Page 6 of Secret Redemption

Zack let out a huge sigh of relief. To think Zin had been plotting behind their backs had gutted him and he knew it would undermine every person on the team and their belief in themselves.

“Then he got that call, and it was like a switch was flipped,” Celeste continued, and her hand snaked out to stroke Samson.

Zack leaned back in his chair and let out a big sigh. “Is this how you knew about your brother?”

Celeste nodded, “I found out about twelve years ago. He came to see me in a concert at school. He stopped me on the way out to say congratulations. As he shook my hand, I felt everything. I knew he was my brother.”

Zack nodded, as did the others.

“Oh sweetie,” Ava cried and hugged her, “are you angry with us?”

Celeste shook her head. “No, you just did as he asked. He’s the one that has the explaining to do.” Celeste looked at Zack, “So if you can contact him, I would very much like you to do it. Zin has come to mean something to me. He’s my friend, as are all of you, and I want to help him, and I know my brother can help.”

Zack agreed wholeheartedly. “I’ll see what I can do,” He was impressed with Celeste. To have kept her gift hidden for all this time was some feat.

Zack turned back to the others, “Okay, this is what I need.” They all sat up straighter, ready to do what was needed of them without question.

“Will, I want you to find out where that call came from. Three calls came in at once, speak to Liam and Drew about their calls to eliminate them.” Will nodded and left the room.

“Dane, Daniel, work with Lucy and find out everything you can about Zin’s background. I want to know what birthday cake he had for his tenth birthday.

“Drew, Liam, when you are feeling up to it, I want to know where the fucking Butcher is. Zin was thinking about him, so maybe there’s a connection. Ava, you and I will find out which book he was after. I want protection for the families at all times. I’ll speak to Jack, and we’ll get that doubled. Ava, I want you out of that hotel.”

“No Zack. That’s not necessary, my father can protect us,” Ava replied with a determination that annoyed him. He hated to have his orders questioned, and this new contrary Ava did it a lot.

“Ava, your father is sixty years old,” he answered as he rolled back the sleeves on his white shirt.

“My father is the most decorated man in the U.S.” Ava was standing now, with her hands on her hips.

Zack stood slowly and faced her, the pulse in her neck was beating so fast he could see it. He wondered what she would do if he leaned forward and placed his tongue there. He shook the thought away and answered her, “God woman do you have to argue about everything?”

Her answer was a rise of her perfectly arched brow. “I can shoot a gun, and I have self-defence training,”

“Are you willing to risk your son’s life on the fact that you can protect him better than I can?” he asked, and he knew he had her when she flinched and glared at him with a resigned but defiant expression on her beautiful face.

“Fine,” she spat, and Zack struggled with the desire to grab her and kiss the sass from her sexy little mouth.

Zack rocked back on his heels, a little shocked that she had given in quite so fast. “Good, I’ll drive you back to the hotel, and you can pack and check out.” Satisfaction filled his words.

“That is not necessary.”

Zack noticed the look of annoyance and something else he couldn’t figure out in the look she gave him. It was almost apprehension. Stepping closer to her, he felt the heat from her body, and his hands itched to reach and touch the soft skin at the back of her neck. It was one of the many things that kept him awake at night, the memory of her soft silky skin under his rough hands.

“It is necessary,” he replied as he reached out and tucked a stray strand of her vibrant red hair behind her ear. Zack watched as a tiny tremor racked her whole body, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Fine,” she whispered. The door flew open, and Lucy and Sly rushed through causing Ava to jump back as if she had been scalded.

Zack dropped the hand that was touching Ava and turned to Lucy. “So, I don’t suppose you can shed some light on this?” he asked and watched as Ava escaped out the door.