“I really am sorry about all this,” Chase said.
“It's not your fault. Are there cameras anywhere else in this apartment?”
“There are,” Chase confirmed. “Some pointed at the elevator and at our front door, so we can see who's coming or going. We also have one in the living space, but we installed that because I was pulling pranks and Spencer wanted proof. If having a camera makes you uncomfortable, let me know, and I'll take it down.
“No, that’s okay. I just wanted to be sure there weren’t any in the bedrooms or, God forbid, bathrooms. Wait, did that creep have a camera inmy bathroom?” I asked. That idea disgusted me.
Chase grimaced. “Honestly, I don't know. One of us is going to go to your apartment in the next day or two and give it a proper search. I don’t want to worry you, but there’s a good chance.”
I shuddered. “I feel violated.”
“It’s awful, and I’m so sorry that has happened to you. If you want, I can give you a camera detector. It’s a little device you can swipe around the room to see if there are any hidden cameras. If that will make you feel safer and more comfortable here…”
“Actually, it really would. Are you sure that’s okay?”
Chase shrugged. “Yeah, it’s no problem at all. If it helps you sleep, it’s worth it. I know you haven’t been sleeping too well lately.”
“Hmm. I wonder how you know that,” I said pointedly.
“We just needed to ensure you were safe. Now you’re here, there won’t be any cameras on you. If Spencer asks me to install any more cameras, I’ll tell him to shove them up his backside.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. In fact, I would take great joy in it.” His smirk told me he was being truthful.
“Thank you.”
“It’s getting late. I’m going to leave you to it. I am just down the hall if you need me. I’ll bring the detector in a few minutes.” He took a step forward, his scent intensifying. For a moment, my mind wandered back to that night in my nest, the way his arms moved and his whispered moans in my ear. “I’mserious, Flora—if you need anything, come find me. Even if you just want to talk about plants for three hours. Not that I think you would want to talk about plants for three hours, but Mable did that once, so I’m prepared.”
Chapter 24
Chase
Leaving Flora in the guest room was far more difficult than I anticipated, but she needed space. If I had been through half the crap she had tonight, I would need time to reorient myself.
So, after dropping off the detector and giving her a quick rundown of how to use it, I closed the door behind me and headed to the living room, where Spencer and Bear were talking in hushed voices. All the while, I ignored my every alpha instinct to run straight back to her room and comfort the distressed omega.
Her scent wasn’t as bright as it had been when we spent the night together; it was slightly charred. Not with terror, but there was the distinct scent of discomfort and underlying anxiety that made me itch to fix whatever was wrong.
“So, we’re in the business of kidnapping now?” I asked as I walked into the room.
“It’s notkidnapping,” Bear insisted defensively. “I had to get her somewhere safe.”
“No, I get that,” I said. “Bringing her here tonight isn’twhat I mean by kidnapping. I’m talking about whatthis onesaid.” I turned to Spencer and pointed an accusing finger at him.
“I’m keeping hersafe,” he grumbled, his expression dark and serious.
“By telling her she can’t leave the apartment?” I asked, my tone pitching up as I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Doyouwant her to leave the apartment?” Spencer shot back, raising his eyebrows pointedly. He was sitting back on the couch, so damn nonchalant, but I knew him better than that. His jaw had a hard set to it, like it did whenever he was stressed.
“Of course not, but it has to beherdecision to stay.” I wanted Flora safe more than anything, but short of chaining her up, there wasn’t much we could do to force the issue. The only thing we could do was gently encourage.
“Why?” Spencer asked casually. “She’s here, and I’m not letting her leave.”
I shot Bear a glance, trying to get a little fucking help, and he did throw a concerned look at our pack mate. He didn’t push it further, though, just shrugging as his stare dropped to the floor.
“What about her classes?” I asked.
