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)
And he had some unresolved conflict with his mother that would lead to distrust and abandonment issues when it came to women.
Tris had helped test Aidan and Carys when they were undergrads. He’d really gotten something out of the psych classes they’d taken. “What changed?”
Zach seemed to think about it for a moment. “The team. Being around Ian and Charlotte. Making some friends I can actually count on. I started this whole journey… Well, let’s just say my plans upended and the things I wanted back then aren’t what I want now. Now I want to work with my team and come to the club with a sub who I take care of for more than an orgasm. One who sees me as more than a Dom. I want what the people in this crazy group want. You know I was sent in by the higher-ups to find anything I could to discredit this experiment.”
Their team worked differently than other Agency teams. Tris could understand why some people would worry about them. Change was scary. “I think we all suspected. But we got to you.”
Zach shrugged. “You could say that. My bosses aren’t happy with me, but there’s not a lot they can do. I’m not giving them anything they could use to dismantle the team. We have to be careful, though. We’ve been vigilant about protecting the twins, but if it gets out…”
“They’ll both be in danger,” Tris concluded.
“We’ll all be in danger.” Zach turned solemn. “Have you thought about the fact that the attack might not have been about TJ?”
Only every minute since it had happened. “You think someone knows I took over The Jester’s identity? I’ve been very careful. When we needed a physical presence, I sent someone else. Always someone different, and we never gave them the full information. If it’s gotten out, then we have a leak.”
It was absolutely his worst fear.
“I’m worried about it,” Zach agreed. “No one knew where you were. TJ’s kept a low profile.”
“But it’s not hard to guess TJ was probably going to be at his cousin’s wedding,” Tristan pointed out. “The bigger problem is why they would attack the way they did. TJ can’t talk if he’s dead.”
“It could be a message. I want you and TJ to be on the lookout for any odd communication that could be read as a threat.” Zach shifted, his gaze going over to the stairs leading up from the dungeon floor. “Hey.”
The biggest smile came over Zach’s face, lighting him up.
Devi strode into the lounge wearing street clothes. A plain white top over jeans she rolled up at the feet for a casual look, her red hair flowing around her shoulders. She was quite lovely when he thought about it. She’d always been a little sister to him.
And she had absolutely no time for anyone except Zach. “Hello, Sir.”
Zach looked weird. Giddy. Like he was the one with a crush. He stood and immediately got into her space, his hands going to her hips while he loomed over her. “You want to get some waffles?”
She was grinning as she tilted her head up. “Sounds wonderful.”
Then Zach leaned down and kissed her. Not a friendly kiss. More like a “I’m going to inhale you like I’ve never breathed before” kiss. It went on for a while. He wondered if they were going to go at it right here. Finally, the captain came up for air.
Zach smoothed back her hair, looking at her like he’d never seen a woman before. “I’ll meet you downstairs. I’ve got to grab my bag.”
She nodded and walked away. She probably hadn’t even noticed Tris was there.
“I thought you were talking to her. You two played, and maybe something more,” Tris said, trying not to make it an accusation. “You told me you didn’t sleep with her.”
Zach’s head shook as he tossed the beer into the trash. “No. I said we didn’t sign a contract. And that should tell you something. I don’t lose my head often. I’m going to have some waffles and probably stay up way too late, but hey, I can sleep when I’m dead. See you soon, brother.”
Zach practically jogged down the stairs.
“Who the hell was that? Because the Zach I know doesn’t smile like that.” Aidan walked into the lounge from the entrance leading back to the privacy rooms on this floor.
Carys was behind him, wrapped in a robe and looking soft and sexy and sleepy. “I thought I saw him with Devi.”
Why was Aidan letting her walk? He was going to have a talk with his partner. Tristan strode to Carys and had her in his arms in a heartbeat. “I think we’ll be seeing more of them together. Zach’s got a crush. Now I think we should get you home and into bed, and I am not sleeping on the floor tonight. We’re going to give TJ a break and let Kala back into her bedroom.”