Page 99 of Reckless: Corruption

“Jesus, Jinx.” I shove at his shoulder, but heat crawls up my neck despite myself.

“What? I’m just saying what everyone else thinks.” He shrugs, unrepentant. “Besides, I haven’t even told you about the part with the handcuffs.”

“Comforting.”

Across the pool, Theo arranges cushions with the focused attention he brings to everything, but I notice the slight tremor in his hands, the occasional pause to steady himself. When our eyes meet, he offers a small smile that doesn’t quite hide the strain around its edges.

“How long do you think he can keep this up?” I ask Jinx quietly, angling my body to block Theo’s view of our conversation.

Jinx’s expression sobers immediately. “Not much longer. Aria and Mona’s medical-grade suppressants are good, but his system’s fighting back harder each day. I can smell it changing, like summer before a thunderstorm.”

“He’s pushing himself too far,” I observe, though I understand why he’s doing it.

“For you and Finn,” Jinx says simply, no teasing in his voice now. “He wants to wait until you’re both fully recovered. Part of the pack again. All of us together.”

The concern evident in Jinx’s tone matches my own growing worry. Theo’s been fighting his biology for weeks now, and the strain is becoming more visible daily.

“We’ve tried talking to him about it,” Jinx continues, already returning to the tarp with determined focus. “Multiple times. With increasing volume.”

I glance over at Finn, who meets my gaze with knowing eyes. He’s been watching Theo too, cataloging symptoms with the same methodical care he brings to everything.

“We’ve got maybe two more days before the suppressants fail completely,” Finn says when I join him under the guise of checking chemical levels. “Mona said they’re designed for short-term delay, not complete prevention.”

“His symptoms are getting worse every day,” I note, concern tightening my chest as I watch Theo carefully arrange cushions with hands that tremble more noticeably now.

“Only that he wants to wait until we are fully recovered.” Finn’s lips quirk in a small, fond smile. “He’s rather determined on the subject.”

“Stubborn,” I correct, though affection colors the word. “All of you are.”

“Pot, kettle,” Finn responds without heat. “Besides, it’s important to him. Having the full pack together for his heat.”

The implication warms something in my chest—that I’m considered essential to this most intimate pack experience, that my presence matters enough for Theo to delay his biological imperative.

“I need to talk to him,” I decide, already moving toward where our omega has created a perfectly arranged seating area, each cushion and table positioned with artistic precision.

“Need help?” I offer, settling beside him on a newly uncovered lounger.

“Just finishing,” he says, adjusting a throw pillow with a focus that suggests it’s distracting him from physical discomfort. “Your idea was good. Being outside helps.”

“Theo,” I start, then pause, searching for the right approach. “I’m worried about you. The suppressants... you’ve been on them too long.”

His hands still momentarily before resuming their careful arrangement. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It seems like a very big deal when your hands are shaking and you’re getting tension headaches,” I counter, gentle but firm. “You don’t need to push yourself this hard. Not for us.”

His eyes meet mine, dark and serious. “You’ve been through enough—the virus, the vaccine, the mission planning. I wanted to wait until you were stronger.”

“So you’re just suffering in silence? Very omega of you.”

The teasing draws a reluctant smile. “Force of habit.” His gaze shifts to where Ryker and Jinx are now successfully removing the last of the tarp, revealing murky pool water beneath. “It’s important to me,” he admits quietly. “Having everyone there. Having you there. The first heat with a complete pack...”

“I’m honored,” I tell him, meaning it completely. “But not at the cost of your health. You don’t need to push yourself to the breaking point. I’m already part of this pack, heat or no heat.”

“I know.” His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining with casual intimacy. “But some things matter beyond rationality. This is one of them.”

Before I can respond, a triumphant shout from Jinx announces the complete removal of the pool cover. He stands at the edge, surveying the murky water with the satisfaction of a general contemplating a conquered territory.

“Phase one complete!” he declares. “Now for the real fun—draining and scrubbing!”

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