I answer on the first ring.
“AUDRA,” Levi yells, voice cracking with relief and rage. “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?”
“I’m… fine,” I say automatically, and then I hear myself and hate it. “No. I’m not fine. But I’m safe. I’m at Derek’s house.”
A beat of silence on the line.
Then Levi’s voice drops, deadly calm. “Put him on.”
Mark’s eyes widen. Alex’s grin goes feral.
Derek holds out his hand, expression unreadable. I hesitate, then hand him the phone.
He lifts it to his ear. “Levi.”
“Pierce,” Levi says, each syllable sharp enough to cut. “If she is missing a single hair from her head, I will bury you in paperwork so deep you’ll never breathe again.”
Says my lawyer bestie.
Mark chokes on a laugh.
Derek’s mouth twitches. “Noted.”
“Explain,” Levi snaps.
Derek’s gaze flicks to me. It’s a question. Permission.
I nod once.
“She was drugged,” Derek says, voice tightening on the word. “At the club. Hospital confirmed. She’s still foggy, but she’s stable.”
Levi’s inhale is harsh. “Drugged by who?”
“Some guy at the bar,” Derek replies. “The guy she was talking to before you pulled her over to the table. Security has him. Police have footage. I’ll forward whatever you need.”
Another beat.
Then Levi’s voice turns quieter. Still furious. “Is she alone with you?”
Mark makes an offended sound. “Rude.”
Alex whispers, “Valid.”
Derek answers evenly, “Mark and Alex are here.”
“Good,” Levi says immediately. “Good. Okay. I’m coming.”
“No,” I say quickly, the word too sharp. My head pounds in protest.
Levi’s voice softens, just slightly. “Audra?—”
“I’m okay,” I insist. “I just… I need a minute. I need to breathe without you trying to fight someone.”
“That’s not a promise,” Levi mutters.
“It is,” I say. “You promised me you’d stop getting arrested.”
“I promised I’d stop getting arrested in my own city,” he counters. “This is Derek Pierce’s city.”
