“Yup,” Dewi said.“Deal with it.”
Aisling finally laughed and returned Dewi’s hug.“Then to what do I owe the honor of this less-than-lethal squeezin’?”
“Because I love you, you Irish jerk.And because I’m grateful to you for a whole bunch of reasons I’d rather just lump into one big ball rather than list individually.”
Aisling snorted.“Happy days.”
“And because I can’t list them in order of importance, because they’re all important.”Dewi released the Irish Wolfhound.“But you kept Peyton and everyone safe.And you rescued Bryn and Callum and the others.”
“Eh, that wasn’t just me.The Primes and Jake get a bunch of credit for that.They went in ahead of time an’ compromised personnel.”
“I know, but you helped plan that.”Dewi sniffled.“And I know I’m a snarky bitch, but I also want you to know that just because I’m a snarky bitch doesn’t mean I don’t love and respect you.You should hear the shit I’ve called Peyton and Trent over the years.”
“When’d ye start lovin’ me now?”
“I liked you before.The love is because you still risked your life when even I wouldn’t have blamed you for backing out because of Tam.”
Aisling actually blushed.“G’wan now.Just doin’ my job.”She looked at Peyton.“Thank ye for havin’ trust and faith in me.”
“Dewi’s right,” Peyton said.“I love you, too.Eh, like a sister,” he added, smiling.“And no offense, but I want you on the jet back to Florida with them when they leave in a few days.Unless you want me to put you on the next plane back to Florida?Because you name it.”
Aisling shrugged.“Nah.Leavin’ wi’ everyone else is fine.Tam’s busy with the kids, an’ we video chat several times a day.Plus, we’re textin’ up a storm.Don’t make a special trip just for me.”
“That’s not the point,” Peyton said.“Youare the reason this operation was successful, and I’m not going to let you ‘aw, shucks’ your way out of the praise you’ve rightfully earned and deserve.Anything you want, name it.”
Aisling shrugged.“Well, I do have a wee favor I’d like to ask.”
Peyton nodded.“Yes.”
“I haven’t asked it.”
“I don’t care—I’ll say yes.As long as it’s something within my power, obviously.”
“I wanna go visit Frannie.”She tipped her head toward Dewi.“Send her with me, then ye know I won’t kill the woman.”
“Who,me?”Dewi asked.“How do you know you won’t have to keepmefrom killing her?”
Peyton chuckled.“No one’s killing her.But yes, I’ll arrange that.When would you like to go?”
“Is today possible?”
“Yep.I’ll ask Trevor to have someone waiting for you on the helipad at the other end to drive you.”
“And don’t tell Tam,” Aisling added.“Or anyone else but Trevor.I don’t want it gettin’ back to Tam.”
“Sure,” Peyton said.“May I ask why?”
“I just want to see her and speak to her, face-to-face.I’d like to know ahead of time what Tamsin would be gettin’ into, or if the woman is even worth forgivin’.”
“That’s fair,” Dewi said, looking at Peyton.“All right, I promise no killing or punching or hurting the woman.But can I insult her if she’s a bitch?”
He laughed.“I doubt you’ll want to insult her, but yeah, sure.”
Aisling
They were on their way less than an hour later, wearing headsets so they could talk in the chopper.Aisling stared out the window as the helo bore them across the Welsh landscape toward the secret safe house.It felt like they were going northeast, but with the terrain, it was difficult to tell for certain.
“Any ideas about where Tamsin will want to live eventually?”Dewi asked.
