Chapter 13
13
WILLOW
In the last twenty-four hours, my life has taken some kind of twisted detour. A ride I didn’t ask to get… one I desperately want to get off of. Two months ago, I would’ve never believed I’d be standing here, talking to the head of a criminal organization. But here we are, and here I stand, listening to Dallas talk to yet another gorgeous man. I don’t know where the hell all these men have been hiding, but somehow, I’ve wound up in their alternate universe—a universe of men who defy logic and law… literally.
Did I mention the man has the sexiest Italian accent ever? Hearing him talk almost makes me forget why we’re here. Until he says my name, drawing me back into the conversation.
“Do you want to go to the storage facility first or get some rest? I know time is of the essence, but it has been a long flight for you.” Lorenzo stares at me. His words are like dumping cold water over my head.
“Um… the storage unit.” Dallas squeezes my hand as I answer. “The sooner we can find that damn bear, the sooner I can bring my niece home.”
“You heard the lady.” Lorenzo addresses the men standing around us. “Let’s get to the storage facility and see what her sister took.”
He spins on his heel and moves toward a large black SUV. Dallas nods at his brothers. “We’re in that car.”
This feels like something out of a movie. I didn’t ask, but I didn’t need to. The mob is helping us, and I should feel some kind of way about that, but Lorenzo and his sister, who I learned is his second in charge, have been nothing but kind. Apparently, they have a severe disliking for anyone who uses women to get what they want. Any other criminal activity is fine, but not that. That thought makes me want to laugh, but instead, I stay silent as I climb into the SUV with Dallas. His brother Griffyn sits in the front beside the driver, Alonso. I’m now mashed between Dallas and Ryker in the middle seat. And in the very back are Drake and Roland. I still can’t believe they came with us.
Ryker squeezes my knee, jolting me from the thousand thoughts running through my head. “Don’t worry, Will. We’re going to get her back.”
I can’t help the sudden sob that overtakes my voice. Dallas wraps his arm around my shoulder and holds me against him.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
“I don’t want to cry,” I mumble against his side. “It’s like admitting she’s gone for good.”
He shifts me so I’m looking him in the face. “Not true, princess. Crying makes you human. You haven’t really let yourself feel the stress of this. It’s okay to cry, Willow. No one thinks you’re giving up on Juniper.”
Acquiescing, I sit up and rub the tears off my face. “I want to see these people rot, Dallas.”
“No worries about that,” Alonso speaks up from the front. “If Mr. Bianchi doesn’t make them suffer, Miss Bianchi will. She hates men who use women and children for their sick pleasures.” He stares at me from the rearview mirror. “And taking a child to push their agenda is something that will certainly deserve her wrath.”
“Is that normal?” My question seems to confuse him based on the look he gives me. “What I mean is… is it normal for a woman to be in a position of power. I’ll admit, I know nothing about organized crime other than what I read in smutty books.”
Alonso laughs. “While some of what you read is accurate, it’s 2024. If something were to happen to Mr. Bianchi, his sister would have no problem ruling the family on her own.”
“I see.”
We pull into the facility that potentially holds the key to getting my niece back. Everyone files out of the car, and I am surprised when Griffyn, the eldest, steps between me and Ryker. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and stands with me until Dallas rounds the car.
“Getting handsy with my woman, brother?” Dallas half laughs as he stops and stares at our position.
“Fuck off. I figured you and the others would go through the unit. I’ll stay here with her while you take care of finding that damn bear.”
Dallas holds his brother’s gaze for a moment. “Willow, are you okay staying out here?”
“How about we all go inside?”
Griffyn starts to move toward the entrance, me still firmly in his hold. “I’ve never seen my brother so happy.” His voice is so low I almost missed his words. “Do you really care about him, or is this some game?”
“What?” I stop and turn to look at the oldest Nash brother. “I can assure you that this is most certainly not a game. And no matter what happens with Juniper,”—I take a deep breath—“I’ll still feel the same way about him. I just hope he will still want me… broken and all.”
Griffyn regards me for a moment, then surprises me further when he wraps his arms around me and squeezes me tight.
“We will all be here for you, Willow. And the outcome is going to be Juniper coming home and us getting to spoil our niece. Because that’s what she will be. My brother doesn’t settle for half-measures. When he finds something he wants, he takes it one hundred percent. I predict you’ll be our sister soon.”
Dallas appears beside us. “Time to give up my girl, Griff. Go find your own.”
Suddenly, Griffyn’s eyes go wide, and I laugh despite the situation. Sofia Bianchi stands behind him, her hand firmly resting on his shoulder. Her thick Italian accent washes over us as she speaks.
“No need to look far for a woman. I’d love to take you for a test ride after this.” Her thick accent makes her words sound even dirtier than they are.
Drake barks a laugh from behind him, but we all notice how Griffyn pales from her words.
“Um… I’ll have to pass. But thank you.” He scurries ahead into the storage unit, leaving us staring after him.
“Is your brother not into women?” Sofia arches a brow at Dallas. “He is single, yes?”
“He is very single and definitely into the ladies. I suspect you scared the shit out of him, though. He isn’t used to a woman like you.”
“A woman like me?” She narrows her eyes at Dallas.
“Yes. A woman who could murder him with her pinky.” Dallas tugs me forward. “Let’s get this over with. Come on, Sofia, let’s go harass my brother some more while we search for this fucking bear.”
We dive into the sea of boxes, each labeled with what’s inside. Everyone in the room starts opening them, one by one, the contents spilling out in a cascade of memories and forgotten items. Dallas takes the lead, his broad shoulders and strong hands making quick work of the boxes. He’s determined, almost frantic, as if finding this bear is a matter of life and death.
After what feels like an eternity, Roland lets out a triumphant shout. "Got it!"
We all turn to see him holding the bear aloft, a small, unassuming thing, its fur matted and one of its button eyes slightly loose. Relief washes over me, and for a moment, I let myself hope.
“This looks like a regular bear. Not the nanny kind we have at home.” His face scrunched in confusion.
Sofia steps forward, her expression dangerous, her dark eyes hiding a thousand secrets. I can’t stifle the gasp when she whips out a blade I had no idea she was carrying. Without a word, she takes the bear from Roland and, with a swift motion, slices it open. I gasp, unable to look away as she guts it, the stuffing spilling out onto the concrete floor.
And then, among the white fluff, something stands out among the cotton intestines. She kicks the plastic bag, the tiny contents catching the light inside and sparkling like spilled glitter.
Diamonds.
A small bag of uncut diamonds falls out, scattering across the floor like a handful of stars. For a moment, none of us move, the shock rendering us all speechless.
Sofia crouches down, gathering the diamonds with a practiced hand. "Well," she says, her voice calm and steady, "I think we found what we were looking for."
"Why would someone hide these in a teddy bear?" Ryker mumbles, confusion marring his expression.
"It's brilliant, actually," Drake replies, his eyes still fixed on the diamonds. "Who would think to look there?"
“What do we do now?” I ask, my voice trembling.
"We need to figure out who these belong to," Sofia says, standing up and pocketing the diamonds. She sheathes her knife and looks at us, her expression unreadable. "We need to be careful," she says. "This changes everything."
The storage unit feels even more oppressive, the walls closing in on us. As we leave, I can't shake the feeling that we've just crossed a line and stepped into a world I don't fully understand. Thankfully, the people driving us away from the storage unit know exactly how to deal with the mess I find myself in.
“Dallas.” I turn to face him. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I need to call Brian. He needs to know what’s going on, and I owe it to him to let him know I’m okay.”
Dallas looks at me, his jaw tightening. I can see the conflict in his eyes, the mix of emotions he’s trying to process.
“Willow, you know how I feel about involving him,” he replies, his voice tinged with frustration.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. " Dallas, Brian is the one handling the original murder investigation. He’s the reason I’m still alive today."
“It’s hard for me to forget you two have a past that was more than professional.”
I realize the vehicle has been stopped for a few moments, and we’re suspiciously all alone. So wrapped up in our conversation, I hadn’t noticed the others getting out.
“Yeah, Brian and I dated, but Dallas…” I shift my body and climb into his lap. Cupping his face in my hands, I force him to look at me. “Brian and I went out off and on for a few months. He never spent the night, and I never stayed at his house. We shared a few kisses, that’s it. Do you understand what I am saying to you?” I press my lips to his, feeling the heat of his breath mix with mine. “I never gave my body to him, Dallas. That belongs to you.”
Dallas leans back, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. It’s like he’s letting me see something he normally keeps hidden.
“I own all of you, princess. Not just your body.” His grip tightens on the door handle before he shoves it open. “Let’s get out of this car before I do something reckless. And as much as I’d love to wreck you right here, we need to get our girl back. Then I’ll show you just how much I own everything.”