Billionaire Untamed - Tate(47)

She rolled her eyes at Tate, but she secretly loved it when he inferred that she was attractive. A man who actually treated her as if she was a desirable woman was still a novelty for her, and she ate it up as though it was chocolate.

Lara sneaked a peek at Tate’s perfect, tight ass while he walked into the kitchen to get Shep’s food. The dog leaped off her lap the moment Tate filled the puppy’s bowl. “Abandoned for food,” she grumbled good-naturedly.

Tate looked at her from across the room, his eyes heated. “I guess he isn’t always smart. I’d give up the food to be cuddled up to you in a heartbeat.”

She shot him back a silly grin. “I’m honored.”

Lara startled as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll grab it. It’s probably your mom and Chloe,” Lara said as she hopped up, always glad to see Aileen and Chloe. She hadn’t expected to see them today because she and Tate visited with them at the resort yesterday morning after she and Chloe were done in the gym.

She opened the door with a smile, a happy expression that faded to confusion as she saw a completely different face than the ones she had expected. “Blake? I thought you were still in Washington.”

The expression on Tate’s brother’s face was grim, and he was minus his cowboy hat today. He was dressed in a dark custom suit and a dark wool winter jacket.

“May I come in?” he asked politely.

Lara opened the door and let him step inside.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Marcus?” Tate’s angry voice sounded from behind Lara.

Marcus? This was Marcus?

“Are you sure?” she asked Tate sharply as she stepped back from the man who had just entered and drew her gun from the holster at her back. She was certain Tate was correct. It seemed impossible, but he recognized his own brothers.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Tate answered furiously.

Lara stepped far enough away from Marcus that he couldn’t take her weapon and trained it on him. “You better explain damn fast before I shoot you.” How in the hell had he escaped from prison and made it all the way here to Colorado? And why was he dressed as if he were going to the office?

Marcus’s brows narrowed. “Put the gun down. I’m here to talk. I need to talk to Tate.”

“Talk? You take one step toward him, and I’ll kill you. How did you get out of jail?” she repeated, her aim steady.

“I was released legally,” Marcus replied calmly.

“Bullshit,” Tate exploded as he strode toward Marcus and grasped him by the collar of his jacket. “They don’t release terrorists from prison. Try again.”

“Tate, you’re blocking me. Move,” Lara demanded, antsy because Tate was now in her sights.

Marcus shrugged off Tate’s hold. “Just listen to me. I am not a terrorist. I work for the CIA.” He flipped open a leather holder and held up an ID.

Tate ripped it from his hand and scrutinized it thoroughly. “It looks legit,” he told Lara hoarsely.

She moved forward and took it from his hand, recognizing the identification. If it was fake, he had a damn good forger. And what would be the point?

Marcus held out the phone he held in his other hand. “The number for the CIA is in my phone. Call the director. Verify the number and call through the central number, then ask for him. He’s expecting your call.”

Lara dropped his ID on the table, but kept her eyes on Marcus as Tate did exactly as Marcus instructed. He verified the number on his laptop before he called it. She heard Tate talking, but her attention was focused on his brother.#p#分页标题#e#

He looked different today, his eyes far from emotionless. Marcus looked tired, and his Colter gray eyes shone with sadness and remorse.

Good Lord…was it actually possible that Marcus was telling the truth? Please. Please. Let it be true. It would mean so much to Tate if Marcus was actually a good guy. But if he was, what the hell was he doing with all of those explosives?

Tate ended his conversation, clicked off the cell phone and handed it back to Marcus. “Put the gun away, Lara,” Tate told her flatly. “He’s telling the truth.”

What. The. Hell.

Lara holstered her gun, still confused. “How? Why?”

Marcus inclined his head to her. “Thank you for not shooting me.”

“Thank Tate. I wanted to shoot you,” she mumbled irritably. After the hell he’d put Tate through, she’d wanted to hurt Marcus. Bad.

Marcus chuckled. “I’m sure you did and probably still do.” He looked at Tate. “You’ve certainly found yourself a loyal woman.”

“She’s fucking amazing,” Tate corrected. “Are you planning on telling me what the hell is going on? Does everyone else know?” He motioned to the table.