Page 133 of Hidden

By the time I’d finished my explanation, we were in front of Bianca’s room.

“See!” I threw open the door, revealing the inhabitants of the room. “Now do something.”

Gregory had taken a deep breath, barely glancing into the room before he rubbed his temples. “Again, I say,what in the world? Happy nuptials,” he added, glancing at Bryce, his expression filled with judgment.

Bryce flushed. “I—”

“Now move out of the way.” He wasted no further time before taking charge. He approached the bed, noting—and making use of—the medical equipment that remained on the bedside table.

And at leasthedidn’t kick us out.

“What exactly am I looking for?” he asked, his attentions moving over Bianca clinically. He didn’t even stop to shoo Julian away or remark on the fact that he was holding her. “She’s catatonic! Just how long has she been like this?”

“Almost two days,” Julian choked out.

“And Trinity wants to admit her?” Gregory stood, shooting me an even glare. “What do you want from me?”

“Think of another way besides hospitalization.” This should be easy. He knew everyone.

“No.”

My hope began to dwindle, and despair began to rise. “But why?”

“First of all”—Gregory pinched the bridge of his nose—“she is not my patient. So even though Miss Bianca—or rather, Mrs. Dubois—interests me, I’m not going to intervene. Besides, I won’t tell you any differently than what Trinity already has. If she wants to hospitalize Miss Bianca, listen to her. She’s an excellent doctor.”

“Uncle Gregory, it’sher,” Brayden interrupted. “We can’t let them take her away. That’s why weneedyour opinion. You have an obligation to your family. This is your responsibility.”

“You two are driving me up the wall,” Gregory snapped. “Will you stop talking in riddles? I haven’t the foggiest idea who…” But then his words trailed off, and his eyes opened, shooting to Bryce. “Are you serious?”

Bryce crossed his arms and nodded. “Completely.”

Gregory frowned, and a strange expression passed over him. It was an emotion that I couldn’t quite place but, for some reason, wanted to defend Bianca from.

I hadn’t considered this when asking him for help crossed my mind.

“You’re not going to tell the council.” I stepped forward—it wasn’t a question.

Gregory had been my mentor since I was young, taking on Uncle Michael’s responsibility. The man had done his best to fulfill multiple roles, even though he was under no obligation to do so.

Then, after we’d grown, he’d stayed with me—with the four of us—continuing to offer his advice and guidance. Not only as a teacher, but as a friend.

And although I’d grown to like the man, my darker instincts couldn’t be ignored.

No matter who I had to hurt, my loyalty didn’t extend to anyone who might pose a threat to Bianca. If he eventhoughtabout hurting her, I would kill him.

“What?” His narrowed gaze darted to me, the sharpness of his voice returning. “Mr. Damen, I suggest you erase that terrible expression from your face before your features freeze that way. It’s unbecoming. And while you’re at it, return to your senses.Those peopleare crazy, why would I tell them anything?”

It wasn’t so far-fetched. “But youwerea councilmember…”

“Insufferable fools, the lot of them,” he said. “I’m offended you’d think that lowly of me.” His annoyed look lingered on me for another long moment before he turned his attention back to Bryce. “And as foryou. Why in the world would youmarryher? Is there something addled in your brain?”

“That’s the least of our concerns at the moment!” Bryce growled, inclining his head toward Bianca’s unmoving form.

Julian stroked her hair. “What do you think we should do?” His voice was soft. He’d hardly moved from his spot beside her this whole time. It was getting rather old—I wanted to be there. “She won’t want to go to the hospital.”

A thoughtful look crossed Dr. Stephens’s expression, and he moved to the foot of the bed. “It’s been two days. Sheshouldbe hospitalized. But she’s been getting fluids, at least.” He nodded at the IV. “Does Declan know about her?”

Alarm caused my breath to catch at the mention of Declan Dubois—Bianca’s father.