I’m about to rejoin Tris in our living area for wine, and snacks, when there’s a knock on our door.
Tristan throws a ‘wtf’ look my way.
Then it’s my turn to throw a similar look back at her once Omega Mother Beatrice leaves Tristan with an armful of gifts and some very lecture inspired words hanging in the air. Though that fades when Tristan turns and directs one of her sassy looks my way.
“Sim, you sure as hell have some explaining to do. Look at these flowers… They’re incredible. They must have cost more than…”
I don’t need to check who they’re from. They have his vulgar scent staining their perfume.
From my first impression, the bouquet is incredible and clearly expensive. But if you knew Brody like I did, you’dread the mix of flame red and heated orange flowers mixed with tulips and lilies—both symbolic of death—as an obvious threat. Which they are.
He’s sending me messages, forewarning me of what he wants to do, while to the rest of the world he is acting a gentleman.
Instead of accepting the bunch of flowers, I mumble something incoherent at Tris, twisting the lid off the wine and trying to drown my sorrows.
“Get a glass,” Tristan scolds with a gentle rub on my shoulders as she reaches around me to open the oven.
The acrid scent of the burnt nachos as she drops the tray on the sink only reinforces the threat hidden in Brody’s floral message.
My knees tremble and I have to dig deep, pretending everything is okay, diverting Tristan with something resembling a conversation. I couldn’t cope if she found out and went after him, like I knew she would.
“Honestly, it’s lucky you’ve got some money in the bank because I’m pretty sure you’re going to need a live-in chef or something,” I say. It sounds hollow and completely abstract, but it’s the best I’ve got.
Tristan helps me find my footing after being shaken to the core by snuggling up behind me and holding me tight. “Imagine if I could cook, all those poor restaurants and cafes would be out of business.”It’s okay, Sim, I’ve got you. Please tell me what I can do to help you.
Nothing. Promise me you won’t do anything.
Another squeeze, and her bubble-gum scent overrides the charred smell of my fear.
“I was thinking we should order in. I’ll sneak down and get it.” She rubs my shoulder.
But if Brody is still here, toying with my by sending flowers,I want to go out. Ineedto get out. Tristan may unknowingly hold the key to me running to Hendrix, Dominic and Ryder—dangling right there on her wrist. Call it bestie intuition.
I point the gift bag out to her as a reminder. And that’s all it takes.
I feed into every suggestion she makes. Not even batting an eye when she suggests we go to an MMA event. I stay in that strange, emboldened mindset, full of sass and confidence when I walk out wearing Tristan’s ankle boots and a dress Heidi gave me. The strapless baby pink dress is something every person associated with the founding families would abhor. It fits me like a glove, hugging my curves and emphasising my body. Tonight, it feels like armour.
The look on Tristan’s face when she sees me reinforces how I feel—fierce. It’s clear by the look on her face she’s connecting my outfit to the flowers, and while the two do go hand in hand, it’s not in the way she thinks.
“Let’s go kick some serious butt,” she says suggestively before she spins off and races back to her bedroom. I stay where I am, texting Nigel and Dale, asking them to accompany me. And then I send a group message to Hendrix, Dominic, and Ryder, giving them an update on Brody’s latest move, and also letting them know I’m going out with Tristan, and that I have Nigel and Dale with me.
Going out withoutthemmight be the definition of stupid to some, but they mean too much to me. Plus, Dominic has more important things to do. As soon as I know he has lodged the paperwork to commence emancipation proceedings, I’ll feel better prepared for what’s coming. Dragging them into this mess isn’t fair, but it’s also inevitable, considering how we feel about each other. I get messages back from each of them. Of course they offer to meet me, but they alsounderstand I’m safe. Ryder encourages me to keep believing in myself, and honestly, asking them not to come is part of that. I’m finding peace and comfort doing things I deem necessary, and that’s what this is all about.
Tristan is as much a ball of nervous energy as we watch the first MMA fight as I am. But as opposed to her anxiety which is targeted towards the fighters, I’m waiting for Dominic’s call.
“Who are we watching, Tris?” I ask, sipping on water.
She is being coy. So far she hasn’t told me anything about why we’re here. It’s pretty obvious, she’s all eyes for one of the Alphas currently in the cage. Her bubble-gum scent keeps twisting and turning with each round of the bout. But if she doesn’t want to tell me everything yet, I’m not about to push her. I’ll stand by and support her however she needs though.
I snatch her hand to get her attention as a roar echoes from one side of the hall to the other.
“I love you like a sister, promise me you’re safe.”
“Without question!” she screams back at me louder than the crowd’s applause.
One fighter is struggling, and the crowd’s encouragement isn’t for him, but Tristan’s entire focus is. She leaks so many emotions that it’s hard to keep up with them. But sometimes you just need a small push. I understand that in spades. Usually it’s her urging me on, today though, that task falls to me.
I squeeze her hand, and she turns towards me, but her eyes keep drifting back to him. “Go. It looks likeheneeds a reminder or something.”
