“No, no.I extra dislike him.He’s got that”—Bryn gestured vaguely—“thing.The smug, ‘I’m better than you’ thing.It’s not just our past.”
“I get it.I do.But we need him.”
“I’d rather chew glass than admit that.”
“Then chew fast, because room service is on its way.”
When the knock finally came, Bryn was on his feet before Gunnar could react, yanking the door open to grab the laden tray from the bewildered hotel employee.He thumped the tray onto the low table then explored before digging in like he hadn’t had a decent meal in a week.
Gunnar watched as Bryn inhaled a burger in record time.“You realize chewing is a thing, right?”
Bryn pointed a fry at him.“Leave me alone.”
“The food isn’t going anywhere.”
Bryn grunted, already halfway through a second burger.“You’d better start eating yours before I get to it.Nice choices, by the way.”
Gunnar sighed, shaking his head.“Burgers, fries and cheesecake is not revolutionary.”He grabbed a plate.“But always hits the spot.”
Food made Bryn’s headache recede to a manageable throb, which was good because Giles returned to eat.Bryn eyed his steak, barely seared, sitting in a puddle of blood.“Is that still mooing?”
Giles gave him a toothy grin.“I’ve tasted better.”
“I hate you.”
“I know.Delicious, isn’t it?”
Warden’s arrival, with Emmett in tow, was the only thing that stopped the conversation descending into all-out war.Gunnar gathered up plates then shoved the tray out into the corridor.They all sat around the lounge area and Bryn raided the mini-fridge for drinks as they were on Warden’s dime.
“You’re pale,” Warden commented.
“Yeah, getting my freak on does that.”Bryn scowled.
“Do you want to spank him, or should I?”Giles addressed his comment to Gunnar.“Or perhaps we should take it in turns?”
“He fucking needs it.I’ve told you before about calling yourself a freak,” Gunnar said, his tone low and growly.
“As have I,” Giles contributed.
“Something we agree on.”
“God help me,” Bryn grumbled.“Emmett, how about some support?”
“They’re right, Bryn.You aren’t a freak.”Emmett’s eyes glistened.“I don’t like it when you put yourself down.”
“Sorry.”Bryn couldn’t stand upsetting Emmett.
Emmett gave him a shy smile.
“Still like my plan better,” Gunnar said.
“Shall we get on?”Warden suggested, except it wasn’t a suggestion.Bryn got his thoughts in order while Giles went through his observations of the investor meeting and set the scene with some of the key personnel.Then he handed the floor to Bryn.
“So,” Gunnar said, dropping into a chair opposite him.“What exactly did you see?”
Bryn blinked.“Doctor Howard is intending to change some access codes, not sure what to, and she’s planning to alter data.Fear and greed were all over her.She’s scared of getting caught, but she wants whatever she’s being promised.”
“And Fuller?”
