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“How does it look?” she asks.
“Looks good, babe.”
“I’m going to make this a wedding nook. A place where a couple can come in and look at flowers for their wedding day. I’m going to add a small white table and a couple of chairs. I’ve done a few weddings. I’m going to add the photos to a photo album. That way, the couple can get some ideas.” She steps off to the side where a wall unit stands. “And here, I want to display specialty items that can be added to flower arrangements for special occasions.”
“You’ve been busy,” I comment with a smile. I glance around. “Where’s Risk?”
Risk’s voice booms from the back. “Right here. I got eyes on her. We’re installing the cooler.” He sounds strained. I walk back to find him hefting one side of the large unit, while a guy who I assume is the electrician navigates his way behind it.
I rush to Risk’s aid, calling out, “Over here, Rosie.”
She comes immediately. “What can I do?” she asks, hand outstretched to help.
“Nothing, but I want you where I am.” Am I being paranoid? Maybe, but my gut says to keep her close.
“Lady, can you pass me that wrench by your foot?” the man says, pointing to her feet. She picks up the wrench and hands it to him. “Two more minutes and this is done. Then I can work alone.”
When we’re finally done, we leave the guys to finish the job. Rosie goes back to fussing with the limited stock we were able to salvage, while I pull Risk to the side to fill him in on my discussion with Orion, Demon, and Guard.
“Reno will come through,” Risk says. “Sebastian and Dante will be on it, especially Dante. You know these guys won’t let us down.”
“Yeah, but how long will it take before Rose breathes free?” I say. Risk glances at Rose, who is humming and completely oblivious to our discussion.
“She good, man. She’s not feeling it. She may have been in shock when it first happened, but she’s dealing with it. Rose is stronger than you give her credit for.” He sighs. “I know what you’re feeling.”
I raise my brows in silent question.
“My wife was being robbed blind by her ex-father-in-law. And that was after she endured years of abuse from her ex-husband. Hanna suffered for years. When I found out, all I wanted to do was wrap her up in cotton and keep her away from the ugliness of the world,” he says. “Hanna refused to cave. I still don’t know how she found the courage, but she’s still standing. Rose has fight in her too, and with you by her side and the Pride behind her, she’s gonna be fine.”
I point to my temple. “Here, it makes sense.” Then I put my hand to my gut. “Here, something’s not right.”
“Proceed with caution, pay attention, and remember you’re not in this alone. Either of you,” Risk says, then goes to check on the cooler, coming back a few minutes later. “It’s done. It’ll need the night to get to the right temperature. Final touches will be finished in the morning, and we’re done. Hanna would like you to come over tonight for dinner,” he says to Rosie and me, adding, “Romeo hasn’t seen his Uncle Thunder in a while,” as incentive.
“You good with that?” I ask Rosie.
She nods. “I can’t bring flowers. I don’t have any yet.” She surveys the room, frowning.
I bend my head to her ear. “She likes red wine.”
Rosie perks up and smiles.
* * *
Rose
There’s not much more I can do at Petals until the shipment comes in tomorrow. Then I’ll be up to my eyeballs in work. It’ll be good to get back into my shop. Before we left the shop, I grabbed a wine holder made to look like a birdcage.
While Thunder was getting showered and changed, I placed the bottle of red wine we picked up, along with a box of Baci chocolate on the table, tying a blue-and-gold ribbon around the neck of the bottle. I’m putting the final touches on the bow when my cell phone rings.
It says unknown number, but I pick it up anyway.
“Hello?” I say tentatively.
“You owe me,” a low, scary voice says.
“Who is this?” My hands are shaking, and I’m frozen in place. I grip the phone harder to steady my trembling hands.
“Your new owner,” the heinous voice replies, riddled with scorn and ugliness.
