Page 49 of Caged

“I’m yours for whatever you need. I’ve asked Meg not to schedule anything else for the rest of the week,” Dad said.

Chapter 21

Cate

“Sheppard and I have to go back to the cleaners tomorrow.”I should probably resort to calling him Jaden when in a room full of Sheppards. But I wanted to keep him at an emotionally safe distance. “They had an “equipment malfunction” after hearing him beg me to go to Wynd Star.”

“Adam mentioned they have a friendly, low stakes game in the area. He seemed eager to invite me,” Jaden added.

“As you know, we’re posing as a married couple.” I paused long enough for everyone to laugh.

While I waited, I realized I was still wearing my wedding band.

No, my fake wedding band.

I glanced over.So is Jaden.

We took them off and shoved them in our pockets, much to everyone’s amusement.

When they quieted down, I filled them in on the new developments.

I left out the kiss, praying Jaden wouldn’t feel the need to mention it.

When Jaden added in his two cents, he left it out.Thank God.

I don’t know why he didn’t take the opportunity to embarrass me, but I was grateful. I really didn’t need another team looking at me like I was the type of woman who slept her way to the top.

“I’ll update my timeline and get the information to everyone,” I said.

“Do we know where Richard Roman is, or what he’s doing?” Jaden asked.

“No, he’s been laying low since we…” John paused. “Rescued Blake.”

Roman going underground wouldn’t help us. We needed to know where he was and what he was doing.

I was about to leave when John said, “I want everyone checking in every hour when you’re not here. We’ve poked this hornet’s nest before and know how far he’ll go.”

“Yes, sir,” we answered together.

“Sir?” Jaden asked. I could only imagine what stupid shit would come out of his mouth.

“What is it?” John asked, humor and exasperation mixing in his voice.

“What about while we’re sleeping?” Jaden asked.

“Except when you’re sleeping. Check in before you go to sleep and after you wake up.” He explained it like he was talking to a child.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Jaden saluted, making everyone laugh.

John pointed at the door. “Get out of here.”

Jaden was two steps past the door when John called out, “Be careful.”

“Copy that,” Jaden said without breaking stride.

Jaden was being a wiseass, but there was no tension between him and his father while they teased one another.

We greeted everyone in the lobby when we reached the bottom of the stairs. Meg was sitting in the lounge with Blake and Emily, laughing. Sammie and Eric, two of our three part-timers, were standing nearby. John would keep at least one of them on duty, to watch over the girls, until their husbands could take them home.

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