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)
“The question is how much damage can she do before we bring her in,” Taylor said softly.
Yes, that was the big question.
His sister was obsessed with Kyle. So obsessed she’d killed the only real father she’d ever known. Of course he was also the father who’d seen the darkness in his stepdaughter and used it ruthlessly. He’d had a foot in both worlds—Drake at the Agency and Julia at The Consortium. He’d offered up both of his children as sacrifices to get ahead.
Taylor’s hand squeezed his own, and he was able to breathe again.
He was trapped between hating and mourning his father, but it would be all right because she would be the light on this dark road he had to walk.
“I’m sure she’ll try to burn the world down around her,” he said. “But I’ll help in any way I can. Taylor and I are going to spend some time with my mom. We have to rebuild her security detail, and I’m going over every inch of the house and her office to ensure nothing was left behind.”
“She’s also agreed to let us go through Don’s office,” Taylor said. “We’re going to analyze everything he’s done for the last forty years. Maybe we can piece together something that helps to bring down The Consortium. We’ve got the house and all the properties they owned in lockdown and under guard. If Drake’s father had something hidden, we worry Julia might try to find it.”
“Hidden?” Nick asked. “Do you think he had an insurance policy?”
Drake nodded. “I’m sure of it. My father always kept back information he could use to put pressure on those around him. He would have kept copious notes, and I intend to find them before Julia does.”
“Would he have told her where this insurance of his was kept?” Damon was in a suit this morning, every inch the smooth businessowner he was today.
“I don’t think so.” He’d been over this in his head a hundred times since that terrible night. “I don’t think he would have trusted her enough. I would bet he had insurance on her, too. And likely me. It’s how my father worked.”
But it wasn’t going to be how he worked. He’d already talked to his bosses and explained that he was leaving the field. He would do this last job to find out what he could about his father, but then he was coming home. Taylor was going to college, and then she wanted to come back and work with him.
They were going to build something new. It might take years, but he would put together a team that would work differently. A team for the new age of intelligence opening up right before his eyes.
A team that watched out for each other. A team that could help keep the worst of the Agency in check so the best could thrive.
He was going to shake things up so what happened to him didn’t happen again.
Damon pushed back from the table, getting to his feet and holding out a hand. “Well, I’m sorry about Brad and your father. No matter what he did, you’ll still feel his loss.”
Drake stood and shook his hand. “And we’re grateful for everything you’ve done to help us.”
“We’ll help in any way we can.” Nick had gotten up and moved around to envelop Taylor in a bear hug. “You tell us if you need anything at all. And don’t be a stranger. I’ve missed you, and we would love to see you more often.”
“I promise.” Taylor hugged her uncle tight. “And I’ll let you know when we’re going to Greece for Dad’s memorial.”
It was something they’d planned the night before. They’d come down to The Garden, though the club was closed. Damon had given them permission for private play. They’d made love and laid back, looking up at the starry sky, and she’d talked about her dad. He’d promised to take her to their little place in Greece and help her spread her father’s ashes.
Somehow he thought in honoring her father, he might find a way to deal with his own, to process his death and find any good he could in the man.
He wasn’t his father, and the things his father had done didn’t have to define his life.
“I would love to be there and honor my friend,” Nick said before hugging her one last time. He stepped back. “All right then, you have a good flight and stay safe.” He turned Drake’s way, his eyes narrowing. “And you take care of her.”
“It’s all I want to do in life,” Drake admitted.
Nick’s mouth turned up in a smile, and he shook Drake’s hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Nick and Damon left, and he was alone with the woman who would be his wife someday. He had no doubt.
“Are you packed?” They were leaving for DC in a couple of hours.