Page 15 of Balance

“What makes you think that?”

“If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m not going to tell you.” Bryce’s lips curled in a mocking grin. “Surely you’ve noticed there is something strange about her abilities.”

“Strange?” I frowned, glancing toward Gregory, who’d only been silently watching all this time, fingers linked under his chin. “What?”

The older man’s mouth pressed in a line, and he tilted his head. “It’s true, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Because of the bond with Kiania?” I wondered. Gregory had already been briefed on the connection, but previously offered no insight on what his true feelings were on the subject.

“I’m not sure,” he replied. “She just feels…differentthan expected.”

“What’s she like?” Declan looked at his son. “It’s been a few weeks. Do you think—”

“Not yet,” Bryce interrupted. “I’m sorry.” The apology in his voice made me wince in sympathy. But thankfully Bryce didn’t notice—his attention was on his father’s carefully smooth expression. “She’s still really angry.”

Declan blinked, and his jaw sharpened as the room suddenly turned tense. I expected him to rage—it wouldn’t be unheard of for him to express his emotions outwardly in that manner. But instead, his mouth thinned, and his rough voice held a note of control that I never expected from him. “Understandable,” he said, glaring down at his feet.

Bryce scowled, and Gregory’s attention remained on his late niece’s husband. However, neither seemed surprised at his capitulation.

“What are you going to do when you find him?” Gregory asked suddenly, and although his expression was carefully blank, I knew him well enough to read between the lines.

He was invested in this—and Gregory rarely invested his attention.

“That’s why I came here today.” Declan scowled, his normally bright eyes darkening to a deep sage. “We need your help.”

I sucked in a breath as surprise rippled through the room. Even Bryce glanced at father in alarm.

Gregory blinked, his frown deepening before he answered. “Youwant me to go on a case?”

Declan waved his hand in the air. “Youarerenowned for what you do, and you consult with the local police frequently. Why not join?”

“I don’t work in the field,” Gregory responded. “My specialty lies in the study of murderers, serial killers, and criminals with psychopathic behaviors. Human trafficking is a completely different department. Why don’t you ask Mrs. Geier?”

I held my breath, a numbness washing over me as my attention remained riveted on the scene in front of me.

He hadn’t said no.

But outside of overseeingme, I’d never seen Gregory on the field in my entire life. From what I understood, he hadn’t worked since the accident and his team disbanded.

His skin had grown a bit paler, and the quick tick of his eyebrow happened so quickly I’d almost missed it.

Gregory was interested, yes. But he was also nervous.

Bryce stepped in, also sensing the tiny lifeline we’d been given. “Abigailishelping. But it’s not enough. We need someone, outside of her, with experience.”

“I’m not an expert on pedophiles,” Gregory cut in. “Their minds are different.”

This was the perfect opportunity to make my case—I’d been waiting for the chance to bring this up. “But yourteamhas experience in breaking a case like this. It’s dangerous, you could really help.”

Gregory’s mouth slammed closed and the glare he shot me caused a shiver to shoot down my spine. “Myteam, as you kindly brought up, was disbanded fifty years ago after your great uncle was killed during our mission.”

“What?” I asked, my heart thundering.

I’d always known that Uncle Michael had been Gregory’s best friend—that was one reason why Gregory had taken on Uncle Michael’s responsibility to train me as much as he was able. And I’d known he’d died under violent circumstances.

But I had no idea it happened during a case. It had been so long before my time that I never even thought to ask about the details.

“So while we did solve our case, it came with great cost. Michael died after the job went south,” Gregory replied. “The hunts had only started then, and no one had experience in how to infiltrate such operations. A member of our team was in danger, and he needlessly exposed himself.”