Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“Handled it.” Killian leans forward, and there’s something cold in his eyes now. “Slipping in and out of our home for months. Past my security. Past fucking everything.” Is Killian mad at himself or Tristan? In all fairness, the last time the two of them were together, Killian got the drop on him, so maybe it’s even now.
Tristan smiles. “Your security has gaps.”
“Your tech has limits.”
“Does it?”
They’re staring at each other, and I realize what’s happening beyond a pissing match. This is about territory. Skill. Two predators who’ve challenged each other in different ways.
“Tech can always crash. It’s not stable,” Killian counters.
“And hands-on can be unpredictable. There are too many loose ends. It can get sloppy.”
“Messy,” they say in unison, then both pause.
“Interesting,” Killian agrees.
“Problematic,” Tristan murmurs.
Teddy looks between them. “Are you two like bonding?”
“Shh,” I hush her. “I think they’re going to kiss.”
“Evaluating,” they say together, and something passes between them. I glare over at Teddy, having my own silent conversation, asking her if she’s catching this. They can’t have silent conversations. That’s our thing, and how are they doing it so quickly?
It has to be a psycho thing. Their brains think the same or some shit.
“Have you seen The Truman Show?” Killian asks.
The Truman Show. Where is this conversation going? Is this how people feel when Teddy and I are together in our own little world? It’s kinda rude. For them to do it, not us. Obviously.
Tristan smiles wide; I swear his eyes are lighting up. “I know why you’re asking.”
“You think we could build one of those domes? Just put them in there.”
“Controlled environment,” Tristan agrees. “Complete surveillance. No exit points.”
“Hey,” Teddy and I say together. Holy shit, this is getting out of control.
“Optimal coverage,” Killian continues, ignoring us. “Your tech, my presence. No gaps.”
“Unlimited resources. Custom architecture.” These two are out of their damn minds and need to be separated immediately.
“Gentlemen,” I interrupt, “you’re planning our imprisonment in front of us.”
“Protection,” they correct in unison.
“Same thing,” Teddy mutters.
Killian finally looks at his wife, and there’s something almost fond in his expression. “It’s not the same thing.”
“It really isn’t,” Tristan adds.
I smack his arm. “Don’t encourage him.”
“Too late.” Killian stands, extending his hand across the table. “Partnership. Joint custody.”
“That’s not—” Teddy starts.
“Operational oversight,” Tristan amends, shaking Killian’s hand. “Shared responsibility.”
“Still not better.” I sink down into my chair. I’m not sure we can stop them. Lightsabers aren’t going to work.
They keep going, talking over us, planning camera placements and patrol schedules; two dangerous men who’ve found common ground in the worst possible way.
And somehow, despite everything, I find myself fighting a smile.
“There’s more I should probably tell you,” Tristan says quietly.
I look at him. “More than a dome?”
He nods. How can there be more? What else? It hits me. Of course. I want to face-palm myself. The dating app.
“Mr. Mysterious,” I say slowly. A small gasp that turns into a laugh comes from Teddy across the table. Yeah, we should have seen that coming.
His hand stills. “You knew?”
“I didn’t. Not until just now.” I shake my head. “You made the app. You were the one I was talking to.”
“Yes.” He doesn’t appear sorry about this.
“The good morning texts. The checking if I ate. The—” I stop, my throat tight. “You were saved in my phone before you ever entered the room.”
“Before I was allowed to be in the house.” His voice is low and rough. “I’m a jealous bastard.”
I stare at him. The man who climbed into my tower. The man who watched me for years and then couldn’t stop.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes, pretending to be annoyed because that would be a normal reaction. The last thing I should be is smitten and turned on, but I am.
Aren’t we the crazy duo? I kind of love that for us.
Chapter Nineteen
TRISTAN
This is all working out better than I could have imagined. Lily is back at my fingertips, and I now have an ally in Killian.
“Teddy,” Lily laughs overdramatically. “Remember that time that Killian shot Tristan and then kidnapped me!” She peeks over at me.
I stand; the kitchen chair scrapes against the tile. Killian mirrors me, and I see Lily’s eyes widen.
“I’m learning to forgive,” I tell her, making her nose scrunch. “Like I’ve forgiven you for running from me.”
“Hey now!” She pops out of her seat so fast. “I don’t want forgiveness. I wasn’t seeking it from you. So you can keep it.”
“It’s too late.” I give a small shrug. “Shall I do a perimeter walk, or can I pull up the specs and blueprints if you give me a computer? I have it all.”
“No,” she says. “No, no, no. You can’t go off together. You’ll build a dome.” She adorably puts her hands on her hips as though she’s laying down the law.
“Let them go, Lily Pad. We’ve got our own plans to make.”