Page 121 of Sweet Little Spies

Because he had to do anything he could to save Carys. “I’llwait.”

Ian opened the door and slid off the seat, reaching for hisvest. “We’ll get them out. I promise. Or I’ll die trying.”

Adam did the same on his side. “I will absolutely get themout or let Ian die trying.”

Ian huffed out a laugh. “I bet you will, buddy. Adam…”

Adam finished zipping his vest. “Say something sarcastic andget it out of the way.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Ian said.

“Fuck.” Adam closed his eyes, taking a long breath. “Onlyone man I’d rather have watch my back.”

Ian reached up and pulled a black balaclava over his head.“Yeah, well, Jake’s gotten lazy in his old age. He’s probably sitting somewherewith Li complaining about his gout or something. Old men.”

Adam did the same, joining Ian. “Speak for yourself. I’maging backward, man. I’m way sexier than I was twenty years ago.”

“That wouldn’t be hard. You were a nerd,” Ian shot back.

“Sir, you should go now. I’ve looped the cams.” Lou sentthem a pointed look.

“The young are impatient,” Ian said, putting a hand onAdam’s shoulder. “Let’s go get our people.”

They disappeared behind a big bush running along the walldemarcating the property.

“Take care, baby,” TJ said, leaning over to kiss hisgirlfriend before he followed Cooper out.

“You, too. I love you.” Lou watched as they started to maketheir way around to the other side of the property.

Parker wasn’t wearing a balaclava. He nodded to Lou. “If Idon’t see you after, it was a pleasure as always, Louisa. And if I don’t getthe chance to talk to her, tell Maggie I’ll see her soon.”

He quietly closed the Sprinter’s sliding door behind him.

Aidan was left alone with Lou, who climbed into the frontand slid into the driver’s seat, balancing her laptop on the dashboard. “Canyou hear them?”

Lou glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “The commsare working. Aidan, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to get them back.”

He wished he could believe her. “How long do these thingsusually take?”

“Ten minutes. Ten hours. It doesn’t matter. It’s always toolong,” Lou said with a shrug. She touched the side of her glasses. “Yes,they’re off. It’s me and Aidan. I’m sitting in the driver’s seat ready to getus out of here if I need to. Kenz, I know what I’m doing.”

Aidan took a deep breath, trying to force down his panic. Itwas fucking torture to sit here knowing Carys and Tris were so close. They werein the house and the house was right there. Only a wall and some doors andspace kept them apart. He put a hand on the kit Cooper had given him. It wasbasic, but he could work with it.

He prayed he didn’t have to work with it.

Lou continued to quietly talk to Kenzie and Aidan sat, theminutes feeling like hours. How long had he been here? They were parked in whatappeared to be an alley.

How was everything so fucking normal? When he looked out thewindow, the sky was blue, and in the distance, he could see people walkingaround what looked like a park. They had no idea the life and death situationgoing on so close to them.

What was happening to Carys? To Aidan? Was Kala even alive?

There was a tap on the window, startling Aidan out of histhoughts.

His heart rate shot up as he caught sight of a tall man inall black standing at the passenger-side window.

“Hey, is anyone in there?”

“Stay quiet,” Lou said in a whisper. “Don’t move. He can’tsee inside.”

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