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"Lucian has a point," Gabe said fro the middle man per usual "It’s really late--or really early It’s not a big deal"

Dev tilted his head to the side "Did you check on her?"

He nodded "She’s the same as she has been"

Gabe tucked back a strand of hair The ends nearly reached his shoulders Their father hated that he kept it on the longer side, clai it made hioing to do if they start searching the house and they find her? Not even Troy knows about her"

"There’s no reason for them to search the house," Dev answered "Just as there’s no reason for Troy to know about her It’s bad enough--"

"What’s bad enough?" Lucian cut in, feeling a flash of anger light up his veins like a asoline "That she’s here? That she’s actually alive?"

"I was going to say it’s bad enough that we basically had to fund the new office Dr Flores has been wanting to build for the last five years to make sure he respects the discretion that is needed in this situation" Dev’s tone was bland No eaze flicked toward the entrance a moment before there was a knock

Dev had this preternatural ability of knohen anyone outside the family was nearby It was actually kind of creepy

Lucian sat beside Gabe as Dev left the roo his palms down his face "Fuck"

"Yep," Gabe replied and that was all he said

Dev was back and behind him was Detective Troy LeMere Troy looked like he’d been in his bed, happy with his neife, when he’d gotten the call The tan khakis were as wrinkly as Lucian’s brain felt The light windbreaker didn’t conceal the gun at his hip

They’d encountered Troy one su school they’d been shipped off to in the north They would sneak off the property and end up at the courts a few h they carounds that couldn’t be anybond had formed

Their friendship had annoyed their father until Troy had gone into the police academy Then, their father was all about that connection, because he sa he could now exploit it

Sometimes Lucian wondered if that hy Dev still associated with Troy

"What in the hell, guys?" Troy asked, rubbing his palm over the close-cropped dark hair No condolences He knew better "The whole way over here I thought this was so like that?" Dev asked "At this ti?"

Lucian rolled his eyes as Gabethat suspiciously sounded like "fuck nored hi himself?"

"In the old study" Dev stepped aside "You may as well come and see for yourself I’ll show you the way"

Troy didn’t point out that he knew exactly where the study was, but as he passed Lucian by, he sent hihed heavily and rose as they disappeared down the hall that led to the study "I better go change before Dev realizes I’ a shirt"

He snorted "I’ you shit isn’t his favorite pasti his brother leave the roo the back of the couch Troy and Dev weren’t gone long Maybe five minutes before they returned

Dev stood in front of one of the many fireplaces never used, arms across his chest and his expression as stoic as a statue’s Troy looked a little shaken under his dark brown skin as he sat on the ar to have to call in the ME, but we can try to keep this a small crew"

"I’d appreciate that," Dev replied

Troy eyed hiets here and this turns into a circus, what’s the story?"

"What do you mean?" Dev frowned "I told you already I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and saw that the light was on I found hi me you believe that man actually killed himself?" Troy asked, brows raised "I know your father That bastard would survive a nuclear bomb just to--"