Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) - Teodora Kostova Page 0,93
gaze.
My father clears his throat. We startle like teenagers caught making out.
“This is not the only reason why I asked you to come here today,” he says, moving back behind his desk. “I think we need to discuss some more personal issues.” His piercing gaze moves between us, assessing and calculating.
Alec shifts uncomfortably in his chair. “Sir, I think there’s something you should know.”
Dad lifts a hand to halt Alec’s words. “Whatever it is, it’s best to assume I already do.”
Alec nods, his jaw ticking. “With all due respect, sir, you probably don’t know the whole story.”
My father cocks an eyebrow dubiously. “Oh? And what’s the whole story, Alec?”
Alec glances at me, and I can see the discomfort in his eyes. But I also see determination and something else, something more, making his dark gaze soften when he meets mine.
“I believe you should assign someone else as Zach's security detail,” Alec says, turning back to my father.
Dad leans forward. “And why is that?”
I groan. This game of cat and mouse is my father’s favorite pastime. Alec can never win.
“Because I’m in love with your son,” Alec says, making me gasp and turn sharply to look at him. “And I think that is a conflict of interest.”
I know we said it to each other before, but saying it out loud in front of someone else, in front of my father, is a whole new level of dedication.
“And why is that?” my father asks, making me avert my eyes from Alec’s profile.
“Sir?”
“Why is it a conflict of interest? There’s no such clause in the contract.”
“Because I think my feelings for Zach may cloud my judgment when it comes to his safety.”
My father gives Alec a rare, genuine smile. “Fair enough,” he says. Alec slumps back in his seat in relief. “This actually brings me to my next point. One of the men who kidnapped Zach,” he says, glancing at the notepad on his desk. “Sean Fuller. He accepted a deal and told the police everything he knew. It wasn’t much—he was hired muscle and didn’t have a lot of insider information. But, it was enough for a warrant. The emerging militia group he’s a member of was dismantled, many of its members arrested, including the people who organized Zach’s kidnapping and the attempted extortion.” He pauses as if letting us process everything he said, his gaze traveling between me and Alec. “The police are still trying to get Sharon to cooperate, and I have it on good authority that she’ll be ready to sign a deal soon, too. That will give the police enough evidence to arrest a lot of people from Calloway’s inner circle, including senior members of Men For Justice.” He smiles like a cat who’s finally had enough playing with the mouse and prepares to dig his claws into its body. “Calloway’s friends and confidants are already panicking and jumping ship. But they won’t get away unscathed. I’ll make sure of that.”
Alec and I look at each other, my confusion mirrored in his eyes. “So, wait,” I say, raising a hand to stop my father from talking. “That’s it? It’s over? I don’t need a bodyguard anymore? I can do whatever I want?” I can’t help the excitement seeping into my voice.
My father nods. “Potentially, yes.”
I laugh, barely suppressing the urge to jump out of my chair and pump my fist in the air.
“However.” My father’s voice feels like a smack with a cold, wet rag right across my face. “We still need to be vigilant. There’s a much bigger threat on the horizon. Irving Wolfe. He’s more cunning than Calloway and has more resources at his disposal. I doubt he’d be stupid enough to go against me publicly, or threaten my family. But he will play dirty. And we have to be ready for that.” He stands and rounds the desk again, leaning against it in front of Alec’s chair. “I need you to fly your partner over here so that we can sign another contract. I need Salus Security’s service on a more permanent basis. I have no intention of reducing the improved security measures in my building or in any of the offices. My family’s and my staff’s safety is still paramount to me.”
I turn to Alec, who’s watching my father with a stunned expression. He swallows a few times before he finds his voice. “Of course, sir. I’ll talk with Mark today, and he’ll be on the first flight over here.”