Cooper snorted. “I think the dream is Lou and TJ. They’ve managed to make it through everything without racking up the trauma. But Parker over there came to us with it. I don’t even think he understands why he does the things he does.”
“Of course I understand. I do it to save the planet from what Manny would do to it. I do it to spare the people around me the future he wants.” Frustration was starting to well.
“And you’re the only one who can do it.” It wasn’t a question out of Taggart’s mouth, and there was suddenly sympathy in his tone.
Not that it would help, but he found himself explaining. “It’s a game to him, and I have to play it.”
“Why?” Taggart asked but not unkindly. “Why does it have to be you?”
“Because he hates me. Why am I getting this from you? You know damn well Manny can hold a grudge for no reason. You weren’t even in the country but he blames you for his father’s death.”
“And I wouldn’t answer a call from him if I didn’t have to,” Taggart replied.
“That’s the point. If I don’t answer him, he’ll make me.”
Taggart sat back and took a long breath before looking to Cooper and nodding as though he was agreeing with something the younger man had previously said.
Cooper seemed to take that as some kind of unspoken order. He stood and nodded TJ’s way. TJ stood and sent Oliver a look.
Oliver shrugged. “I don’t want to leave. I want to watch Uncle destroy him. I think it’ll be amusing. I have no idea why the women left. All the drama is in here. Although I supposed Kenz is probably revving them all up.”
Ben stood. “You take that fucking back.”
Oliver snorted and didn’t seem intimidated at all. “Well, this is sort of Disneyland for her. You know how dramatic she can be.”
He launched himself at the Brit.
It felt good when Oliver cursed and punched him back. Oh, so good. Yeah. This was what he needed. Violence. He couldn’t kill Manny, but he could take this fucker out.
Oliver’s handsome face was hard as he shoved Ben back. “You want to fight someone your size? Hurting little girls isn’t cutting it anymore?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Big Tag huffed.
Ben got Oliver with an uppercut to the gut, but out of the corner of his vision he saw Coop and TJ shaking their heads like this was some kind of boyish altercation.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her. I do mean to hurt you, asshole.” Ben punched out again but Oliver kicked and Ben found himself on the floor of the conference room, the air whooshing from his lungs.
Oliver’s lips curled up in a snarl as he started to launch himself toward Ben. The Brit didn’t play fair, and that was good. Because Ben didn’t either. The fucker was trying to pin him down? He brought his foot up in time to catch Ollie in his junk.
A low groan huffed through the room as the MI6 operative cupped himself and rolled over on the floor as if to protect himself even more.
Ben flipped himself up and started to reach for his opponent.
“Nope, you’re done. Believe me, man, I understand the impulse. I’ve beaten that asshole, too.” TJ was shorter than Ben, but he was builtlike a linebacker and had all the training.
Oliver groaned and managed to get his ass up. “I wasn’t flirting. I admit I was flirting with Lou that day a bit, but it was all for…” He grinned even as he winced. “That’s a lie. Louisa is such a pretty thing, and it wasn’t like you were engaged at the time.”
“Or you could kill him and I could help you bury the body.” TJ’s hand came off his arm.
Cooper stepped between them, his hands up. “No. We’re leaving. Ben, listen to Big Tag. I know he’s a sarcastic asshole but he’s solid even when he doesn’t particularly like you. And Ollie, I’m going to tell Kenz you called her a little girl.”
Oliver paled. “Coop, don’t. That is not what I was saying.”
“Don’t call her dramatic again,” Ben said between clenched teeth.
“I will not.” Oliver frowned his way. “You’re a very unpleasant individual. Have you considered therapy?”
The men strode out—well, Cooper and TJ strode. Oliver kind of waddled since his dick was probably still shoved into his body cavity. It was satisfying.
