“Anyway, the guy renting my house is only there for another month. I’ll stay in a hotel close to the salon until then. Done.”
I look at their faces. They’re not disagreeing. Even Rue isn’t throwing something in, because I think talking about the flat has brought everything back up. They’ll have seen the email, the images, and everything else Sylvan sent.
The emails that had him suggesting murder.
They must have been so worried about me.
“I’m sorry for not telling you about the email,” I say, struggling to hold their eyes even over the phone. “It’s not an excuse, but I was exhausted. The guys said I had a virus, and I just wasn’t thinking straight. You know how I overthink things, and the threat of prison felt so real…” My teeth drag across my lower lip. “I’m sorry.”
“Re-Re...” Rue sighs long and hard. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done in that situation. Sorry for giving you a hard time.”
“Me either.” I’m shocked to hear Rowan say that. “But it’s been dealt with now. Thanks to Kaiden and his pack.”
I nod.
“You need to call Mum. We told her you were sick, so she’s waiting at the hotel to hear from you,” Rue says.
“Does she know about...”
“No.”
I sigh. “Thanks, Ro. I’ll call her now.”
“Then call us back, and we’ll sort out when you’re coming to ours,” Rue throws in, like it’s a done deal.
I could argue, but I decide it’s easier to let them believe they’ve won. For now.
Our chat ends as I swipe out and click straight onto my mum’s name.
Another deep breath in, out.
I whack on a big smile as the call connects.
“Is that my little Vea?! Oh, baby, it’s so good to see you!” The video quality is shit, but I’d recognise my mum’s voice anywhere.
My mum and dads have always loved travelling. Once my dads left the military, they started taking longer trips while we stayed home, but about five years ago, they decided to really live life to the fullest. Since then, they’ve been travelling all over the world, taking private contracts, helping small communities set things up properly. Turns out decades in the military make you pretty useful in remote places like that.
I guess they needed something after… everything. Something that kept them moving.
My brothers and I stayed put. We became closer than ever, and even though none of us ever said it out loud, things just… shifted after Dad died.
It’s no one’s fault, but my dad, Shea, and I were similar in a lot of ways. I think sometimes it was hard for them to be around me.
Right now, they’re down near Antarctica, helping a small research outpost get established, which means we can only call them when they’re in one of the rare spots that actually get reception.
“Rowan said you haven’t been very well, so I told him we’d wait here a few more days. Are you better, sweetie? You look—”
“Let me see, love.” My dad, Maddox, pulls the screen to him. “Sweetheart, you look a little pale! Doesn’t she look pale, Sven?”
Pale blue eyes fill the screen next. “You do look a little pasty, poppet.”
“I’m fine, honestly. I’m much better than I was. Anyway, how’s the Antarctic?”
“Oh, it’s amazing, honey. It’s… Prop it up against the—yes, like that!”
I can finally see all three. My mum is sitting between my dads, who each have an arm over her shoulders.
“You would just love it here. The people are so friendly. Anyway, enough about us, how was LA?” She waggles her thin brows.
