“You knew what I’d see, didn’t you?”
“There were several possibilities.All from your training.”
“You know,” Bryn said, reaching for the coffee pot again, “one of these days, you’re going to have to acknowledge that you actually give a damn about what happens to me.Beyond how I taste.”
“Page forty-two,” Giles replied.“Professional relationships and maintaining appropriate boundaries.”
“I hate that I don’t know if you’re making these page numbers up anymore.Also, pretty sure there’s nothing in that manual about proper sanguine-augur etiquette.”
“We will always have a unique relationship, you and I.There’s no getting away from that.”
“Unique is one way of putting it,” Bryn replied.“Most people would call it profoundly dysfunctional.”
“Would you have preferred a different trainer?One who coddled you with platitudes instead of preparing you for what’s out there?”
“I’d prefer one who didn’t look at me like I’m both a weapon and a snack.”
“At least I recognize your value in both capacities,” Giles said with the ghost of a smile.“Most would only see the weapon.”
Bryn stared at him.“How comforting.”
Chapter Seven
The investor event was everything Bryn had expected and dreaded—sterile corridors, forced smiles, and enough corporate doublespeak to drown in.Giles moved through it all with practiced ease, all crisp confidence and strategic handshakes.After an insomnia-curing presentation, they were now on a tour in small groups.Bryn trailed behind Giles, notebook in hand, playing the dutiful assistant while surreptitiously watching clinic staff.He was hating every second and hoped it didn’t show on his face.
“And here’s our advanced neurological mapping department,” Dr.Elise Howard, the company’s medical director, announced, gesturing to a lab filled with equipment that to Bryn, looked like it belonged on a space station.
“Fascinating,” Giles responded, seeming impressed.“Bryan, make a note to schedule a follow-up discussion with Dr.Howard’s team.This is an area of specific interest for me.”
“Of course, Mr.Delacourt,” Bryn replied.He dodged contact with an older businessman, hyper aware that he wasn’t wearing his gloves.He was still fragile from taking Giles’ second purple capsule and didn’t want to exhaust himself further with accidental readings.That damned pill may have gotten me past the scanners but I’m never taking one of them again.Not even if Warden offers me an entire weekend off.
Dr.Howard was fawning over Giles.“We’re excited about the therapeutic applications.Our early trials show remarkable promise.”
When she turned to offer her hand to Bryn, he hesitated for a fraction of a second before accepting it.The moment their skin made contact, glimpses of her future intent flashed into his mind.Changing access codes.Altering data on a spreadsheet.Fear and greed.Bryn maintained his neutral expression through sheer force of will as Dr.Howard released his hand and turned back to Giles.He clenched his fist, digging his nails into his palm.The slight pain helped.
“Mr.Delacourt, if you’ll follow me, our CFO is eager to discuss the projected returns,” Howard said, leading them back toward the conference room wing.
Bryn gave Giles a brief nod to let him know he’d managed a read.
“I hope your notes are thorough, Bryan.”
“Yes, Mr.Delacourt.”I hope your hair falls out and you develop a severe gastrointestinal issue in a crowded elevator.Bryn gave him a fake deferential smile.Giles smiled right back, his eyes knowing.Why does he also seem to know what I’m thinking?
Back in a meeting room, the CFO, Harrison Fuller, silver-haired with a predator’s eyes, rose to greet them.“Mr.Delacourt, delighted you could join us today,” Fuller said.“Your reputation precedes you.”
Bryn fought down a snigger.I’ll bet it does.But then Fuller clasped his hand, almost taking him by surprise.Bryn zeroed in on intent and saw him shredding documents then putting a flashy Rolex around his wrist.He had an important meeting coming up and he was picturing Salvatore Russo.Fuck, he’s going to meet with The Hammer.Bryn released the handshake as soon as propriety allowed.A small mallet began banging the inside of his skull and he was glad that his presence was immediately ignored.Fuller’s attention was all on Giles and Bryn was happy to be invisible.
“Coffee, ladies and gentlemen?”offered a young server who had been circling the room and the small clusters of people gathering after their tours.
“Black for Mr.Delacourt,” Bryn responded.“Nothing for me, thank you.”He didn’t need caffeine exacerbating his growing headache.He wasn’t one of the fortunate people that caffeine helped.He took the offered cup then handed it to Giles.As the conversation progressed into financial projections, Bryn made a show of taking detailed notes while documenting which executives seemed least comfortable and who avoided eye contact.A staffer approached to distribute presentation folders and when she handed Bryn a copy, their fingers brushed.
Packing suitcases.Planning a trip.Leaving after dark.She’s scared.
Bryn blinked, clearing his vision.When he glanced at her, the staffer was watching him with an odd expression but she soon moved away.Giles had his coffee so Bryn went to fetch himself a glass of water from a carafe on a side table.He reached for the bottle at the same time as a huge man in a dark suit and tie.He had an earpiece in one ear.
“Sorry,” Bryn murmured as their hands collided.It was a brief contact but what he saw spooked him more than anything else he’d seen so far.He jerked back, splashing water onto the carpet.
“Careful there,” the man said.“Ty Brunt, head of security.”
