Page 33 of Ace

Her dad nodded. “And your recent presence on the island of Panau?” He frowned. “Do you know what would have happened if a former Air Force pilot, the one in charge of training up the military force of the Pacific Alliance, were found on that island by the Mantukese?”

Dex cleared his throat. “It was not my intention to be caught.” When her father didn’t answer, Dex relaxed and leaned forward. “I know it was a rash move, politically. But personally it was the right thing to do. You know I have personal ties to the people, I had unresolved concerns with the way I left things. I was flying overhead when news leaked to our team that Gianna was still on the island, so I jumped.” He shrugged. “And I would be less of a man if I had simply flown on by.”

Her father reached a hand forward to place on Dex’s shoulder. “I agree with you, son. I sent that information with the hopes you would do something, anything to bring my girl home.” His eyes got misty. But he cleared his throat. “But all of our personal feelings aside, that was a risky and reckless political move which I cannot condone in any public way, nor do I, even though I am more grateful than I can say.”

“Dex has courage to do things no matter what people might say about him later.” Gianna meant it as a jab at her father. She was so tired of public appearances, what the public could know about what they really felt. “Don’t you think we could act in our own personal interests, behave in a manner that we know is right, and not have to explain it in a more palatable way to the press? Sometime?”

Her father grunted. “As far as I can tell, everything you do is in response to your gut, with no thought for how it might affect you later, or how it might appear.”

She sat taller. “I’m proud of that, Father.”

“I know you are.” He was quiet for a time, and Gi wondered if he would address any of her latest indiscretions.

Then Dex rested a hand on her knee. “What I saw on Panau encouraged me that Gianna’s work is important. I feel it has a place in our political discussions.”

Her father didn’t turn toward them.

“I think that we should include the islanders in our talks of preserving assets in the Pacific. They are a good people and risked their lives and sustenance to help us escape. I worry for them with no humanitarian aid, being cut off from all communication with anyone else.”

“As your father has been touting, a stimulus package in the middle of a possible war.”

“A stimulus package that included humanitarian aid where it’s needed. His father has been one of our biggest supporters. The whole nonprofit world is grateful for Senator Callison, especially the Pacific Islands.”

“Yes, I am well aware, having just seen the footage of my own daughter used against me.”

“Why should it be against you?”

“We are on the verge of war with a major world power, something we would prefer to avoid at all costs. Even islander costs.”

Gianna sucked in her breath. “But surely we can avoid war and still give aid to those people. They’re some of my dearest friends at this point.”

“If you’d just spend some more time at home, they wouldn’t be.”

She shook her head, confusion and frustration rising up in great waves. “That’s…” She couldn’t finish.

“I think you’re missing the point.” Dex cleared his throat. “Sir.”

She smiled. “That’s what I was going to say.”

Father looked from Dex back to her. But again said nothing for a long moment. “I think I see far more than you give me credit for. What you’re refusing to acknowledge is that we are all on the same side. We want to preserve life more than anything; we want to stop the spread of power by hostile takeover. We are firmly planted on the side of the islanders.”

They pulled up to the entrance gate of their neighborhood. Gianna smiled. “Everything is in bloom.”

“Your mother’s planted more rhododendron.”

She laughed. “Where?”

“Oh she found some bit of soil that hadn’t been put to work yet.”

“Of course she did.” Gianna grinned.

They stopped in front of Dex’s house.

“Thank you for the ride.” Dex held a hand out to her father.

They shook and the true camaraderie both lightened and weighed down her load.

Then Dex’s front door opened and the senator himself joined them. “Ted. Good to see you.”

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