“I’m not walking away, Dad.”

  Senior nodded. “I know you’re not. Just know that broken relationships, violated trusts, and a constant rift between you and the ones you love come with the territory. Everyone you ever care about will be in danger of becoming a target against you.”

  “I know.”

  “Don’t ever lose sight of how important the work you are doing is to this country, but also don’t give up on being happy. You deserve that.”

  Jack smiled. “I won’t.”

  Cathy Ryan leaned into the study. “Dinner’s ready, boys.”

  The President and his son joined the others for a family-style meal in the dining room.

  Jack Junior was feeling somber with the death of his friends, and his breakup with Melanie, but being here, home, around his family, brightened him in a way he did not expect. He smiled more, relaxed more, allowed his operational mind to wind down for the first time in months, unafraid of compromise by the mysterious forces that had been targeting him and his organization.

  Life was good, and it was fleeting. Why not enjoy it when given the opportunity?

  The afternoon turned to evening, Cathy turned in early, the kids opted for video games in the den, and the two Jack Ryans returned to the study, this time to talk about baseball, women, and family—the important things in the world.

  —

  For a complete list of this author’s books click here or visit www.penguin.com/clancychecklist

 

 

  Tom Clancy, Threat Vector

 

 

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