Page 21 of Undercover Savior

“What are you suggesting? A delay in anything outgoing? If so, who will manage it?”

Gus raised his hand.

I looked between my three friends. “It’s decided, then?”

“Not until it’s unanimous,” said Tag.

“I could see opening up online access but not mobile.”

“Agreed,” said Con. “Plus, from what I’ve seen, Miss Rivers might very well find a workaround that none of us pick up on. At least this way, we control it from the start.”

“I need to think it over.”

“Thistle Gate,” said Gus, looking at his mobile.

“Pardon?”

“According to my mum, that’s what your grandfather called the cottage.”

I cocked my head. “I’ve never heard it referred to as such.”

“The one you’re in now was Primrose Croft.”

“On that subject,” said Con, pulling out a roll of plans. “Can we take a moment to review where that project stands?” He rested the stack on the desk and put paperweights on all four corners.

While I would’ve preferred we get straight to the discussion about Tower-Meridian, I nodded.

“The cottage’s original exterior was stone on top of granite. My guess is when the castle was constructed, Thistle Gate was the next dwelling built.” He looked over at me. “From a securitystandpoint, it works in our favor, Ash. Once we add bulletproof windows and doors, it will be nearly impenetrable. On the off chance someone figures out a way to get in, I’ve a suggestion.” He rolled the top sheet to the left.

“Is that a panic room?” I asked.

He nodded. “Much smaller than what’s beneath us.”

“That’s a dungeon, not a panic room,” muttered Gus.

“Same difference,” said Con. “Except for how to get in and out.” He rolled the next sheet like he had the first.

I gasped. “What isthat?”

“You’ll never believe it. In fact, it makes me wonder about inbreeding between our two families.”

“How so?” Not that it was the question I really wanted the answer to.

“Your ancestors were bloody brilliant, Ashcroft. Which means I must descend from them somehow.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “Tell me what I’m looking at.”

“There’s a tunnel system between the island and the mainland,” Con explained.

“It cannot be viable,” I said.

He raised a brow and glanced over at Gus. “Tell him.”

“It is.”

“Tell him how you know.”

Gus raised his middle finger. “Sod off, arsehole.”

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