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“Luke, you told him who we are,” said Tillie, frowning at her friend.

“Yep. Now, he knows exactly who he’s fucking dealing with. He knows something.”

“I think I know what it is,” whispered Marc. “He accidentally called Brad Fred. He said that his name is Frederick.”

“That’s his name,” said Tillie. “Like I said, he interviewed me five years ago when I went to work for the agency.”

“Yes, well, that explains his pompous, arrogant attitude. His name isn’t Manley.”

“How do you know that?” asked Luke.

“His name is Duke Frederick Mansberg of Germany. I think he,” he said, pointing to the drawing of Brad, “is his son, the last Earl of Mansberg.”

“Oh, shit,” muttered Tillie. “What the hell is going on?”

“Someone knew who he was,” said Marc. “I think I need to have a conversation with Manley or whatever he calls himself.”

“I agree,” said Luke. “Take Wes, Aiden, and Devin. Be sure you give him respect since that seems to be what he craves, but don’t leave that fucking place without some answers.”

Marc nodded, kissing his wife once again and leaving the room of teammates.

“What should I do?” asked Tillie. “I feel like I should try to find him. I mean, he called me asking me for help.”

“If we can find a possible location, we’ll send you, Leo, and a few others,” said Luke.

“What?” frowned Leo. “No. No, you can’t send her out there. What if they’re after her as well?”

“Leo, you’ll be with me,” said Tillie.

“Besides,” smirked Tanner, “my daughter is as well trained as any of us. If you go, there will be backup, and she’ll know exactly what to do and when to do it. Don’t worry, Leo. We wouldn’t, I wouldn’t send her out there unless I was confident in her abilities.”

“Yes, sir,” he said quietly.

“Leo,” smiled Tanner, gripping his shoulders.

“I love that you want to protect my daughter, to love her. We’ve all felt like this at one time or another.

Just know that we would never place her intentionally in harm’s way.

” Leo nodded as Tanner pulled him in tightly for a hug, then whispered in his ear.

“Don’t worry. She won’t have any less than ten men with her at all times.” Leo chuckled, nodding at him again.

“What did he say?” asked Tillie.

“That he loved you very, very much.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

“I do have a bit of information on Hope Together,” said AJ, walking into the room.

“I’m sure that Tillie had some basic information, but it’s definitely a legit humanitarian agency.

Thirty-one years ago, while visiting North Africa, the Duke’s wife, Marguerite, was visiting several orphanages when she became suddenly ill.

“By the time they got her back to Germany, she was dying of a rare parasitic infection that could have been prevented simply by a vaccine. He was devastated. His son was at university at the time and didn’t make it home in time to say goodbye.”

“How terrible,” frowned Tillie.

“In her honor, he started the agency that does everything from educating children, building schools, and providing vaccines to children. He’s poured millions of his own money into the agency, recruiting teachers, nurses, and doctors from around the world to help.

“The guy deserves respect. He was the sole provider of medical personnel for the earthquake in southern Türkiye last year. He sent more than a hundred doctors and two hundred nurses, providing all the medical supplies they needed and personally giving his plane to transport the worst of the victims. He’s no joke. ”

“Okay, okay,” said Luke. “I’ll apologize to him next time we speak.”

“I think he’s just acting out because his son is missing,” said Tillie. “If Brad, or whatever his name is, were to die, that’s the last of his family. He must be terrified of that. Especially as a man who has to be in his late seventies, right?”

“Eighty-six,” said AJ. “He’s eighty-six years old. I’ve found nothing that indicates he’s ever had a conspiracy, a bad bit of press written about him, no midnight affairs, back-alley babies, nothing. I think this guy’s legit.”

“Great,” mumbled Luke.

“A little humility makes a man great,” smiled Matthew, walking in the door. He hugged his grandson, kissing his forehead. His signature greeting for all his ‘boys.’

“Hi, Grandpa,” smiled Luke. “Humility, huh?”

“The Duke is an old man, Luke. His only son is missing. A son who, in spite of his age, has never married or fathered children. His legacy, his line, dies with him. How do you think that makes him feel? Think about that.”

“I get it, Grandpa. I owe him an apology. I promise that I’ll call him today.” Matthew nodded, then looked around at all the young people in the room. At least, they were young to him.

“Is everything okay, Matthew?” asked Cam.

“Yes, son. Everything is as it should be. You’re doing a fine job. I just like to check in on all of you from time to time.”

“You’re always welcome in our meetings, Matthew,” said Eric. “No one is wiser than you.”

“Oh,” he laughed, shaking his head, “I think there is a lot more wisdom yet to find. I’ve just been around a lot longer than all of you. I do have a favor to ask of you.”

“Anything, Matthew,” said Tillie.

“Irene is feeling a bit useless lately.”

“Useless?” echoed the cry of the twenty people in the room.

“How could Irene possibly feel useless?” asked Mav. “She’s the glue that holds this entire property together. Everything that happens here happens because she orchestrates it, wishes it, manifests it, or dreams it.”

“I agree,” smiled Matthew. “She just needs a bit of love right now. Perhaps some of you need a bit of advice.” He looked around the room and landed on Tillie’s face.

“I’ll go right now,” she smiled. She kissed his cheek and ran from the room in search of Irene. He turned to face the men.

“Alright, Grandpa. What was that all about?”

“No questions. No explanations given. The Earl of Mansberg is in terrible danger. He is trusting all the wrong people and will soon find himself in a situation he cannot escape.”

“Matthew…”

“No questions,” he said, staring at Cam. “The basement of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn. Go now, or he’ll be dead tomorrow.”

Matthew kissed his grandson, touching the faces of every man in the room. A habit that they’d gotten used to, almost hoping for it as a sign of good luck. When he was gone, there was a deathly silence, and then Luke spoke.

“You heard my grandfather. We’re headed to Brooklyn.”