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Bree lets out a long sigh, sounding bored. “She has told us some very interesting stories about how you only became a police officer because that’s the role your real boss told you to get. He needed someone in a position of power, and you worked hard until you got there.

“She told us you are heavily involved in child trafficking, and you help your boss sell children to the highest bidder, which is quite ironic, as you were one of the trafficked children in the past.”

Gregg’s eyes widen with each word that comes out of Bree’s mouth, his already pale face turning ashen as fear seeps in. I’m starting to think Gregg had no idea just how much Indie really knew about him and The Count.

Obviously, she saw a lot on the night she left, but I don’t think he had any idea she already knew a lot before then.

When Bree has finished, Gregg just remains silent, looking both scared and lost. Bree clears her throat to get his attention back, and the noise seems to startle him enough to pull back a little of the control he had before. He straightens up a bit in his seat, wiping all the previous emotion from his face.

“Wow, they’re some very dangerous lies she’s spreading. I don’t know where she got the idea for them from, but all I can say is she must have a very vivid imagination.” I smile at the way his voice shakes.

“So you’re not a child trafficker, amongst other things?” Bree asks, staring at him intently as she waits for his answer.

“No, I’m not.”

“Have you ever heard of anyone named The Count?”

At the mention of the name, Gregg flinches, almost like he’s been struck, his eyes widening for just a fraction of a second, before he shakes his head. “No.”

“What about The Aristocracy?”

Everyone in the room with me watches Gregg intently as Bree brings up the secret society we’re working to take down. Although his expression remains the same, his eyes give him away. His fear and paranoia are reflected in his wide gaze, making it clear he knows who they are, and he’s not happy we know.

“No, never heard of it.”

“Even in your job as a cop, you’ve never heard of them?” Bree asks, making it clear she doesn’t believe him.

“Maybe they’re known to a different department than the one I work in?” he suggests, which only makes Bree scowl.

“I think you’re lying. I think you know exactly who The Count is, and that he’s one of the leaders for The Aristocracy,” Bree snaps, no longer sounding like this is just a casual conversation.

“I’m not lying. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The way his voice shakes and cracks gives away his fear, making his lies shine.

Bree reaches behind her back and pulls the knife she carries around with her out of the holster in her jacket. She twirls it around her fingers, letting the light reflect off the shiny blade.

Gregg recoils when he sees it, the tension in the room growing as his face shifts from relaxed to afraid in an instant. Bree looks every bit as relaxed as she has from the moment she walked into the room, and that makes her even more dangerous.

“I thought we were having a nice conversation, and that we could do this the easy way,” Bree tuts, frowning at him like he’s disappointing her.

Gregg’s eyes widen. “So if I tell you the truth, you’ll let me go.”

Jake growls beside me, practically vibrating with rage, so I reach down and link our fingers together, hoping we can both keep each other calm and grounded. He doesn’t look at me, or draw attention to our clasped hands, but he seems to relax, even if it’s only a little.

Bree shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not interested in middle men like you. I want the people at the top, the ones who are operating beyond my rules, with no regard for my leadership. If you can hand them over, I’d be open to a deal.”

Although Gregg appears suspicious, there’s also a flash of relief that crosses his face, like he might be considering it. “I’m not even a middle man, really. I got caught up in stuff accidentally.”

Marcus and Liam both snort beside us before looking at each other, shocked they might agree on something. “He’s a terrible liar,” Liam adds, and we all agree.

Bree chuckles, clearly agreeing with us, despite not being able to hear what we’re saying. “Look, I’m a busy woman. I have places to be, and I don’t want to drag this out for any longer than is necessary, so I’m going to lay everything out for you, and you can decide where we go from here. Does that sound fair?”

Kian laughs from beside me. “She’s getting impatient. She’s going to start stabbing him soon.”

“I’m surprised she lasted this fucking long,” Kellan adds, not bothering to look up from his computer.

“That’s fair,” Gregg replies, staring pensively at the knife in Bree’s hand.

“I know you work for The Count, and have done since you were a child. I have a paper trail that leads back to when you were six-years-old, which I’m guessing is when he bought you. I have evidence he funded your schooling, and helped you rise in the ranks within the police force.