Page 44 of Part & Parcel

“Owen Johns,” Owen answered. He sounded like he was holding his phone between his cheek and his shoulder. If Nick knew Owen, and he did, he was probably fixing his silk tie in front of a mirror.

Nick sat up so Kelly couldn’t distract him. “It’s O’Flaherty, bud, you busy?”

“Irish?” Owen asked with a frown in his voice. “No, I’m getting ready for a meeting, what’s wrong?”

Nick gave that a small smile. Owen was always ready to come to the rescue. Hell, that’s what Sidewinder did. “I need you to do something for me. No questions asked.”

“You know I’ll do it if it’s possible,” Owen promised. “What is it? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. No one’s in danger, it’s not life or death, I promise. Promise. But I’ll be in DC in a week and I want you there.”

“DC. We’re talking about Washington?”

“That’s the one.”

“How long will you need me there?”

“A week. More if you want to sightsee after.”

Owen inhaled noisily. “After what?”

“Can’t tell you, bud.”

Owen laughed bitterly. Yeah, he probably knew that story. Second verse, same as the first. “Do I need a weapon?”

“Nope,” Nick said, trying to interject a little more cheer into his tone. “Just bring yourself. Hell, bring your girl if you want to, let us all meet her. I have no doubt Ty will show up with his kittens. If you can’t make it, we’ll wait until you can.”

“Who’s we? Besides Six and his kittens?”

“Me and Kelly. Ty and maybe Zane. I’m about to call D and ask him too.”

Owen was quiet long enough that Nick had to check that the call was still connected. Owen worked for Caliburn Technologies, a powerful security company based in San Diego; he traveled all over the world, and if his suits weren’t tailored to the tune of a thousand dollars or more, he was slumming it for the day. He had access to all kinds of resources, but the only thing Nick was asking for was him. It was probably throwing Owen off as he tried to figure out what the hell was going on.

“This isn’t another surprise wedding, is it?” Owen finally asked.

The words hit Nick unexpectedly and he flinched, tossing a surreptitious glance across the flybridge, where Kelly was opening a beer bottle on the edge of a table. They weren’t exactly at the marrying stage right now, despite how desperately Nick wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kelly. He’d kept too many secrets, hurt too many people. Hurt Kelly. He had a lot of making up to do before he could ask Kelly to marry him again. He shook his head. “No.”

“You okay, brother?” Owen asked softly.

“I promise,” Nick told him again, sadness and a smile warring in his voice. “Can you make it?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be there. Where do I meet you?”

Nick inhaled noisily. “Here’s the thing.”

“Yo!” Digger shouted when he finally got his phone to his ear.

“Yo, yourself,” Nick said, grinning despite how he was still reeling from the first two calls. “Turn your motor off, bud, I need to talk to you.”

“Rico!” Digger cried. “Long time, bubba. What’s down?”

Nick snorted. Digger and Nick kept pace, talking at least once a week. And while Digger seemed content down in his bayou, there was a hint of something missing from his voice since Miami that Nick had all but given up on. It was good to detect that tiny bit of sadistic glee in his laugh again.

“What are you doing?” Nick asked suspiciously.

“Not a damn thing.”

“Never mind. I didn’t ask,” Nick insisted as he put his hand over his eyes.

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