Page 32 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

I shook my head. "It's fine. And to answer your question, I like being independent. The shop was my mother's, and her father's before that. Family business." I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant despite the personal nature of the question. "Not all of us need a pack to function."

Lucas studied me for a moment, something like respect flickering in his eyes. "Fair enough."

I was then dragged into other everyday talk, and I could tell Lucas was trying to keep me distracted, I would let it slide. I would keep my temper in check for now and would bring up going back to my apartment for after I see the state of my shop.

Chapter Fourteen

Itakeadeepbreath,the weight of Gabriel's presence steady beside me as he lifts the police tape. My chest tightens at the sight of my sanctuary in ruins—vivid petals crushed underfoot, water pooled on the hardwood floor, creating dark stains that might never come out. The counter where I've arranged countless bouquets is scratched and dented, bearing witness to the violent struggle that took place.

"Take your time," Gabriel says quietly, his voice gentle in a way I haven't heard before. He stands close enough that I can feel his warmth, but not so close that I feel crowded—a careful balance I suspect he's maintaining deliberately.

I step forward, glass crunching beneath my feet as I move through the wreckage. Each broken vase represents hours of work, each scattered arrangement a small piece of my heart. I kneel beside a cluster of trampled lilies, their delicate petals bruised and broken. These were meant for the Hendersons' anniversary—fifty years of marriage celebrated with white stargazers, their favorite.

"We can salvage some of it," I murmur, more to myself than to Gabriel. My fingers gently touch the bent stems, assessing what might be saved. "The cooler inventory should be intact. We'll need to order replacements for the displays, but the standing orders..."

I trail off as I notice Gabriel watching me, something unreadable in his blue eyes.

"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.

"You're remarkably practical," he observes. "Most people would be falling apart right now."

I straighten, brushing glass from my knees. "Falling apart won't fix my shop."

A hint of admiration flickers across his face before he turns away, surveying the damage with a critical eye. I watch as he moves through the space, careful not to disturb anything more than necessary, his broad shoulders tense beneath his jacket.

"The insurance should cover most of the physical damage," he says, examining a shattered display case. "The adjuster will be here in an hour."

I nod, moving toward the back room where the fight had been most intense. The door hangs at an awkward angle, one hinge completely torn from the frame. Inside, it's even worse—shelves overturned, inventory scattered across the floor, a dark smear on the wall that I realize with a jolt is blood.

"Lucas's?" I ask quietly, nodding toward the stain.

Gabriel follows my gaze and shakes his head. "The intruder's. Lucas landed a solid hit before they got away."

I feel a grim satisfaction at this, followed immediately by guilt as I heard Gabriel start talking again.

"Theo's already compiled a preliminary inventory of the damage." He told me, and I could see he was trying to divert my attention from the blood and destruction around me as he moves through the room to examine the broken window.

I follow him, stepping over a fallen display rack. "You've been efficient."

"It's what we do," he replies simply, turning to face me. "The window will be replaced today. Security system upgraded by tonight."

"And who's paying for all this?" I ask, crossing my arms. "I'm not sure my insurance covers 'targeted attack by mysterious assailant with deadly syringe.'"

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "The department has funds for witness protection expenses. This qualifies."

I raise an eyebrow. "Is that what I am now? A witness under protection?"

Gabriel hesitates, studying me with those penetrating blue eyes that seem to see more than I'm comfortable with. "Yes, whether you like it or not." he says finally, as his voice goes soft where I almost can’t hear him. "Though this is turning to be... more personal than most cases."

I frowned at personal bit, not knowing what he meant but shook my head.

I turn away from him, surveying the ruins of my shop. My sanctuary. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"Few people do," he says quietly, his voice closer than I expected. I turn to find him just behind me, close enough that I can catch his scent—sandalwood and apricots, with that underlying Alpha musk that's uniquely him.

"What happens when you catch whoever did this?" I ask, gesturing to the destruction around us. "Do I just... go back to normal? Pretend none of this happened?"

Gabriel studies me for a long moment, his blue eyes intense. "That depends on what we find. On who's behind this and what they want."

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