to pull off a Trojan horse maneuver,” Paul explained carefully as he stepped around Reginald so he was between him and Toly. The drone swooped and Paul swung and slapped it at the wall. There was a pop! and a spark as it burned the wallpaper then crashed to the floor.
“No!” Lavender cried then threw up his hands. “Whatever.”
“Reginald’s paying for every bit of this,” Sage promised as his finger circled overhead. “And you better believe he’s fucking grounded.” He glared at Reginald but he made a pfffft sound.
“I’ll pay for it but I don’t work for you and you’re not my father.”
“No. But you work for me. You’re under house arrest—if we survive this—and your husband’s going to be personally responsible for your every keystroke,” Lavender said and Paul nodded.
“His internet is going to be severely limited. Like, he can order sushi and text me. That’s it until Toly figures out how to build a pen for him,” Paul decided. Reginald gasped as he pushed Paul out of the way.
“You’re all taking this to such a ridiculous extreme!” He begged as he raised his hands pleadingly.
“Extreme?” Toly held up his right hand. The skin was still pink and looked tender from the wires in his hand melting after he was shocked. Lavender shook his head.
“You’re under house arrest until Toly’s forgiven you and feels confident that he can keep you corralled,” he said as Paul nodded in agreement and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m sorry but we’re going to have to earn their trust back and make it up to them,” he said.
“This is...bloody wonderful,” Reginald said as he sank onto the couch and his arms hung limply between his knees. “I got us all the best insurance policy in the business and this is the thanks I get. And I can’t do anything to fix it,” he added and his lip pushed out as he wilted. Lavender felt a whiff of pity then snorted.
“You’re lucky we didn’t let Toly light you up. I’ve got to go wake Lane so he can break it to Aiden. Get packed everyone, we leave for Blackhurst in an hour,” he said then swept from the living room so he could call Lane.
Chapter 2
“I don’t want to go. I haven’t said a thing to anyone about Blink or Blackhurst,” Aiden grumbled. He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest petulantly and Lane knew it was going to be a long trip.
“Please. We can’t stay on the runway. Toly’s already on board and the faster we all get in the air, the less risk of us being seen,” Lane explained and Aiden nodded.
“You should get on the plane, then. I’ve decided to opt out.”
“Opt out?” Lavender asked loudly as he bent so he could see into the back of Wilder’s Suburban.
“Yes. I have decided to stay here. I want nothing to do with this and am choosing to abstain,” Aiden stated slowly and clearly then offered them a nod.
“We have to go! We can’t hang out here for much longer,” Paul yelled from the jet’s door.
“We’re working on it,” Lavender replied firmly.
“Did you tell him it’s dangerous for us...” Paul started but Lavender swung back and gave him a hard look.
“Thank you, Sloan.”
“I have to go. I can’t stay and there won’t be anyone left to look out for you,” Lane said gently and Aiden shrugged but he sniffled hard as he looked out the other window.
“I don’t like Blink and I’m not going back to Rhode Island. He can’t make me. I don’t work for him,” he replied. “Just go. I’ll get a taxi to The Langham and wait there until you get back.” He was sulking but Lane was shocked that Aiden was able to entertain the thought.
“That could be really dangerous. Whoever’s after us and Blink likes snipers and there’s a reason he wants to see you.”
“He didn’t make Ezra go,” Aiden muttered. Lavender groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“He’s never worked for Blink or visited Blackhurst,” he sighed then waved at the jet. “That didn’t stop him from hopping on board and being a good little soldier, did it?” He asked sweetly. “Ezra’s chosen to support Denver and his friends.”
“Ezra’s still new,” Aiden countered. Lane grabbed Lavender’s arm when he reached into the truck and swiped at Aiden’s sleeve so he could drag him out.
“Would you just...!” Lavender hissed and Lane shushed him.
“I’ve got this. Get in the jet.” He raised his brows