Page 17 of Brambles and Bellflowers
Bryce stepped in, also sensing the tiny lifeline we’d been given. “Abigail is helping, but it’s not enough. We need someone with your specific experience.”
“But I’m not an expert on pedophiles,” Gregory pointed out.
I’d been waiting to bring this up and jumped into the conversation. “But your team has experience solving similar cases. Joe and Gloria are already involved. I’m pretty sure Caleb is too. They could use your help.”
Gregory glared at me. “My team, as you kindly brought up, no longer exists. It was disbanded a half-decade ago after your great uncle was killed during a mission much like this one.”
“What?” I asked, my heart thundering.
I’d always known Uncle Michael had been close to Gregory. That was why he took on his quintet member’s responsibilities as much as possible. And I’d known he’d died under violent circumstances.
But I had no idea it happened during a case. It had been so long before my time that I never even thought to ask about the details.
“So, yes, while we did complete our work, it came with great cost,” Gregory replied. “The hunts had only started then, and no one had experience infiltrating such operations. A team member was in danger, and he needlessly put himself in a vulnerable position.”
For the first time, something flickered in Gregory’s expression. It was too small for most people to catch, but it was there.
Declan frowned, and his voice was quiet when he spoke. “You reacted more now than you have in this entire conversation.”
Gregory turned to him, unreadable.
Declan didn’t back down. “I understand that Michael was your best friend, but Bianca is yourniece. She is your direct responsibility. How can you not care about her suffering?”
Gregory’s gaze was ice. “My feelings are not relevant.”
Declan’s voice was sharp. “Aren’t they?”
“This is not about me.” Gregory rolled his shoulders.
Silence thickened in the room.
“No,” Declan finally said. “It’s not.” But he didn’t look convinced. “Does that mean you won’t help?”
“I will.” Gregory sighed. “I’ve been expecting this. I’m just warning you: I don’t do things by halves. If you want my help, you’ll take it as I offer.”
“Of course,” Declan responded. “What do you—”
“You are not in charge of me,” Gregory said, looking around the room and allowing his gaze to linger on me. “You will not intervene unless asked. You will not override my decisions. You will make sure that Dr. Ducharme understands this.”
“But—” I began.
“Also, I need my entire team on board,” Gregory continued. “You mentioned it first, but consider what it means: is Gloria open to working with me?”
I sucked in a breath. “I don’t know,” I admitted.
“Then we will not succeed.” He rested his chin over his linked hands. “I will not waste my efforts. I’ve never once held any hostility toward her, but it will be unproductive to play games while we are actively working on a case.”
“Gloria will cooperate,” Bryce said. “I will talk to her. She is our mother’s godmother. I have complete faith that she will not betray Bianca.”
Gregory pressed his lips together and looked down at his desk. “Hopefully that will be enough.”
“She will,” Declan interjected. “Being a fae’s godparent is an important role. We’ve seen proof of that bond with Abigail. She returned for Bianca’s sake.”
Bianca’s adoptive mother? “How is she relevant?” I asked him.
Declan glanced at me. “Abigail is Bianca’s godmother. Didn’t you know?”
“Why else would she would risk everything to adopt her?” Bryce frowned. “Her actions might have been misguided, but Abigail put herself on the line to do what she thought was best.”
