A few seconds later, Bram walked into the room and looked straight at Gregor. “What’s so bloody important that I needed to come here in person?”
Gregor tsked. “Remember about your blood pressure. You need to stop yelling.”
Bram narrowed his eyes, but his voice was more of a normal volume when he replied, “Why am I here, Innes?”
“You’re here because Cassidy wants you to be.”
“Don’t drag me into this, Gregor,” Sid hissed.
Bram looked between them before asking again, “Why am I here? You may have forgotten, but I’m clan leader. I have shit to do.”
Gregor took Sid’s hand and Bram watched the motion. Sid could’ve pulled away as Gregor had no claim on her. But she rather liked having someone know the Scottish doctor wanted her.
Hell, she rather wanted to hold his hand in front of the entire staff to signal he was off limits.
Before she could think too hard on that thought, Gregor’s voice filled the room. “I’m staying on Stonefire until I find a way to bring Cassidy’s dragon back.”
“Is that possible?” Bram asked.
“I don’t know,” Gregor answered. “But we have a few ideas. Two doctors working on the case in close proximity means a greater chance of succeeding.”
“By ‘close proximity’ do you mean living together?”
Sid wasn’t surprised Bram had pieced that together so quickly. “Yes, although not quite in the way you think,” Sid said. Gregor squeezed her hand, signaling he didn’t agree with that, but she ignored him, for now. “While you know I suffer from terrible headaches from time to time, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you.” She took a deep breath and added, “I have episodes of intense pounding and pain, as if something is trapped in my mind and can’t get out.”
“So every time you disappeared because of a headache, it was because of this?” Bram asked.
“Yes. I didn’t mean to deceive you, Bram, but I didn’t want to be locked away. Besides, when they started to increase in frequency, I requested another doctor,” Sid stated.
Bram searched her eyes and sighed. “You should’ve come to me, Sid. I would’ve done anything I could to help.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Well, doctors don’t often like to admit something’s wrong with them.”
Gregor jumped in. “Which is exactly why I’m going to stay. I’ll make sure she takes care of herself.”
Bram searched Gregor’s eyes for one long minute. As easy as it was to wind up Bram, her clan leader based all of his decisions on the possible outcome rather than his emotions. Well, except for a few cases regarding his mate.
Sid hoped his emotions didn’t get in the way this time.
She blinked and tried not to think of how much she was rooting for Gregor to stay, especially since her condition might only deteriorate. Not even the most determined dragon-shifter in the world could prevent the inevitable from happening through sheer will.
Bram finally grunted. “Aye, I’ll let you stay. But, don’t think it gives you free rein. I want to be updated on Sid’s progress and anything you find. If we need to bring in more doctors, I’ll find a way. But I can’t do that if I don’t know what’s going on.”
Sid’s voice choked with emotion. “Thanks, Bram.”
He waved a hand in dismissal. “You’re clan, which makes you family. Of course I’m going to help you.” He looked to Gregor. “I’m going to be watching you, though.”
Gregor shrugged. “You’ll soon realize my skills and grow to love my charm.”
Bram mumbled, “Bloody Scot,” before speaking to Sid again. “I’ll put in a request for the Welsh dragonman to arrive as soon as he can. That way it will free up Innes’s time to help you.” She nodded. “And take care of yourself, Sid. Stonefire won’t function properly without you.”
Unused to praise and the talk of feelings, she bobbed her head. Before she could say anything, Gregor jumped in. “And right now, Cassidy needs to sleep. I’ll call you again if anything changes.”
Bram looked like he wanted to say something, but merely turned and raised a hand in parting.
After she heard Bram leave the surgery, Gregor pulled the blanket up around her body. “I was serious, love. You need to sleep.”
“But the data—”