Chapter 15
fifteen
“I give it six months,” Everett says, not bothering to look up from the drawing he’s working on.
“You think he’ll last that long? I give it more like three,” Eli replies, both of them having this conversation right in front of me like I’m not standing right here.
“You’re both wrong,” Ember says quietly, flipping a page in the manuscript she’s working on from the chair across the lobby of Grovewood Ink.
I won’t entertain them, and I know it’s pissing the guys off.
Instead, I just busy myself with updating the security camera feeds and sending all the footage back to my system at home for review later tonight.
I’ve sifted through thousands of hours of video at this point and haven’t seen anything out of the norm.
But it’s no surprise that not a single dime has gone missing since I discovered the initial problem.
Whoever is responsible knows it’s just a matter of time before we figure everything out.
“We are never wrong, Sparky,” Everett says, his sister rolling her eyes at the childhood nickname he uses for her.
“Okay, don’t make yourself look like an idiot now, Ev,” Eli replies, placing a kiss on his wife’s head and walking back into his station.
We’re supposed to be having a staff meeting, but that quickly devolved into taking bets about my love life.
“Put them out of their misery, Helo. Tell them I was right from the beginning.” She smirks to herself, knowing there’s no doubt she’s right. “Tell them three months is a gross exaggeration because you already have a plan.”
“If I were going to propose to Willow, I would never reveal my plan to anyone. Or my timeline for said plan,” I smile, knowing I’ve had a plan in mind for almost as long as I’ve known her. Hell, if I’m honest, I think I’ve been in love with her as long as I’ve known her.
“I think we’re all overlooking the giant fucking wooly mammoth in the room here, guys.” Everett says, finally looking up from the flames he’s shading. “Will is already married.”
Ice and rage burn through my veins at the thought that Willow belongs to another man on a technicality.
In reality, I know she doesn’t. And maybe she never did, knowing without a doubt he never deserved her.
She belongs to the moon and the stars and all the beautiful, wild things in the world.
She took those parts of herself back the day she left him.
I only wish she could see that. The pencil in my hand snaps, and everyone’s eyes shift to me.
I hadn’t even realized I was gripping it that tightly.
Clearing my throat, I drop the pieces into the trash next to the counter and continue my work.
“There must be some way for her to file for divorce without him knowing where she is, right? I know there are things in place to protect people in situations like this,” Ember asks Eli quietly.
“There are things in place to… to protect victims of domestic violence,” he replies quietly, and the words pierce through me like broken glass, ripping me to shreds.
Victim. Domestic violence. Things I would never have associated with the strong, capable woman I know Willow to be.
I want to destroy something. It’s been years since I felt such uncontrollable anger, but I want to tear this city apart until there’s nothing for miles that can possibly hurt her ever again.
I finish uploading the last of the footage and shoot off a text to Breaker.
Need to use your range to release some tension. Okay if I come by?
The bubbles indicating he’s typing pop up before I can even set my phone down.
Funny you should ask…
A video comes in seconds after his text.
My woman, arm’s length away from him on his firing range, a pistol in her hands as she lines her body up and fires off five rounds in quick succession.
I always knew Willow and Breaker were close, especially when she revealed he was the one who helped her create this new life.
Unnecessary jealousy builds inside of me, not because of the time they spend together, but because I want to see her like this.
I want to watch her raw, untamed energy up close.
“I've gotta go. I’ll review all of this footage and get back to you later tonight, Eli.” Grabbing my keys from the counter, I leave my friends without another word.
My Mustang is already peeling out of the parking lot by the time the picture of her target comes through.
Two to the head, three to the heart, perfect groupings.
That’s my fucking girl. While I wish I could attach myself to her permanently so I knew for sure she was always protected, I’m glad she’s so capable and prepared.
It takes me less than ten minutes to get to Breaker’s place from the shop.
Willow’s car isn’t here, so I assume Break picked her up from my place.
I don’t bother knocking, placing my palm on the security pad and opening the front door, walking straight downstairs into his basement bat cave.
Three muffled shots echo down the long hallway, and my heart beats a little faster.
She’s close, so close I can feel her presence already.
Entering the code on the security panel next to the last door, it slides open easily, and my heart melts in my chest when her gaze whips to mine.
A wide smile spreads across her perfect lips, and it takes everything in me not to stalk across the room and kiss her.
“Had to see for yourself, huh?” She smirks, clearing the pistol and setting it down on the table next to her. That shouldn’t make me hard, but fuck, it definitely does.
“Your groupings are getting better, Will. You’re holding your breath when you pull the trigger, you’ve gotta stop doing that.
When you anticipate the recoil like that, you jerk your hands back.
Just breathe evenly, relax your wrists and let the recoil move through them.
Don’t try to stop it from happening,” Breaker tells her, and she listens intently.
It’s funny to see him teach her so patiently, knowing this is the same man who threatened to throw me out of my own helicopter in Somalia when I made a comment about his distaste for coffee.
“Seems an unnecessary skill when I could just keep you in my sights at all times, forever.” I suggest, and Willow scoffs.
“She needs to be able to take care of herself.” Breaker replies gruffly. I really just enjoy ruffling his feathers.
“I know, big guy. I’m just kidding. Well... kind of. I would be more than happy to keep you this close to me forever, pretty girl.” She smiles her beautiful smile, and Breaker rolls his eyes.
“Clean your weapon. Make sure it’s within your reach at all times, Willow. You know the consequences, don’t be the victim.” His words aren’t cold, but a chill still runs down my spine.
“I understand. Thank you for your help, Jason. I could never tell you how much it means to me,” she says, hugging him tightly.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hug anyone other than his wife, but it’s clear he feels a brotherly need to watch over Willow.
He turns to leave, giving me a stare that conveys everything I already know.
This danger is real, and she needs to be protected.
“You’re good for each other, Helo. I know the feeling. Just remember I designed the security mainframe for your entire estate. Imagine what it would be like to wake up with me in your bed.” Breaker smirks, his threat as subtle as a fucking grenade. If I ever hurt her, there will be consequences.
“Thank you,” is all I reply. The look on my face conveys everything he already knows.
Thank you for protecting her, thank you for creating her escape, thank you for caring about her enough to keep her secrets hidden.
I could never thank him enough for everything he’s done that brought this perfect woman into my life.
“Don’t fuck in my basement!” He shouts, walking out the door and up the stairs.
Willow laughs out loud, the sound echoing through the large empty range around us. I love that sound. Pure, unadulterated joy. She turns her beautiful, warm gaze to mine, and another piece of my soul falls at her feet.
“No promises,” she says, a cheeky grin painting her lips. This woman will be my ruin, and I’ve never welcomed my demise so much before.
I lose all ability to keep my body away from hers, closing the short distance between us and crashing my lips against hers.
A squeal escapes her throat before she softens into my kiss.
I lift her up with ease, wrapping her legs around my waist and walking us to the table behind her without breaking the kiss.
She hisses when I set her on the cold metal table, her hands finding their way into my hair, nails raking across my scalp.
Fuck, I love the way she feels under my hands.
She grinds her hips up into my growing erection, and my hand wraps around her throat, squeezing gently.
“Don’t play with me, pretty girl. I have no problem fucking you on this table where Breaker and Rory can hear you screaming my name upstairs.
You mistake me for someone who has patience where you’re concerned.
Let me assure you, I do not.” I nip at the side of her jaw before capturing her lips again.
She makes me feel rabid, completely out of control in the best and worst ways.
That side of me can be dangerous, and I work hard to keep it contained.
“That’s funny, because playing with you seems to be the only thing I can think of these days.
” Her voice is husky and sensual, her breath hot as it skates across my skin.
I want to ravage her. The only thing stopping me is the fact that I know it’s been years since anyone touched her that way.
I won’t make her think for even a second that she's only worth a quick fuck in my buddy’s basement when she deserves the universe.
“As much as I want to sink deep inside you right now, when I take you, it’s gonna be somewhere you can scream as loud as you want and no one will rescue you from me. I want to take my time with you, and I can’t do that here.” I tell her, slowing our kisses as she clutches my shirt desperately.
“Then take me home, Beck.” She says, hopping off the table and strutting her fine ass right out the door. This woman truly blows my mind, now it’s my turn.