Chapter 3 #3
It isn't the first time she or the McBride boys have tried to delve into what sent Connor stalking up into those woods in the first place a week ago, and I’ve managed to dodge and deflect, avoiding giving them any of the specifics about the heated argument that ended with him running.
"I told you there isn't anything to tell.” I shrug. “Not really. I went to bring him to dinner, he said no, got pissed when I pushed, and stormed off."
Lucky smirks and nods. "Sure.”
“You don't believe me?"
She carries a few of the candles over to the shelves and sets them there carefully, turning them so the labels that explain the various scents that Willow concocted are facing out. "All I know is that Liam and I heard you guys that night, and it certainly sounded pretty heated.”
Oh, it was definitely heated.
More like scorching if I had to choose a word.
But then, it always is with Connor.
It always has been.
Every damn argument becomes combustible.
Even back in high school, the man was able to ignite something in me that couldn't be put out easily.
I wave her off. "I don't want to talk about Connor anymore. I'm actually here for a reason."
Willow chuckles. "I don't have any new gossip for your column. Why don't you go check with Elaine at the diner?”
“Ha fucking ha." I scowl at her. "No, I'm being serious. I need to talk to Lucky."
Lucky raises a brow as she comes back to the counter. "About what?"
I chew on the inside of my bottom lip, trying to figure out how I can broach this without giving away my true intent. It will all come out eventually, but I’m not ready to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding my story.
Not yet.
"I just need to clarify a few things with you.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “About what?"
Her uneasiness comes out in her question and I can't blame her. After everything that she went through in the last few months, having a reporter ask her anything is going to put her on the defensive.
Shit.
I should have thought this through.
“I wanted to talk to you about maybe doing a piece on you and Gizmo."
Her lips curl slightly into an unsure smile. "Really?"
I nod, forcing a returned one.
No, not really, but I can't discuss this with her in front of Willow…
I need to get Lucky alone to tell her what I really want, what I really need from her without tipping off my best friend about what I’m doing. “Yeah, I was hoping maybe we could schedule a time in the next couple days, just the two of us."
Willow narrows her gaze on me, and I can see the wheels churning behind her gray eyes. "What are you up to?"
I feign innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about.”
“We've been best friends since literally forever, Raven, and I know when you're lying and up to something, and you are definitely both of those right now."
Damn her ability to read me so well…
I grit my teeth and force a smile. "Nope, just usual me doing my usual stuff.”
“Uh-huh." She nods slowly, incredulity creeping into her voice. "Is that really all you're going to say?”
“Sure is." I snag my computer. "I've lost my ability to work at the bakery for today. I'm going to set up in your back office."
Willow throws up her hands with a scoff. "Why don't you just go to your apartment?” She motions vaguely across the street. “It's literally right above the bakery."
I scowl at her. "If I work at home, I'll get distracted."
She sweeps out her hands. “And you won't be distracted here by customers coming in and out?”
Shrugging, I tug on my headphones from around my neck. "I'll block all of you out."
Lucky chuckles. "You can't do that at home?"
I shake my head. "Wish I could.”
I’ve never been able to work there, and I need somewhere Connor won’t be able to track me down.
Willow’s office is a great place to hide out.
When Killian bought this place for her, he had suggested I use the upstairs as a formal workspace, rather than holing up at the bakery, but truth be told, I kind of need people around me to work.
I just need to be able to shut them out, too.
Her eyes narrow on my computer. “What are you working on anyway?"
The question makes me stumble a step as I move toward the back room, but I manage to catch myself before I fall or drop my laptop. "Nothing, the usual."
Willow narrows her gaze on me again. "You're lying."
I smile. "Nope. Just gossip, gossip, gossip."
The kind that can get people killed.
The kind that has.
The kind that haunts all of us.
Which is why this story has to happen.
I slip down the narrow hallway and into the tiny office at the back and close the door, releasing a sigh of relief before I settle into the chair at the small desk.
It isn’t my table at the bakery, but it’s something other than the big, empty space upstairs that’s so lifeless.
I push some of Willow's paperwork to the side to make room for my laptop, then flip it open and wait for the screen to light back up as it reboots after Connor so unceremoniously slammed it shut.
That fucking asshole.
All I'm doing is my job, protecting the citizens of McBride Mountain, protecting the people of the world as much as I can.
There are some people who don't deserve to be walking this earth, who don't deserve to have the money and power they wield like weapons, and it's my responsibility to take them down.
Nothing will stop me now.