49. Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Forty-Nine
I woke up slowly, curling more into the warm body next to me. I heard a chuckle, the sound of Luca’s voice next to my ear.
"Rise and shine, flower girl," he murmured, his fingers gently brushing hair from my face. "Or sleep more. Either way, I'm enjoying this."
I blinked, momentary confusion washing over me as I took in unfamiliar surroundings. Then memories of the night before came flooding back—the alarm, the gunshots, the frantic escape. My body tensed, heart rate immediately accelerating.
"Easy," came Theo's calm voice from my other side. I turned my head to find him sitting against the headboard, a tablet in his hands, glasses reflecting the soft glow of the screen. "You're safe. We're at my safe house."
I took a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow. "Gabriel? Dakota?" My voice came out raspy with sleep and lingering fear.
“They are here and safe. They are in the other room going through some data.” Theo told me, making me take a deep breath as a low while left my throat.
I nodded, relief washing through me. "Everyone's okay? I remember Gabriel had blood on his face—"
"Superficial wound," Theo stated, his analytical tone somehow comforting in its certainty. "Four stitches, no sign of concussion or other complications."
Lucas's arm tightened around me, his warmth seeping into my still-tense muscles. "Everyone's fine, flower girl. The bad guys, on the other hand..." His voice trailed off, a hint of satisfied darkness coloring his usually playful tone.
I pushed myself up slightly, looking between them. "Did they... are they..."
"They're alive," Theo clarified, understanding my unspoken question. "Though I imagine they're regretting their career choices at the moment."
Lucas snorted softly. "Gabriel can be very persuasive when properly motivated."
The implication sent a chill down my spine, but I pushed the thought aside. Whatever Gabriel had done to get information, I couldn't bring myself to feel sympathy for the men who had tried to kill us.
"What did they find out?" I asked, shifting to sit up more fully between them. My body ached, muscles stiff from tension and the awkward way I'd slept. Theo and Lucas exchanged a glance that spoke volumes.
"They confirmed our suspicions," Theo said carefully, setting his tablet aside. "The attack was coordinated by someone connected to Meridian Pharmaceuticals—specifically, a board member named Victor Blackwood."
The name meant nothing to me, but the way Lucas's jaw tightened told me everything I needed to know about the man's character.
"Blackwood is the head of Meridian's Omega Research Division," Lucas explained, his usual playfulness absent. "He's been with the company for decades, driving their research into Omega suppressants and control mechanisms."
"In other words, he's built his entire career on keeping Omegas dependent," I concluded, pieces falling into place with sickening clarity. "And Dr. Thompson's research threatened that."
"Precisely," Theo confirmed, his analytical tone taking on a harder edge than usual. "Blackwood has been the driving force behind Meridian's most profitable Omega suppressant lines. If Dr. Thompson's research had succeeded in creating a biological shield against Alpha influence..."
"His life's work becomes obsolete," I finished, understanding the terrible logic behind it all. "And so do the billions Meridian makes from keeping Omegas dependent."
Lucas nodded grimly. "According to the intel Gabriel extracted, Blackwood has been quietly eliminating threats to Meridian's business model for years. He's been using a network of private contractors—former military and intelligence operatives—to 'handle problems' quietly."
"And I was one of those problems," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "Because I'm an independent Omega business owner."
"Not just that," Theo added, his analytical mind clearly piecing together the larger pattern. "Your business has been growing significantly over the past year. You've been featured in local business publications as an example of Omega entrepreneurship. You represent exactly what Blackwood fears most—proof that Omegas can succeed without Alpha control or chemical suppression."
A chill ran through me as I processed this. I'd been targeted not for anything I'd done, but for what I symbolized—independence, success on my own terms, freedom from traditional hierarchies.
"And now that they've found us once..." I began, the implications hitting me.
"Blackwood won't stop," Theo confirmed, his analytical voice softening slightly as he noticed my distress. "However, the situation has changed significantly since last night."
"How so?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself as if I could physically hold back the fear threatening to overwhelm me again.
Lucas's hand found mine, his thumb tracing gentle circles against my palm. "For one thing, we caught his men. And they talked."
"Extensively," came a deep voice from the doorway. I looked up to find Gabriel standing there, his imposing frame filling the entrance. A bandage covered the cut on his temple, but otherwise, he looked as commanding as ever, though exhaustion lined his face. Dakota stood slightly behind him, his dark eyes immediately finding mine, a silent question in them—are you okay?
I nodded slightly in response to his unspoken concern before turning back to Gabriel.
"What did you learn?" I asked, my voice stronger than I expected. Gabriel moved into the room, Dakota following close behind. They both looked exhausted but alert, the tension in their bodies telling me they were still in protection mode.
"Enough to build a case," Gabriel said, his blue eyes intense as they met mine. "Blackwood has been running this operation for years, using private contractors to eliminate threats to Meridian's business model. Dr. Thompson wasn't the first researcher he's targeted, just the most recent."
"We have names, dates, financial records," Dakota added, his deep voice rumbling through the quiet room. "The men we captured gave us everything once they realized Blackwood had abandoned them."
"Abandoned them?" I echoed.
Theo adjusted his glasses. "Standard protocol for operations of this nature. Once operatives are compromised, their employer cuts all ties to maintain deniability." Gabriel moved closer, his expression grim. "Which means the contractors had nothing to lose by giving us information."
Lucas squeezed my hand gently. "They gave us everything—names, dates, financial transactions. Enough to bring Blackwood down."
"We've already handed the evidence to trusted contacts in federal law enforcement," Gabriel added, his voice carrying that quiet authority that seemed to steady everyone in the room. "Blackwood will be arrested within hours, along with several of his associates."
Despite this reassurance, anxiety still coiled in my stomach. "But what if he has other people working for him? What if—"
"He doesn't," Dakota interrupted, his deep voice certain. "We've identified his entire network. Every contractor, every informant." His dark eyes met mine, steady and reassuring. "We're thorough, Vivian. This ends today."
I wanted to believe him—wanted desperately to believe him—but after everything that had happened, fear wasn't so easily dismissed.
"I understand your concern," Gabriel said, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. His presence was solid, grounding. "Trust doesn't come easily after what you've experienced."
"It's not that I don't trust you," I said quickly, not wanting him to misunderstand. "It's just..." I gestured helplessly, struggling to articulate the knot of anxiety that had taken up permanent residence in my chest.
"The trauma response is entirely normal," Theo offered, his analytical voice somehow comforting. "Your body's defense mechanisms remain activated, preparing for additional threats despite logical reassurance of safety."
Lucas gave him a look. "Could you be any more clinical about it?"
"I find precision comforting," I admitted quietly, surprising myself. "It helps make sense of the chaos."
Gabriel's expression softened slightly. "What Theo means, in his own way, is that it's okay to still be afraid. Your life has been threatened repeatedly. That's not something you just shake off."
Dakota moved closer, his solid presence providing another layer of security. "But you're not alone anymore," he said, his deep voice gentle despite his imposing frame. "We won't let anything happen to you."
I nodded, trying to accept their reassurances even as fear continued to gnaw at the edges of my mind. "What happens now?" I asked, focusing on practical concerns to keep the anxiety at bay.
"For the immediate future, you stay here," Gabriel explained. "This location remains secure—only the five of us know about it."
"And once Blackwood is in custody?" I pressed, needing to understand the full plan.
"Federal agents will take him into custody within hours," Theo said, consulting his phone. "The warrants are already being processed. They're moving simultaneously on Blackwood and his key associates to prevent any warning or evidence destruction."
"Once he's in custody," Gabriel continued, "we'll work with federal prosecutors to build the case. The evidence we've gathered is substantial—financial records, communication logs, testimony from the contractors."
"What about my shop?" I asked, the thought of my little sanctuary suddenly overwhelming. "My home?"
Lucas's expression softened. "Your shop is fine, flower girl. Dakota had a security team keeping watch over it."
I turned to Dakota in surprise. "You did?"
He nodded, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I know how much it means to you."
The simple acknowledgment of something so important to me—my livelihood, my passion—made my throat tight with emotion. These four men had thought of everything, protected everything that mattered to me, even while fighting for my life. The realization made tears sting my eyes.
"Thank you," I whispered, the words wholly inadequate for what I was feeling. "All of you."
Gabriel's hand found mine, his touch warm and steady. "You don't need to thank us, Vivian. This is what we do. What we are."
"Alphas who actually protect instead of control," I said softly, understanding dawning in a new way. "That's why you all work together, isn't it? Because you believe in something different."
"Something better," Dakota confirmed, his deep voice carrying conviction. "A world where designations don't determine destiny."
Lucas squeezed my other hand. "Where Omegas like you can run flower shops and tell annoying Alphas like me to buzz off when we deserve it." His teasing brought a small smile to my lips despite everything, and I felt some of the tension easing from my shoulders.
"So I just stay here until Blackwood is arrested?" I asked, focusing on the immediate plan.
"Yes," Gabriel confirmed, his blue eyes serious. "Once we receive confirmation of his arrest, we'll reassess the situation. But this location remains secure in the meantime."
I nodded, drawing comfort from their confidence and the solid plan they'd laid out. "How long do you think that will take?"
"Based on current intelligence and standard federal protocols, Blackwood should be in custody within six to eight hours," Theo replied, checking something on his phone. "The operation is already underway."
"In the meantime," Lucas said, his voice lightening slightly, "we should get you something to eat and maybe take another nap or maybe you can watch some tv.”
"I am starving," I admitted, suddenly aware of the hollow feeling in my stomach. After the adrenaline crash and fitful sleep, my body was demanding fuel. "Food sounds amazing."
Lucas grinned, some of his usual playfulness returning. "I make a mean omelet. Theo keeps this place stocked with the basics."
"The refrigerator is replenished weekly," Theo confirmed, his analytical mind clearly pleased by the practical question. "I maintain standard nutritional supplies at all safe houses."
Gabriel stood, his commanding presence somehow reassuring rather than intimidating. "Lucas, get started on breakfast. Dakota, do another perimeter check. Theo, update our contacts for confirmation when Blackwood is apprehended." His voice was firm but gentle as he turned to me. "And you should shower and change into fresh clothes. It will help you feel more grounded."
I nodded, following his instructions as I watched all them leave the room. I took a deep breath, my mind going a mile a minute.
Was it really over? Cause a deep feeling her her stomach says it wasn’t.