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 was unaware I had a choice, sir,” Zach said, and then his lips curled up as he took in Tris. “Now that is something we didn’t prepare for. How’s the whole saran wrap thing working out for you, buddy?”
“It was a real oversight,” he admitted. The fact Zach was here meant one thing. “So they’ve brought my papa in?”
The Agency had been trying to find a way to bring Adam Miles in for a long time. He’d said no to money, to power, to information.
It turned out Tristan was his Achilles’ heel.
“I was supposed to get here tonight. Had the flight scheduled and everything. But this morning the head of our department told me to get my ass here ASAP and deal with our new consultant.” Zach dropped his duffel on the floor out of the way and pulled up a chair. “I’m glad I did since apparently they have some torture techniques the Agency doesn’t prep us for. You know there’s a kink called mummification. You’re real close to that right now. Oooo, bacon. I had to fly commercial, so I have not eaten. This looks delicious.”
His mom slid back into her chair. “Please, eat up. Do you want a moment with Tristan? Brianna and I can take our plates out on the patio.”
Brianna sighed, like she’d known she would get left out.
His sweet, creative sister. She’d been his partner in crime when they were kids.
“It’s up to you, Tris. Your dads are cleared for pretty much everything,” Zach said, reaching for the bacon. “But we both know our primary team doesn’t work the way the others do. Big Tag is taking over, if you let him.”
The instinct to say no was still right there, but his instincts kind of sucked. He’d thought he had to change to become The Jester. Had to go cold and be alone.
What if what he’d always needed was his team? What if it didn’t matter if he fucked up because it wouldn’t change the way the people who loved him felt?
He looked over at Zach. Zach didn’t ever talk about his family beyond the aunt who’d raised him. As far as Tris could tell, Zach was alone. The military had become his family, and Zach was a rules guy.
Yet he was sitting there telling Tris if he wanted to bring his mom and sister into the classified briefing, he was cool with it.
Because somewhere along the way the military had been superseded by the Agency team, the experiment Zach had been tasked to oversee and take apart if he could.
He’d never tried. He’d pretty much loved them all from the beginning. He was one of them now. Zach was letting him know it was time to stop being a secretive operative. It was time to be a team player. A family member.
“Mom, you’re going to want to take notes.” He was sure his whole fucked-up mission would show up in one of her novels, complete with explosions and anal play. Because that was how she rolled.
A slow smile crossed his mom’s face. “Really?”
He felt something lift, something heavy that had been sitting firmly on his chest. He could breathe again. Well, he would be able to if someone would cut him out of all this wrap. “Yeah, really. You know you want to. And Bri. But you have to be open and take notes, too, and Mom isn’t going to ask you what you’re writing. You know she’s not ready.”
His mom’s eyes narrowed as she looked at his sister. “Maybe if she spent some time wrapped up, she would think about listening to her mother’s excellent advice. You know I do have some experience as an author.”
His sister stood. “I’ll get us some paper and pens. We should definitely take notes for later fiction writing that will absolutely happen. Please don’t mummify me.”
His sister ran off, but she would be back.
“Jake, would you please let Tristan out?” His mom reached for the muffins, calm in her movement. As though she had some faith again.
He hoped he wasn’t bringing them all into serious danger, but he had to trust his fathers would protect his mom and sister.
He had to protect Carys and Aidan, but he’d realized something profound. While he’d protected their lives, he’d done a number on their souls. He would have a long talk with his mom. And maybe Bri. Tonight he would start winning them back.
Right now, he would work with this part of his team. The best part. His family.
His dad used scissors to gently cut the wrap, loosening it enough that Tris could wriggle, and then he was free.
“Someone pass me the bacon before Zach eats all of it,” he said, stretching.
He was suddenly hungry again.
Chapter Eight
Carys took a deep breath and tried to find the calm place she’d been taught to go to before a fight.