Page 103 of The Rogues

I want to protest, to deny that fact with a very self-deprecating “no, she won’t,” because I really feel like shit for not paying attention to her as much as I should have. Even when we were growing up, she was always getting punished for being herself, and despite protecting her the best way I could, I still protected myself more. Every argument, every force of free will on her, I tried to stay in the background so the attention would stay off me just a little while longer. And the second I had the opportunity to leave and forfeit my standing with the family, I did so, even though it meant leaving her to the wolves.

I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for that.

I’m about to open my mouth to voice it when the screen changes. Our shared location morphs before my eyes and a little dot shows me exactly where my sister is.

My brows narrow. What is she doing in Washington?

“Oh shit,” Lennon says over my shoulder. “Where is that?”

“West of Tacoma,” Josie answers, pointing at the map where the main city sits.

“But why the hell is she there?” I ask, immediately moving to call her once more. Finally, ringing fills my ears and I exhale with relief. It takes a few moments, but then Florence’s voice explodes in my ear.

“Cy!” she explains. “Sorry it took so long to call you back, I was on a plane.”

“Well, no shit.”

There’s a pause before she says, “I guess you already know I’m not in Canada anymore.”

“Yes, I do. I went to your room and another guest had already checked in.” I lower my voice and add, “You fucking scared me.”

“I’m sorry,” she responds, her excitement subdued, replaced with a remorseful somberness. “I couldn’t tell you I was leaving. You would have thrown a wobbly.”

I grit my teeth. “I still did, Flo. Now, why the hell are you in Washington?”

It’s silent on the other line. It sounds like she’s walking along a busy road before everything stops and becomes silent.

“It was the best place I could think of,” she says. “I’m sorry I left without telling you, but I had to leave quickly. I got a call from Mum and⁠—”

Her explanation halts, her words quivering. “Flo?” I ask. “What happened?”

“She told me that she knew where I was,” she says, sad and exasperated. “God, she found out I was with you and she lost it. She told me that she was sending Julian to come get me and I just…”

My body stiffens. “Why would she send Julian to come get you? Why is she trying to force you two back together?”

“His family’s connections. She says he’s a ‘good match’ for me.” I can practically hear her eyes roll. “I tried telling her the hard truth. That he’s abusive, that he hits me, that he yells and does drugs, but apparently none of that matters because he has a good family name.”

Air gets sucked from my lungs as my alpha growls. “What?”

She plays light. “He’s a loser. I’m not under any delusion that things can work, but I can’t do anything when Mum keeps insisting that we’re going to get married so Julian has gotten it into his brain that I’m his. It’s really more annoying than anything.”

Concern soars through me, along with a deep-seated fury. “Why didn’t you tell me? My pack and I could have helped you.”

She sighs. “You have helped me so much already, Cy. You let me stay with you when I needed it most, even when you were in the most stressful of situations. Even when you had just found your scent match.”

“But—”

“You’ve done everything you can. I promise you that I’m okay, I know how to evade him.”

I start to protest. “Flo⁠—”

“Cyrus.” She stops me, and her voice is the most serious I’ve ever heard from her. “Please trust me. Just this once, okay?”

I want to argue, want to tell her that there must be an easier way for her to avoid Julian and our mother’s wrath, but I can’t. She is now too far for me to be able to help, and I’m stuck on this tour for so many more months.

“I’m sorry, Flo,” I tell her, needing to get this out if anything. “I’m sorry I left you with them, knowing who they were, knowing their expectations…”

“No,” she interrupts, the word firm with an edge of bark. “You do not apologize for that. You have nothing to be sorry for. You got out of there and I’ve always admired you for it. It was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do and… gosh, Cy, it’s inspired me in so many ways. You never let them tell you how to live your life. Don’t apologize for it just because you think it puts more scrutiny on me.”