“First Maria, now Nancy, who’s next? Is it you, Meg?”
I stared at the paper for a few minutes and my face went white. Was the writer of the note trying to say that, Nancy was dead? Or was he trying to say that, Nancy had disappeared? Either way, I knew that enough time hadn’t passed for her to just disappear or even be killed. Though, maybe the note was acting as a threat or scare tactic. Maybe the writer of the note was trying to warn me off of trying to find out.
I placed the note in my pocket and ran the hallway, trying to remember my way back to, Greyson’s office. I knew I was close when I got to the dark grey hallway that I had waited in on the day that I’d arrived. Only this time, I didn’t patiently wait outside. I burst into the room and thanked God when I saw Greyson sitting at his desk.
“Missed me did you?” He smirked and I tried not to succumb to his snarky charm.
“Where’s Nancy?”
“Who?” He blinked. “Oh, your roommate?”
“Yes, my roommate as you well know.” I shouted and banged my fists on the table. “Where is she?”
“Why would I know where she is?” He frowned and stood up. “What’s wrong, Meg?”
“She’s gone.”
“Is this about me putting you back in your own bed last night?” He stroked my hair. “I thought it would be better for all involved if you woke up in your own room.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“I missed you in my arms when I woke up. I felt oddly bereft.”
“Sure you did.” This time, I did roll my eyes.
“I did.” He hugged me. “Are you sure your roommate isn’t in the courtyard?”
“I was there and she’s gone. Patsy said she left.”
“Maybe she just left then. We don’t hold anyone against their will.”
“Patsy said stuff is changing today.” I changed the subject. “People are leaving. Was Nancy one of the girls you had done on the list to leave.”
“No.” Greyson’s eyes darkened.
“What plans have changed?” I pushed my luck, hoping to get a real answer.
“Yes, there’s been a change of plans.” His eyes darkened. “But the actual change if plans is none of your concern though.”
“I want to know what happened to Nancy. Where is she?”
“Meg, I have no idea what happened to her.”
“She warned me about you this morning and now she’s gone.” I pushed against him. “I don’t believe it’s coincidence.”
“Meg, I swear to God. I have no idea who this girl is or why she would be warning you off of me.”
“She’s Maria’s sister.” I shot out and looked to see his reaction. He backed away from me then and his eyes changed. I knew instantly that he was shocked at the news. He hadn’t known that, Nancy and Maria were related. And if he hadn’t known that, then what threat would she have been to him? No, he wasn’t responsible for Nancy’s disappearance or running away.
“Maria?”
“Don’t pretend to be ignorant, Greyson, not now.” I sighed. “Please.”
“I like you, Meg.” He grabbed my shoulders. “But, there are things you don’t want to know. Things you don’t need to know. Please do not push this.”
“Greyson.” My voice cracked as I said his name. We stared at each other for a few minutes and then tears started falling from my eyes. “I can’t take this anymore.”
“What are you saying?” His fingers wiped the tears off of my face gently.
“I’m saying I want to leave as well.”
“I thought you needed a job.”
“I’ll move to a different apartment. Shit, I’ll move home and live with my parents.” I shrugged. “I’m tired, I can’t deal with this anymore.”
“I don’t know what you think you know, Meg.” He shook his head. “But, please don’t leave. Not yet.”
“Why do you want me to stay?”
“I’m not as bad as you think I am, Meg.” He sighed. “I know I warned you away, but my bite isn’t as bad as my bark.”
“Wouldn’t every wolf say that?” I shook my head and looked around his office. I saw some photos on the wall in the corner and walked over to look at them. “Is that you and, Brandon Hastings?” I stared at the photos searchingly, hoping to find some clues.
“Yes.” He nodded and his eyes were clouded. I was about to ask him another question when, Patsy burst into the office panting.
“Mr. Twining.” Patsy ran into the office out of breath. “Two of the girls are refusing to go. I told them that they had to.”
“Patsy.” Greyson’s held his hand up to stop her, but she continued on with her speech.
“There’s a baby,” her face looked worried. “I’m sorry, I forgot to check. But she’s having a baby. Her people won’t accept girls with babies.”
“Then send them to someone who will.” Greyson shrugged and he looked over at me in the corner with a blank expression. My face had grown ashen and I thought I was going to faint. “Patsy, I am confident you can take care of this, right?”
“Yes, Mr. Greyson.” Patsy nodded. “I know what to do. I know who will take women with babies.”
“Good.” Greyson nodded and watched as Patsy walked out of the door. “There’s no need to hide in the corner, Meg.”
“So, it’s true then?” I gulped out barely able to talk.
“What’s true?”
“You do send girls away?”
“I,” he started and sighed. “I don’t know what to say.” He looked back at me and I was about to respond when someone else did for me.
“Maybe it’s time to tell her the truth.” Brandon’s voice filled the room and I turned to look at him in shock, unable to believe that he was finally here in the flesh. “Maybe, it’s time for us to acknowledge everything, Greyson.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Greyson looked at Brandon in fury and my heart stilled.
“It’s time, Greyson. It’s time we let everyone know the truth about the club.” Brandon sighed and looked at me with bleak eyes. “And maybe then, we can really try and seek some forgiveness.”
The End