Page 47 of Gunner

“Yeah, pride comes before a fall. I’m gonna go grab some grub while we wait for Blake. Want anything?”

“Coffee if any is going.”

Gunner stood and made it to the door before he turned to Jack, who already had his head buried in paperwork. “For the record, when you find the right one, she’ll never come in second to anything, not work, not your men, nothing at all. She’ll consume your every waking and sleeping thought.”

Gunner watched as a funny look passed over Jack’s face that looked surprisingly like fear before he blanked his expression.

“As I said, this one might be a unicorn.”

Gunner laughed and made his way to the kitchen. Finding the coffee grounds, he was making himself toast when Blake walked in with a massive smile on his face.

He walked over to Gunner and slung his arm around his shoulder. “Not sure what you said to Pax, but I’m officially forgiven.”

Gunner shrugged his arm off with a grin and buttered his toast. “Not a lot, just the truth. Want some toast?”

“Sure, I need my energy this morning.”

“Blake, I do not, repeat do not, want to know.”

“Calm down, I never kiss and tell. Especially with the love of my life.”

“Thank fuck.”

Gunner made them both more toast, and they ate in companionable silence, the tension and anxiety gone between the two men. Once he was done, Gunner took the plates and rinsed them before pouring coffee for Jack.

“Let’s get this show on the road.”

Gunner and Blake headed for Jack’s office, heard him on the phone and stopped. He waved them in and motioned for them to take a seat.

“Love you too, Mum, talk later.”

Jack hung up without a shred of embarrassment that they’d caught him telling his mum how much he loved her, and Gunner respected that.

They spent the next hour talking over different options before finally deciding on Sandringham Palace. It would be easier to get her there with minimal fuss, and it was quicker than using Highgrove.

“What about her personal protection officer? Isn’t he one of Osbourne’s men?” Gunner knew the Deputy Director had penned them in to a degree.

“What if we put a woman into her circle as a lady’s maid or lady in waiting?” Gunner suggested, his thoughts going to Zenobi.

“One of Roz’s girls?” Jack asked.

“That would work. It means we could still keep the Queen safe and if we allow her PPO to travel with her, we won’t need to leak it. Keep it on the down-low as if we want it kept secret, but he plays into our hands.”

Jack crossed his arms and scratched his chin. “You think Roz would go for it?”

Gunner pushed the phone across to Jack. “Only one way to find out, boss man.”

Jack sighed and picked up his phone. The fact that Roz was on speed dial spoke volumes. When she answered Jack flicked it to speakerphone

. “Hi, Roz. Sorry to bother you when you’re just out of the hospital, but I need a favour.”

“Ah, Jacky boy, a call from you asking for a favour is practically a gift.”

The phone went silent for a few seconds, and Jack looked at them with murderous intent. “Roz, are you still there? You’re on speaker.”

“Yes, still here. Just savouring the moment.”

“Stop being a smartass, Roz. This is about national security.”