Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
“I believe he is, though you should understand he knows what he wants you to do,” Zach replied. “I think this is one of those Big Tag moves where he says he’s leaving it up to you—as long as you make the right call.”
Tris huffed out a laugh. “Good to know I’m going to make him happy. We’re out. We’ll pack up and return to base and we’ll be back in Dallas by tomorrow afternoon. I think I’ll take my subs somewhere tropical for a couple of weeks until we figure out what’s going on. My father can do the work he needs to do from Dallas. I know he wanted a chance at one of us getting hands on Huisman’s system, but he’ll find a way.”
A deep sense of relief swept through Aidan. Tris was dropping the whole op. He was coming with them. He could leave all of this behind if Tris was with them. “I’ll go and get Carys.”
Aidan stood, ready to get the train rolling. He’d been so excited about the prospects of attending this event, and now he never wanted to hear the name Huisman again. Even if they were wrong and it was all a coincidence and Huisman was the caring man he presented himself to be, Aidan wanted out. Something was happening and it would hurt people. He wanted to make sure it wasn’t his people.
He needed to make sure it wasn’t Carys and Tris.
“Take Zach with you,” Tristan ordered. “I can handle the packing.”
“I’ll go with him. I need to talk to my sister,” Tasha offered, standing up and straightening her shirt. “She’s going to be pissed the op’s not on.”
Zach held his hands out as if telling them all he wasn’t about to argue. “Definitely sounds like a Taggart family problem. I’ll help Tris get packed up, and we’ll meet you downstairs. Why don’t you get them in the car and pick us up in fifteen minutes?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Tasha agreed. “Aidan, come with me.”
Tris stopped him before he could get to the door, putting a hand on his neck and getting into his space. “You do whatever Tash tells you to do. I know she’s a woman and your instincts will be to protect her, but she’s deadly. She knows what she’s doing, and she’ll keep you safe.”
Aidan chuckled. “We’re walking down to the bar. I think we’ll be okay, but I promise. I definitely promise I’ll hide behind Kala if it comes to it.”
“I’m serious,” Tris said. “Something’s not right. I can feel it in my gut. Leaving you off that list was a choice. He’s playing games with us, and I don’t know the rules. Maybe we should leave everything behind.”
He seemed to have forgotten who their fiancée was. “You want Carys to leave her makeup and shoes behind?”
“I can buy her more,” Tris insisted.
“You told me the key to everything was staying calm.” His Dom was on the edge. It was up to him to bring him back. “It’s going to be okay. All you have to do is shove her skin care and makeup in a bag. You can leave my stuff. I don’t care. But do not leave her e-reader. She’ll be pissed.”
Tristan took a long breath. “Okay. You’re right. Go. We’ll be right behind you.”
He hugged Tris, holding on for a moment. “We’ll be okay. All of us.”
Tristan nodded and stepped back. “Take care of our girl. I’m sure she’ll love sleeping on the couch instead of in this big, gorgeous suite.”
Tasha shook her head. “Sorry, guys. I already called the couch. I think y’all will be bedding down in the van, maybe. But not all is lost. I’m sure Dad will have us on a plane before dawn. Fun times.”
He followed Tasha out, retracing their steps to the elevators.
“I’m glad he’s being reasonable,” Tasha said as the doors closed and they started down toward the lobby. “I was afraid Dad was going to have to come and drag him away. He’s changed in the last couple of days.”
“He hasn’t changed. He remembered who he is and where he belongs,” Aidan explained. He knew Carys was still wary, but he wasn’t anymore. He knew Tris, and when he said he was coming home this time, he meant it. He’d bent, and that meant they hadn’t broken. Carys would see it.
A couple of weeks in paradise wouldn’t hurt.
Tasha reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell as the doors opened, and they walked out into the elegant lobby. Naturally Kala had picked the tiny bar in the back rather than the big one closest to the doors.
“Hey, Lou. We’re probably forty minutes out,” Tasha said as they walked along the marbled floors. It was getting late and the lobby was quiet, with only a few employees milling around. “Wait. What are you talking about?”