Page 62 of Accidentally Forever

Banks sighs. “Cut that smirk off your face, Puma. You pay me well but not well enough to get you out of whatever shit is running through your head. In the meantime, I’ll be doing everything I can to tear down whatever case they think they have before they can even put the pieces together. It’s not just your safety I’m worried about. It’s your reputation. A rumor like this? It can destroy a man before he even has a chance to defend himself. But you—” he gestures between us, “—you’re the Ashford pack. Your entire foundation is built on reputation. You don’t get to fuck around and hope it all works itself out.”

I drag a hand down my face, exhaling hard. “And what about Sofie and Violet?”

Banks hesitates for a second. Then his voice drops, something colder settling beneath the usual sarcasm. “Don’t let them out of your sight. There’s no hard evidence against you yet, but public opinion? That shit is a weapon as you all well know. And if someone decides the Ashford pack is running an art forgery ring, it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. They’ll make it true. The last thing you need is Sofie or Violet being dragged into this shitstorm.”

I have a feeling that keeping Violet and Sofie locked up until this all blows over is going to be a challenge but if it keeps them safe, I’ll do it. There’s just one issue left. “Banks, why does it feel like you’re about to walk us out of here after being charged?”

“I’ve been on the case from day one—both civil and criminal to make sure that I catch whatever whispers are rolling through the network. A lovely conversation with two of those officers let me know that this was nothing more than a scare tactic to get you to talk. I’ll be calling their supervisors in the morning to let them know some of the officers are abusing their power. They probably wanted a notch on their belt but they seriously fucked up. Now, let’s get you back home so I can go back home. I have a feeling that we both have mates that are going to be pissed at our disappearance.”

He's not wrong.

I push to my feet, the twins following me as we exit the room. The first officer spins, about to spout more bullshit when Banks, again, just holds his hands up. “Threatening my clients by saying they were under arrest for art forgery in the middle of the goddamn night and then not even processing them into the system is a terrible look for Ansdale police. Either charge them officially or they’re going home.”

The officer sputters around for the right words. “We’re following up on a credible tip.”

Banks laughs, shaking his head. “Yeah? Well, if the one calling in was actually credible, maybe I’d take this whole thing a little more seriously.” I hold back a laugh, recognizing just how unprecedented all this is. If I had a little less money to my name, I’d still be in that interrogation room, trying to find a way back home.

But money talks and apparently, so does Banks. I’ll make sure to pad his fee a bit for tonight’s call.

Chapter forty-five

VIOLET

Sofie has that restless energy, the kind that makes it impossible for her to stay still more than a few minutes. She slept—barely—maybe an hour before she started flopping around like a fish, twisting her limbs in frustration. At first, it was funny, her sighs and huffs exaggerated. But then she got irritable, and when Sofie gets irritable, everyone feels it.

“Okay, okay, enough,” she mutters, shoving the blankets off. “I’m getting up.”

Gray barely cracks an eye open before I’m already moving, watching her stomp off toward the kitchen. She’s still worn out from the last few days, but her mind is clearly racing. She perches on the one armchair that faces the foyer, draping her arms over the back, eyes locked on the front door like staring at it long enough will make them walk through.

I rub my hands over my face and follow her. “Baby, they’ll be back soon.”

Sofie huffs, looking up at me with those big, pouty eyes. “I don’t like not knowing.”

Gray chuckles, stepping behind me and resting his chin on my head. “She’s not going to move, princess. She’s just as stubborn as you are.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I mutter, watching her drum her fingers on the couch.

Time drags, half an hour creeping by, and she never looks away from the door. Her attention doesn’t waver, her ears straining for any hint of sound that might mean they’re back. I step toward her but she just shoots me a glare, pinning me in that spot. I can’t imagine what’s going on in her head but I’m also not going to coddle her. And then finally, the front door creaks open. Before I can even move, Sofie bolts, flinging herself at the twins the second they step inside.

Lance catches her first, but Hawk is right there too, both of them wrapping her up as she clings to them, her body vibrating with relief.

“Jesus, sweetheart, let us breathe,” Lance teases, laughing as he holds her tight.

But Sofie isn’t in a joking mood. “I don’t want to wait any longer,” she says, pulling back enough to look at both of them. “I want to be bonded. I need bites. Stat.” Her gaze moves to Puma and then Gray, her tone softening as she adds, “Violet too.”

Gray stiffens behind me as the entire room goes still. Sofie’s expression doesn’t falter—she isn’t embarrassed, isn’t flustered. She’s completely serious. I should have known an incident like this would drive that reaction.

“I didn’t like not knowing anything or where you were,” she continues, quieter this time. “It felt wrong.”

The Alphas exchange glances, surprise flickering across their faces. Lance is the first to break the silence, rubbing the back of his neck. His brows draw together in something close to amusement. “Isn’t that usually something an Alpha says to their Omega?”

Sofie just shrugs, unconcerned. “Maybe. But I’m an Omega and I want to be bonded.” She turns to me next, her eyes softening as they meet mine. “Vi?” She struggles to slip out of the twins grasp, walking up to me and cupping my face in her delicate hands. “I need this so goddamn much. I can feel you but I can’t feel them and I need it.” Tears gather in her eyes as she sniffles. “I just… I didn’t know. This is the part I hate. The Omega part that needs, that craves, that demands. If I was a Beta…”

I stop her there, softly drawing her into a kiss. “Baby, I might be a Beta but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t—I’m not terrified. Had a whole meltdown while you were sleeping.” I manage a small smile. “You are allowed to need, crave, and demand whatever the fuck you want. Besides, I think bonds are an excellent idea.” For a moment, it’s just the two of us, my Omega and I holding each other.

Then Puma clears his throat, reminding us that we have an audience. Sofie grumbles something before turning around. “Great. It’s settled. Let’s go.” She marches back over to the twins, reaching for their hands.

Gray snorts, shaking his head. “Wait—” His voice is edged with something confused. “Oh, she meant now?”

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