Chapter 162: Grace
“He’s my dad.”
Those three words had repeated over and over in my head since the first time I had heard them. How does one respond to that sort of confession? How did I tell him I understood? That my dad had ignored me for most of my life, and that his dad had kept me locked in a cell for years. That I understood his cruelty, probably better than anyone. How could I say any of it and not make it about me?
Now, we were walking back toward the packhouse, and my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I needed to talk to Rhys... And I needed to talk to him before one of his guards told him what happened, and he made a rash choice to hurt a kid. Not that I think he would mean to, but without all the information, he would be harsh. I hoped the Rhys that I knew would understand. He had to...
“Listen,” I grabbed at Michael’s wrist before he could knock. He was putting on a brave face, but I knew he was terrified, I could feel him shaking beneath my grip. “I am on your side in this, okay? Rhys will get it, but if he starts to get mad, get yourself out of the room, okay? I will keep you safe, but you have to trust me.”
Michael swallowed hard but nodded all the same. I felt scared too. I had no idea how Rhys would actually react, I was just hoping it was my Rhys and not the Alpha King Rhys in there right now.
I knocked. I mean, I was the adult here... Michael was only 16, and he was doing what he had to to keep his family safe. At 16, sometimes, there feels like no other options. But me and Rhys, we would be an option for these kids. I would not let them walk the path alone like I had to.
The door creaked open, and I was met with Sawyer’s dark eyes.
“Oh.” I squeaked, “Sorry, are we interrupting something?”
“No,” Sawyer gave me a small smile. “No, I was just leaving, I have to get to the clinic, unless you need me to stay?”
“No, that’s okay.”
He nodded at us, but gave a curious look as he slipped out of the room. I watched him walk down the hall before entering Rhys’ dark office.
“Grace? Michael? Is everything okay?” Rhys asked immediately shutting his laptop so he could give us his full attention.
“Yes and no.” I answered, taking the seat across the desk from Rhys and gesturing for Michael to take the seat next to me.
“Okay...” Rhys answered, looking back and forth between the two of us. “Care to explain?”
I nodded and squeezed Michael’s arm to reassure him. “But I need you to promise not to lose your cool and think through this first, okay?”
“You’re making me nervous, Grace...” Rhys said.
“Promise me you’ll keep your cool.” I repeated.
“Okay... I promise to keep my cool...”
“Okay, so today, Michael came to me and said that he and his family are in trouble.”
Michael looked at me in surprise, but I needed him to also keep his calm. We needed to bring Rhys in on this, but that also didn’t mean he needed the whole truth. I knew how to spin it to make him see the truth... At least, I thought I did.
“Family? I thought your family was in the program?” Rhys questioned, his eyes narrowing in immediate suspicion.
“They are,” I answered before Michael could. “At least, some are. Today, he came to me because he’s scared. He’s been meeting his Dad at the border every couple of weeks in an attempt to protect them”
Rhys sucked in a sharp breath, but I just continued. “Today he found out his youngest sister, Claire, who has some mental disabilities, was admitted into the program.”
“How were you trying to protect them?” Rhys asked. I could tell he was trying to keep the anger from his voice, but I knew he already knew the information.
“I was giving the information, sir,” Michael said quietly. It was clear he was ashamed of what he was doing, but he had felt that it was the only way.
“No, tell him the truth.” I said firmly, cutting him off.
“What?” Both Rhys and Michael said at the same time.
“Grace, that was the truth.” Michael said uncertainly, looking back and forth between Rhys and I.
“No. You left out a very important word.” I responded, and waited to see if he would get it. The look on his face was still dumbfounded, so I continued, “Partial, you gave them partial truths.”
“So, we give you a home, and safety, and you chose to betray our trusts?” Rhys asked angrily.
“Rhys,” I warned.
“No.” Rhys cut me off. “Grace, he’s dangerous, and he’s been in on all of our meetings!”
“And he protected our most important info!” I shouted back. “He did what he thought he had to. That is something to be honored and not looked down on. We all do things we aren’t proud of when it comes to protecting our families. To survival. You can be mad that some information has gotten out. You can be mad that he should have come to you first. But just because we gave him a house, and tried to include him, does not automatically mean he feels safe!”
“Grace-” Rhys tried, but I cut him off.
“No. You don’t get to do that. Because that guilt of being safe while those you love are not, and not only that, but are actively in danger is something that is indescribable. You don’t get to judge him.”
“Are you finished?”
I gave him a look but gestured for it to be his turn. His dark eyes were angry, but he was much more in control than I had anticipated.
“If you don’t want me to punish him, then why did you bring him to me?” He asked, barely keeping the growl out of his voice.
“I’m so glad you asked,” I smiled a little mischievously, “With Michael’s permission, I want to use it to our advantage.”
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