Page 13 of Bad Business

He nods, turning to leave. “Take care, Willow.”

As the door closes behind him, I sink to the floor, the weight of the message pressing down on me. I pull out my phone again, reading the text over and over, the words burning into my mind.

Unknown: We know where you are.

Terror grips me, and I glance toward Juniper’s room, my mind racing. I need to protect her, but I can’t keep running. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I need a plan. I need to stay strong for Juniper. For now, I’ll have to keep this secret, no matter how much it tears me apart.

I push to my feet and peek out the window. Dallas is still sitting in the driveway, his head resting on the steering wheel. I hate how I treated him, especially after he came over to check on me. Snatching my phone up again, I pull up his contact. I hesitate over his contact, deciding to text him.

Willow: Thank you for coming over.

Bosshole: I’m worried about you.

Willow: Don’t fret—you won’t have to cover my shift forever.

Bosshole: I don’t give a fuck about the bar, Willow.

Willow: Oh. Right. I’m expendable.

Bosshole: Is that what you think? Willow, you're far from expendable.

Willow: OK. Well… thanks. I’ll let you or Cali know if I’ll be in tonight.

Bosshole: You’ll let me know—not Cali.

Willow: Fine.

I stare at my screen, perplexed at his sudden one-eighty in the way he seems to care about what I do now.

Willow: Why do you suddenly care?

Bosshole: I don’t know.

Willow: Right. Ok. Well, thanks again.

Bosshole: Willow… open the door.

What the hell? I jerk open the door to find Dallas standing there.

“What?”

“I needed to know,” he rasps, his voice rough with an emotion I can't quite place.

“Know what?” I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Without a word, he shoves his fingers into my hair at the nape of my neck, pulling me forward with an urgency that takes my breath away. His lips crash against mine, and for a moment, I’m too stunned to react. Shock courses through me, electrifying my senses as he licks the seam of my mouth, demanding entrance. His kiss is a potent mix of desperation and longing, and despite the confusion swirling in my mind, I respond, opening to him and letting him in. The world fades, and all that remains is the intense connection between us, raw and undeniable.

When he finally pulls back, he smirks. “As sweet as I expected.” He presses his lips to my forehead. “Go inside, lock the door, and sleep. And if Juniper wakes up, call her nanny to come help you, Willow.”

“What?” I blink.

“Just say yes, sir.”

Completely lost to feelings I don’t understand, I whisper, “Yes, sir.”

“Good Girl. Now go.” He turns my body around and pats my backside. “Lock the door behind you.”

Moving like a sloth, I step inside the house and push the door closed behind me. Mindlessly, I turn the lock and press my hand against the wood. My lips still tingle from his touch. Reaching up, I press my fingers where his mouth dominated mine only moments ago. I should be pissed that he caught me off guard, but instead, all I can think about is when I can kiss him again.

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