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.Despite his suspicions, Thiago couldn t help but smile at their antics. Okay, Shawn said quietly, and he gestured for them to gather around him.Carl and Thiago exchanged wary glances and leaned forward to listen as Nikolaustore his eyes away from the computer screen. I ve struck a deal with Brandt, Shawn told them, getting right to the point. I was going to keep it quiet, but there s really no point.He doesn t seem the type tocare one way or the other. Is that why nothing s blown up today? Carl asked distractedly.He waswatching Brandt and Remy out of the corner of his eye, and Thiago thought perhapshe secretly hoped they wouldn t be able to get the stove working, either.It was 50 The ArcherAbigail Rouxprobably a matter of pride. Yes. What sort of deal? Thiago asked. Bribery, Shawn answered with a slight flush. What are you bribing him with? Thiago asked pointedly. To put it bluntly? Shawn questioned wryly.Thiago nodded. Myself.AndRemy.And whoever else is willing, he said, giving them each a second s stare fromclear green eyes before glancing back at Brandt warily.Shawn s eyes were trulyunique, Thiago decided.The only problem was that you couldn t read them. You mean sex? Nikolaus asked, sounding thoroughly scandalized. Yes.It was the only thing I knew he would give up his explosives for.Andreally& , Shawn smiled at them and shrugged. Brandt s quite a bit of all right, isn the? he said with a wink.Carl laughed, and Thiago smiled a little.He couldn t arguewith that, and Thiago had used his body to ensure the success of missions in the past.He had no problem with this arrangement. Count me in then, he offered readily enough. If it keeps my ass from being blown up, Carl added with a nod, I m in. Nikolaus looked at them with wide eyes when they all turned their attentionto him. I m not really qualified for that sort of thing, he protested in a hoarsewhisper. I think the four of us should be able to keep him happy, Shawn respondedwith a grin, giving Nikolaus a comforting pat on the back.Nikolaus looked back athis computer screens, relieved. What do I have to do to be bribed with sex? Carl asked with a huff. I don t think you ll need to bribe anyone in this group, Thiago mutteredwryly.IX.SHAWN finished filling them in on the details just as there was a shout from thekitchen and a gusty whoosh of air and heat. Well, Shawn sighed in a flat voice, he s blown the stove, he muttered asthey all turned toward the kitchen.There wasn t much smoke.The flames had simply leapt up and then recededback into the burner, but Remy hopped around the kitchen trying to rid his hand of aflaming oven mitt as Brandt danced around him comically, trying to grab hold of him.Brandt finally caught him and threw him to the ground in a move Carl was The Archer 51Abigail Rouxpretty sure came straight from wrestling on television, and he beat out the flames withhis hands as they all looked on impassively.Carl looked around at the other three men and smiled at the fact that not oneof them had moved to help.Either they were all slightly sadistic, or they trustedBrandt to handle the situation.Carl was pleased to realize that the coherency theyneeded to work as a team was already forming.Perhaps they d get out of this placesooner than the allotted two weeks after all.They gathered around in the smoky kitchen to look down at Remy andBrandt, who were both on the floor breathing heavily, their clothing slightlyblackened and singed in places.Thiago went to the window over the sink and foughtwith it, trying to open it.Nikolaus turned and headed back into the living room afterrolling his eyes. Tsk, tsk, Shawn offered in disappointment as he looked down at Brandt.Carl was briefly reminded of being scolded as a boy when he was naughty. Wasn t me, mate, Brandt responded in amusement. Sorry, Remy said as he shook the now crusty mitt from his hand and sat upslowly. Didn t know it would do that exactly. Carl put out a hand to help one ofthem up, and Brandt grasped it firmly and pulled himself to his feet. Thanks, Trigger, he said softly. Uh huh.You all right? Carl asked automatically. Mmm, Brandt practically purred. Was a nice flare up, he answered as helooked at the stove wistfully.Carl gave him a wary glance and turned to Shawn, whowas helping Remy carefully to his feet. Your back okay? the man asked quietly. Yes, Remy answered curtly. Like a fucking trip to the chiropractor. Before they could question why Remy s back wouldn t be okay, Nikolaus svoice called out uncertainly from the other room. Gentlemen? The list.It s up. They moved quickly into the other room, curious about the reason forNikolaus s strained tone of voice. What have we got then? Shawn asked as he leaned over Nikolaus sshoulder.Nikolaus sat back and gestured to the screen. We ve got eleven agents at the top of the list, each of whom has workedwith every single agent that is known to have turned in the past year, Nikolaus toldthem for the benefit of those who couldn t see the screen clearly. We re each on it. What? Remy asked in shock as he squeezed in between Carl and Thiago tosee the screen
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