“Parker, leave it alone right this fucking second or we’llpull the op altogether and you can find your own way into Huisman’s,” Big Tagsaid on a low growl. “There was a reason I didn’t want you here.”
“I’m the expert on Huisman.” Parker seemed to gatherhimself. He took a deep breath and banished whatever he’d been feeling before.“No one knows him like I do, so you’re not getting anyone else. However, ifMaggie can play nice for once, so can I. I’ve decided you’ve got multiplepersonalities. Could we please speak to the reasonable one?”
The reasonable one was in the attic, probably losing hershit because she wasn’t down here to fight him on her own. Kenzie had been soangry with him after what he’d done to Lou, but Tris didn’t think it wouldlast. There was too much chemistry between them. Kenzie had been the one inCroatia, and she’d come back from the event they’d attended like she was ElizaDoolittle inMy Fair Lady.
He was pretty sure Kala had been the one to leave him on theplane. He’d been damn lucky she’d caught his ass.
“Sure thing, sweet cheeks,” Kala said. “Let’s get down tobusiness.”
“I should probably leave the whole relationship stuff out ofmy report.” Tara watched as they walked into the dining room. “I’m not evensure how to document what just happened. Is it always like this?”
“Pretty much, and I think the big guy would appreciate younot mentioning it in your report,” Zach agreed.
“They do not like each other.” Tara shook her head. “I’msurprised. I’ve always found Kara to be friendly and easy to work with. I’msurprised to see her be so aggressive.”
Because she’d only ever met Kenzie. When they needed someoneto walk into Langley and charm the brass, it was Kenzie. Kala got her dour assbenched those days.
“Why does he call her Maggie?” Aidan asked, staring at thegroup as they walked away. “I thought her name was Kara.”
Aidan was already doing well. He’d put the question in a waythat wouldn’t spark interest from anyone listening in. He would need to keepsome distance between his subs and Parker, though. It would be hard for them.They hadn’t spent years pretending the way he had. “When he first met her, shecalled herself Ms. Magenta. He named her Maggie despite the fact he knew wecalled her Kara. He said it wasn’t her real name, so it didn’t matter what hecalled her.”
“He wanted a name only he called her. It’s topping 101. Makea connection no one else has. He’s got it bad,” Aidan said quietly. “I feel forthe fucker.”
“Yeah, well, feel for me because I have to figure out how toexplain why I joined Zach at The Court.” Tris wanted to walk in there and carryher out and force her to talk to him.
“You went because your bosses were at The Court. It’spractically a social event in DC for certain members of the Agency.”
It was good to know Aidan was supporting him, but there wasone problem. “You know socializing wasn’t the only reason I went.”
“You were lonely, and you needed to keep one thing from yourprevious life.” Aidan put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. She’sgoing to rail and roar, but we can handle it.”
Tris was worried she wouldn’t roar at all. He followed Aidanin and noticed Carys had left a seat. For Aidan. Well, they were the couple forthis mission. Still, he knew why she’d done it. To show her anger.
He could handle her anger. But her indifference scared thehell out of him.
“Go,” Tris whispered. “Show her all the affection she needsto get through this. Then we’re in for a hell of a night.”
He didn’t want to sleep outside the door. He happened toknow the room they were in was the honeymoon suite and it had a big-ass bed,and he’d prepared for a fun night. They’d spent days reintroducing Carys’spretty asshole to a plug, and tonight was supposed to be the night when she gotreacquainted with his cock up her backside.
Tristan took a place beside Ian, the one usually reservedfor Charlotte, and Tara moved in beside him. He kind of wanted to put distancebetween them because he saw the moment Carys’s eyes narrowed.
Now she probably thought he’d been sleeping with Tara. Hewanted to get offended, but he’d put his own damn self in this position byleaving her alone for two and a half years.
“Parker, you know most of the team, but you haven’t metAidan O’Donnell and Carys Taggart. They’re friends of TJ and Lou, who recentlyhad their wedding wrecked via helicopter attack,” Ian explained.
“Seriously?” Parker huffed. “That’s some soap-opera levelshit.”
“Yeah, well, we’re not getting those deposits back,” Carysgrumbled.
“Uh, sorry about the wedding. So if TJ was the target thensomeone still thinks TJ is working with The Jester,” Parker said.
“Duh.” Kala’s eyes rolled.
Ian growled, a low sound that had his daughter sighing andsitting back as though telling her dad she would be a good girl. Or at least aquiet one.
Now he knew how much Tara had left out. He glanced to Ian.
Ian’s head tipped slightly.