Page 100 of Undercover Savior

“Sod off, Ash.” He got up and left the room, but I expected he’d be back within a few minutes.

“Gentlemen, should we leave the library to the ladies?” I asked while we waited for Gus to return.

“Good idea,” said Tag.

“Be there in a minute,” said Con, approaching Fallon after I kissed Sullivan’s cheek and Tag followed me out of the room.

“What’s going on with those two?” I asked.

Tag chuckled. “While our friend knows more about AI weapons systems, Fallon knows more about everything else.”

“Kicking his ego to the curb, is she?”

“No more than Sullivan is yours.”

“Excellent point. However, I’m in love, mate.”

“You don’t say?”

“Don’t say what?” Con asked.

I smirked. “That Fallon is more intelligent than you are.”

“In what universe?”

“What are you gents talking about?” asked Gus, who’d come in and shut the door behind him.

“Fallon is smarter than Con,” Tag responded.

“No question.”

“While you’re all terribly amusing, need I remind you of the matter at hand?”

“You’re right, Con. Let’s get down to business,” I said, taking a seat and motioning for them to as well.

26

SULLIVAN

Mairi looked between Fallon and me when Gus brought her into the library.

“Thank you for joining us, Mrs. Drummond,” I said, hoping that, by addressing her more formally, she’d know Fallon wasn’t aware of the family connection between her and David.

“I’m Mairi to you,” she said, winking.

“I appreciate it, Mairi,” I said, winking back.

“If you don’t need me, I’ll head off to where the boys are meeting,” said Gus as he walked toward the door.

“Close it behind you, if you would, please,” said Fallon, turning from him to his mum. “So, Mairi, is it?”

“Aye,” she responded, folding her arms and pursing her lips.

This conversation was not off to a good start. “Fallon, why don’t you begin by explaining what you stumbled on while you were at Glenshadow,” I suggested, hoping that by inserting myself between the two women, tensions would ease.

“Right. So, I’ve always been fascinated with old books and libraries, of course. This one in particular is quite lovely.” Something felt off with Fallon’s approach. It was almost as if she was trying too hard to win the woman over. Or perhaps what Iwas picking up on felt too much like condescension. Either way, I didn’t like it.

“If I may interrupt?”

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