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)
“Dude, where’s your shirt?” Kala asked. He knew it was Kala from the expression on her face. She’d changed into her normal uniform of all black—jeans and a tee and combat boots. It was truly helpful when they weren’t working and wore whatever they liked. Kenzie wore bright colors and girlie dresses while Kala took the goth-girl route.
“Don’t worry about his shirt,” Tristan said, stepping beside him. “Your cousin needs… She needs aftercare.”
“What?” a deep voice asked.
Aidan groaned at exactly the same time as Tristan, likely thinking the same thing.
Big Tag.
Why did they let the man out of his office?
“What did you do in my beautiful, sparkling clean and sanitary conference room that would lead to my niece needing aftercare?” Ian asked.
Aidan turned, but Tristan was already facing down the biggest authority figure in all their lives.
“Nothing that hasn’t already been done in there, Uncle,” Tristan said. “My sub was hurting. She needed a session, but she doesn’t want aftercare from me. I’m pretty much doing exactly what you and my parents taught me. I’m taking care of the submissives in my charge. Carys requested her cousins deal with her aftercare. I’m sure she would appreciate Lou being there, too.”
Ian’s expression softened. “Should I get her mother?”
Kenzie stepped up. “Absolutely not. She needs her sister subs, and you know it. Dad, we can handle this part. You try to get Aidan into some clothes before his parents get worried.”
Kala sent him and Tristan a look capable of freezing fire. “Yeah, maybe the Doms should think twice about causing a scene they can’t control. The parents are freaked enough.” She looked back to her dad. “We’ll handle it. Well, Lou and Kenz will do the sub thing, and I’ll make sure nothing goes wrong.”
Lou grabbed a bag of chips and a candy bar from her boyfriend’s stash as she followed the twins. “Send Tash in when she gets back. She’s out calling Dare and keeping him updated. She wouldn’t want to miss the girl time.”
Aidan didn’t want to miss the girl time, but he heard the lock slide into place after the door closed.
Kala would guard her cousin like the precious gift she was.
He never thought anyone would have to guard Carys from him.
“If you want to avoid your dad, you’ll head down to the bodyguard floor,” Ian said quietly. “They’ll have clothes. And a boxing ring, if you need it. You two have to get your shit together. She needs you.”
“She said she doesn’t. She used her safe word,” Aidan replied, wondering if he really wanted to avoid his da. His da might give him some advice. He utterly hated how he felt right now. Vulnerable and stupid, but he hated how she’d looked more. Angry. Desperate. Hollow.
Tristan sighed. “She used it in an emotional fashion. It had nothing to do with her being hurt.”
Ian’s brows rose.
“Not physically,” Tristan corrected. “She’s not injured. She’s devastated emotionally, which is precisely why she used her safe word. She’s also angry. I need you to understand I’m not letting them go to Canada. I might be persuaded to allow Aidan to go if he can prove to me he can handle himself, but Carys is going to a safe house.”
“Sending her away is a mistake,” Ian said with a frown. “But it’s one you’re going to make no matter what I say. You’re the single most stubborn asshole I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with Ten Smith. You should also know once this mission is complete, I’m going to ask the director to reassign you.”
“It’s probably for the best,” Tristan said. “I’m glad you’re not trying to get me fired.”
Ian’s stare sent a chill through Aidan. He had zero idea how Tris was still standing up to the man. “Oh, we both know I likely couldn’t do it. You’re also a ruthless bastard. I approve of ruthlessness. You’re excellent at protecting the parts of your life that are truly important to you. But I won’t watch you ruin your life a second longer, Tristan.”
Tristan’s shoulders lowered slightly, his hands coming unclenched and tone softening. “And if I promise to get out? To get off the other teams I’m working for?”
“If you promise to come home and deal with your family, then we’ll talk.” Ian turned. “And think about letting Carys be something other than a pretty prize you show off. You ruined her relationship with Aidan when you convinced him to leave her out. If you don’t fix it, she’ll shut you both out. Especially if you take him and not her. If you shove them both in a safe house, Aidan might have a chance. I like that outcome better than Carys being alone. So I think it’s an either-or situation.”
Ian strode back toward his office.
“And someone better Lysol my damn conference room,” the man grumbled before walking through the door. “This generation is rude. Someone get Adam on the phone. I’ve got some complaints.”