“Should what?Pretend this is a great idea?Pretend we’re all one big happy family now?”
Giles’ remained serene.“If my presence here is going to be a problem…”
“Your presence is always a problem,” Bryn snapped.“The question is whether it’s a useful problem or just a painful one.”
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.Gunnar’s hand found Bryn’s shoulder again, a steadying pressure.
“What about it, Giles?”Warden asked, ignoring the byplay.“Are you interested?”
Giles was quiet, probably assessing the level of Bryn’s hostility.“I accept,” he said.
Emmett looked relieved.Gunnar nodded once, accepting the inevitable.Bryn wanted to throw something, and would have if his ribs didn’t hurt so much.
“Excellent,” Warden said, standing.“Welcome to the team.We can pick up the details tomorrow.Emmett, I need you to come with me.There are some admin matters we need to discuss.”
Emmett’s cheeks flushed.“Yes, sir.Right now?”
“Right now,” Warden said, and there was something in his tone that made Emmett straighten.
“Yes, sir.”
As they headed for the door, Warden paused.“Get some rest.All of you.Tomorrow we consider our next moves regarding Dr.Templeton.”
The door closed behind them, leaving an uncomfortable silence.
“They aren’t going to do admin,” Bryn said.
“I don’t believe they are,” Gunnar agreed.
“Well,” Giles said after a moment, “this should be interesting.”
“That’s one word for it,” Bryn said.“I can think of several others.Most of them not for use in polite company.Or this company.”
“Look, if this is going to be a problem…”
“Everything’s a problem, Giles.The question is whether we can work around it or if it’s going to blow up in our faces.”Bryn stood up, wincing.“I don’t think there’s anything on my entire body that doesn’t hurt.I’m going to bed.”He left Gunnar and Giles sitting in the kind of silence that spoke volumes about the complicated dynamics they’d all have to navigate going forward.He paused behind the bedroom door, curious to hear what the two of them would say.
“He’ll come around,” Gunnar said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced.
“Will he?”Giles replied.
Gunnar considered this.“Maybe.Eventually.Bryn has three years’ worth of good reasons to hold a grudge against you, but he’s practical above all else.You’re useful.”
“Useful enough to outweigh the past?”
“That remains to be seen.”
“I should head back to the hotel.Give everyone time to process this.”
“Probably wise,” Gunnar agreed.
Bryn kept still while Gunnar walked Giles to the door.After he’d gone, Gunnar stood in the hallway for a moment, then came to the bedroom.
“I know you were listening.”
Bryn shrugged.“Come to tell me I’m being unreasonable?”
“No.Your unreasonableness is justified, but we’ll deal with Giles anyway.”
