Page 36 of Sweet Little Spies

“I don’t know. I worry I won’t be able to concentrate, andthe last thing I want to do is drag everyone down.”

He was going to praise his friend so much. Aidan was playingthis perfectly.

“I scarcely think you could drag us down,” Huisman reassuredhim. “I’ve read this paper of yours twice now. Dr. O’Donnell…”

“Aidan. Please. Call me Aidan.”

A soft chuckle came across the line. “I do think we’ll getalong, Aidan. I like a man who isn’t so arrogant he must go by all his titles.I, too, prefer to simply be called by name. You must call me Manny. All myfriends do, and I think we could be friends, you and I.”

He was the fucking devil trying to make a deal. But luckyfor him, Aidan couldn’t be fooled.

“Well, Manny, I’m afraid I also don’t want to bring mytrouble to your doorstep,” Aidan replied.

“Is ityourtrouble?”

This guy wasn’t taking no for an answer. Tris went back tothe white board.

Tell him you have to take care of Carys. Tell him no, andbe firm about it.

Aidan read the note. “No real idea. I’m afraid I get leftout of the meetings. You have to understand, I’m not a part of that world.Neither is my father. We’re close to the Taggarts, but we don’t have ties tothe intelligence stuff. Not even my fiancée, who is a Taggart. Her father’s achef, so this is not something we’re used to.”

“Then bring her to Montreal,” Huisman offered. “You soundlike you could use some time away, Aidan. I have several guesthouses around theproperty. I’m happy to offer you one of the bigger ones. Perhaps one largeenough you could bring a bodyguard. Or a companion, so your fiancée isn’tlonely. Come to my home and surround yourself with some of the best minds inour business. I include you in this. I truly believe you have extraordinarypotential. Come to Montreal and think about the future.”

Tristan huffed, trying to get Aidan’s attention. It was pasttime to hang up on this motherfucker. He would find another way in. Maybethrough one of the other doctors Huisman invited.

“All right,” Aidan said.

Tristan gasped and started to say something, but Cooper hada big arm around his neck, his hand covering his mouth.

“Don’t you dare,” Cooper whispered. “His choice, Tris.”

Now he knew why Ian brought Coop down. Bitterness welled.Carys and Aidan were his. Fucking his.

“But I need a couple of days. Carys and I were going tospend them in the city, but given our situation, I think we’ll come in later inthe week.” Aidan sounded like this was all normal. Like he wasn’t fucking upthe whole world. Like he hadn’t put their love in danger.

Tris thought seriously about breaking Coop’s hold. Oh, hehad an inch and some muscle on him, but Tris could fight dirty. Tris couldtwist out and kick the fucker in the balls, and then they would see whosechoice it was.

“Well, I will look forward to it, and I’m serious abouttalking to Mr. Taggart if you think it would help make everyone comfortable.”Huisman sounded pleased with himself.

Because they’d given him everything he wanted.

“I should get back to my fiancée,” Aidan said. “But Iappreciate you calling, Dr…Manny. I think this might be exactly what I need.”

“I’m glad I could help. See you soon.”

There was something ominous about the words, but Tristandoubted anyone else would hear it. Cooper’s arm came from around his neck, andTris fought the urge to clock him. Ian was watching him now as Aidan hung uphis phone. Watching and likely hoping for a reason to try to sideline him.

It wasn’t going to happen.

Aidan turned to Ian. “Do you think he bought it?”

“Bought it?” Ian asked. “I think you just made a choice.”

“Yeah, I know,” Aidan agreed, “but did I come across asreluctant? Because I was going for reluctant. I thought I shouldn’t sound toosure after what happened today. He knew about what happened today, right?That’s why you wanted me to be honest with him. Because he already knew.Because he’s the one who sent them. Why would he send them?”

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question,” Ian mused. “Tris,you going to freak out on me?”

“Would it help?” Tris asked, bitterness welling.

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