Page 134 of Hidden

“Why?” A million panicked scenarios raced through my mind. I hadn’t seen him in a long time, but I remember his eccentric behavior. Toward children, he’d been both fun and scary. “What do you think he’s going to do?”

“Declan?” Gregory raised his eyebrows. “It really depends on what he knows, and his mood. Knowing she’s alive and where she is would probably having him jumping for joy. However, if he knew aboutthis… I wouldn’t be surprised if he had her forcibly relocated to a specially made wing in Whisperwind.”

My fists clenched, anger coursing through me. He had no right to interfere.

Then there was fear. It made me lightheaded and my thoughts muddled. The thought of Bianca being takenanywhereagain, somewhere far from where we could protect her…

I wouldn’t allow it.

A growl reverberated throughout the room—Titus. Declan Dubois wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Oh, stop being dramatic.” Gregory sliced his hand through the air, shooting the four of us exasperated looks. “If you plan on continuing this ridiculous charade much longer, you’re all going to need to curb your baser instincts. I’m only telling you this because your best chance is to workwithhim. He will be insufferable when he knows she’s here. Don’t push his buttons. He’s been in a frenzy lately.”

“She doesn’t want to see Declan,” Miles said, his voice low. He still stood near the door, bracing his weight against it. “She wants nothing to do with him.”

“He’s staying away. He doesn’t want to force her into anything. But hedoesknow she’s here,” Brayden whispered. “He’s scared of overwhelming her. Especially with her past.”

“What happened in her past?” Gregory asked, the tension in the room growing thick. “Declan isn’t one to back off lightly. Does this have anything to do with his sudden murderous rampage elsewhere? What am I missing?”

Brayden’s expression blanked and his gaze drifted toward his brother, who had the audacity to look guilty. But neither made any move to speak.

“Answer me.” His tone was reminiscent of when we were young and he was training us. He’d always been imposing in those days. “I need to know what we’re dealing with.”

“She wasn’t always with Kieran…” Brayden turned his attention back to Bianca. His gaze softened, and sadness seemed to fill the room.

A burning fury coursed through me. I hoped they choked on that guilt.

Brayden continued speaking, “After that, we’re not entirely sure how she ended up in that situation. It’s just that—”

“She wasfiveand ended up being sold as game. It was Abigail Grier who found her, during one of hermissions.” I couldn’t keep the bite from my voice. “She had been there foryears.”

Gregory paled, and ran his hand over his mouth. His attention remained on Bianca.

“And Declan knows about this?” he asked finally. “What triggered his episode?”

Bryce nodded. “He knows. We have a name, but it’s not much help.”

“He’s been working with Maria,” Titus interjected, his voice gruff from disuse.

I glanced at him, surprised. “What?”

“That’s also where Abigail and Jonathan have been.” Titus squared his shoulders, his gaze still never leaving the bed. “They don’t want to face Bianca—though she doesn’t want to see them anyway. And they needed something to do. So we put them to work.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” Betrayal shot through me, fueling my seething anger. “That’s not your call to make.”

“It keeps them busy,” Titus growled. “And out ofour hair. And we gain traction on our investigations. You told me to ‘look into it’, and I feel better knowing where everyone is. You were busy elsewhere and had no vision in mind. What else do you want from me?”

I opened my mouth, ready to argue, when Miles stepped between us.

“This is not the time to fight!” he said. “Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves.”

“He’s right,” Brayden interjected. “And Father is more than happy to work together.”

“You knew!” I accused, flashing my teeth at Brayden then glancing at Bryce. He didn’t even look ashamed. “You too!”

“Of course I knew.” Bryce shrugged. “If you honestly believe we would not throw the full weight of our family ties into this, you’re a fool.”

“That’s what you’ve all been doing!” I’d been distracted by one smaller catastrophe after another, and no one had thought to inform me. Who the hell did they think they were? “How could you not tell me?”