"It's one of my many talents," Lucas agreed cheerfully. "Along with excellent timing, apparently." He glanced at my phone. "Friend?"
I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Jamie. I finally called him like I promised."
"Good," Dakota said with a nod. "How's he holding up?"
"Worried, but okay," I replied, slipping my phone back into my pocket. "He checked on the shop for me. Said the cleanup is going well."
Lucas's expression softened. "That's something, at least. One less thing for you to stress about."
I glanced between them, suddenly curious. "Did you both need something? Or just came to check to see if I'd keeled over from flower-arranging exhaustion?"
Dakota and Lucas exchanged a glance, one of those silent communications that seemed to pass between all four Alphas.
"Actually," Lucas said, his playful demeanor shifting to something more serious, "we have some news. About the case."
My hands stilled on the ribbons. "What kind of news?"
Dakota stepped further into the greenhouse, his posture tense. "Theo's identified a potential lead. The industrial cleaner found at your apartment—it's used by a medical research facility about twenty miles from here."
"And," Lucas continued, moving closer as well, "one of their lab technicians has a history of complaints filed against him by Omega coworkers. Nothing that stuck, but enough to raise flags."
I felt my heart rate quicken. "That’s a good thing right?”
Dakota nodded, his expression serious. "It's a start. We're bringing him in for questioning this afternoon."
"Do you think he's the one who..." I couldn't finish the sentence, the memory of the break-in still too fresh.
"We don't know yet," Lucas said gently. "But it's the strongest lead we've had so far."
I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold despite the warmth of the greenhouse. "Will you tell me more when you know?"
Dakota's eyes met mine, dark and intense. "Yes. You have a right to know what we find."
"Gabriel wants us all to meet tonight after the interview," Lucas added, his usual playfulness subdued. "Full briefing, so everyone's on the same page."
I nodded, grateful for their transparency. "Thank you. For telling me, I mean."
Lucas moved closer, his warm presence somehow comforting in its steadiness. "You concentrate on you work here, one of us will be around no matter what. Around or after dinner we will have more information for you.”
I nodded, the room going quiet as I tried not to feel my chest tighten with worry. I just wanted to go back to my normal life, so I hoped this was a good lead. I would just keep myself distracted to dinner till I could know more.
I glanced back to Dakota and Lucas before back to the bouquets that I have been working on….it was going to be a long day.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Iworkedsteadilythroughtheafternoon, my hands moving with practiced precision as I created bouquet after bouquet. The familiar motions helped calm my racing thoughts about the case and what might come from tonight's meeting. Every so often, I'd catch a glimpse of one of the Alphas through the greenhouse windows—Dakota patrolling the perimeter, Lucas on a call in the garden, their protective presence a constant reminder of why I was here.
By late afternoon, my fingers were cramping and my lower back ached from standing so long. I set down my shears and stretched, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension. The bouquets were coming together beautifully—cascades of burgundy and blush blooms that would perfectly complement Mrs. Sullivan's vision for her daughter's wedding.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to find Gabriel standing in the doorway, his tall frame silhouetted against the late afternoon sun. He wore a crisp button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his usually perfect hair slightly tousled as if he'd been running his hands through it.
"May I come in?" he asked, his deep voice carrying across the space between us.
I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Of course."
Gabriel stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His gaze swept over the completed bouquets, appreciation evident in his blue eyes. "These are beautiful, Vivian."
"Thank you," I replied, a small surge of pride warming my chest. "Just finished the last bridesmaid bouquet. Only the bridal bouquet left."
