“I like,” Rory crooned. “Actually I might be in love with you, Tanaka. No one surprises Solomon. It doesn’t happen. You’re officially my new hero.”
Brady glared at Rory, covering Ken’s hand possessively with his own. No one could see it, but it made him feel better. His oversexed brother wasn’t getting his hands on Ken without going through him. “You obviously didn’t find anything too damning, Younger, otherwise you wouldn’t have let him inside the house.”
Solomon frowned. “You know I hate that nickname. And what I found didn’t ease my mind. It was confusing as hell.”
“How so?” Ken asked, his serene mask firmly in place.
“You’re rich.”
“Money confuses you?”
“Cops are so prejudiced,” Wyatt muttered to Noah.
Noah nodded. “Damn the man.”
“Shut it,” Solomon snarled. “I’m not talking to you two. I’m saying he doesn’t have to do what he does, which makes me question his reas—”
“You’re saying the man you had pegged as a criminal hacker doing probationary work for the feds is actually a wealthy independent contractor who doesn’t hesitate to help out a friend in need.” Brady finished with grim satisfaction. “He’s a good guy with no hidden agenda and you can’t let it go because you hate being wrong.”
“War made him wise,” Noah offered solemnly.
Wyatt swallowed his food with a nod. “The giant redhead speaks sense.”
“Shut up,” Brady and Solomon said in unison as they glared at Noah and Wyatt.
Tasha started laughing quietly. It was contagious, but Brady held out, still a little ticked at his brother.
Brady knew what Solomon’s search had discovered because Ken had already told him most of it. Whatever wasn’t classified. He’d been studying computer science and engineering in college, living easily off his trust fund, when curiosity and a little boredom led him into the profession he now quietly dominated.
It started out as harmless snooping, a way to challenge himself. He’d been hacking of course, but never with malicious intent. Just poking his head in to see how far he could get. He got a little too far and discovered some disturbing vulnerabilities in network security programs that were supposed to protect “sensitive” and highly guarded servers.
Ken had been unnerved by the holes he’d found, so he’d started creating programs—new protocols and patches—to fix them. After several visits and lengthy interrogations from men in suits to determine he wasn’t a threat, more than one government agency wanted to recruit him full time.
Ken had declined, but offered another solution that made everyone happy. Now the Pentagon and some of the private security contractors on their approved list used his robust, adaptive security software and paid him more than two men could spend in a lifetime for exclusivity.
He also worked for them on occasion, consulting on cyberterrorism cases as well as offering creative surveillance solutions. He enjoyed it, but he never gave up his status as a freelancer. He enjoyed his anonymity more, and having the freedom to help out friends if the need arose, without having to ask for permission.
Ken really was Batman. And Brady was definitely developing a fetish.
Tasha finally caught her breath. “Solomon? You still need to apologize. We were having a great Finn Again until you forgot you weren’t at the precinct and started interrogating our dinner guest. Ken’s practically one of the family.”
“I’m sorry, Tanaka.” Solomon muttered.
“It’s okay,” Ken assured him. “I don’t play by ordinary rules, and I know it. When I was at it full time, I’ll admit I got results by doing things that would have sent people without my connections to prison.”
Ken paused, then fixed his dark golden gaze on Solomon. “Speaking of connections, you may get a phone call.”
Solomon shifted in his seat uncomfortably, scowling back at Ken. “Already did. That’s why I had to ask.” His frown deepened. “So, not full time anymore?”
“I haven’t been for years.” Ken shrugged. “You said it before. I’m comfortable enough that I don’t have to work. I do the odd favor here and there, but if it eases your mind, after this one I’m planning on taking a long, relaxing break.”
“Why would it ease his mind?” Wyatt asked, confused.
“Because Solomon’s observant,” Seamus stated, drawing everyone’s attention again. “Really rude, but observant. And Ken—quite the genius himself—understands what he’s really asking, so he’s assuring your brother that he isn’t dangerous. That he’s not going to put anyone in this family in harm’s way. Even if they’re working together.”
“Oh.” Rory looked at Ken closely, then sent a sly smile in Brady’s direction. “Oh, I think I get it now. Good job, Gigantor.”
Oh hell. There was no way anyone knew about—
“I don’t,” Wyatt groused. “Anyone want to fill the rest of us in?”
“‘The rest of us’ is shrinking fast, brother mine. Catch up.” Noah grinned at Brady. “You big old blue-ox dog.”
Heat climbed up his neck and he glared. Rory knew. Noah knew. And so did Solomon. Was that why he was being such a jackass to Ken? Was that his twisted way of asking about Tanaka’s intentions?