Winston (BBW Bear Shifter Wedding Romance) (Grizzly Groomsmen Book 3) by Becca Fanning Page B
Authors: Becca Fanning
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smile.
The trip to the kitchen was short enough that Delphine’s worries didn’t have time to take over her mind but long enough that they still planted seeds of doubt and panic. Everyone else was already seated at the table, their expressions containing various levels of exasperation.
“I just want to say before we get started,” Hyde said, “that the fact that none of us realized that this was going to happen is, in hindsight, frankly embarrassing. I would also like to add that under no circumstances are the two of you allowed to procreate while I’m alive.”
Dominic nodded seriously.
“Duly noted,” Custer said with his trademark smile. “We’ll be sure to murder you before starting a family. Don’t worry, it’ll be quick.”
“If you’re done,” the captain cut in with a glare, “we need to have a serious conversation.”
“We managed to get ahold of the Rabblerouser fairly quickly,” Annie said. “The mercenaries that went after Custer and Delphine must have tipped them off. They were wary, but willing to negotiate once we made it clear we meant them no harm. They agreed, and Zosha’s friend gave the Mason executives a very convincing show. They aren’t stupid enough to risk a multi-billion credit business over this. As long as we have Delphine and the Rabblerouser crew is willing to admit to smuggling U4 for them—that is, of course, as long as they don’t run the risk of getting arrested—Mason can’t move forward without taking a huge leap back.”
“And that’s what we need to discuss. The Rabblerouser’ s captain wants Delphine,” the captain informed the room.
Custer stiffened, his smile suddenly cold. “And what did you tell them?”
“That it was a no-go. It’s understandable. We need their help to get Mason to stop sending people after us, but if we turn Delphine loose she could disappear—or worse, go back to Mason—and then they’re on the hook for being willing to testify against them and in the same position we are. I explained that we couldn’t risk giving Delphine to them in case they decided to try and garner loyalty with Mason. We agreed that, as long as we keep Delphine on a proverbial leash, they’d be willing to testify. The problem with our job is that the only reliable way to do that is keep you on the ship, which means you’d have to work for us. We don’t have the resources or, frankly, the inclination to take care of someone who isn’t contributing. Thoughts?”
“I…” Delphine shook her head, stunned. “I don’t understand.”
“The problem,” Ingram said, “is that you were raised to believe that Mason Corporation was omnipotent and infallible. In reality, neither are true and no one knows it better than the people who run it. The fact that we may or may not be able to cause an investigation is too dangerous. They’re backing off, at least for now. So the question remains. What do you want to do?”
“You’re really asking my opinion?” Delphine asked, carefully rearranging her understanding of her life.
“Of course,” the captain said. “We’ve already told you that we’re not willing to keep prisoners. Again, we don’t have the resources, and if you chose to you could make our lives very difficult. As it stands, we need you here, willingly, or we need to work out an acceptable alternative.”
Delphine looked at Custer, feeling truly, utterly helpless for the first time in her life. She would have been happy to die for him. The thought that she might get to live with him filled her with a terrifyingly intense whirl of emotions.
“Whatever you want,” Custer said softly, and Delphine knew he meant it.
She took a deep breath and smiled, small but true.
“I want to stay.”
Sam
Grizzly Groomsmen II
by
Becca Fanning
Raking her fingers through her short hair, Lorne looked around the room. She was in her element, surrounded by people, booze, and music, and ready to have a good time. Even if she had
The trip to the kitchen was short enough that Delphine’s worries didn’t have time to take over her mind but long enough that they still planted seeds of doubt and panic. Everyone else was already seated at the table, their expressions containing various levels of exasperation.
“I just want to say before we get started,” Hyde said, “that the fact that none of us realized that this was going to happen is, in hindsight, frankly embarrassing. I would also like to add that under no circumstances are the two of you allowed to procreate while I’m alive.”
Dominic nodded seriously.
“Duly noted,” Custer said with his trademark smile. “We’ll be sure to murder you before starting a family. Don’t worry, it’ll be quick.”
“If you’re done,” the captain cut in with a glare, “we need to have a serious conversation.”
“We managed to get ahold of the Rabblerouser fairly quickly,” Annie said. “The mercenaries that went after Custer and Delphine must have tipped them off. They were wary, but willing to negotiate once we made it clear we meant them no harm. They agreed, and Zosha’s friend gave the Mason executives a very convincing show. They aren’t stupid enough to risk a multi-billion credit business over this. As long as we have Delphine and the Rabblerouser crew is willing to admit to smuggling U4 for them—that is, of course, as long as they don’t run the risk of getting arrested—Mason can’t move forward without taking a huge leap back.”
“And that’s what we need to discuss. The Rabblerouser’ s captain wants Delphine,” the captain informed the room.
Custer stiffened, his smile suddenly cold. “And what did you tell them?”
“That it was a no-go. It’s understandable. We need their help to get Mason to stop sending people after us, but if we turn Delphine loose she could disappear—or worse, go back to Mason—and then they’re on the hook for being willing to testify against them and in the same position we are. I explained that we couldn’t risk giving Delphine to them in case they decided to try and garner loyalty with Mason. We agreed that, as long as we keep Delphine on a proverbial leash, they’d be willing to testify. The problem with our job is that the only reliable way to do that is keep you on the ship, which means you’d have to work for us. We don’t have the resources or, frankly, the inclination to take care of someone who isn’t contributing. Thoughts?”
“I…” Delphine shook her head, stunned. “I don’t understand.”
“The problem,” Ingram said, “is that you were raised to believe that Mason Corporation was omnipotent and infallible. In reality, neither are true and no one knows it better than the people who run it. The fact that we may or may not be able to cause an investigation is too dangerous. They’re backing off, at least for now. So the question remains. What do you want to do?”
“You’re really asking my opinion?” Delphine asked, carefully rearranging her understanding of her life.
“Of course,” the captain said. “We’ve already told you that we’re not willing to keep prisoners. Again, we don’t have the resources, and if you chose to you could make our lives very difficult. As it stands, we need you here, willingly, or we need to work out an acceptable alternative.”
Delphine looked at Custer, feeling truly, utterly helpless for the first time in her life. She would have been happy to die for him. The thought that she might get to live with him filled her with a terrifyingly intense whirl of emotions.
“Whatever you want,” Custer said softly, and Delphine knew he meant it.
She took a deep breath and smiled, small but true.
“I want to stay.”
Sam
Grizzly Groomsmen II
by
Becca Fanning
Raking her fingers through her short hair, Lorne looked around the room. She was in her element, surrounded by people, booze, and music, and ready to have a good time. Even if she had
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