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)
He stalked off down the hall.
“Mom was happy when Daisy deleted Tess.” Brianna walked into the kitchen. She was dressed for brunch in a pretty sundress and strappy sandals. She went on her toes and kissed her father’s cheek. “And I think it was Daisy. Dad’s systems are complex. Only some crazy chaotic crap could have led to her being deleted so completely. Kala’s good, but not that good. Lou might be able to, but she would never delete so much work. Ever.”
“Or it was Aunt Chelsea,” Carys pointed out. “If anyone knows how to take advantage of a situation, it’s my aunt. I know she sent Daisy a cookie bouquet.”
Aidan pointed her way as he pulled down two mugs and started pouring coffee. “I’m going with the Chelsea scenario. Daisy knows nothing about programming.”
His sister had gotten into some crazy situations, but she certainly wouldn’t destroy someone’s work. Well, she wouldn’t mean to. He found the creamer in the fridge.
He’d missed this. On the weekends they used to come here or the gang would come to the rambling house he’d shared with Coop and Tris, and they would all somehow put together a big breakfast on Saturday mornings and talk about what had gone down at the club. Carys’s brother Lucas would show up wearing the clothes he’d worn the night before, and he would actually cook something. They would all just be. He and Tris would crowd Carys while they watched movies and the twins argued and Lou set up games for them to play.
Then residency had started and the world had been a blur and he and Carys had barely managed to see each other, much less their friends who were like family.
“Well, if it was Chelsea, I don’t want to know.” Adam had gone into business with Carys’s aunt a long time before. “I prefer to believe it was Kala, and Coop’s right. She’ll love having a reason to upgrade all the security here. Maybe this time she’ll even get an actual guard dog. Hey, you large cuddle bug. When was the last time you ate an intruder?”
Bud 2 ambled in, his tail wagging like this was the best day of his life. Every day was the best for Bud. He set his head on Carys’s lap, and she started to pet him.
If he was a big hairy, lovable dog, maybe Carys would pet him, too. He poured some Italian sweet cream into her coffee, making sure it was the right color. A lush mocha brown. He liked his black but Carys needed some sweet, and she wouldn’t want breakfast for another hour or so. She never ate right after she woke up. He hoped there were some eggs and toast. He could work with eggs and toast, especially if Tris was heading to his parents’ place. Tris ate like a horse. Aidan moved to the table and placed the mug in front of Carys.
“You didn’t…” Carys sighed and put her hand on his. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” When he sat down next to her, she didn’t move away. It was how they started most mornings these days.
Wake up, shower, make coffee, go over notes, go to work, rinse, and repeat.
“So your parents never told you how they met?” Adam asked.
Carys took a sip and then sat the mug down. “Of course they did. Dad was investigating Mom’s boss, and he saved her from him.”
It was a way easier story than his parents’. “My dad was also investigating Mom’s boss, but he kind of got close to her so he could get intel. When he finally told her, Mom had some problems with it.”
Adam grinned. “I remember it well. Your mom was pissed. She walked right out of the privacy room at the club we were at wearing very little, according to Ian.”
“I do not need to know that part,” Aidan insisted. He knew they’d met in London during an op. In his logical brain he knew it likely meant they’d spent some time at the BDSM club called The Garden, but his “they’re my parents” brain skimmed over some pieces of knowledge.
“Well, your dad was honest with you. Sean is not telling Carys the whole story.” Adam sat back.
Bri grabbed a coffee. “Have you never read Mom’s book about it? The Spy Who Left Me. There’s a movie and everything.”
Carys frowned. “Of course I have, but Aunt Serena added drama. I know it’s loosely based on what happened, but it is fiction. She had to add some stuff in. It’s not like my dad lied to my mom and slept with her so he could get…”
Carys stopped, her brain seemingly working through some not-great scenarios. She stared at Adam.
They might need some whiskey. “Do you want me to make it Irish for you?”
“But in the movie the character who was like you…also liked my mom,” Carys said carefully to Adam.