Page 62 of Wildflower and Whiskey
“Don’t argue with me, Elyna, because that’s what I see when I look at you,” he insisted.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I also meant what I said last night.” His gaze flicked to my mouth, then back up. “Tu n’es plus seule.”
You’re not alone anymore.
I nodded, because my throat wouldn’t let anything out, and watched him stride around the hood, all contained fury and purpose. There was a time I would’ve told him I didn’t need rescuing. Maybe I still didn’t. But I wasn’t foolish enough to think I didn’t need an ally. We got out of the truck in front of the brewery, and we headed inside.
The warm clatter swallowed me whole. Cooper was at the end of the bar, already slipping around to meet me, and Dominic lifted a chin in my direction. “We’ve got you,” he said like a promise. I breathed once, twice, and stepped forward.
Behind me, my phone buzzed again. I didn’t look. Not yet. Instead, I looked around the restaurant, where Cooper was behind the bar preparing drinks. Dominic was close by dealing with a table and Phoenix was also not too far, always checking in on me with soft glances and assured nods.
I inhaled, exhaled, taking in the warmth of Maple Valley’s brewery. For the first time since this began, I let myself believe what Phoenix had told me.
I wasn’t alone. Not anymore.
He came back with me to the daycare at the end of the day to get Braden. I saw the police car parked outside. Back at the loft, he insisted I stay inside while he checked the perimeter. I stood by the window, arms wrapped around myself, watching him move, deliberate, focused, protective in a way that both calmed and terrified me.
When he came back in, he looked grim. “No sign of anyone.”
Then my phone buzzed again. Unknown number. I opened it slowly.
Delivery Notification:Package arriving at Maple Valley Loft Stairwelltomorrow between 4 and 5PM.
Phoenix’s eyes met mine.
He swore under his breath. “Someone’s watching you.”
Pierre’s cruiser rolled up minutes later. Becket joined him, his phone still in hand.
“Daycare cameras show a man loitering across the street. Hoodie. We can’t get a clear face yet.”
Pierre’s gaze hardened. “We’ll post a car on the lane tonight. Elyna, you and Braden stay close to Phoenix.”
“What about the delivery text?” Phoenix asked.
Pierre frowned. “Could be someone trying to spook you. Or to see who answers the door.”
I swallowed. “What if it’s both?”
Pierre placed a steady hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find out.”
After they left, the loft felt smaller, like the walls themselves were listening. Phoenix busied himself setting up the extra cameras, muttering curses under his breath, while I tried to hold it together long enough to put Braden to sleep.
When I came out, Phoenix was still standing by the window, phone in hand.
He crossed the room, wrapped an arm around me, and pressed a kiss to my temple. “Whatever happens, you’re not alone.”
I nodded into his chest, but inside my mind was spinning the texts, the odd phrasing, the delivery message. Riley was playing a game, but none of it made sense.
“What if the people who were coming after Riley followed him here, to Val-Du-Lys?”
“I had that thought, but let’s not jump to conclusions,” Phoenix assured.
“How can we not? Maybe the danger is a lot bigger than we realize?” I stated, my chest feeling like it was being squished by an elephant.
“I’m here, Elyna. No matter what, I’ll protect you and Braden,” he said his words, sounding like a promise he meant to keep.
