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idea up and running, and that s when he d made the mistake of going
to his father. He should have known that something was up when his
dad agreed without hesitation, question, or reservation.
Even at the age of sixteen, he should have known better, but he d
so desperately wanted his family s approval, he hadn t stop to think
through the consequences. Before the first cell was even completed or
tested, Seymour had sold the idea to UPAC. Whitley didn t know how
much his father had signed the contract for, but the only money he
saw out of it was what his father paid him to keep quiet and
continuing drawing up new designs and upgrades for the holding
cells.
Dragging himself out of his chair, he left his sleeping mate to go
rummage through the galley. After his depressing trip down memory
lane, he could really use a pick-me-up. Although he d dismissed the
flight crew before departure, he hoped they had remembered to stock
his favorite chocolates.
* * * *
Jude wasn t feeling very happy with himself as he slid into the
backseat of the SUV waiting for them at the airport. It seemed to be a
56 Gabrielle Evans
common reoccurrence when he was in Whitley s presence. The man
was nothing like he d expected him to be, and guilt settled into his gut
like a lead weight at what he was doing to his mate.
It was too late to turn back now, but he promised himself that
once Carter was safe, he d make it up to Whitley. He wasn t sure how
he d accomplish it, but he d find a way.
 Welcome home, Jude, his driver said with a cheery smile.  It s
good to have you back.
 Thank you, Arman. Jude gave the man a genuine smile and
turned in his seat, waving a hand to indicate Whitley.  This is my
mate, Whitley Turner. Whit, this is Arman. He s part of my dad s
staff and a good friend.
 It s nice to meet you, Arman. Whitley smiled and dipped his
head before settling back and buckling his seat belt.
 Likewise, Mr. Turner. Arman spoke cordially, but Jude didn t
think he missed the trace of distrust in his voice. He didn t like it, but
he understood. Outsiders usually spelled trouble.
If Whitley noticed the less-than-warm welcome, he gave no
indication of it. He just leaned his head against the headrest, folded
his hands in his lap, and closed his eyes. The man had to be
exhausted. The last time he d really slept was the night before leaving
Scotland. That was pushing twenty-four hours awake, though.
 What s going on at home, Arman?
 Well, your dad is pissed, that s for sure. I don t know what the
hell you two tangled about at the gathering, but he came home with a
chip on his shoulder. He s been stomping around the place, snarling at
anyone who gets in his way. We ve been doing what we can to
distract him from Carter, but I don t know how much longer it will
work. He s already fired Judith.
Jude dropped his head and groaned. None of it was his fault, and
yet everything was his fault. He should have never left. Three days
he d been gone, and already things were going to shit. Defying his
Splash and Elegance 57
father and accepting Whitley as his mate probably hadn t helped
things any, either.
 What s his schedule for tomorrow?
Arman knew exactly what he was asking for, which made things a
hell of a lot easier.  He has dinner reservations for seven o clock. I
have strict instruction to pick him up precisely at seven forty.
That didn t leave them much time to get in, get Carter, and get
out.  Where are his reservations?
 The Clover.
Less than a ten minute drive, so that gave them just under an hour.
 Whit, how long will it take you to get the cell open?
Whitley s brow scrunched, but he didn t open his eyes.  I d have
to see the setup first. I d guess no more than twenty minutes, though.
Jude sighed in relief. They could do this.  We need a car, he
mumbled more to himself than anyone else. His pickup was still
parked in the garage, but his father would surely notice its absence.
They could use it once they had Carter, but they needed a way to get
to the house in the first place.
 Can t we just get a cab? Whitley asked, finally opening his eyes
and sitting up a little straighter.
 Uh, yeah, I guess we could. It didn t seem very cloak-and-
dagger. Who the hell took a cab to a rescue mission?
 I have an alternative, Arman said over his shoulder.
 I m all ears, Jude responded.
 You could stay in the pool house. Your father was pretty well
hammered when I left. It took three of the staff to get him up to his
room. He ll never know you re there.
 Exactly what was your plan if he hadn t been falling down
drunk? Jude hadn t thought it out very well when he d called Cara
and asked to have a car meet them at the airstrip. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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