Page 24 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"We're certain of it," Lucas confirmed, his green eyes studying my reaction. "The victim was a lab assistant at Teria. Worked directly under Thompson until about a month ago when she transferred departments."

A chill ran through me despite the warm day. "So they're targeting people who worked with her."

“Looks that way.” Reeves spoke, eyeing me, “Collins seems to want to keep you in the loop. I get that you are a part of this….” He pauses looking at me with a frown.

“I just don’t think we should be bringing a civilian into this, no matter how involved you are.” Reeves gave a sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Lucas shrugged, his eyes still on me. "It's not our call. Gabriel's the head Alpha. He makes the decisions."

"And he decided I should know about another dead Omega?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear crawling up my spine.

"He thought you should be aware of the escalating situation," Lucas explained, his tone gentler than Reeves's had been. "Especially since we found something else at the scene."

I braced myself. "What did you find?"

Lucas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small evidence bag. Inside was what looked like a business card. My business card.

"This was in her pocket," he said, holding it up so I could see the familiar logo of Petal & Thorn printed on the cream-colored cardstock.

My mouth went dry, “I see.” I didn’t know what to think of this situation, I didn’t know why my shop had to be involved in this. Couldn’t they have picked a different meeting spot?

“We are watching your shop closely, we don’t want to think it, but just in case you are a potential target.” Lucas said, his green eyes intense as they held mine.

I swallowed hard."So what does Collins want me to do? Hide in my apartment until this is all over?"

Reeves snorted. "He suggested it, actually. But he also knows you well enough already to know you'd never agree to that."

The fact that Collins had accurately predicted my response was both irritating and oddly comforting. "He's right.’

“Which means we will be around for the foreseeable future.” Reeves told me, a grin on his face as his dark eyes gleamed in amusement.

This was definitely going to be a long and foreseeable future with him being around more. I would rather take Collins than him.

"Fantastic," I muttered, "Just what I need—more Alphas hovering around my shop, scaring away customers."

"We'll be discreet," Lucas assured me, his tone placating in a way that only irritated me further.

"Like you were discreet when your partner tackled me to the ground?" I asked, shooting a pointed look at Reeves.

Reeves at least had the decency to look slightly chagrined. "That was... different circumstances."

I rolled my eyes, reaching for the door handle. "Just stay out of my way. I have a business to run."

"One more thing," Lucas said, his voice stopping me before I could leave. "Collins wants you to call him directly if you see anyone suspicious around your shop. Anyone at all."

“Got it.” I bit out leaving before they could stop me again. I just wanted to get back to the flower shop and away from these Alphas who seemed to be able to get under my skin.

Chapter Eleven

Theflowershopspringsto life with the dawn, the aroma of blooming buds mingling with the buzz of anticipation that hangs in the air. The early sunlight filters through the windows, casting soft shadows on the floor as I prepare for another day, heart thrumming in time with the flutter of petals around me. It’s the promise of a normal day, but even as I arrange the Lavenders and honeysuckles, I can feel the shadows of last week lurking in the background.

Customers drift in and out as the morning hours tick by, each one adding to the rhythm of our work as Jamie and I tackle the mounting orders with a fervor that makes time slip away. I exchange smiles with a little girl clutching a crumpled dollar, her face lighting up when we present her with a small bouquet of wildflowers. The sheer joy in her eyes draws a smile from me that I can't hold back, the innocence of it all a breath of fresh air.

“Look at that!” Jamie laughs, swooping down to offer her a bright yellow daisy. “A gift from our shop to you.” She beams, cradling her flowers like a treasure, and as she exits, I find myself stealing a glance at Jamie, a mix of admiration and something deeper surfacing.

“Always the charmer,” I tease, stacking a crate of peonies. He laughs, throwing back his head as he sweeps up another order.

“Can’t help it! Just love seeing smiles.” His sincerity warms me, reminding me how easy it is for him to weave light into the mundane.

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