Chapter 3
Damen POV
I was late for my check-in with Gregory.
The man was usually punctual, and even though he didn’t scare me, it was always better to be on time.
Today, we were meant to discuss our contract with the police and the potential impact of Alexander Cole’s recent imprisonment on our work.
It was a rather serious discussion that didn’t require an audience.
Therefore, I was surprised to see that Gregory had visitors.
I raised my eyebrow and closed the door behind me. This made Gregory’s already small office even more suffocating, but considering the visitors, privacy was paramount.
Declan Dubois barely glanced in my direction. He stayed deep in thought, sitting on the edge of Gregory’s desk, but Bryce was already glaring at me.
“Why are you here?” he asked, a challenge heavy in his voice. “Don’t you have girls to be chasing?”
A flare of annoyance washed over me. He’d been in my face—and in my home—since Bianca had returned from the hospital. The only reason I hadn’t tossed him out was because he looked so pathetic when he lost at board games.
“I don’t chase anyone.” I loosened my tie. “Not anymore.”
Bryce scoffed. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you making eyes at my sister instead. She’s not going to date you.”
“Who are you to say who she can date?” I frowned at him. “It’s none of your business. Besides, it’s not like you can stop me.”
Declan suddenly stood, and my heart leaped into my throat as the enormity of my mistake slammed into me.
“Damen Chastity Abernathy,” he said quietly. His dark emerald eyes glinted dangerously, and his aura turned to the same darkness as his deep brown hair. “I’ve never had a problem with you, but if you so much as touch my daughter, I will break every bone in your hands.”
My throat went dry, and I barely resisted the instinct to step back.
I might die.
But I couldn’t afford to let him push me around. Jameson would murder me.
I swallowed, keeping my expression neutral, but my pulse pounded in my ears. I had two choices—play it carefully or say something stupid.
“What if I’ve already touched her?”
I wanted to punch myself the second the words left my lips.
The air turned deadly. Bryce glared at me as Gregory sighed. He removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair. “Mr. Damen—”
Fuck.
“You have a way of saying things that invite early death,” Gregory said mildly. “Would you like to try again?”
“It was a joke,” I offered.
What was going on? I’d never seen them like this before. It was true, then, that fae men went crazy about their women.
Gregory’s gaze was still ice-cold. “Do not joke about Bianca like that again.”
I shook my head.
“Right,” I replied, desperately trying to ignore the line of sweat traveling down my spine. “Anyway, why are you all here?”
I glanced at Declan again and added, “Bianca is supposed to meet me.”
“What’s she doing on campus?” Bryce interjected. “I thought she was busy looking for clues so that she might further stalk Miles.”
That was the dumbest thing I’d ever heard.
“She’s not looking for clues! She’s sad!” I told him. “That’s why I asked her to come—to get her out of the house. I’m taking her to meet Julian later.”
“She’s not sad.” Bryce raised his eyebrow. “She’s angry. Why else do you think she’s rooting through his stuff? She’s trying to figure out where he’s gone so she can knock some sense into him.”
“I know her better than you,” I argued. “And Bianca isn’t going to hit anyone.” At least not yet.
In the past, Mu wouldn’t have hesitated to smack Tu for doing something stupid. However, Bianca and Miles’s relationship had a different dynamic.
I knew, in part, that was why Miles had left. He was at a critical point in his studies and would have to step outside his comfort zone. Bianca was fragile now, and it was time for Miles to grow up.
“Just wait,” Bryce said, rolling his shoulders. “You’re too focused on flirting to see the obvious.”
“And what’s that?” I crossed my arms. How had this conversation, once again, turned against me?
“Hanah is right,” Bryce responded. “You’re underestimating her, which makes your lot, minus Miles, no better than Finn. No wonder she doesn’t respect you.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” I shot back.
“Miles was the only one who believed in her abilities while we were dealing with James Cole,” Bryce said. “She knows it too—why do you think she gives him gifts?”
“She can’t use her abilities,” I protested. “Not fully.”
Not while this bond existed between her and Kiania. I might be taking the heat off her, but we’d never explored this connection.
“Sure she can.” Bryce shrugged. “I bet you she can do a lot more than you expect. That’s why Miles ran away. She’s stronger than he is right now, and he knows it.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Figure it out for yourself.” Bryce’s lips curled in a mocking grin. “Surely, you’ve noticed something strange about her power.”
“Strange?” I frowned, glancing toward Gregory, who’d only been silently watching. “What?”
The older man’s mouth pressed in a line, and he tilted his head. “It’s true, but I can’t put my finger on it yet.”
“Because of the bond with Kiania?” I wondered.
“I’m not sure,” Gregory replied. “She just feels… different than expected.”
Declan turned to Bryce, his posture softening in a way that didn’t match the man I knew.
“It’s been a few weeks,” Declan said, quieter than before. “Do you think she’d be open to meeting me yet?”
“No,” Bryce replied. “She still gets upset any time someone brings you up.”
Declan’s jaw sharpened as the room suddenly turned tense. He clenched his fists, and I half-expected him to throw something—it wouldn’t be unheard of—but instead, he breathed out before finally relaxing and looking at his feet.
“Understandable,” he replied tightly.
I glanced between them, debating whether to speak, but Gregory beat me.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think she’s mad at you,” Gregory said, and Bryce and Declan looked at him.
“What?” Bryce asked. “Yes, she is.”
“No, she’s not,” Gregory repeated, leaning forward. “She’s ashamed.”
Declan blinked.
“She lived through an ordeal that would irreversibly damage her view of herself. At the same time, she’s likely built up an idealized sense of who you are,” Gregory continued in a low and measured voice. “She’s probably afraid that you’re upset.”
“I am upset.” Declan frowned, and a chill settled over the room.
“At her?” Gregory asked.
“What?” Declan stepped back. “No!”
“Then don’t take her need for distance personally,” Gregory replied.
Declan exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “I don’t want to push her,” he admitted, quieter now. “But I don’t want to disappear, either. I will be here, but you will watch over her in the meantime,” he said, looking at Bryce.
Bryce’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue.
However, Gregory had already moved on.
“My priority is this case,” he said, his tone shifting to something harder. “I’ve heard you requested it be re-opened.”
“Ah.” Declan hesitated before he shook his head, refocusing. “Yes. That is why I came here today. We cannot let this pass without consequence, but we need your expertise.”
“You want me to join the ongoing investigation?” Gregory tilted his head.
“Why not?” Declan asked. “Your insight would be invaluable.”
“I haven’t worked with so many dynamics in many years,” Gregory responded, his skin growing slightly paler. “Besides, my specialty lies in the study of murderers, serial killers, and criminals with psychopathic behaviors. Why hasn’t Mrs. Grier’s contribution been sufficient?”
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 your niece . 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—”