Page 60 of Wired Target

“Thankfully, Armita drove off the intruder and got the kids down to the panic room.They’re okay, no thanks to you!”Sophie was really ripping into her security detail.

“Sorry, Sophie.Won’t happen again,” Younger Man said.

“I keep hearing that, but it’s not good enough.Now, stop second-guessing me and figure out a way to move my boyfriend.I want you to bring him over to the guest room in the main house.”

“Right away, Sophie,” Older Voice murmured, chastened.

“We can put him on the foldable cot bed and carry him that way,” Younger said.

She had called Connorher boyfriend.

He shut his eyes and smiled.He didn’t need to figure out a strategy or a way to help; Sophie was handling things just fine.

Their footsteps approached.Even with his eyes closed, Connor could see three energy signatures against the red of his closed lids.Sophie’s aura was a brilliant, pulsing purple; the men were mere shadows beside her.

“Sophie.”He smiled up at her.“You’re a sight for sore eyes.Literally.”

“Connor.”Sophie’s gaze was potent, taking in every detail of his face.“You’re looking much better.”She leaned down and kissed him, a harsh stamp of ownership, in full view of the men.

His whole being lit up.

Yes, she was angry at him—likely for coming here and getting hurt—but she was glad he was there, nonetheless.

“Clement, Bill—get Connor on that cot and over to the house.Make up a bed for Feirn, too.Make sure they have everything they need for comfort, and then get to work on the Angel problem.I’m going to the hospital.”

Connor caught her wrist.Her pulse pounded under his fingers.“What’s wrong?What happened?”

“My father was stabbed by a—by Pim Wat.He’s in bad shape.”

She wasn’t telling the full truth.He stared into her eyes.“Tell me.”

“Later.Send all the prayers you can to my dad that he survives.”Sophie tugged out of his grip.“This whole thing is your fault,son of a goatherd!What the hell were you thinking, coming here?”

Connor cut his eyes over to their audience.“As you said.Later.”

“I’ll see you when my father is dead or out of danger, then, youidiot horse’s behind.”Sophie whirled and stomped away.

“I love you too,” Connor called, but she was already gone, the door banging behind her.

Clement and Bill, with Feirn’s help, transferred Connor onto a folding cot and then used it as a stretcher to carry him inside Sophie’s mansion of a house.Connor propped himself up on his elbows, staring around at the place.As they passed through the living room, Connor spotted Armita with the children.She lifted a hand to wave, and Momi caught sight of him.

“Unco Connor!”She flew across the room, then came up short, intimidated by his wounds.“Are you hurt, Unco?”

“Yeah, Little Bean, but I’ll be okay.Come visit me when I’m all set up in my room,” he said, and the men carried him on.

The guest room was huge, with a king-sized bed and a fold-out couch for Feirn to use that Clement said he’d bring sheets in for.A giant whirlpool bathtub and small kitchenette behind folding doors completed maximum comfort and functionality.

Once Bill and Clement had set them up, the two departed, presumably to work on “the Angel problem.”

“Can you bring Armita in?”Connor asked.“The nanny.I need to speak to her and find out what’s been going on.She speaks Thai ...”

“Yes, Master.”Feirn ducked his head and hurried out.

Connor looked around the room, taking in the neutral but warm buff wall color and Hawaiian print drapes paired with vintage rattan furniture.Sophie had updated the house but kept the feeling of its original era and struck a nice balance in doing so.

Armita came in, carrying Sean in one arm.The other was strapped to her side with a sling.Momi ran over to give Connor a hug.“Are you ok, Unco?”

“I am.”Connor smiled; the cuts on his face and arms already felt itchy with healing, though dried blood probably made it look bad.The leg gave a painful pulse as he moved; something would have to be done about setting that, though.“I’ve missed you, Little Bean.”

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