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)
“She seems to like the closet in my room. Well, the room I’m in,” Devi said.
“Do you want me to move her? I can find another place for her,” Zach offered.
Devi sent him a frown. “You think I would evict a traumatized pregnant cat from the only place she feels safe?”
And he couldn’t win. “I was only trying to make you comfortable.”
She stared at him for a moment and seemed to make a decision. She turned to Arthur. “You in charge of the animals?”
He shook his head. “Just their healthcare. Lacey does the heavy work when it comes to the farm. Members of the group take turns. She spends six weeks here, and then she’s back to Liverpool or off to wherever Disrupt sends her.”
Not a single look of recognition hit her eyes. So her cousins had really kept her out of it. Disrupt was the main organization that Huisman used as a front for his many schemes to burn down civilization.
“Well, I’m going to require a litter box and some warm blankets and probably some thick gloves because kitty likes to scratch, but she’ll need more room if we’re turning that tiny closet into a feline homestead. And some cat treats. I’m befriending her. Slowly, of course.” She looked to Zach, a bit of challenge in her eyes. “I volunteered in shelters most of my life, and I’ve fostered both cats and dogs. She needs patience. She was hurt, and she has to process that pain and figure out if it’s worth it to risk herself again.”
Were they still talking about the cat? He wasn’t sure.
“I don’t believe I’m needed here anymore. As we say here in Wales, tan y tro nesaf.” Arthur tipped his hat and picked up his bag. “Tell Lacey I’ll be back to check on Mel and Cass in the morning. Until then, I’ll be in town. Remember what I said. There are more people at risk than you can imagine.”
Arthur walked away, disappearing behind the cottage which led to the dirt road that would lead him from the farm.
Devi stared after him for a moment as though trying to figure out where she’d seen the man before. Or putting off the moment she had to deal with Zach. Yeah, it was probably the latter.
It was afternoon, the soft light playing over her red hair and bringing out the gold in it. “I’m sorry about your clothes. They’re not dry yet. Lacey has some specific ideas on what appliances do and don’t harm the Earth. She’s picking you up some clothes in town. If you like I can get you a laptop and you can order some things. I’ve got a couple of IDs we could use.”
She turned his way, her lips curving down. “Because you’re a criminal.”
There it was. That twist of the knife he hadn’t expected from his sweet sub. They hadn’t fought even once while they’d been together. They had harmony between them and a peace he’d never known. Like most things in his life, it had been an illusion. “I assure you I had them from when I was an operative.”
“But you were lying while you were an operative.” She wouldn’t allow him to get away with anything.
“I was, but not until later. I went into the Army because I wanted to. As I approached the end of college I realized… I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You don’t want my personal history.”
“I thought I knew your personal history.” Devi shook her head. “I thought you went into the Army because you wanted to serve your country. Now I know… Look, none of this matters.”
She was right. It didn’t. He’d fucked up with her, and he wouldn’t be given a second chance. “I’ll call your mom and she can coordinate how to come get you. I can take you to London and leave you with your uncle’s team there.”
McKay-Taggart had an office in London, though unlike the US office it had an extra name attached. McKay-Taggart and Knight. Of course, he might get his ass arrested if he walked in there with her since there was an Interpol Red Notice out on him.
“My mom will hunt you down,” Devi vowed. “I don’t think you should call her. It would be a mistake.”
She thought he was such an asshole. “I already did. I called her before we left the States.”
Her eyes widened, and she looked an awful lot like her mom. “Why would you do that?”
“I was never going to let them worry about you. I wasn’t going to not let you talk to them, Dev. I know you think this is some brutal kidnapping where I tie you up and starve you for days.” Now that was a point. “Although you might want to because I’m fairly certain the only groceries in this place are vegan. But that’s not being done to torture you. It’s what happens when you work with underground animal rights activists. The point is I promised your mom you would talk to her today. To make sure she knows you’re okay.”