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)
He was damn near floored by the revelation. “But you didn’t tell the team?”
“Yeah, well, I kind of wish I had now, but Drake and I decided it would look more real if we didn’t bring them in. I would have to explain why I changed my MO. You see a couple of years back my brother was in trouble with a group operated by a woman who reminds me a little of Huisman. A friend of mine ended up being taken in with him. We rescued Theo and Hutch, but I asked Hutch to go back in. I knew no one would be safe while the person who took Theo was working.”
He knew the story. It wasn’t an Agency op, but he was sure they would know it. Big Tag had sent Hutch in to gather evidence and be his man on the inside. Hutch had been in place to save Devi’s parents when it all went bad, and Big Tag had maintained the illusion with everyone, including Theo and Erin. The man knew how to use his past.
Was Big Tag’s past going to save his future? “I can’t ask you to do this.”
There was too much at risk.
Big Tag sat back. “It’s already done. I can’t go back and say oops, I didn’t mean that. I’m not asking your permission, son. I’m telling you what the story is. I know a couple of writers, and it’s always good to edit your story. Sometimes they start over when they started in the wrong place. So you came to me when you realized your mother was involved. You had made a hash of The Jester business and wanted me to help. I asked you to valiantly go undercover, and here we are.”
It sounded far too good to be true. “And all the stuff with Devi?”
“The inevitable consequences of hiring young dumbasses. They get horny and lose their minds. I’m handling it. At least that’s the way Henry and I explained things to the director a couple of hours ago.”
He slammed back the rest of the drink. He needed it. “Why would you do this for me? I shouldn’t let you.”
“That is your dumbass talking. Zachary, I’m going to tell you a secret no one likes to talk about. The most adult and masculine thing you can do is ask for help when you need it. The best thing you can possibly do for your family is let them take care of you when you’re wounded, and you’re wounded, Zach. I know you think it would be better for everyone if you went out in a blaze of glory, but you’re fucking wrong. You ruin a lot of people if that’s the path you go down. Devi never recovers. Your team will always wonder why you didn’t trust them enough to let them save you.”
Damn. Tears. He didn’t cry. It wasn’t like his aunt had beaten it out of him. She’d been lovely. His mother when she was around had loved him in her way. But the world had shown him time and time again that emotions weren’t for him. But here they were.
“Ask me, Zach. You already know the answer. I know it’s hard when you’ve always been the one who had to be strong. But this is strength. This is being strong enough to let people love you, to trust them even though there’s nothing in your past that tells you this will work out. Let the people who love you make the choice to risk for you. The way you would and have for them. So ask me the question and let us be done with this part.”
This part was him having control. If he did as Big Tag asked, he was trusting the man with everything. He was giving up the option of making decisions based on himself. He would have to trust that Big Tag would help him.
Like a dad would.
“Will you please help me? I’m in trouble.” The hardest words to get out, and yet something freed up inside him as he said them.
“And I will make it right.” Big Tag stood and held out a hand. “Take care of my niece and I’ll handle this. But seriously, your team is going to give you hell forever.”
The utter relief that flooded his system was a revelation. He forced himself to stand, to take the hand of the man who had been more of a father than his had ever been. This man was who he wanted to be. Stalwart. Loving. Utterly ruthless when it came to protecting the people he loved. “I’ll take it. I want to come home.”
Big Tag pulled him in for a hug. “Then come home, Zach. I’ll make things right with the authorities. You make them right with Devi and Cooper. Everyone will fall into place. Come home.”