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Stefan’s eyes instantly flicked to me for only a second before returning to Aiden. “Yes, we need your assistance with something.”
Aiden finally spared the rest of us a glance. He greeted his nephew with a nod. “Jameson.” When he saw me, he appeared surprised at first. Then something darker showed beneath that charming personality he had. “Maura. You’ve been a hard woman to track down.”
“That’s because I didn’t want to be found,” I said.
That charming energy of his slipped a little bit more. “My people normally can find anyone.”
The corner of my mouth lifted. “I have better people.”
“One of them is mine, and one of my best, I might add,” he said.
Ah.He was mad that Asher belonged to me now. “He’s not yours anymore.” When I’d made the decision to go after the Aryans without the help of the family, I’d given everyone who’d come with me the choice to stay or join me. I hadn’t forced any of them and they’d all chosen to help me. It had been Asher’s decision to cut ties with Aiden’s security firm in order to make sure we weren’t found.
“I have an agreement with Stefan that poaching my people—”
“You didn’t make that agreement with me,” I said, cutting him off.
“He’s the head of your family.” Although Aiden was irritated, he kept calm. I could respect that.
“Yes, he is,” I agreed. “And what did he say to you when you brought this matter to him, I wonder?”
Aiden’s silence was answer enough. I glanced at Stefan, and I could see mirth in his eyes. I was pretty sure Stefan had told him to take it up with me.
I looked back at Aiden as a wicked smile slowly stretched my mouth. “Asher is a grown man. He makes his own decisions. If you want him back, well, it sounds like you need to have this conversation with him.”
Aiden held a frown as he stared at me as if seeing something he found interesting. When he was done, his face relaxed as he turned back toward Stefan. “She’s just like you.” He took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Stefan’s desk. “Why am I here?”
Stefan explained that Dylan was the traitor. Dean went on to tell everyone what he, Asher, and Finn had discovered at Dylan’s house. According to the security footage, Dylan had last been seen leaving his house with his enforcers and all of his security on the evening of the day I’d returned to Quinn Manor four months ago.
Vincent took his turn explaining what he knew next. “The morning of the day Maura returned home, Dylan and a few of his enforcers were in New York. I used facial recognition to search a ten-mile radius around where Maura was being held. Dylan showed up on a camera inside a gas station two blocks away, purchasing a coffee with cash.” Vincent typed away on his laptop as he spoke. “Using the station’s cameras and traffic cams surrounding it, I was able to see that Dylan and two of his men stopped at that gas station at eight fifty-three in the morning. Dylan went inside to purchase his coffee, which is where my system pinged him. Then at nine, Buck and another Aryan arrived at the same gas station.” He turned his computer around in his lap so we could see his screen. First he showed us footage of Dylan’s Escalade pulling into the station. We watched as Dylan and his enforcers exited the vehicle and Dylan walked inside the station’s small convenience store. Vincent typed something that gave us a view from behind the register of Dylan coming up to the counter to pay for his coffee. Vincent typed something again and showed us when Buck had pulled up next to Dylan’s Escalade, then a shot of Buck and Dylan talking.
Vincent turned his computer back toward him. “They spoke for a while.”
Aiden got up and as he walked over, he pulled a card from his pocket and held it out to Vincent. “When you tire of working for the Quinns, call me.”
Clearly nervous, Vincent took it. The moment Aiden turned to walk back to his chair, Vincent held out the card to me. He hadn’t even spared a glance at it. I snatched it and shoved it into my pocket. Everyone saw but Aiden. Grumpy Dean, who was facing us on the opposite side of the room with his arms folded over his chest, smirked. Stefan and Jamie looked like they were both fighting not to smile.
Aiden took a seat again. “So I’m assuming you need my help finding Dylan?”
Stefan nodded. “Discreetly.”
Aiden grinned at Stefan. “I’m always discreet.” Something told me he meant more than just work.
Stefan didn’t react. The unreadable expression he held was locked in place. “Vincent will be helping us look for him as well.” He looked from Aiden to Vincent. “Whoever finds him first, I will triple your pay.”
Aiden chuckled. “Making this a competition?”
Before Stefan could respond, the door to the study ripped open and Brody stormed in quickly. He rushed to Stefan and whispered in his ear. Stefan’s eyes went to me, and I got a bad feeling.
I leaned close to Vincent. “Go hang out in the guest house with Brenna.”
Vincent shut his computer and left the room, no questions asked.
“Aiden, I need you to go with Brody. Jameson, the police are pulling up,” Stefan said.
Jamie got up and briskly walked out of the room.
Aiden stood, smiling at Brody, and gestured for him to walk ahead of him. “Lead the way.”
