Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Damien
I quickly learned that Willa was the type of woman to hold grudges. But damn, did she look sexy as hell tonight. I wanted to take her home with me and fuck her all night. I hadn’t had sex since our night together, and I needed the release. If she wouldn’t let me have her, I’d find someone who would.
Louis pulled up to her building. I stepped out, extended my hand, and she accepted it, which shocked me.
“I can walk you up,” I said.
“I can manage on my own. Goodnight, Mr. Blackwood.”
“Willa, wait.”
She turned and looked at me, holding her shoes by their straps in her hand.
“Maybe I don’t want the night to end just yet.”
“The night has ended, and so has our pretending, Damien.” She turned and walked into the building.
Shaking my head, I climbed into the back of the sedan and slammed the door.
“You fucked up, Damien,” Louis said.
“Be quiet, Louis, and take me home.”
I stepped into the penthouse, poured myself a drink, and took it to the terrace. The night air was a little cooler now than earlier, but not enough to soothe my frustrations.
“Damn it,” I mumbled, taking a sip of the scotch that warmed my insides but failed at filling the emptiness I felt.
Willa’s words echoed in my mind. “The night has ended, and so has our pretending.”
Pretending—it’s what I did best. I finished my drink and went inside. Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and took it to the bedroom, staring at the box Willa gave me sitting in the corner. Picking it up, I set it on the bed, climbed on, and started removing the contents.
I brought the dark amber and smoked sandalwood candle to my nose, letting the rich, earthy aroma envelope my senses. It smelled nice and was worth using. I placed it on my nightstand, opened the drawer, and pulled out the lighter I had stored amongst the boxes of condoms. I lit the candle and pulled out the note Willa had written.
You don’t always have to be the strong one. Not with me.
I don’t need perfect. I just need real. And right now, you’re it. ~W
The aroma of the candle filtered through the air. Glancing at it, I stared at the label— Light it up and let shit go. The corners of my mouth curved upward into a small smile. Our lives were so different. I built my entire life on winning, just as my father taught me. But Willa—it sounded like her business was taking off quickly. A business created from her life falling apart, making her more beautiful than she already was.
Leaning over, I blew out the candle, snuggled into bed, and turned off the light. I lay there, my hands behind my head, staring up at the ceiling. My mind wandered to our conversation earlier about daisies. They didn’t pretend to be something they’re not, just like Willa.
* * *
I hadn’t spoken to Willa in over a week—it was my fault. I should have reached out, but I wanted to give her space after Saturday night. That was a lie. I was too afraid she’d either ignore me or tell me to fuck off.
I walked out to Christine’s desk and set a few files down.
“I need these reports filed.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, staring at her phone.
“Something interesting you’re looking at?” I asked.
“I got an alert of a building fire over on Murray Street,” she said.
“Murray Street? Where exactly?” My heart started racing as I ran into my office, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV hanging on the wall. Breaking news flashed on the screen, where firefighters were at the scene of a building fire.
“What the fuck?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Willa. It went straight to voicemail.
The newscaster said several people were being taken to Mount Sinai for injuries. I started to panic as I called Louis and told him to bring the car around.
“What’s going on, Damien?” he asked as I slid into the back.
“Get me to Mount Sinai.” I tried calling Willa again, and it kept going to voicemail. “Damn it.”
I raced into the emergency room and went up to the desk.
“People were brought in from a building fire on Murray Street. I need to know if my wife is here. I can’t get a hold of her.”
“What is your wife’s name? the nurse behind the desk asked.
“Willa Blackwood.”
“I’m sorry. But there isn’t a Willa Blackwood listed.”
“Try Willa Aster.”
“Yes. What is your wife’s birthdate?”
Shit.
“Uh, I don’t know.”
“You don’t know your wife’s birthdate?” She cocked her head.
“It’s complicated. Where is she?” I demanded to know.
“Yeah, sorry, sir. Unless you’re related, you can’t go back there.”
“She is my wife!” I shouted.
“Sure, she is. And please lower your voice. She gave us a different last name, and you don’t know your wife’s birthdate.”
I inhaled a sharp breath so I didn’t lose my shit.
“I am her husband. Since you don’t believe, go ask her yourself because I am not leaving until I see my wife.”
“Give me a moment.” She stood up, scanned her badge, and walked through the double security doors.
A few moments later, she returned.
“I apologize, Mr. Blackwood. She’s in room nine. Go through the doors, make a right at the end of the hall, and her room is on the left.”
“Thank you.”
I located room nine and paused in the doorway, gazing at Willa as she lay in bed with an oxygen tube in her nose.
“Willa, are you okay?” I ran to her bedside and gripped her hand.
“I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. I was sleeping, and suddenly I heard the smoke alarms going off. So, I climbed out of bed, and the apartment was filled with smoke.”
“Did the fire start in your apartment?”
“No.” She shook her head. “But I’m pretty sure it started on our floor.”
“Thank God, you’re okay. I tried to call you, but it kept going to voicemail.”
“My phone is dead. I thought I charged it last night. I guess not.”
“Why were you sleeping in the middle of the afternoon?” I asked.
“I haven’t been feeling well this past week.”
“Miss Aster, I’m Dr. Beninati. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. Can you please take this oxygen out of my nose? I don’t need it.”
He reached over and pulled the oxygen tube from her. “It says here that you haven’t been feeling well the past week, and that’s why you were napping when the fire happened.”
“Correct. I think I have the flu or something. I’ve been nauseous and exhausted.”
“Possibly. A lot of illnesses have been going around. I’m going to order some bloodwork just to be safe. You can get out of here as soon as the results return. Deal?”
“Deal,” she said.
“Where are Matt and James?” I asked her.
“They’re in Texas visiting James’s family. I haven’t had a chance to call them yet. Everything happened so fast. Oh my God, Damien. What am I going to do?”
“Don’t worry about that right now.” I squeezed her hand. “Give me Matt’s number and I’ll call him and James.”
After she gave me the number, I stepped into the hall and made the phone call. I told them not to rush back because I was certain they wouldn’t be allowed access to their apartment for a while.
“Did you talk to Matt?” Willa asked as I stepped into the room.
“I did. He’s freaking out.”
“Join the club.” She turned her head and looked out the window.
“Willa, your test results are back,” Dr. Beninati walked into the room.
“And who is this?” He pointed at me.
“Damien is my husband.”
“Oh.” His brows furrowed. “I swore your patient form said you were single.”
“It’s complicated,” she said.
“Well, congratulations, you two. You’re having a baby.”
“What?” Willa quickly sat up.
“Excuse me?” The panic in my voice was evident.
“You’re pregnant, Willa. I want to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is okay.”
“Wait a second.” I raised my hands. “There’s no way she’s pregnant.”
“The blood tests don’t lie, Mr. Aster.”
“It’s Blackwood,” I scowled.