Chapter 30 #2
“So why the interrogation?” Kyren asks, his tone disbelieving. “The background checks, the suspicious questions?”
“Because we want to make sure Trinity is as happy as she deserves to be,” Brendin explains. “We love her like a sister, because that’s exactly what she’s about to be. We want what’s best for her, and we will happily fuck up anyone who gets in the way of her happiness, even if she hates us for it.”
The pieces finally click into place. All the probing questions, their intense scrutiny—it wasn’t possessiveness or jealousy. It was guilt-driven overprotectiveness.
“You’re trying to make sure we won’t hurt her the way you did,” I realize.
“Exactly.” Egret nods. “Trinity deserves a pack that celebrates her independence, not one that tries to diminish it. She deserves alphas who are secure enough to let her shine.”
I think about Trinity’s reaction when I stopped her from kissing me while drunk. The gratitude in her voice, the surprise that someone would prioritize her well-being over their own desires.
How many people in her life have let her down? How many times has she been made to feel like her strength was a flaw instead of a gift?
“We won’t hurt her,” I say with quiet conviction. “Not any of us.”
Lucas nods emphatically. “Trinity is amazing. Strong and smart and beautiful. Why would anyone want to change that?”
“Because they’re idiots,” Cash states matter-of-factly, earning a surprised laugh from Saren.
Kyren remains quiet, but something in his expression has shifted. A resolve I haven’t seen from him since we arrived.
Lucas raises his glass. “To learning from mistakes and not repeating them.”
We all lift our drinks, and for the first time since arriving at this resort, I feel like Trinity’s past and present might actually coexist peacefully.
My phone buzzes against my leg. I pull it out to see a text from Trinity.
Trinity : Can you guys come pick us up? We might need a ride back to the resort.
Matheo: Something wrong?
Her response comes immediately—a photo that makes me choke on my scotch.
“Oh shit.”
The image shows Amelia Mahoney on a stage, arms raised in triumph, her shirt completely gone except for a lacy black bra. Behind her, disco lights flash across what’s clearly a strip club, and I can make out several scantily clad men in the background cheering her on.
Egret immediately leans forward. “What’s going on?”
I clear my throat, trying to keep my voice casual. “The girls might have gone a bit wilder than they planned.”
Brendin’s eyes widen with alarm. “Has Josie been drinking?”
Matheo: Is Josie okay? Brendin wants to make sure she’s not drinking.
Trinity : Josie and I stuck to mocktails all night. Everyone else is completely hammered. Amelia is currently doing body shots off a male stripper named Thunder.
Relief floods through me, followed immediately by concern for the logistics of this situation.
Egret shoots to his feet, nearly knocking over his crystal tumbler. “Why didn’t Trinity reach out to us directly? We should have been the first people she called.”
I relay the question to Trinity, already knowing what the answer will be.
Trinity : I’ve had Egret’s number blocked for five years
The silence that follows is deafening after I read her text aloud. Egret’s face goes through several emotions—surprise, guilt, and something that might be shame.
“She blocked you?” Saren asks quietly.
Egret runs a hand through his platinum hair. “I... yes. After we broke up, I might have tried calling her a few times. She made it clear she didn’t want to hear from me.”
“A few times?” Brendin raises an eyebrow .
“Okay, maybe more than a few times,” Egret admits. “I was drunk and feeling guilty and I kept trying to explain myself. She finally blocked all our numbers.”
Lucas stands up, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by protective concern. “We need to go get them. Now.”
Matheo: You should unblock them for tonight at least. They’re worried about Josie and want to help. We’re all on our way.
Trinity : Fine. But I hear one word I don’t like and I’m blocking them all again.
I show the message to Egret, who winces but nods. “Fair enough. I deserve that.”
Cash is already signaling for the check. “How long will it take to get to wherever they are?”
“They’re at a club called Boys Night Out, which is about fifteen minutes from here,” Brendin offers, pulling out his own phone. “I’ll call for the cars.”
As we gather our things and head for the door, I can’t help but notice how the dynamic has shifted.
These men, who I’d seen as potential threats to Trinity’s happiness, are now moving with the same protective urgency I feel.
Whatever mistakes they made in the past, their concern for both Trinity and Josie seems genuine.
Kyren falls into step beside me as we wait for the cars. “Think Trinity’s going to be okay with us showing up like some kind of alpha rescue squad?”
I consider this. Trinity’s independent to her core—she probably handled the situation perfectly on her own and is only asking for rides because the alternative is stuffing drunk women into taxis .
“She asked for help,” I point out. “That’s huge for her.”
“True.” Kyren glances at his phone. “Still, we better be prepared for her to have everything under control by the time we get there and resentful that we dragged her old pack along with us.”
As the cars pull up, I hope he’s right. But either way, we’ll be there for whatever she needs.