“You’ve all counseled me on the dangers of remaining in the field since my identity was revealed last year.”
“Then you understand the danger your choice to remain active duty has put the family and yourself in,” Mary said.
Liam nodded slowly, meeting her gaze head-on. “I do. It was never my intention to bring harm to the family.”
“You have put your life on the line many times over the years. Your dedication to the country and this family is not in question. We simply want you alive to enjoy the years ahead of you.”
“You must retire from active duty, Liam,” Georgia said. “You’re too visible of a target now, and this latest incident proves that you will remain as such going forward.”
“We nearly lost you when you were first hit by Splice, and we nearly lost you again this week. We don’t want to bury you,” his father added.
Liam’s life was built around wearing a uniform and had been for years. He wasn’t sure what it would look like when he couldn’t be on the front lines anymore.
“We just want you safe,” Alexandra said.
“When would my removal from active duty occur?” Liam asked.
“Effective immediately,” Samuel said.
Liam grimaced and shook his head. “No.”
“Liam—”
“I understand everyone’s concern, and I am not going to fight the pullback request. However, Bennett and Murphy are still out there. They are still a threat to us, but we have a chance to take them out. If they’re still on English soil, I want to lead my team and bring them into custody.” Liam took a deep breath. “After that, I will retire from active duty.”
His grandmother folded her hands together over her lap, looking thoughtful. “There is no guarantee they will remain on English soil. Nor does the UMG know how long such a mission will last.”
“The UMG is following up on several leads stemming from my hostage situation and the attack on Parliament. I anticipate something will come of it soon.”
“If it doesn’t, the mission will extend itself, and you can’t be part of that fight.”
“I am aware of that. If the mission moves beyond our borders, I will remain here and step down from my position.”
“That’s not entirely what we want,” Georgia said. She looked at his father, and Samuel nodded in agreement.
“We don’t want you to leave the UMG completely. That’s your job, and we’re proud of what you’ve accomplished there. We’ve been in discussion with Chief Chapman about your future there. They’d already prepared a supervisory role for you for when you officially came off the field, and it is my understanding that you will be groomed to take over the institution one day,” Samuel said.
Liam stared at his father, shock having left him momentarily voiceless. Of all the avenues he envisioned himself in, overseeing the UMG in the future had never been one of them.
“I had assumed you would want me to be a working royal,” Liam said slowly, trying to hide his surprise.
“Liam,” his grandmother said. “There are plenty in the family who do that role just fine, but it’s not for you. As we no longer need to hide what you do, you are no longer obligated to adhere to that role.”
The path forward that had suddenly opened up was honestly one he hadn’t dared to think was possible. Losing his team had been the main focus of Liam walking away from active duty. For the UMG to have carved out a future for him despite his background went a long way toward easing his worry of just what the bloody hell he would do with his life.
Liam cleared his throat, meeting his grandmother’s gaze. “Did you facilitate this, Gran?”
Mary smiled slightly. “You know the Crown has no say in politics.”
“That doesn’t mean people don’t listen when you speak.”
“You would be wasted in a life of walkabouts with the public. Chapman knew that and said as much when we spoke while you were undergoing treatment after we got you back. You are an integral part of the UMG’s future, and always will be.”
“I…” Liam shook his head. “Thank you, Gran. For everything.”
Mary’s expression softened, the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth deepening. “Civilian life would have bored you, darling. We just want you to be here and happy.”
As futures went, it was one Liam could accept without feeling as if he were throwing away everything he’d fought for over the years.
