I could hear a sigh from the other end of the phone, “I know you said you are safe, so there is that…but it doesn’t stop me from worrying about you.”
"I know, and I'm really sorry," I said, leaning against the greenhouse wall. "I should have called sooner."
"Damn right you should have," Jamie replied, though his tone softened. "But I'm glad you're okay. Are you really, though? Okay?"
I sighed, watching a butterfly land on one of the roses. "I'm... safe. That's the most important thing right now."
A heard him give a small groan on the other end of the phone, “That is important. I know you said you are doing the orders at where you are. I did also go look at the shop, and the clean up is going well.”
I smiled at that, the tight knot in my chest loosening just a little. “Thank you for checking on it. I hate that you had to see it like that.”
Jamie huffed. “Viv, you think I haven’t seen a mess before? I was more worried aboutyouthan some broken glass and upturned flower buckets.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Still. I appreciate it.”
“You know I’d do anything for you,” he said softly. “But I just—” His voice dropped a little. “I hate being left in the dark. I know you can’t tell me everything, but even just a little more would help me sleep at night.”
I rubbed a hand over my face. “I know. And I want to, Jamie. But I really can’t. It’s not just about me anymore. There are… other people involved, and the investigation’s complicated.”
“Complicated,” he echoed, unimpressed. “Is that your way of saying it’s worse than you’re letting on?”
I paused. “It’s not… great. But I swear to you, I’m not in immediate danger. I’m surrounded by people who know what they’re doing.”
There was a beat of silence, and then: “People. As in Alphas?”
I groaned, tipping my head back against the glass. “Don’t start.”
“I’m just saying,” Jamie said, mockingly defensive. “I turn my back for one second, and suddenly you’re holed up in a mystery house full of Alpha bodyguards. This sounds like the setup to an Omega soap opera.”
“It’s not like that,” I muttered, though my face warmed. “Okay. Maybe it’sa littlelike that. But it’s not what you think.”
Jamie snorted. “Right. So I shouldn’t imagine dramatic shirtless sparring matches and unspoken emotional declarations in the rain?”
I laughed in spite of myself. “Definitely not. Thought I wouldn’t mind seeing a shirtless sparing match..”
“Oh, you would, would you?” the sound of Lucas’s teasing tone made me jump, a squeak leaving me as I almost drop the phone. I stand up, whirling around to find Lucas leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and a devilish grin on his face. His dark hair were windblown, cheeks slightly flushed like he'd just come in from outside.
"Jamie, I have to go," I said hurriedly into the phone. "I'll call you later, I promise."
"Wait, who's that? Is that one of the—"
"Goodbye, Jamie!" I ended the call before Jamie could ask any more embarrassing questions. I turned to Lucas, feeling heat crawl up my neck. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," Lucas replied, his grin widening as he pushed off the doorframe and sauntered into the greenhouse. "Shirtless sparring matches, huh? I could probably arrange that. Dakota and I usually train in the mornings, but I could talk him into an afternoon session if you're interested in spectating." He winked, clearly enjoying my embarrassment.
"I wasn't—that's not what I—" I sputtered, clutching my phone like a shield.
"Relax," Lucas laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm teasing you. Though the offer stands if you ever want to see Dakota get his ass handed to him."
"In your dreams, Delray," Dakota's voice came from the doorway, making me jump again. He stood there with his arms crossed, looking between us with narrowed eyes. "What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, at the same time Lucas said, "Vivian wants to watch us spar shirtless."
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I hate you."
Lucas clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, flower girl."
Dakota raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in what might have been amusement. "Don't let him get to you. Lucas lives to embarrass people."
