As Arrin set the tray on the coffee table, Seamus looked away from the game in surprise. “That was quick.”

“Was it?” Arrin asked. “It seemed like it took forever to me.”

Jay reached for the pitcher.

“I’ll pour it,” Arrin said a bit too hastily for Tom’s liking.

While Tom watched mistrustfully, Arrin poured tea into the glasses, hoping his slight hand tremble wouldn’t be noticed. He’d never been one for blatant deception, having been trained to work in secret as an infiltrator, and he discovered it was difficult to work calmly while being watched suspiciously, and especially when so much depended upon his success with this particular part of the plan.

Tom took his glass warily. “You didn’t put poison...

Please subscribe to keep reading.