“Tru was pretty scared. But she’ll be okay. So will Hale and Mercy. Um, so, at one point, I thought I’d found you. I was so excited, and I got you this. Only it wasn’t you. I kept it for when I found you. You don’t have to take it, but I brought it in case you wanted it.” He held it out, and I realized that it was a doll.
“Oh. Thank you, Professor.” She got up from the bed. “Was the girl Barrett’s? I remember you asking me if I was looking for him.”
“Yes. Barrett has a few. Deep down I knew that she wasn’t you. But one could always hope.” The look on his face was mournful. “The others in the pack thought hiring a PI was a waste of money. Barrett hired the PI that traced Rosalind to Europe for me because he knew how disappointed I was that the girl I’d found was his, not you.”
A waste of money? More like Adriana didn’t want Grace found.
Grace sucked in a breath and took the doll. “Thank you. The doll is adorable.”
She leaned in and gave him a little hug.
“I also brought you this.” He handed her a card. “You don’t have to open it, but I found a few pictures of Thora and printed them out so that you’d have them.”
“Thank you.” She returned to me, and I hugged her as so many conflicted emotions came through the bond.
Nate looked at me. “Hale and Mercy said that Adriana mentioned people murdering your other mate?”
I nodded. “While it was deemed a car accident, I always wondered if it was purposeful in retaliation for her beliefs. Adriana’s statements about not knowing they were going to kill her, that she just thought they’d scare her, only cemented my suspicions. They being the organization she belongs to that’s against the work my mate and previous company did.”
Later, I’d have to see if my sources found any more information. Perhaps Jett would help.
Nate’s look turned to one of horror. “Oh no. While I always found them to be a little… overzealous, I didn’t think they’d go that far.”
“They literally throw paint at people going into their workplaces.” Brennan gave him a look.
“Adriana thought that I brought Grace into your life as revenge,” I said softly. “It wasn’t. It was all a coincidence that Grace met someone who knew Creed.”
“I know Inara quite well and I can see the situation unfold in my head. Accident or not, I’m really glad that we finally found you.” Nate looked a little anxious.
“Fuck of the morning, Bitches, we have brunch. Spence, you’re awake, thank fuck.” Riley burst in with brown handled bags, Jett and Evan following with another bag and drinks in a carrier.
Evan beamed. “Spence, it’s so nice to see you awake.”
Riley stopped short and stared at the professor. “Sweet baby cheeses.”
“Um, hi. I’m Nate. Are you Riley? Mercy and Tru were telling me about you.” Nate gave a little wave.
“Yeppers. Mercy and I want to go to skate smash camp together this summer.” Riley put the bags on the couch next to Brennan.
Nate smiled and nodded. “That sounds fun.”
“I’m Jett.” Jett put the carrier of drinks on the table, then moved the flowers.
“And I’m Evan.” Evan had a duffle bag.
“Well, I’ll leave you to eat your meal. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. Grace, Spencer, I wish you speedy recoveries. Again, I’m so sorry.” Nate gave us one last look and went toward the door.
“Professor?” Grace asked.
Nate turned, looking hopeful. “Yes?”
“We’ll still have that lunch when you come to Rockland?” She sounded unsure and anxious.
He beamed. “I’d like that very much.”
Nate left, and Riley handed out beverages.
“Are you okay?” I asked Grace, kissing her temple.
