Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Chapter Nineteen
Four hours later, Lou’s backside still felt like it was on fire, but she wasn’t going to complain because TJ hadn’t yet found a plug. And it was possible that he could easily find one since they were in the conference room at The Hideout.
To say TJ had taken exception to her plan to end the conflict would be putting things mildly.
But he’d let her do it. He’d trusted her. He’d shoved his fear and insecurity aside and let them be the badass couple they could be. Not that it saved her ass, but it felt like a good exchange.
After she’d managed to get Parker to show himself, TJ had lost his cool utterly. First, he’d tried to kill Parker. While those two had been beating on each other, Lou had taken time to assure herself Dennis hadn’t suffered a heart attack from sheer fear. Then Zach and Cooper had broken up the fight and called the whole fiasco in to base.
While they’d been awaiting the cleanup crew, TJ had taken his anxiety out on her poor backside. Right in front of everyone.
And then he’d wrapped her in his arms and told her again and again how much he loved her.
“We didn’t know what he was planning.” Samantha Knight looked earnest as she turned to face the big boss. Her curly blonde hair was down, and she looked young and not at all like a person who routinely stole state secrets.
“We didn’t know he’d set up that young man,” her brother continued. “I assure you I wouldn’t have put your team in that situation without your full backing.”
“I had a man in place.” Parker sat at the end of the table, his right eye only a little swollen.
“A man who died,” Big Tag pointed out.
Ben’s expression shuttered. “Yes, and I’ll have that blood on my hands, but that happened because your team rushed in without understanding the situation at all.”
The fact that Kala wasn’t sitting in on this meeting was a blessing because she would likely have tried to finish the job TJ had started. Her dad had asked Kala to sit in on the debrief with Dennis. Drake Radcliffe had sent in a bunch of lawyers to ensure Dennis understood what he could and couldn’t talk about. Charlotte was there so everything ran smoothly and her daughter didn’t murder anyone.
At least she wouldn’t have to worry about Dennis coming around again. “I assure you my team knew what was going on. I had the comms on my glasses on. Not only could the team see what was happening, they could hear, and I gave them plenty of verbal cues. What did you expect to happen?”
“Yes, Parker, illuminate us.” Big Tag sat at the front of the conference table, his gaze on the Canadian.
Maybe Charlotte had picked the wrong member of her family to watch over so they didn’t end up in jail.
“I know I’d like to understand the thought process behind that clusterfuck of a situation.” Zach was the only team member besides her and TJ at this meeting. Cooper had gone with Kala, and Tasha was meeting them at the club. Kenzie was probably fuming in the locker room.
Of course, if she was in here, she would likely be trying to convince everyone Ben had the best of intentions.
Lou understood why he’d done what he’d done, but she had to think there could have been another way.
“The operative I had embedded couldn’t get me the proof I needed. Huisman was very careful about coming and going. Terry hadn’t even been able to get eyes on him,” Parker explained. “I’m on a tight leash with this op. My boss gave me two more weeks to prove my theory or he was going to reassign me and close the case. I know what Manny’s planning, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen.”
“You knew they’d taken TJ,” Big Tag accused.
Parker nodded tightly. “Yes. I also knew they weren’t planning to kill him. I had control. I had a man who was going to get him out, but I needed to give him time. Huisman was there, wasn’t he?”
TJ’s gaze was steely as he took in the Canadian operative. “Someone was there.”
Lou turned his way. “Babe, you know what happened. Huber confirmed that he was there. Let’s not have gone through all of this and not get crucial intelligence.”
“He put you in danger,” TJ said stubbornly.
“And I’m fine,” she replied, taking his hand. It was good to be able to do that whenever she liked. “Well, except for my backside.”
“One thing TJ gets right,” Big Tag said under his breath.
It was good to know that Big Tag approved of how TJ handled his anxiety.
TJ sighed and squeezed her hand before getting back to staring down the Canadian operative. “I’d like to know how you planned this mission. Dennis said he’d originally had a different location in mind. I’m going to assume your embedded agent is the one who tipped off Huber as to the location of Dennis’s date.”