Everyone turned to stare at him.
“I mean,” Emmett continued, his cheeks reddening, “not about the part where he ran into danger without backup.That was terrifying and please don’t do it again, Bryn.But about using his abilities to help people.That’s what makes him good at this job.”
“Emmett…” Warden began.
“No, let me finish…sir,” Emmett said, surprising everyone with his firmness.“Bryn took risks today, yes.But he also saved lives.The agent in the surveillance van might be dead if he hadn’t drawn that enhanced lupine away from her.The FBI might not have been able to coordinate their response without the intelligence from Malavita that he confirmed was true and Salvatore Russo might still be out there planning his next attack if Bryn hadn’t forced the confrontation.”
“The ends don’t justify the means,” Warden said.
“Maybe not,” Emmett agreed.“But sometimes the means are the only way to achieve the ends.Bryn’s not reckless because he doesn’t understand the risks.He’s willing to take risks because he understands the consequences of not taking them.”
The office fell quiet again.Warden studied Emmett for a long moment, then shifted his gaze to Bryn.“Is that how you see it?”he asked.
Bryn considered the question.“I see people in danger, and I see a way to help them.Sometimes that way involves risk.I’m not trying to be a hero, Warden.I’m trying to do the job you had me trained to do.”
Warden was quiet for a long moment, then sighed.“You’re not wrong.But you’re also not invulnerable.Today could have gone very differently.”
“But it didn’t.”
“This time.”
Gunnar leaned forward.“If I may…what if we established protocols for situations like this?Clear guidelines for when field operations are acceptable, with mandatory backup and communication requirements?”
Warden considered this.“You’d be responsible for enforcing those protocols.”
“Absolutely.”
“And you’d be willing to physically restrain him if necessary to keep him from doing something stupid?”
Gunnar glanced at Bryn, who rolled his eyes.“If necessary.”
“Hey,” Bryn protested.“I’m sitting right here.”
“Which is more than we could guarantee if you keep pulling stunts like today’s,” Giles said.
Warden rubbed his temples.“Fine.We’ll draft protocols.But until they’re in place, you’re on restricted duty.And given Dr.Templeton’s interest in you, that restriction is non-negotiable.”
“Warden…”
“That’s final, Bryn.You scared ten years off my life today.You’ve got a serial killer writing you love letters, and I’m too old to keep having heart attacks every time you decide to improvise.”
Bryn wanted to argue, but exhaustion was catching up with him.His ribs ached, his head was pounding, and the adrenaline crash was making him feel sick.He located Warden’s trash can just in case.
“Can I go now?”he asked.
“Yes,” Warden said.“But I want a full written report on my desk by tomorrow morning.”
“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t.”
Gunnar helped Bryn out of the room and in the hallway, Emmett caught up with them.
“That was quite a speech,” Gunnar said to him.
Emmett blushed.“I just… I worry about Bryn too, you know?But I also understand why he does what he does.”
“We all do,” Gunnar said.“That’s what makes it so terrifying.”
As they climbed the stairs to the apartment, Bryn leaned on Gunnar.“So,” he said, “what are the odds Warden follows through on those protocols?”
