17. Dover
I need to focus intently on the conversation unfolding between Levi and Rosie, but it’s proving nearly impossible.
Every fiber of my being is still preoccupied with the memory of being with Levi on his sofa.
The experience was wholly unexpected, catching me off guard, but the chemistry between us was undeniable—intense and electrifying in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
Despite my efforts to redirect my thoughts, my mind keeps replaying every detail of that encounter, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.
Suddenly, Rosie’s voice cuts through my reverie, sharp and clear, as she brings up a new piece of information.
She suggests that a member of the Vikings team might be involved.
The mention jolts me out of my daydreams instantly, yanking me away from the heat of my memories and thrusting me back into the present reality.
“I thought that would grab your attention?” Rosie says, her tone laced with amusement as she arches an eyebrow in my direction, clearly noticing my abrupt shift in focus.
“I was distracted,” I reply, doing my best to sound casual.
There’s no way I’m going to admit where my thoughts had wandered just moments before.
“A teammate? I can’t believe that. I spend time with those guys outside of practice—we even play golf together.
” I grimace, recalling how terrible I am at the sport, but I press on.
“Honestly, you’re barking up the wrong tree if you think one of them could be responsible. ”
Levi interjects, his voice steady but carrying a thoughtful undertone that suggests he has been mulling over this for some time.
“Dover, during our investigation, someone brought up the idea that we might need to look a little closer to home. I’m not entirely convinced that this is the right path to take, or even if it will lead us anywhere, but at the same time, we would be neglecting our responsibility if we didn’t at least consider the possibility.
Ignoring even the smallest lead could mean missing something important. ”
I close my eyes for a moment, focusing on my breathing in an attempt to calm the frustration that’s been building inside me.
I can’t help but wonder when this ordeal will finally come to an end.
It’s only been about twenty-four hours since all of this started, but I already feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the constant tension.
“I refuse to believe that anyone on the team is threatening me,” I say, my voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of desperation.
Levi shakes his head gently. “I didn’t say it was necessarily someone on the roster.
There are a lot of people working behind the scenes, Dover.
The team is bigger than just the players—there’s admin, assistants, trainers, and a whole support network that we don’t always see.
We can’t rule anyone out just because they aren’t in the spotlight.
We need to keep our minds open to every possibility until we’re certain we’ve found the truth. ”
“Honestly, I don’t want to believe that someone from the Viking organization would be involved in something like this.
” I pause, taking a moment to collect my thoughts before continuing.
“Everyone knows Wyatt and Dallas are married. Their relationship has never been a secret, and it’s been out in the open for a while.
If a staff member really had a problem with their marriage, I feel like they would have acted on those feelings or expressed their concerns much earlier, instead of waiting until now.
” I give a small shrug, uncertain. “Maybe it would be worth it to take a closer look at the newer hires—those who have joined the organization more recently. It’s just a suggestion, but maybe someone new could be behind this. ”
Rosie quickly scribbles something down on a piece of paper, her brow furrowed in concentration as she writes.
Levi stands nearby, watching her closely, his arms crossed over his chest in a protective stance.
After a moment, he turns his attention to me, his expression serious and determined.
“Security is going to be on you until this person is caught,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I hesitate, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
“Have you thought that the incident with the car could have been an accident?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intend.
The memory of the vehicle speeding down on us and the rush of adrenaline still lingers in my mind, making it hard to believe that it could have been anything but deliberate.
Rosie looks up from her paper, her eyes sharp and skeptical. “Do you honestly believe that?” she asks, her tone incredulous. The room feels heavy with tension, and I can sense the worry radiating from both Rosie and Levi.
“Maybe,” I mutter, though I’m not sure I believe it myself. A wave of exhaustion suddenly washes over me, making my limbs feel heavy and my thoughts sluggish. “I’m going to bed,” I announce, needing to escape the intensity of the conversation and the weight of the day.
I push myself up from the table, reaching for my plate to clear it, but Levi steps in, gently taking it from my hands. “I’ll sort these out,” he says, offering a reassuring smile that does little to ease my worries.
“See you tomorrow, Rosie,” I say, giving her a tired nod before turning to Levi.
I offer him a grateful look, appreciating his quiet support.
Without another word, I make my way down the hallway to the bedroom.
It feels strange to be here, standing in the doorway of the room I’ve longed to spend time in, and now, finally, I’m about to spend the night here.
The reality of it is both comforting and surreal.
The thought that I’m meant to be on the sofa briefly crosses my mind, but I ignore it.
Still feeling drained, I head straight to the bathroom, deciding that a quick shower is necessary after everything that happened earlier on the sofa.
The hot water soothes my tense muscles, washing away some of the stress and lingering adrenaline.
I don’t linger long, wanting only to crawl into bed and let sleep take me.
After drying off, I slip into a pair of Levi’s shorts, finding comfort in the soft fabric.
The day has been long, filled with unexpected events and emotional turmoil, and as I slide under the covers, I finally allow myself to relax.
The soft sheets and the quiet of the room offer a sense of safety, and within moments, my eyes begin to close, exhaustion pulling me into a much-needed rest.