Page 43 of Gift from the Tree

“You got it, boss man. It was nice meeting you, Willow,” Ry calls as he pats Tillman on the shoulder, walking off laughing, causing Draken to growl.

“Are you growling?” Willow asks, both of her eyebrows raised as she steps around to stand in front of him.

“I don’t want you talking to him, or any single guys, or any guys at all. Just don’t talk to anyone but us, okay?”

“I’ll have to talk to males in my classes, Draken. I can’t avoid that.” She laughs like he’s being funny.

He isn’t. He’s dead serious.

“Any updates on the Crestwood investigation yet?” I ask Tillman, letting Willow deal with Draken’s jealousy on her own.

Before he can answer me, a feminine voice calls my name, “Corentin.”

Fuck me, you’ve got to be kidding.

Turning my back to block Willow’s view, I look at Tillman as Gima comes over to us. I can see the humor in his eyes, but he wouldn’t dare laugh right now or call me out.

“Corentin, I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Where have you been?” she asks as she places her hands on my chest.

I grab her wrists gently and move them off, taking a step back. “Busy.”

“Well, I’ve missed you. I thought you were going to come see me. And possibly bring one of your brothers along.” She winks at me and twirls her hair around her finger. Glancing over at Tillman, she looks him up and down and licks her lips, causing him to curl his lip in a sneer. She has no issue putting it out there that she’s offering me and one of my brothers to fuck her together.

“Hi, I’m Willow.” Willow’s sweet voice greets Gima as she steps up between me and Tillman.

Why the fuck did Draken let her go?

“Um, okay.” Gima gives Willow a millisecond of attention before looking back at me.

“So, Corentin—”

“And you are?” Willow cuts her off.

“Gima.” She scoffs before rolling her eyes like Willow’s wasting her time. “Anyway, Corentin—”

“I’m new. Tomorrow’s my first—”

“I couldn’t give a fuck who you are. I’m trying to have a conversation. Move on before I make you move on.” Gima glares at her now. I can hear Draken growling behind me, getting ready to step in.

“Your conversation ends now.” Willow’s firm voice surprises me for a moment. Glancing at her from my peripheral, she’s staring Gima down like she wishes she’d follow up on that threat.

Stepping in front of me, Willow turns her back to Gima, completely disregarding the fire burning in her eyes. “Are you ready to finish my tour now?”

“Yes.”

“Tillman, will you be joining us?” She cuts her eyes, daring him to say no.

He gives her a nod as she steps between us and begins walking away. We follow behind her without turning back, leaving Gima still calling my name.

Fuck, that’s going to be a problem.

Twelve

Willow

Jealousy isn’t an emotion I’m all that familiar with, but fuck, it’s a consuming feeling.

Sure, I’ve been jealous plenty of times in my life over people having better, happier lives than me, but I’ve never been jealous over a man. Nor can I understand why I’m so consumed with it right now over two men.

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