Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
13
Lennon
Willow clings to me. Thank fuck she doesn’t want to let me go because I’m not sure I could. She is the only thing keeping me sane. Fear like I’ve never known before took up residence in me when I saw Willow being dragged out the back door of The Tipsy Cow.
Thank fuck I had already been close by, not loving the idea of her being out while whoever was responsible for breaking into her apartment was still on the loose. Not to mention that I have this need to always be close to her. A fear that I’m going to wake up from a dream and I’d never actually found her. To go back into the dark place I’ve been over the last year thinking I would never find her.
When the line went dead I knew I had to get to her. There was no stopping me. I was already moving before I could think about it. I rushed into the bar, not caring I wasn’t supposed to be there. This was bigger than anything else. I didn't care that it was a bachelorette party. She is the most important person in my life, and I wasn’t about to risk losing her.
“Can we go home yet?” she whispers against my neck. We’ve all given our statements multiple times. As I thought, it was Jeremy Holmes. He’s wanted in a few states. When I’m done pulling some strings, he’ll never see the light of day again.
“Willow.” Her friend Glory stands next to the bed of the truck I’m sitting in with Willow tucked close. “I’m sorry. I just worry about you.”
“That’s what good friends do,” I say. I know how much Willow’s friends mean to her. Glory’s eyes meet mine, and she gives me a soft, thankful smile. I mean that. I was digging into her past, and her friend figured that out. I respect Glory for trying to protect Willow.
“You guys should come over for dinner next week,” I suggest.
“We’d like that,” Willow says softly in agreement. Glory leans in, giving her a hug. When she releases her, Willow turns her head my way, her eyes meeting mine.
“Can we go now? I’d like to do something about your hands.” She runs her fingers along my knuckles. They're not bleeding anymore, but they’re torn up a bit from the beat-down I gave that asshole before the authorities showed up.
“They're fine,” I try to reassure her. Her eyebrows furrow, and for the first time I think Willow looks angry. I have to say she looks damn cute when she’s mad.
“I will tell you if they are fine after I look at them.” She wiggles and I let her slip off my lap to get to her feet. I do the same, trying to fight a smile because it’s really not the time.
They try to stop us as we head toward my vehicle, but we keep walking. I’m not asking if we are free to go. We are done. We’ve given our statements. If they need anything else, they can either take me in and arrest me or call my lawyer. They of course had to let us go.
The closer we get to being home, the more tension fades out of Willow’s body. I’m calmer knowing that she’s safe now, but still I’m waiting for her to start asking more questions. She has to be pissed. She hung up on me when I told her the truth. When I let her know how long I’ve known her. That my love for her might be a little darker than she could have ever imagined.
“Let me get it,” I order as we roll into the garage and I shut the door behind us. My control is not at its best at the moment. She starts to say something, and I give her a look. Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip, which does nothing to help my self-control.
I jump out, making my way around the car to open the door for her. She takes my offered hand, following me inside. One of my security men is standing watch, and I give him a nod of dismissal as I keep leading Willow up the stairs. I know that we caught the man who’d been stalking Willow, but I decided it would be best if I kept a team of my security men on site for a while. Almost losing her tonight scared the shit out of me, and I’m not willing to take any more chances when it comes to her.
There will be a handful of them patrolling outside, and I already have Emily looking into female bodyguards as well. I know it might be overkill and I might never use this person, but at the moment it’s helping keep me calm, and that’s all that matters. I don’t want to be on edge or worrying over that kind of shit right now. I want all my attention focused on my Willow—and convincing her to marry me for real this time.