CHAPTER 92: LOCKED IN WITH REGRET

Josie

I clutched the phone to my ear, trying to breathe normally. My chest felt like it was being squeezed by invisible hands, and I didn’t want my voice to shake when Marcy picked up.

"Josie?" Her voice came sharp and alert. "You better not be crying. What the hell happened?"

I bit my lip and swallowed the lump in my throat. "I’m fine."

"Bullshit," she snapped. "You’ve been off all week, and now you’re calling me out of nowhere, sounding like you’re trying not to fall apart. Tell me what happened, Josie. Don’t make me come over there to drag it out of you."

My eyes darted around the living room like I was searching for a way to escape the conversation. "It’s not that serious."

"If it wasn’t serious, you’d have told me already." Marcy’s voice had that sharp, no-nonsense tone that never failed to cut through me. "Stop running from me. You do this every time. Just speak. Now."

I chewed on my thumbnail, hating how raw everything felt inside me. "It’s... it’s Varen."

There was a pause. Then, "What about Varen?"

"I—I said something stupid," I whispered. "Actually, I accused him of something even more stupid."

Marcy sighed. "Josie, you need to be clearer than that."

"I told him he was just like his brothers. That he was trying to defend Kiel. That maybe... maybe he wasn’t as different as I thought."

Silence again. But it wasn’t empty. I could hear the disappointment brewing in it.

"Josie," Marcy finally said, her voice slow and deliberate, "Varen had every right to be angry."

Her words were like a slap. I blinked back tears. "Are you taking his side?"

"No," she said. "I’m just not taking yours on this one. You accused him without even hearing him out. He’s been patient, Josie. With everything you’ve gone through, he’s never once backed away. He’s juggling his relationship with you while trying to keep peace with his brothers. That’s not easy."

My throat burned as guilt swirled through my chest. "But Kiel—"

"This isn’t about Kiel," she cut me off. "It’s about how you treated Varen. You didn’t even let him explain. Do you even know what it took for him to bring you here? To fight for you?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

"I’m not saying I’d be cool dating three guys or whatever, but Varen’s never made it seem like that’s what he wanted. He’s been clear with you from the start."

I sank onto the couch, the cushions swallowing me as the weight of her words sank in. Varen had been there. From the beginning. When I was spiraling, when I was lost, when no one else gave a damn—he stayed. And now I’d thrown it all back in his face.

Tears spilled down my cheeks. "I messed up."

Marcy’s voice softened. "Yeah, you did. But at least now you see it. That’s something."

I sniffled. "I don’t know what to do."

"First, cry it out. Then go find him and talk to him like a grown-ass woman."

I wiped my eyes, grateful for her steadiness even when I hated what she was saying. "Thanks."

"Don’t mention it. And Josie? Don’t mess this up more than you already have. He’s a good guy."

I hung up and stumbled out of the couch. I found one of the maids in the hallway and asked, "Where’s Varen?"

She looked hesitant. "He stepped out earlier. He said he didn’t want to be disturbed."

My chest tightened. I’d really done it this time.

About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. I opened it, expecting anyone but Marcy. She stood there holding two paper bags and wearing a sly smile.

"What are you—?"

"Feeding you before you fall into a pit of self-loathing. Let me in."

I stepped aside as she walked in like she owned the place, dumping the food on the table. The smell of spicy rice and grilled chicken filled the room, making my stomach growl.

"You didn’t have to—"

"Of course I did," she said, already opening the containers. "Now sit."

I obeyed, watching as she dished food onto two plates.

She started talking before I could even pick up my fork. "So, guess who might have a new man?"

I blinked. "You?"

"Yep. And he’s not a total loser. At least I don’t think so. He’s got this stupid crooked smile and a bike, and I swear, I nearly melted when he offered me his jacket."

I laughed softly, grateful for the distraction. "You’re such a sucker for a bad boy."

"Aren’t we all?" she teased, then looked at me seriously. "Josie, you need to stop expecting the triplets to be carbon copies. They might look alike, but they’re not the same. Varen isn’t Kiel."

I nodded slowly. "I know. I just... I let everything blur together."

"Have you ever even asked Varen what he likes to do when he’s not chasing after your moody ass?"

That stung. I looked down. "No."

"Well, maybe start there," she said gently. "Get to know the man behind the Alpha. If you even want to."

"I do," I said quickly. Then added, "I think I do."

"Then stop acting like he’s disposable," she snapped, then softened. "Sorry. That was mean."

I shook my head. "No, I needed to hear it."

We ate in silence for a few minutes, then I sighed. "I think I’m going to take a nap."

Marcy raised an eyebrow. "Sure?"

"Yeah."

But I didn’t go to my room.

Instead, my feet carried me down the hallway, my hand brushing against the cold walls as I turned toward Varen’s room. I hesitated at his door, then slowly turned the knob and slipped inside.

Click.

I turned to find the door had jammed shut. My stomach dropped. "What the hell..."

I tried the handle. It wouldn’t budge.

I was trapped.

I stepped back and scanned the room. It was darker than mine, with thick curtains blocking out most of the sunlight. A gleaming motorcycle sat near the corner, polished and sleek. Several sculptures—black, abstract things—lined the wall. Their jagged edges gave me chills.

Near the bed was one sculpture that looked abandoned. Its edges weren’t smooth, its surface half-carved. It looked... angry. Like it had been left in the middle of a tantrum.

I didn’t like it.

And then the bathroom door creaked open, and I froze.

Varen stepped out, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, a towel slung low on his waist. My breath caught.

His eyes locked on mine instantly, narrowing. "What are you doing in here?"

"I—" My voice cracked. "The door locked. I didn’t know."

He didn’t speak. Just stared.

I couldn’t look away.