Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Damage? From what Huisman did?” He’d heard about the experiments Huisman ran on Kala Taggart. First in Toronto, and then Virginia. He’d tried an experimental paralytic to keep her still while he poured yet another experimental drug into her veins. One that made her feel like she was on fire. But he hadn’t heard anything about long-term injuries.
“Yeah.” Cooper looked like he was checking the board for arrivals. “Her heart stopped both times. She’s stable, but they’re worried about what could happen in the future. I don’t think she survives meeting that asshole a third time. So she’s letting Kenzie take lead on the Kara construct role and she’s going to transition to background.”
His heart ached for her. Kala was the one who put everything into her job. Except she seemed happy. “She’s okay with it?”
His brother’s lips curled up. “She’s started talking about the fact that she can’t give her parents hellions to make their old age fun if she’s dead. She’s also started talking about the fact that if we take over the company, we’re a McKay-Taggart who can get it on in the conference room.”
It was a sweet thought and one that made his heart ache a little. “You’re leaving the team?”
“Not now, but sometime in the next couple of years,” he replied. “Or hell, who knows? Maybe she loves being in the background and we stay for life. I only know one thing.”
“Where she goes, you go.” Zach nodded as they started moving again.
“Where she goes, I go,” Cooper repeated solemnly. “You okay being stuck in New York or LA watching your girl move up in some fashion design house?”
“Yes. I’m okay with whatever, but I don’t think that’s happening. I think she’s going to be brave and follow her voice and start her own business. I think I’ll be stuck in Dallas, and that sounds like heaven to me,” Zach said, his heart twisting with every true word.
“Then you’ve never been in Dallas in August, brother.” They made it to the spot.
“I’ll be fine.” He stood and waited with the crowd. Still a few more minutes before the train from London would be coming in. Nell told them they were in the fourth car from the front. He estimated where to stand. “The question is are you fine?”
Cooper stopped at a place fairly close to where the front of the train would end up. “Because I’m about to meet the woman who gave birth to me? I don’t know. I love my mom and my mother’s name is Eve McKay, but I have to admit I’m curious. Is she going to be like your aunt? Will she call me Jonathon?”
This part made his stomach twist. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in so long, I have no idea if she’ll even realize who you are.”
“I’ll tell her. I’m not trying to hide, but I want you to know that I’m standing here with you not because I need to meet her. I’m here for you. Because you’re my brother,” Cooper said. “Although you should understand what that means. Hunter thinks you’re super cool and if I have you as a big brother, he should get you, too. Vivi wants to meet you. I was hoping we could hang out in London when this is done so you can get to know her. Mom’s worried she’s into Oliver Weston, and Kala’s going to threaten to take his balls if he puts one STI infected hand on her.”
“Don’t.” Zach couldn’t take much more. Not in public. The idea of being welcome, of having a family that didn’t disappear for long periods of time… He just couldn’t. Later when he had Devi in his arms, he would let it all out. It was safe for him, but not here when there was a job to do.
“Sorry, man.” Cooper slapped him on the back. “I should remember how it feels to have one of the olds break you down. Big Tag, especially. It’s like he’s all sarcasm and congenial assholery and then he gives you the talk and it’s like the man lays your soul bare, breaks you down, and then builds you back up again.”
It was an apt description of what Big Tag had done the night before. “Well, we’ll see if he can work his magic or my breakthrough is going to be spent writing letters to my wife from prison.”
Cooper’s brows rose in obvious surprise. “Dude?”
Zach couldn’t help but smile. “I need to get her a ring, but she said yes. I’m going to trust her and hope it all works out.”
Cooper smiled brightly. “It will. I promise. We’re going to fix all the crap Huisman broke.”
“The train is approaching.” Lou’s voice came over his comms unit.
He touched his ear to open the connection that would let the team hear him. “Got it. We’re in position and ready. How’s the underground, TJ?”