Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
“I think coming home would be hard for him.” Charlie’s voice had gone tight. “I think he’s avoiding the wedding, and if you know the reason why, you should talk because god knows no one else is.”
Something had happened between those three. They’d been a happy if odd threesome for a long time, and then Carys and Aidan had announced they were getting married and Tristan was running away to join the Agency.
And no one was talking.
“Tristan is eager to start. The technical role will be taken by Ms. Ward. If she says yes. Kala wants to ask her in person, but she’s sure she’ll agree,” Drake explained. “We’re being flexible with this team. Lou is going to be both analyst and our version of Q. If she says yes, she’ll be given a big wad of cash and her own lab to make innovations where she can. However, that means we need someone to handle some of the more organizational jobs. Someone who can liaise between the group and the Agency. And of course they’ll need an experienced operative to oversee the team, though I see that as more of a part-time role.”
“You’re not doing it yourself?” He was surprised. He’d at least thought Drake would handle it himself. He would never admit it, but he might be okay if Drake was watching over them. Might. Probably not.
“I was kind of thinking you would want the job. Like I said, it would be part time. Mostly the team would handle things themselves, but you would oversee their work and step in when they need help,” Drake explained. “You would be like the mom and dad of the group, since I know damn well if I give you clearance, Charlotte will know everything five minutes later. I’m okay with that, Ian. This whole project is about not stifling our talent. You and Charlotte could oversee the team, and you don’t even have to be in DC. The team can split their time between DC and Dallas if they like. You’ll know where they are, Ian. I won’t keep anything from you.”
Sometimes being a nice guy paid off. Years before he’d taken a chance on this guy when he’d been a barely out of the womb asshole operative. And now he could watch over his girls. “We can work that out.”
“I’m the manager.” Tasha stood up. “I’ll be the liaison, and I’ll make sure everything runs properly.”
“You have a job,” Charlotte pointed out. “Are you sure you want this?”
Tash nodded. “I’ve been organizing my sisters’ schemes for years. It’s only right that I do it when everything is on the line. I want to. I want in.”
All of his girls in one place. All of them in danger.
Sounded like an ordinary Saturday night at the Taggart house.
Ian sighed. “Well, then we should let them in and let them know what we’ve decided.”
Drake got up and opened the door. His daughters strode in, Kala in her normal goth-girl uniform and Kenzie looking so much like her mom it hurt.
“You know we’re adults. You don’t get to decide what we’re going to do.” Kala was a pretty pit bull. She could growl and snarl, and in the end she was loyal and loving to those who deserved it. “I don’t even know why we’re here.”
“Because they’re our parents and we love them and want them to feel comfortable with this new job we’re doing.” Kenz was always the reasonable one. “Dad, Mom, you know one of the reasons we want to do this is because you taught us so well. We want to make you proud.”
She also knew how to bullshit with the best. “I wish you luck with your new boss.”
Kenzie stopped, her eyes going wide. “Seriously? That’s it? And I think Drake is our boss. We get along very well with him. It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
Charlie snorted as she helped herself to the Scotch Drake kept on an elegant bar in the corner of his big-ass office. The kid had done well for himself.
“Guys, I never said I would be in charge,” Drake admitted. “I oversee most of the analysis for the Agency. I don’t have time to directly oversee you. Which is why I hired someone.”
Kenzie smiled, but Kala’s eyes had narrowed in suspicion.
“Dad.” Tasha seemed to like knowing something her sisters didn’t. “They hired Dad.”
“That’s not fair.” Kala sounded like she was fourteen again.
Kenzie looked panicked.
And Charlie just laughed and passed him a Scotch.
Yeah. This was going to be fun.