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“Sorry.” I stepped back, my mind already working through the logistics. We’d need help, of course, from people who could make the paperwork official. But it would work.

“Thank you for telling me.” I nodded. Their wide eyes followed my progress. “I’m sorry for disturbing your work. Have a nice evening.”

With that, I gathered my bags and rushed from the room. But I didn’t move fast enough to miss their excited whispering.

“Have you lost your mind?” Bryce placed his hands on his desk, his shock so evident that his eyebrows had nearly risen to his hairline. “What kind of idiocy is this? I can’t marry her!”

Finn scowled, leaning back in his seat as he looked between the two of us. It was obvious from his posture he took personal offense to this suggestion. “If you’re going this route, why can’t I marry her?”

Besides the fact that he didn’t deserve her?

“There are two problems with that suggestion. First, she loathes you more than Bryce right now. And second, the marriage would be legally binding if it’s you,” I snapped, barely taking the time to throw a glare in his direction. “This is temporary, and we’ll need this to be as painless as possible. Besides, she might not even agree.”

“So why are you asking me?” Bryce put his hand to his chest. The look of offense on his face was almost comical when combined with the swelling and bruises. “How is this any less horrible?”

“Don’t be stupid.” I crossed my arms. I was certain of my suspicions, but now I had to get him to admit it. “It’ll be easy if it’s you. There are already rumors about the two of you. We’ll play into that, and once people learn you are siblings, the marriage will be annulled anyway.”

Bryce’s face lost all color, and he fell back into his seat. His shocked gaze stayed steady on mine. “What are you talking about?”

Glancing at Finn, I noticed he was watching the two of us, his expression blank. But he didn’t appear to be surprised. His hatred for Bryce was beginning to make a lot more sense.

Damen’s was different. Though, from his recent reaction—the way he blamed Bryce in his father’s conference room—he clearly suspected.

However, having a suspicion was different than knowing. And now I was certain—the confirmation was written all over Bryce’s face. Newfound horror flooded my emotions.

But not toward Bryce.

“You were five. There is no way this was your plan. Why didn’t yousayanything?” I asked, holding his gaze even as his face twisted. “Who put you up to this? What happened? I thought your family wanted that child. So why would she be sent away? Because of that, she—”

“You don’t need to repeat what she’s been through,” Bryce hissed, his fists were clenched on the desk. “I was there when Hanah told us. And as for your questions, I don’t have the clearance to divulge that information.”

“Don’t have the clearance?” I couldn’t believe the stupid words coming out of his mouth. Even Finn, who had begun leaning forward, watched Bryce in suspicion. “You’re an Er Bashou, you have almost all of the clearances that a personcanhave.”

“I don’t have clearances for everything,” Bryce said, his gaze unwavering.

Alarm clouded my thoughts. It was too soon for the council to know about Bianca. I thought we’d have more time.

But someone on the council had known about Bianca all along?

She was in even more danger than we suspected. And no fake marriage would throw them off.

“The council knows?” Finn asked, his voice alarmed. He was pale, and his face filled with horror. “They know about her? But—”

“No, the council doesn’t know.” Bryce rested his chin on his hand. “Only one previous council member knows about this, and they wouldn’t say anything.”

A previous councilmember…

People didn’t generally leave the council. In fact, there had only been two instances of that happening in recent history.

It couldn’t have been Gloria Protean. She wasn’t at the Dubois residence when Bianca was born. But Gregory Stephens had been.

“Gregory?” I asked, although the answer was obvious. He’d shown no indication that he recognized Bianca. However, sometimes he wasn’t the most observant. “Do you think he knows who she is?”

“I don’t think so.” Bryce frowned. “He’s mentioned her once, but he only finds her amusing and thinks she is a powerful medium. He’s never said anything about Bianca being…her. I’m actually surprised—he was there when I named her.”

“Then you did know her! Who is Bailey then?” I was still confused, even though some of the anxiety had ebbed away. The council wasn’t going to come after us, at least not yet. Bianca was still safe. “Where does Bailey come into play?”

Bryce’s mouth pressed in a line and his shoulders stiffened. He wouldn’t divulge anything more. “The point is, they don’t know. Yet.”