Page 170 of Dream Mates
That we would. Pulling on the suit, I texted Evan.
Me
Do we know where she’s being taken?
While I waited for a response, I finished getting dressed.Evan sent an address.
I called a car, then threw some clothes and things for Grace in a bag, considering she was taken in only a bikini.
While waiting for the car, I texted Grace that I loved her, still sensing how scared and confused she was. Grace would have noidea what was going on. She literally never had the assembly in school where the Office of Designation Management did their education talk. Growing up in another world meant she had no reference, no idea what to expect.
“Thank you so much,” I told the driver as I got in, then put up the privacy screen between us while I started making discreet inquiries of my own. I needed our mate bond to populate in the system sooner rather than later, so I could be with her.
My phone rang. Brennan.
“What did the lawyer say?” I asked.
“I think this is my fault, and I’m so sorry,” Brennan blurted.
I helped myself to a glass of wine from the car’s bar. “What are you talking about? I’m the one who asked you to run the genscan. That’s where this is coming from? Something strange popped up, causing her record to be flagged?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s my mother’s doing.” Brennan sighed.
“Yourmother? I know she’s on the rampage, but why would Siobhan do something like that?” I frowned as I took a sip of wine. It was subpar but fine given the circumstances.
Brennan exhaled sharply. “Retaliation? Ian Murphy, her lawyer, was served today.”
“You think she might have called in a tip on Grace as retaliation?” I wasn’t sure about that.
“My mom probably knows that Grace’s record is a fake, because she knows everything. Knowing someone has a fake record is often enough for them to be tested,” he reminded me.
“True. What did Grace’s genscan say?” Honestly, I wondered if it was someone associated with Nate’s pack. Adriana Thorne’s surety bothered me.
“I don’t know. I saw the notification this morning but haven’t checked yet. Do you think that’s what’s caused them to take her for testing? Things have been a little hectic this morning beyondGrace. Hold on,” he said. “Shit. I… I have no words. It says Nathaniel Thorne, that professor, is her father.”
I sucked in air through my teeth as my mind reeled at the possibilities, the probabilities.
“How? How, Spence? You’re the genius?How?” Bren prodded.
“We’re missing something. Unless his backstory is that good and Nate really is one of the resettled omegas? Who does it say for mother?” I polished off the glass and poured myself another.
“The record islocked.” Brennan sounded like he was moving. There were muffled voices.
My belly sank. “Locked records aren’t good.”
“The lawyer is on the other line, I’ll call you right back,” Brennan said.
Taking another sip of wine as I stared out the window at the trees, I mulled this over. Nate Thorne was her father and her mother’s record was locked. What had her mother done to warrant that? Records weren’t locked for no reason.
This got stranger and stranger.
I helped myself to some snacks and tried to distract myself from Grace’s anxiety by replying to emails, following up on things, checking in at work, and responding to the group chat.
Evan
Mrs. Beekman is in touch with the local Center. They’re aware of what’s going on and are dispatching someone.
Finally, the phone rang again.
