Then I pull back to meet Lexi’s gaze. We’re roughly the same height, making it easy to do. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, Lexi.” I feel the need to say those words in case I never see her again.
Unfortunately, they’re the wrong ones to voice because she starts to cry again.
Luna’s eyes widen, and she takes over hugging our friend. “Emmett?” Luna mouths, referring to Lexi’s omega lover.
I nod and go grab my phone. It feels good to swipe my brother’s text off my screen, almost like I’m ignoring him.
I can’t, though.
Not for long, anyway.
Dismissing the nerves twisting my insides, I pull up Emmett’s name and type out a quick message.Lexi is having big emotions in the bakery. You or one of those alphas of yours should probably get over here. Stat.
Emmett’s reply is immediate.OMW.
Slipping the phone into my pocket, I take in Luna and Lexi’s embrace and feel my stomach twist again.
Widows Peak is safe.
It’s home.
It’s ours.
Leaving feels unnatural and wrong. But that note from Gio was pretty fucking clear.Noah will be there in thirty minutes to retrieve you. The jet is waiting.
Luna’s comment about me beingannoyedis an understatement. I’m annoyedandpissed. Because how fucking dare he not give me time to accept his summons.
I could have booked my own flight,I start typing, letting my fury guide my fingers.I don’t need to fly home on the family jet, Gio.
Actually, maybe I should refuse.
Tell him I already booked something for tomorrow.
Or later this week.
Give me a few days toprocesshis demand.
And I don’t know anyone named Noah,I add.Why would you send a stranger to pick me up?
Which has me wondering if this is even legitimate at all.
What if someone else has Gio’s phone?
What if something’s happened to my brother?
Eyes narrowed, I delete everything I’ve typed so far and respond with one word.Tuna.
If he doesn’t respond with the appropriate reply by the time I get home, then I’ll know something isn’t right.
But if it’s the response I expect… I’ll let Noah take me to the jet. And face my fate.
CHAPTER TWO
JOHAN
“Tuna?”Noah demands. “What the fuck sort of reply isTuna?”
“It’s her safe word,” I reply, already aware of the phrase Aurora Bianchi uses with her darling brother.
