Page 58 of Wrecked With You

Beside me, Tony grins “Happy to be here. I’ll be even happier if I can make some progress. “

“You’re planning on starting with Dailey?” Ryan asks. Referring to the man who, supposedly, took over Morgan’s business.

“Emma and I ran through the options last night,” he says. “We’re going to throw out multiple wads and see what sticks. Dailey’s the priority. If we can track down a location or an associate, that could be a huge lead.”

“But we’re also going to follow the money,” I chime in. “Morgan will have set up a trust that funded the continuation of his businesses.”

“I never followed the money because I believed my father to be dead. But now…”

Ryan nods. “Now, he’s paying for his living expenses somehow.”

“Exactly,” Tony says.

“Other angles?” Ryan asks.

“The girl,” I say. “She worked for Dailey, so there’s a connection. She apparently slept with The Serpent, so that’s another. And she knew that Clyde Morgan is still alive.”

“Presumably,” Ryan says, and Tony and I both have to nod. That’s something else we discussed last night. Thea may have it completely wrong. Or we might have misread her completely, and instead of being an innocent, she was as vile as The Serpent and just wanted to mess with Tony’s head.

“All right,” Ryan says. “Those are three solid angles. I think you two are off to a good start.” He turns his attention to Tony. “Whatever resources you need, you just ask. And as for running the searches, so long as you don’t take time away from their regular assignments, feel free to pull Mario or Denny in for whatever you need. You won’t find two better techs this side of Texas.” He grins, and I know that he’s thinking of Noah Carter, another guy who used to be part of Deliverance, but now works for Stark Applied Technology. When I see Tony grin, I know that he’s gotten the reference as well.

“We intend to make you like it here,” Ryan continues, “To feel like you’re part of the team. So you’ll want to stay.”

Tony nods, then casts a quick glance toward me. “It wouldn’t take much convincing,” he says, and I’m certain that the heat I hear in his voice isn’t my imagination. “But Morgan’s my priority. Everything else comes second.”

I feel an unwelcome twist in my chest. I don’t want to react so viscerally to this man, especially since I know that’s the way it has to be. And, honestly, if I were in his shoes, I’d feel the same.

We wrap up with Ryan, then step out of his office and into the Stark Security bullpen. It’s filled with over a dozen desks, some assigned to an agent, some open for anybody who needs some extra space, or for guests like Tony.

As I glance around, looking for an empty space that Tony can commandeer, I see Liam and Quince walk through the door. I nudge Tony, then nod in their direction. “Why don’t you go grab Liam,” I suggest. “Tell him you’re a semi-agent here now.”

“Funny.”

“Well, it’s true. And you know he’s going to try to convince you to make it a permanent thing.”

“It’s not convincing I need,” he says.

“It’s closure. I know. But even so. Go talk to him. He can introduce you to Mario and Denny. I assume he already knows a significant amount about what you’re doing?”

“Not all of it, but some. We became pretty good friends during our tenure at Deliverance.” He cocks his head, one brow lifting as he studies me. “You tired of me so soon? Regretting this new found partnership?”

I roll my eyes. “I have something personal I need to talk to Quince about.”

“Is this personal having to do with your sister?”

“No comment.”

He flashes me a knowing smile, then starts walking in that direction, calling out for Liam, who spreads his arms and flashes a bright smile. “Tony, my man, I’m so glad you’re here. What’s up?”

As Tony starts to explain to Liam what he needs, I make a beeline for Quince. “Whatcha got in your pocket?” I ask with a tease in my voice. “I’m guessing there’s still a ring rattling around with your change and car keys.”

“Emma…”

“Because I haven’t gotten a squealing, giddy call from my sister to tell me that she’s engaged to the love of her life.” I narrow my eyes. “And the love of her life told me that he was proposing soon.”

“Your worse than a mother on one of those horrible old American sitcoms.”

“Guilty. When are you making an honest woman of her?”