Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 139606 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 558(@250wpm)___ 465(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139606 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 558(@250wpm)___ 465(@300wpm)
“Mom.” The problem was she was fairly certain her mother was only half joking. “It doesn’t matter because I seriously doubt he’s going to let me talk to him, much less help solve the situation with his father.”
“This op doesn’t work without Dare Nash,” her father admitted. “Our Canadian friend has a big problem he hasn’t explained to you yet. Probably because you tied him to a sex bench. So I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist that Mr. Nash do his part, and that means making sure everything looks normal. Do you really love this man? Because I can also pack us all up and head back to the States and leave Chet Bumfuck to deal with CSIS.”
“I love him. I can’t believe I did this to him. You should know that I was going to tell him everything tomorrow after I’d figured out what was up with Brian. I was going to break my cover.”
“If you love him and you trust him, then that’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard you say today,” her father said with a sigh and a frown. “Canadian?”
She was not putting up with her father’s sarcasm when it came to this. “Is it a good time to point out that Chet is American as apple pie? You better tone down your teasing. He doesn’t know us yet, and I won’t let you make him feel worse than he already does. He doesn’t have a family. I doubt he understands what a functional family can do, so we’re going to be nice and normal and not scare this guy off. You will not threaten him with a most dangerous game style hunt, nor will you give him release of liability forms.”
“Hey, those came in handy for your sisters,” her dad pointed out.
“He’s actually right. Anyone who dated Kala could have made a claim,” her mom agreed. “But he would never do that with you. Your father is going to be on his best behavior, and we will be super normal.”
“Yeah, a super-normal family where we hide one twin so no one knows there are two of them and our location is often classified and your brother is a moron who should have used a condom and your other brother thinks playing guitar on YouTube is a viable career option,” her father snarked. “Sure. Totally normal.”
“It’s a normal spy family.” At least it felt that way to her. “Not that it’s going to matter because he’s going to say no. I hurt him. I gutted him, and he’s stubborn. He won’t let me back in. He’ll be on a plane to Toronto as soon as he can be.”
“You let me worry about that,” her father assured her. “My only question is—do you want this guy? Is he worth the trouble?”
“Yes.”
“Then talk to your mother about how to soothe a savage beast, and I’ll go talk to your guy.” Her dad pushed back from the table and rose to his feet. “Charlie, baby, do not start talking about sex until I leave the room. Give me like a minute’s head start. For some reason my hearing is still way too good. I keep waiting for old age to kick my ass, but it doesn’t.”
Her mom grinned. “That’s because I make him drink this herbal tea I found at this weird shop. I swear it’s got anti-aging properties. And it tastes a little like chocolate. But he’s right. Getting that man back is going to be all about sex. Oral is a very good way to go.”
Her dad practically ran out of the room.
“It’s going to be okay.” Her mom stood up, and her arms were open. “If I could get your father back and have all these beautiful years with him, I promise you can convince Dare. You won’t have to do it alone. You’ll have all of us in your corner.”
Tasha wrapped her arms around her mom and let herself cry.
And hope.
* * * *
“I don’t want to talk to you.” Dare closed the locker door, feeling better now that he had regular clothes on again. He’d felt stupid sitting around in leathers since he wasn’t anything close to a Dom. A Dom was in control, and he had none whatsoever.
Nate Carter’s presence was proof of that. He wouldn’t be allowed to leave this place and go lick his wounds in private. If he tried that, he would be manhandled by the big Aussie and made to look even more foolish than he was right now.
At least Nate was quiet. He’d been grim since following Dare into the locker room. Brian was proving he wasn’t as respectful as the guard.
“Good, then you can listen,” Brian replied.
He didn’t care. He didn’t. They could talk all they liked, but he was going to leave. He would not comply.