Page 36 of Rescued By Four Alphas
"Dahlia!" Her voice is high with concern. "Are you okay? I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!"
"I'm fine," I assure her, settling back against the pillows. "Well, physically fine. Mentally, I'm about to start climbing the walls."
"What happened? There are all these crazy news stories about you guys, and then I couldn't get through to you, and I was worried sick!"
I sigh, running a hand through my tangled curls. I haven't even bothered to brush my hair today. "It's been hell…last night someone threw a brick through our window. With a lovely little note attached."
"Oh my god! Are you hurt? Are the babies okay?"
"We're fine. The boys immediately went into full protection mode and locked down the entire estate. I've been stuck in this safe room ever since."
"A safe room?" Emily sounds impressed despite herself. "Like, a panic room? With bulletproof walls and stuff?"
"Exactly like that. Evan had it built when we moved in. I thought it was paranoid overkill at the time." I laugh without humor. "Turns out he was right to be paranoid."
"What did the note say?"
I hesitate. Emily is my best friend, but I don't want to frighten her. "Just some threatening nonsense…"
"That's terrifying," Emily says. "How are you holding up? You sound stressed."
"I'm going stir-crazy in here," I admit. "The boys won't tell me anything. They keep saying they're 'handling it' and I should rest. As if I could rest when I know there's a crisis happening and I'm being kept in the dark about it."
"They're just trying to protect you."
"I know that!" I snap, then immediately regret it. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bite your head off. I'm just frustrated."
"It's okay," Emily says gently. "Pregnancy hormones are no joke, and being locked in a room during a crisis would make anyone snippy."
I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. "It's not just the hormones. I hate feeling useless. Before all this, before I found out I was an Omega, I was the one solving problems. I was a respected scientist. Now I'm just... an incubator that needs to be protected."
"Dahlia Baldwin," Emily's voice turns stern. "You are not just an incubator. You're the woman who found the cure for the Crimson Plague. You saved countless lives. And those four ridiculously hot men would walk through fire for you because they know exactly how amazing you are."
I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Damn pregnancy hormones. "Thanks, Em."
"Do you want me to come over? I could bring those chocolate croissants you like from that bakery on Fifth."
"That sounds amazing, but we're in complete lockdown. No one in or out."
"Are they treating you, okay? I mean, besides the information blackout?"
I wipe my eyes. "Yeah, they're being sweet. Axl brought me breakfast in bed. Leo made sure I had books to read. Onyx checked in on me a few hours ago."
"And Evan?"
I sigh. "Evan hasn't been by once. He's probably holed up in his office making calls and pulling strings."
"That sounds like him," Emily agrees.
"I just wish he'd take five minutes to come see me," I admit. "To tell me what's happening. I hate being in the dark like this."
"I'm sure they're doing everything they can to keep you and the babies safe," Emily says. "Those four would tear apart anyone who tried to hurt you."
"I know," I say softly. "I trust them. I do. I just wish they'd trust me enough to tell me what's going on."
"Have you tried asking directly?"
I snort. "Of course. I get vague reassurances, and then they change the subject. It's infuriating."
