Chapter 31
SKYLAR
I didn’t realizethe press conference was only two days after Vincent told me about it.
The morning of, I’m panicked.
I stress baked the night before. Maybe it’s not the best idea to show up with pastries, but I packed individual boxes for people, anyway.
Is it appropriate to give a police chief a box of macarons? Probably not.
But it can’t hurt.
Tammy offers to drive me there, and she raises an eyebrow at the plethora of cookies all over my kitchen counter. There’s a special batch I made in the corner specifically for Landon, River, and Vincent, but those stay behind.
“Nervous?” Tammy asks me knowingly.
“Just a little.”
I’m terrified I’m going to mess this up.
Tammy joins me in the kitchen and walks over to the oven. “What’s in here?” she asks.
“Chocolate chip peanut butter toffee brownies,” I blurt. “A new recipe.”
“And when did you come up with this recipe?”
“In the morning.”
“Mmhmm. What time this morning?”
“It’s not important,” I say too quickly.
“Ah. So, three in the morning, maybe?” Tammy asks, turning to me. “Does that seem accurate?”
I huff and look away. “I don’t want to mess this up,” I mutter, not referring to the cookies. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Of course you do. You’ve seen press conferences before,” Tammy says gently. “Did the guys tell you what was expected?”
I almost smile when she references Landon, Vincent and River as the guys. “I can say as little or as much as I want,” I tell her. “I can speak about my experience, about April, or anything else. But I’m basically the face of an Omega that’s been through this.”
Tammy nods, her eyes soft. “Talking about what happened to you, even if it’s brief, will open people’s eyes. You just being up there is enough.”
“I know that,” I breathe, leaning against the counter and putting my face in my hands. “Objectively, I know. But why does it feel like the world is falling apart?”
“Because your world did fall apart. And now you’re choosing to share it with others.”
“Fuck,” I groan. “That wasn’t very helpful.”
“Maybe not, but it was honest, honey,” Tammy says brightly, walking over to me and rubbing my back. “This will be hard. But it won’t be the hardest thing you’ve ever gone through. Not by a long shot.”
I sigh and turn to her. “I know,” I murmur, and she pulls me into a hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says, squeezing me tightly. “For so many reasons.”
My heart aches at her unconditional love.
“They’re going to find her,” I say. “I just know it.”
“I think they will, too,” she agrees. “Especially after today.”
There have been ten rescues of Omegas in the last week, all alive.
Which is the only saving grace in all this.
Blood from a healthy Omega makes the strongest batches of O.
So, it’s in the supplier’s best interest to keep them relatively safe.
I shiver at the thought.
Tammy releases me from the hug and steps away, looking at me curiously. “How are you doing health wise?” she asks. “You don’t have to tell me details, of course, but are you okay?”
I shrug, not exactly thrilled to be divulging any information about my Heat to Tammy. “Well, you know I had suppressant withdrawal. But not all the consequences have…happened yet.”
“Ah. And when those consequences occur, do you trust your detectives to be there with you?”
I blush and head toward the oven to check on the brownies. “Okay, stop, Tammy, geez.”
“I’m just saying. Do they know what to expect?”
“Excuse me? Are you trying to give me the Heat talk?” I stare at her incredulously.
Then she grins, and I realize she’s joking.
“That’s not funny,” I mutter, grabbing an oven mitt to take the brownies out.
“It distracted you though, didn’t it? It got your mind off things.”
I grumble in reply as I grab the cooling rack.
“I’ll take care of that,” Tammy says. “Start getting ready. We leave in an hour.”
I sigh and head to my bedroom, anxiety creeping in my chest.
The press conferenceis held in a courthouse.
Every instinct in me is screaming to turn back.
I don’t want to be here.
But then familiar scents fill my lungs, and I regain my courage.
Landon, River, and Vincent stand near the front of the room, chatting with Ben and a few other people.
It’s the first time I’ve seen them all dressed up.
River is dressed in a dark blue blazer and black slacks. Vincent wears a dark grey jacket, while Landon sports a light grey one.
They all look professional and polished.
Landon is the first one to spot me. He smiles at me, his dark brown eyes tender as I walk over to him.
“You showed up,” he says, his earthy scent calming me.
“I did,” I agree, as people filter into the building. I catch Tammy at the back of the room sitting next to Devyn.
“Your bravery astounds me, Skylar,” Landon says earnestly.
“I don’t feel very brave right now. I’m terrified out of my mind.”
“You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.” His brow furrows. “You could just sit in the back, if you want. That would be more than enough, I’m sure.”
It’s tempting to hide in the back of the room and not go up to the podium and flay myself alive.
“If this helps find April, I’m doing it,” I tell him. “I’ve come this far.”
Landon shakes his head. “I have the urge to kiss you,” he admits. “But I’m afraid it would be unprofessional of me.”
I chuckle. “And you’re nothing if not professional.”
“Absolutely. I have a reputation to uphold.” He gives me a brilliant smile, and my stomach flutters.
I can do this.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see River.
“Hey,” he purrs, his spicy scent making my heart race. “That outfit looks familiar.”
I glance down at what I’m wearing. Except for the pants, everything is the same as what I wore the day I showed up at their office.
The day I was hit by a car in the parking lot, and everything was set into motion.
It feels like it was a lifetime ago.
“I miss the skirt,” he sighs, and Landon shoots him a look.
“The press is here, River,” he says, as if he’s talking to a child.
“No shit, asshole.”
“Then you should know that if they see you flirting with her, they could choose to focus on that and not what we’re here for.”
River scowls, but I take a considerable step back from both of them, just in case.
“Sorry, Skylar,” River grumbles. “I meant to come over and tell you good luck. If anyone can do this, you can.” His emerald eyes burn with intensity.
“Thank you,” I say earnestly.
“Fuck them, baby. They didn’t win. And you speaking today shows they never will.”
I give him a small smile. “I know.”
But I don’t, really. The fear creeps in as I watch reporters take their seats. Television news cameras are on either side of the room, their giant lenses pointed at the podium.
I’m not ready to do this. I shouldn’t have agreed to this.
But then I glance at Vincent, who notices me. He nods at me subtly, as if saying you can do this.
I take a seat at the front, waiting for my turn to speak.