. “What are you on about?”

“I never should have let you go to the shops. I should have gone, and this never would have happened.”

Ava was shocked, he knew better than anyone that wasn’t the case. If she was being followed it would have happened eventually and that time she might have had Riley with her. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she answered. “We both know it could have happened at any time, and I’m a grown assed woman. You don’t let me do anything. Now stop this and tell me about mom?” she said in a no-nonsense voice, she normally reserved for Riley when misbehaved.

Her father patted her cheek gently and nodded,

“That’s my girl, knows better than her old man. Your mom is much the same. The doctor is going to come see her later. You know your mother, saying it’s just a head cold when we both know if it were she would be bustling around, soldiering on. We didn’t mention what happened yesterday to her though.”

Ava looped her arm through her father’s as they walked towards the kitchen. Her mom was never ill, and the fact she had taken to her bed was unheard of. She was glad the doctor was coming to look at her again.

Entering the kitchen, she stopped and fought the happiness that bubbled up inside her at the sight of Zack and Riley sitting together, heads bent at the same exact angle eating their marmite toast; cut in triangles of course, and both of them were eating the crust first.

Zack looked up as she came towards him and leaving her dad to pour himself coffee, perched on Zack’s lap as he slid his arms around her.

“You okay baby?” he queried.

“Uh huh.”

“Want some coffee?”

“I can get it,” she said sliding off his knee. Catching her around the waist, he twirled her, so she ended up sitting in his chair as he went to get her coffee.

“Okay, guess I’ll just sit here then,” she said sarcastically. Seconds later he brought her the coffee, along with a glass of water and two painkillers.

“Take these after you’ve had some toast or you will get a tummy ache,” he said bossily.

“Yes, Sir!” Ava lifted her hand into a quick salute.

“Don’t sass me, woman, just do it.”

Ava raised an eyebrow and looked at Zack over the rim of her coffee mug. “Have you met me, Zack? Do I look like a woman who does as she is told?”

“Oh, hell boy, now you’ve done it. On that note, I do believe I hear Helen calling me,” her father said and raced from the room. Ava rolled her eyes and looked at Zack.

He was standing with his hands on his hips, and holding her gaze. He looked like sin, in his low-slung jeans, black desert boots, and a black t-shirt stretched out over his gorgeous chest.

He cleared his throat, and her eyes shot to his face again and the arrogant grin that tipped his sensuous lips. “See something you like?” he asked as he prowled closer. Ava wasn’t a fool, so she remained silent. He got to her and leaned in and nipped her ear with his teeth, making her shiver. “Be a good girl and take those painkillers or there will be no playtime for you tonight,” he whispered and the way he said it made her shiver in anticipation.