Chapter 7
7
WILLOW
What have I done?
I close my eyes as the last tendrils of my orgasm fade, and Dallas sets me on my feet. My body aches in a good way, one that reminds me of the utter fuck up I’ve committed. Pushing past him, I don’t dare look at him as I hurriedly gather my clothes.
“Willow.” Dallas’s voice washes over me as he steps toward me.
His cock, once hard and buried deep inside me, is semi-erect as he tears off the condom and tosses it into the trashcan beside his desk. I’m unable to meet his gaze.
“Don’t.” I hold up my hand as he moves toward me. “This shouldn’t have happened, Dallas.”
“But it did.” He grabs his pants and pulls them on as I tug my dress over my head. “And now you’re running.”
“I can’t… this… I’m sorry.” I slip on my shoes and move to the door. “I’m sorry, Dallas, but my life it’s a mess right now. We shouldn’t have done this… I can’t risk.” She pauses, “Never mind. I’m sorry,” I say as I tug open the door and dart out.
No one pays me any mind as I hurry down the steps looking thoroughly fucked and smelling of sex. Cali glances at me from the bar, her brows furrowing in concern. I give my head a shake, silently telling her not to ask. Grabbing my bag from behind the counter, I watch as her eyes soften with understanding. Avoiding the conversation I see burning in her eyes, I hurry past her and outside. Once locked inside my car, I let the tears I’ve been desperately holding back fall.
What have I done to deserve the life I have now? Pressing my head against the steering wheel, I let myself cry. I don’t know how long I sit there like that, and it isn’t until my door is wrenched open that I notice I’m still in the parking lot. Turning my head, I find Dallas squatted beside me.
“Stop running, Willow.”
“I can’t.” I hiccup a sob. “You don’t understand… you can’t understand.”
He pushes his fingers through my hair, forcing me to look at him. “Give me the chance. Are you in trouble, Willow? Let me help you.”
“There’s too much at stake.” I whimper. “I have Juniper to think about.”
His eyes bore into my own. It’s intense and makes me feel like maybe I can tell him. Just when I open my mouth, my cell phone pings. I don’t have to look to know what it is—I’ve gotten messages daily reminding me my life isn’t my own. Dallas must sense my strife because he reaches across my body and grabs the device.
“Unlock the screen, Willow.”
Squeezing my eyes closed, I blow out a breath. “Please don’t do this, Dallas.”
“Unlock. The. Screen.” He growls his command at me. “I won’t ask again, Willow.”
With a shaky hand, I press my thumb to the screen, giving him access. He sits back on his heels and swipes the screen.
“What the fuck?” His eyes fill with rage as he reads over the many threatening messages I’ve gotten, his body vibrating with unfettered rage. He nearly crushes the phone in his hand.
“What the hell is this, Willow?” he growls, his voice shaking with barely controlled anger.
I stare at the screen, my heart plummeting as the familiar words glare back at me. They’re messages I hope would never come to light, words that haunt my every waking moment, reminding me of the mess my sister left me with.
“It’s nothing,” I say, but the lie sounds weak even to my own ears.
“Nothing?” he roars, tossing the phone across the interior of the car—the device bouncing off the passenger door. “That doesn’t look like nothing. Who is this, Willow? Who’s threatening you?” His eyes are wild, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths.
“I can handle it,” I say, my voice trembling. “I don’t need your help.”
“The hell you don’t,” he snaps, grabbing my arm and pulling me close as he presses my upper body into his chest. “Who is this? Who’s doing this to you?”
The fear and shame that have been my relentless companions rise, suffocating me. I’ve worked so hard to keep this part of my life hidden, to protect Juniper and myself. But now, it’s all unraveling.
“It’s complicated,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
There’s a moment of silence, the weight of his demand hanging heavy between us. I take a deep breath, knowing that once I start, there’s no going back.
“It started after Lark died,” I begin, my voice barely above a murmur. “She was… she got involved with the wrong people. After she was killed, things happened that scared me. A friend in the police department helped me run away. They deemed her death a home invasion, but that’s what they told the media—not what happened.”
“And Juniper?” Dallas’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscles jumping. “Is she really your niece?”
“Yes.” I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. “When Lark was murdered, I couldn’t leave her alone, not after everything. I’m all she has left. I have to protect her.”
His expression softens slightly, the anger giving way to something more tender. “You should have told me, Willow. I can help.”
“I couldn’t,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t want to drag you into this mess. It’s dangerous. These people… they don’t care who they hurt.”
“I care,” he says, his voice fierce with emotion I don’t understand. “And I’m not letting anything happen to you… or Juniper. We’ll figure this out together.”
His words are a balm to my frayed nerves, but the fear still lingers.
“You don’t understand. They’re powerful. They have connections. If they find out you’re involved?—”
“I’m not afraid of them,” Dallas interrupts, his eyes blazing. “I’ve dealt with worse. We’ll protect Juniper, and we’ll deal with these bastards once and for all.” He reaches beneath me and tugs me out of the car into his arms. “I’m taking you home.”
I stiffen in his hold. “I can’t, I have Juniper.”
“Relax. We’re going to your place, Willow. But I’m taking you.”
“My bag, Dallas… I need my things.”
He leans down, letting me grab my belongings from my car. He slams the door closed with his hip and strides across the parking lot. When we near his car, Dallas sets me on my feet to fish out his keys and phone. I watch as he unlocks the doors and tugs open the passenger door. As I climb inside, he presses the phone to his ear.
“I need you. Can you come to Nashville?” He pinches the bridge of his nose and huffs. “Look… we’re brothers, whether or not we want to be, and I need your help. Fine.” He closes his eyes for a moment. “Yes. Thank you, Drake. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Who was that?” I stare at him as he buckles me into my seat.
“My half-brother.”
Dallas doesn’t elaborate as he buckles my seat belt and presses his lips to my forehead. The gesture is tender, almost possessive, and it sends a warm shiver down my spine. I watch as he rounds the car and climbs in. The car roars to life, and we pull away from the club, the lights of the city fading into the distance.
The silence between us is heavy, filled with unspoken words and lingering tension. I steal glances at him. His jaw is set, his eyes focused on the road ahead, and his hands grip the steering wheel with a controlled intensity, knuckles white against the black leather.
I want to say something, anything, to break the silence, but the words stick in my throat. The reality of my situation presses down on me, making it hard to breathe.
As we drive, my thoughts drift to Juniper—her innocent face, her sweet laugh. She’s the reason I’ve fought so hard, the reason I’ve kept my secrets and given up so much. The thought of anything happening to her is unbearable. I glance at Dallas, and his expression is unreadable.
Can I really trust him to keep her safe?
The car comes to a smooth stop in front of my house. Dallas kills the engine and turns to me, his eyes softening. Without a word, he gets out and walks around to my side, opening the door. He reaches in, unbuckling my seat belt, and pulls me into his arms once more.
“Come on,” he murmurs, lifting me as if I weigh nothing. I wrap my arms around his neck, resting my head against his chest. The steady beat of his heart is a calming rhythm, grounding me.
He carries me up the steps and into the house, the door swinging shut behind us with a soft click. The house is quiet, the only sounds are the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant ticking of a clock. The familiar smells and sights should be comforting, but tonight, they feel tinged with an edge of danger.
Dallas’s footsteps are soft on the carpet as he carries me to the living room. Kara, the nanny and my neighbor, looks up from where she’s sitting, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Is everything alright?” she asks with concern etching her features as she takes in the intimate hold Dallas has on me.
“Everything’s fine,” Dallas replies, his voice steady and reassuring. “You can go home now. I’ll take it from here.”
She hesitates, glancing between us. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, thank you, Kara,” I say, my voice strained. “We’ll be fine.”
She nods, gathering her things quickly. Kara gives me one last worried glance before leaving.
Dallas doesn’t put me down until we reach Juniper’s room. He sets me on my feet gently, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment. I tiptoe to Juniper’s bed, my heart swelling at the sight of her. She’s curled up under her blanket, her thumb tucked in her mouth, her little chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. The sight of her so peaceful and innocent brings tears to my eyes. I brush a hand over her hair, whispering a silent promise to keep her safe.
Dallas watches us from the doorway, his expression unreadable. When I straighten up, he steps forward and lifts me into his arms again. I don’t protest, too exhausted and overwhelmed to argue. He carries me down the hall to my bedroom, the familiar surroundings offering a small measure of comfort.
He sets me on the bed, his hands moving to the hem of my dress. There’s a tenderness in his touch that catches me off guard. He peels the dress away, leaving me bare before him. His eyes darken as he looks at me, but he doesn’t make a move. Instead, he strips off his own clothes, the fabric falling to the floor in a heap, leaving him clad in his fitted black boxers.
The sight of him, all hard lines and raw strength, sends a thrill through me. But tonight, there’s no more room for desire, only the need for comfort, for the safety he represents. He climbs into bed beside me, pulling me into his arms. The warmth of his body against mine is a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.
“We’ll figure this out,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “In the morning, we’ll meet with Drake and come up with a plan. You’re not alone in this, Willow. I’m here. We’ll protect Juniper and get your life back.”
His words are a promise, a vow that he will stand by me no matter what. I cling to that promise, letting it chase away the fear that has gripped me for so long. I press closer to him, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothing me toward sleep.
As I drift off, I feel a sense of hope that I haven’t felt in months. Maybe I can finally put an end to this nightmare. Maybe, just maybe, Dallas can help me find a way to be free of the mess Lark made. I want to be pissed at my sister for leaving me here like this—for leaving her daughter. I close my eyes, letting myself melt into the warmth of the man holding me. For now, I’ll put the worries out of my mind and let his embrace give me the safety I crave so desperately.
The last thing I feel before sleep claims me is the gentle brush of Dallas’s lips against my neck, a silent promise of protection and unwavering support.