30. Willow
Thirty
Willow
A plate of chicken and dumplings was placed in front of Willow and she looked over the five boys sitting around her at the table. Before making the drive home to Vista Maria, Willow had requested they stop for a rest at a nearby diner after changing out of their bloodied clothing. Gage had an extra work t-shirt in his truck, and she was covertly enjoying finally having a piece of his clothing she could add to her wardrobe.
Even though everything had turned out okay and Waldo was dead and burned to a crisp in the woods behind the motel, she was not sure if she was ready to be alone with her thoughts during the long car ride home. She needed time to sit with people she cared for and clear her mind.
She thought she had lost the twins. Their nightly appearance in her café brought her more joy than she realized. They would always tell her the most interesting things, from the current wild anime Matteo was watching, to Horatio’s oddly-specific facts about dinosaurs. The two were nerds in their own unique way. The car crash had almost taken them away forever.
From across the table, she watched as they eagerly retold the story of Waldo’s demise to their girlfriends over the phone. The two had called them together, putting Matteo’s phone on speaker, and were talking over and interrupting each other so frequently Willow wondered if Marla and Sammy understood anything that was being said.
Nikolas was quietly eating his waffles, seemingly entertained by the twins. He was the quiet, wise one of the group, and even though she didn’t come close to losing him, she still cherished him just as deeply. When he would come into her café, he always asked about her day—and listened. Asking how she was wasn’t an automatic saying for him, he actually cared. But even underneath all that wisdom and caring, there was a sadness to him she couldn’t figure out. Anytime she would ask, he became an expert at deflecting.
On either side of her sat Gage and Alistair, and she could feel the tension between the two. Even Nikolas had noticed when they first sat down, and pointed out that it was like watching two feral cats try to get along.
She made it her mission to convince Alistair to join Gage’s family. Her family. She owed him the safety for helping her, and she knew it would only benefit them. She had a feeling that things were not quite over with the Miami family, and that they had a long road ahead of them trying to figure out what to do with the compound.
She felt Gage’s hand rub against her thigh. He had not spoken much since killing Waldo, and didn’t order anything to eat or drink.
“Are you okay?” She whispered low enough that no one but him heard.
“Yeah, I’m just ready to get home. Clay’s been texting me constantly asking if you’re okay. I’m not sure what you did, but you seem to have him wrapped around your finger. He’s more concerned with your safety than my own. ”
Willow smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. “I pay my rent on time. I’m a source of reliable income for him.”
“I think you have every guy at this table wrapped around your finger. Even that one.” He side-eyed Alistair. “If you wanted to join us, I don’t think there would be anyone against it.”
She froze at his sentence. That was a commitment that would affect her for eternity. Joining them would mean giving up her mortality and turning. As much as she was coming to love Gage, she wasn’t sure she was ready for that next step. Yet.
“That’s something I’m going to have to think about.”
“I know, but the offer is there whenever you’re ready.”
She wrapped her arms around Gage and pulled him close. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek, but he wasn’t content enough with that. He placed a hand to her face and held her in place as he traced his tongue along her lips, begging her to open. She smiled and complied.
“Gross,” Matteo muttered in the background.
“Now you know how it feels to be around you and Marla all the time,” his brother responded.
“Oh are they kissing?” Marla squealed from the phone. “They are the cutest couple ever! Well, next to me and Matteo. This is perfect timing, too, with Sammy and Horatio’s wedding coming up. I can’t wait to see you two all dressed up—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Horatio hung up and stared awkwardly at the table, avoiding all eye contact.
“What wedding?” Matteo whispered.
Horatio looked into his matching dark brown eyes. “Listen, it happened real quick and I didn’t even get her a ring yet. And before you get all sad on me, I was going to tell you once we got home and ask you to go with me to pick out the ring. That car accident really freaked us both out, especially after hearing you scream for Marla and seeing her crumpled body. ”
Matteo drew in a sharp breath and winced. A shadow crossed over both their faces as they relived what was probably the worst night of either of their lives.
“Emotions were high, and we never wanted to lose each other like that. I know marriage won’t prevent that—if it’s our time, it’s our time. But I wanted to be attached to her in some way. I wanted her to be my wife. I knew I loved her, but I never realized how much I loved her until that night. So, while you were helping Marla turn, I asked her unofficially. I was waiting until I got that ring to officially ask her.”
“I guess I can forgive you for keeping me out of the loop if you promise to make me your best man,” Matteo said.
“Well of course, there’s no one else I would rather ask.” Horatio looked around at the others. “I mean, I would want you guys, too, but it’s only fair Matteo is the best man. We shared the same womb and room our whole childhood. You all get to be groomsmen, though.”
Alistair’s bored expression cracked slightly, and he raised his brow. “Surely you are not including me in that sentence.”
“I surely am. You helped Willow out and I feel like you could make a good addition to our family. It would be weird if you weren’t included.”
“Oh, I was not sticking around. I am going to continue with my plan of traveling. I heard the Midwest is nice.”
Willow scoffed. “I’ve lived in the Midwest. It’s cold and boring, plus there’s tornados. I know I’m not an official member yet, but I would be honored to have you join us. I’m worried for you being out there all alone as a new vampire. Life is hard enough as it is without having to figure out how to live in the dark and get blood without being caught. Plus, Horatio is right, I think you would make a great addition.”
Matteo nodded his agreement. “I vote yay, we need a bigger family anyway. And we have a lot of spare rooms back at the mansion if you need a place to crash. You don’t want to be homeless, new, and lonely.”
“I agree,” Nikolas joined in, “but it’s ultimately up to Gage. ”
Willow turned her whole body around to face him. She watched as he chewed on the side of his mouth, locking eyes with Nikolas in such a way that it seemed they were having a silent conversation with each other. She must have looked extra pathetic, because when he shifted to look at her, he rolled his eyes.
“Fine, welcome to the family. We’re going to need help with the compound, and you’re the only one here that knows the most about it. How do you feel about overseeing it until we figure out what to do with everyone living there?” Gage asked Alistair.
Alistair nodded slowly as he mulled over the question. “I think that could work. I do not feel comfortable moving to Florida and taking up space in your home. I already have a house being built at the compound, plus the people there know and trust me. If you wish, I can help relocate them to families that will fit their personalities and try to find any who were die-hard Waldo followers that want revenge. I do not think there will be many, though.”
“Why’s that? I thought this was a brainwashed cult he was running?” Gage asked.
“Not anymore. There have been a few attacks where families were murdered in horrific ways. We do not know who is attacking, but the community refers to him as the ‘rogue vampire’. Waldo was not concerned about their safety and did little to help, so many hated him and will be glad to see him gone. Especially if there is a stronger, more caring leader to take his place. In fact, many of them might stay and join that leader’s family if he proves to put their safety first.”
Willow looked over to Gage, who was staring into her chicken and dumplings, lost in thought. “What are the dumplings telling you?”
His gaze snapped up to her and she bit back a smile. She continued, “You know you can do this, right? You’re the empathetic, responsible leader they need. You still have Clay around to help, a family that respects you, and I’ll be here for support. ”
His eyes sparkled at her last point. “This is a lot we’ll be taking on. I’m going to have to go to Miami and find a suitable leader for that family since Waldo didn’t have any children. We can’t have just anyone taking his spot, or else we’ll end up with another Waldo.”
“How long will that take?” She asked. The idea of him leaving for longer than a minute made her feel sick.
“Probably a while, because I’ll also have to deal with anyone who wants revenge. The compound may have hated him, but he spoiled his family members in Miami with free drugs and money to buy their loyalty. Plus, they’ll have to adjust to the new rules of not killing innocents. I know there will be a few that have a tough time with that change.”
An idea popped into her mind. “You know I’m going to go with you to Miami, but I’ll need something to keep me busy down there. I’m a workaholic and couldn’t sit around for a month while you do all this. Waldo offered me a building there to start a second Coffee House Bunny. With Marla here to run the one in Vista Maria, I could start a second location there, get it staffed, then turn it into a chain! Do you think Clay would be willing to teach me how to run multiple businesses?”
Gage nodded. “He would adore being able to turn you into a miniature, female version of himself. I already told him I didn’t want to inherit his rental empire, so now he’ll have someone to leave it to.”
“If you’re both going to go to Miami, who will be here to set up your motorcycle shop?” Horatio asked with a deep, worried crease etched into his brow. Out of everyone at the table, he seemed the least thrilled at their plan.
Gage sighed, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes. “There goes my dream. I knew something was going to mess with that.”
It was the first time Willow had ever seen him look so exhausted, with sunken cheeks and dark bags underneath his eyes. A spark of worry sprung up, but it was quickly crushed when he opened his eyes halfway and smiled at her.
“All I know right now is that I’m tired and ready to go home to fall into bed with you. Oh, and a quick refill on the way home wouldn’t be half bad either.”
“Should we stop at the bridge on Towline?” Horatio asked.
Alistair looked confused. “What is that?”
“It’s a huge bridge that’s notorious for housing homeless pedos who have recently been released from jail. We sometimes refer to it as our favorite fast-food restaurant.” Matteo giggled and rubbed his hands together.
“That’s one thing you have to know if you do join us. When we hunt, we leave the innocents alone. If you want to visit Florida for a few days, we can show you some of our favorite spots to hunt, and you can meet Clay,” Gage informed him with a yawn.
Willow had to hold back her matching yawn. It was time to go home. She stood up and dug Gage’s truck keys out of his pants pocket. She heard him chuckle as she felt around for the cool metal.
“Be careful what you stir up down there,” he purred into her ear.
She felt a hot flush through her body, but repressed it in order to solidify the plan. “Ok, so we’ll be in his truck with me driving because he looks way too tired to drive. Alistair can follow me in his stolen car, which we will probably have to figure out what to do with once we’re back in Florida. The rest of you are on the bikes and leading because I have no idea where this bridge is. Sound good?”
“Yes ma’am,” Nikolas said with a smirk and stood up to follow her orders.
“I guess I am going to Florida,” Alistair muttered under his breath.
Horatio also stood. “Would you look at that, you two start dating and suddenly she’s bossing us around like she’s the true leader of this family. ”
“Oh, shut up, he needs a break after getting stabbed in the kneecap and ripping Waldo’s head off.” She looked down at him and they both shared a smile before heading out the door and back to the place she could finally call home.