Page 40 of Talk About… Trouble

I swapped bundles of greens and kept up her attention. She was soaking it in without hesitation as I gave him the next signal. This time she stomped a foot but didn’t bother to turn as I gave her another bite.

Braxton backed away but I didn’t stop until he was out of sight and even Shepherd had managed to slink away, too.

Cowards.

I stayed where I was, offering her the whole bag outside of the small bit I gave the others.

“Alright, girl, it’s all gone. Why don’t you go get a drink?”

As if she understood me, or maybe she just recognized that empty meant we were done, she let out a soft humming noisethat alpacas do when they’re content before trudging off toward the rest of the animals.

With her back to me I climbed out of the fence and met the others. I passed the empty bag to Shepherd with a smug smile on my face. The way they were gaping at me like I’d grown a second head had me flushing with pride.

“Holy shit, you really are the alpaca whisperer, aren’t you?” Braxton said before letting out a loud laugh. “If I hadn’t witnessed it, I wouldn’t believe it.”

He turned to my boss and clapped him on his shoulder.

“Don’t you let this one get away. She’s pure fucking magic.”

“I was just thinking the same thing,” he agreed in that low, raspy rumble of his. Emotion had my throat tightening. I’d never been called good at anything and this was honestly a dream job coming true.

“You’re joining us for dinner tonight?” Braxton asked, oblivious to my minor emotional moment.

My phone rang, echoing out of my office. “I am, but let me check that really quick, I was trying to get a hold of a supplier.”

I rushed off to answer the phone. My lawyer’s name flashed across the screen and I fell heavily into my chair to answer. I’d forgotten all about the leaked picture threat after texting him that night.

“Hello?”

“Wren, I’m glad I caught you. We’ve been looking into everything with the leaked photos. It’s not just you, but a few other victims as well. I’m so sorry, this shouldn't have happened and we’ve done everything we could to get them down. Unfortunately, the trial was big news and it spread before we caught it. There was an account on PackVlog that shares big news and I guess she got a hold of it. I’m guessing that’s how that girl recognized you.”

My legs bounced up and down while I tried and failed to control my breathing.

“So, I’m assuming it’s still going around then?”

“We’re working like crazy to make it stop, but you know how the internet works. Again, I am so sorry, Wren. When we find who the leak was, it will be handled severely. The judge was not pleased. Your identity, and the other girls, was supposed to be protected under omega laws.”

“Thanks. I have to go, I’m at work,” I said, barely choking out the words. It wouldn’t be the first time they heard me break down.

I barely heard one last reassurance and goodbye before the call ended. My chest was aching and I tried my best to remember the tricks my therapist taught me.

The chair protested my fidgeting movements and I shoved it back, dropping to the floor and tucking my knees close to my chest.

This couldn’t be happening. The trial was done. I’d done my part and fought hard to take them down. I was their favorite toy and I wanted to look them in the eye as they were sentenced.

I fucking did all that with the reassurance we would be protected. No photos, no videos, closed courtroom, the works. Even the jury and staff all had to sign NDAs.

Yet, my picture was out there. If that bitch recognized me, then it was only a matter of time before everyone else did, too.

A sob broke free, opening the damn as I gasped between shallow breaths and tears. It had been a long time since a panic attack like this hit.

“Wren?”

God. No. Shepherd couldn’t see me like this.

I tried to suck in a normal breath but it only had me choking thanks to tears and painful tightness in my chest.

“Oh god, Wren. What is it?” Shepherd sounded panicked now but he didn’t hesitate to drop down next to me. “Hey, tell me what to do.”

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