Chapter 12
12
DALLAS
It’s been hours since we came home to this nightmare. I’ve dealt with some pretty dark shit in my life, but this feels like someone reached inside my chest and ripped out my heart. I want to break something, but seeing Willow already broken keeps me from destroying the house. The police presence finally died down, and they promised to be in touch… but I’m not waiting for them to do something.
Instead, I swallowed my pride and called Drake. I was shocked when he said he was coming—we’ve only done this family thing recently. It’s not something I’m used to from him. I’m even more shocked that he brought an army of people with him. In the last two hours, I’ve learned that blood is definitely a bond you can’t ignore. My half-brothers, Drake and Roland, are sitting across from me. Their wives, Rhiannon and Isabella, or as I’ve learned goes by Izzy, and Addison, my brother Ryker’s wife, have taken charge of Willow—to keep her from having another panic attack. Seeing her crumble nearly broke me. The paramedics offered to take her to the hospital, but she refused. Now, I glance over at her, wedged between all of my sisters-in-law on the couch. The sight is surreal, and it creates a feeling in my chest I can’t explain.
My own brothers, Ryker and Griffyn, sit beside me at the table.
“I’m sorry Gage couldn’t be here. He’s been dealing with some health issues since the accident. His wife, Poppy, stayed home with him,” Drake says, his voice calm despite the mess.
“I understand. I’m grateful you came… all of you.”
“We might not have come about being a family in a traditional sense, but regardless of how, you’re our brother.” Roland taps the table. “And we fight for each other, Dallas. Between the six of us, we can figure out who is behind this.”
The door bursts open, and my sister Danika rushes in. “What the fuck, Dallas? Why did you not call me?” She glances around the room, her eyes widening. “Shit… I’m sorry… I just… Fuck.” Danika pulls out a chair and plops down beside Griffyn. I almost laugh when her eyes nearly bug out of her eyes. “Holy shit, you’re here… in my brother’s house.”
Roland laughs. “Yeah, sweetheart. I’m family… remember?”
“Right. Family.”
Danika’s arrival brings a jolt of energy into the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. We needed that. The room quiets as everyone realizes the gravity of our situation.
“We need a plan,” Ryker starts, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. “That woman, Clarissa, was murdered simply because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Am I right?” He shakes his head. “Her need to embarrass Willow got her killed. That’s pretty fucked up.”
As much as I despised Clarissa’s behavior earlier, I can’t help but feel guilty that she was caught in the crossfire of this mess. Daniel, the bodyguard, is recovering in the hospital, and so is Kara, the nanny. From what Kara said, Daniel fought hard. He was lucky the shot didn’t kill him. Kara was able to tell us that it was three men in masks who came in and took Juniper. They didn't bother searching the house or asking her for anything—they just took Juniper.
Drake nods, his expression hardening. “We need to understand what they wanted. They took Juniper without hesitation. There is something Lark has that they are willing to use her daughter as a bargaining chip for.”
Willow’s phone buzzes across the coffee table. I glance in her direction and note that the color drains from her face as she reads the message.
“They want me to return what Lark took if I want to see Juniper alive.”
Addison’s face pales. “What could Lark have taken that would get her killed and for them to take a freaking baby?”
“What could she have taken that someone would want back so desperately?” Rhiannon, always the practical one, starts listing items on her fingers. “Did she tell you anything about the men she was seeing?”
“No.” Willow swallows. “I didn’t even know she was working as an escort. She told me that she was the event coordinator for a company.” She shakes her head and stands. “She was gone so much—overnight trips… all lies.” Willow’s eyes light up with sudden realization. “Juniper’s teddy bear! Lark gave it to her after one of her trips. She said it was a special gift.”
Roland leans back, chuckling. “Well, if it’s anything like our triplets’ teddy bears, it’s probably a nanny cam.” The room falls silent, everyone staring at him in shock. “What?” he says defensively. “Izzy wanted to keep an eye on the nannies.” He rolls his eyes, unaware of what he just said.
“Holy shit.” I shake my head in shock. “What if the bear is a camera? And it caught something someone is desperate to get back.”
Ryker stands. “We need to get that teddy bear and see what’s on it.”
“Willow, baby.” I push to my feet and walk to her. “Where is the bear?”
“In storage back in Reno.” Her shoulders slump. “When we left… we left almost everything behind. Brian… Detective Hughes,”—she shakes off the fog I can see clouding her eyes—“he thought it was best.”
“Reno.” Drake chuckles. “Seems like we can’t seem to get away from Nevada.”
“You know someone in Nevada?” Willow blinks, a wave of confusion washing over her features.
“Yes. We made some friends in Vegas earlier this year. In fact,” Drake slips his phone out. “I think they might be able to help.”
“Who’s he talking about?” Willow stares at Drake. “Who’s he calling?”
“If I have to guess, Massimo Anastasi.” I shrug my shoulders. “If there is one man who is going to know if something shady is happening right now, it’s him.”
“Massimo, I’ve put you on speaker.” Drake sets his device on the table. “Dallas, Willow, tell him everything.”
What I don’t know or am unclear about, Willow fills him in.
“Look, the police told us to expect someone with the FBI. This is going to get taken out of our hands soon.”
“Don’t worry about that. I have a contact in the FBI I’ll call. He can take lead on this, which means we can still work it behind the scenes.”
“How the hell do you have a contact in the FBI?” Willow blurts.
Massimo laughs. “Let’s just say my brother’s wife is former FBI and still has a friend on the inside. In the meantime, you need to get to Reno and find that bear.”
“I can’t go back. Brian… err, Detective Hughes, told me under no circumstances was I supposed to come home until they solved the case. Shit.” She mumbles, “I need to call him. He’ll?—”
“Your safety is not a concern, Willow.” Massimo cuts her off. “I’m going to call a family friend. His family now operates out of Reno, and he’ll want to know about this, anyway. I can assure you he will not let anything happen to you. You’re friends, after all. And I take care of the people who are important to me. You helped me save my sister, Drake. Let me help you guys. Be waiting on a call from Lorenzo Bianchi. He’ll take care of your safety… among other things.”
“Thank you, Massimo. We’ll be in touch.” Drake stands and shoves his phone in his pocket. “Okay… let’s get everyone situated. We’ll meet in two hours and go to the plane together.”
“Plane?”
“Of course, Willow. Being a billionaire has its perks. Having a private jet is one of them. Did you think we flew commercial?”
“I guess… I don’t know.” She shakes her head. I reach out and pull her against my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m just so overwhelmed. Juniper is all I have left of my entire family. I can’t lose her.” She buries her head in my chest. “Do you think they’re hurting her?” Willow hiccups a sob against me.
“I want to believe they aren’t hurting her, but… I don’t want to fill you with false hope, baby. Regardless, we’ll make sure she’s okay when we get her home.” I gently tilt her head up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Because make no mistake, Willow. Nashville is your home now. Actually,”—I turn to my siblings—“think you two can do something for me while we’re gone?”
“What?” Griffyn snaps, his voice tinged with anger. “You aren’t going alone, Dallas.”
Holding Willow tightly to my frame, I can feel her heart racing against mine.
“I can’t risk you guys getting hurt.”
“Too fucking bad.” Ryker growls, his eyes fierce. “You helped me; now it’s my turn to help you. Besides, I’m not scared of a fight… you know this.”
“What? You think because you killed one man, you’re ready for this?”
Willow gasps, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
“Baby, it’s not what you think. My baby brother killed a man in a boxing match—a legal match that was fucked from the word go. Then the bullshit with the human trafficker. But that doesn’t change the fact this isn’t dangerous, Ryker. You just got married.”
“And she would kick my ass if I let you two go alone. Besides…” He cracks his neck, his determination palpable. “It’s been a hot minute since I kicked someone’s ass.”
Shaking my head, I sigh heavily, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders.
“Fine… but Addison stays behind… Danika, too. Maybe they can handle what I wanted you two fuckers to do.”
“I’m sure they can.”
“Sure we can what?” Danika slides up next to me, her curiosity piqued.
“Can you move all Willow and Juniper’s things to my house? Then notify the landlord she is moving out?”
“Wait…” Willow steps out of my hold, her face flushed with surprise and defiance. “Dallas, you can’t just decide I’m moving in with you.”
“Don’t fight me on this, Willow. I want you and Juniper with me full-time when she comes home. And you’re going to need to be there for her—moving in with me gives you the freedom to quit working for me.”
“So, now I’m a charity case?” Her voice wavers, the pain in her eyes cutting deep into my soul.
“You know you’re more than that to me.” Cupping her cheeks, I press my forehead to hers, our breaths mingling in the tense space between us. “Please… I can’t live without you. Don’t make me.”
Her eyes search mine, and I see the flicker of hope and fear. This isn’t just about safety or convenience—it’s about needing each other in ways words can’t fully express. The silence between us speaks volumes, the unspoken promises and the shared grief pulling us closer together.
“Okay,” she concedes, the fight leaving her body as she melts against me, letting me be her strength.
“We’re going to get out of here. We’ll be back in an hour. Don’t think you try to leave before us, Dallas. If I have to hunt your ass down in Reno… I will.” Griffyn tugs me against his side. His arms wrap around both me and Willow. “We’re going to get your niece back, Willow. I haven’t had a chance to be Uncle Griffyn yet.” He presses a kiss on her head. “See you in a bit.”
After bidding farewell to my siblings, all of them and their wives, I lead Willow up the steps. Between the constant flow of police and people in and out, exhaustion mars her pretty face.
“I need to call Brian, Dallas.”
“Who is he to you, Willow?” As much as I don’t want to feel jealous of a man who isn’t even here, I can’t help it. “Am I going to have to fight the man when we get to Reno? Because I will… you’re mine.”
She snorts a laugh. “He’s a friend. We dated a few times, but it never went anywhere. Especially after he had to be the one to tell me Lark was dead.” Her eyes hold so much sorrow in them, all I want to do is wipe it away for her. “He and I were never… we never…”
A smile creases my lips. I hate to gloat at a time like this, but knowing he hasn’t touched her the way I do makes me feel feral.
“Okay, baby. Let’s get packed. We have a long flight ahead of us. We can call Detective Hughes in the car.” I guide her to the bed. “You sit. I’ll pack us a bag.”