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)
Malignant narcissist. It was a good label for his sister.
How had he thought for a single second that Taylor could have anything in common with his sister?
“I left Mae with my family. I assure you they will close ranks around her,” Kyle said in a superior tone. “They did exactly what I knew they would. MaeBe hasn’t been allowed to go back to her apartment alone. She’s staying with friends. Friends who know how to protect her.”
Drake frowned Kyle’s way. “How long do you plan to keep her a prisoner?”
Kyle sighed, a long-suffering sound. “She’s not a prisoner.”
“I bet she feels like one.” He knew he shouldn’t get into this with Kyle, but he couldn’t help himself. He had few people he’d ever truly connected to in this world, and Kyle had been one of them. “I know MaeBe. She’s lived by herself for years. She’s comfortable being alone and independent, and you’re taking that from her.”
Kyle’s jaw went tight. “For a brief time so she can be alive when I take care of Julia. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, Drake. I get you fucked up with your girl, but that doesn’t mean you get to tell me how to take care of mine.”
“So you admit she’s your girl.” At least that was a good starting point. If he could get Kyle and MaeBe through this, there might be hope for him and Taylor.
When had he become this mushy, messy guy? He was supposed to be the ruthless bastard who lived for the game.
The game was getting harder and harder to play with no one beside him, with no one knowing who he really was.
“I admit I care about her,” Kyle allowed. “But we both know I’m not good for her. You should think about that when you’re pursuing Taylor. Julia’s not happy with you either, but you’re her brother and she’ll want to talk at some point. There’s a reason she resurfaced now. She wanted us to figure out she’s alive, and she’s out there right now planning her next move. She might use Taylor to get you to do what she wants you to.”
Kyle wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know. “Well, I don’t seem to have any influence at all over Taylor. Also, she’s actively going after Julia. I think I have to stay close to her if I want to protect her. If she goes rogue, she could blow up the whole op and get herself hurt in the process. I can’t have that. I know she’s angry with me now, but I need time to make her see reason.”
“I don’t think there was much reason with her.” Brad seemed fascinated by the conversation. “She’s mad. Super mad. So mad I called in last night to explain the situation to my boss, but you had already called the president and I couldn’t remove you. Not that I wanted to, but she’s literally the heart of this op. I don’t know who else we could get to work on this.”
He already had a plan, but he wanted a few days before he sprung it. He had zero intentions of allowing Taylor to walk into an op where his sister could spring a trap and kill her. But if he dismissed her now, he likely wouldn’t see her again.
He was an ass, but he was an ass who cared about her.
“I think that’s my uncle.” Kyle gestured to the window. “He likes a big-ass SUV. I hope the lemon meringue on the menu is up to snuff. I should have talked to Angie. She runs the kitchen. Is there someone in that car with him?”
He wouldn’t be surprised if Big Tag showed up with Alex McKay or Liam O’Donnell just to fuck with them. Them being the Agency, who’d only given Taggart himself clearance at this point. Drake understood. If he’d had an Alex or a Liam, he would want someone watching his back, too. No matter how old and crotchety they were.
Drake looked out the window, and sure enough there was a big black SUV coming up the drive and…
Oh, Big Tag wasn’t fucking with him. He was fucking with Kyle. “Is that your stepdad?”
Kyle’s jaw dropped. “Fuck.”
The SUV stopped and sure enough, Sean Taggart slid out of the passenger side of the vehicle and then did something far worse than merely being there. He opened the back door and held a hand up.
Meanwhile, Ian Taggart had gotten out of the car and yawned, looking like a lion who could use a nap. Or a nice meaty lunch.
“That’s my mom. He brought my mom. My mom is here.” Kyle had gone a pasty white.
“Oh, she does not have clearance.” Brad stood, his hands going to his hips. “Nor does Sean Taggart. Did Mr. Taggart not understand?”