Page 20 of Bad Business

Drake is silent for a moment, then he says, “We need to figure out a plan before whoever she’s hiding from finds her. Because make no mistake, Dallas… Willow’s hiding. I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Fine, see you in a bit.” As I end the call, I feel a small hand tugging at my shirt. I look down to see Juniper gazing up at me with curious eyes.

"Dallas, who dat?" she asks innocently.

"That was a friend of mine," I reply, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "He's going to help me with something."

"Help Wiwwow, too?" Juniper’s eyes were wide, hopeful.

"Yes, sweetie," Willow interjects softly, coming to sit beside us on the bed. I hadn’t noticed, but at some point during my call, she slipped on a sundress. "He's going to help me, too."

Juniper seems satisfied with that answer and settles more comfortably into my lap. Willow gives me a grateful look, her eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"Thank you, Dallas," she whispers, her voice barely audible as she sits down beside us on the bed.

"We'll figure this out, Willow.” Reaching out, I take her hand in mine. “You're not alone anymore. But there are going to be some questions you have to answer. Uncomfortable questions, okay?"

She nods, but I can still see the shadows of fear lingering in her eyes. "I just want to keep her safe," she murmurs, glancing at Juniper, who has rested her head against my chest.

"You both will be," I promise. "We'll sort this out, and we'll make sure whatever you’re running from is ended."

For a moment, the room is silent, the weight of unspoken fears hanging in the air.

Juniper shifts in my lap. “I hungry.”

Willow smiles and reaches out to tug her from my grasp. “Let me go get her something to eat before your brother gets here.”

Hearing her call Drake my brother creates an unease in my chest. Tilting my head, I stare at the ceiling, the uncertainty of what lies ahead swirling in my mind. Standing, I pad my way out of the room and ease myself toward the kitchen. When I get there, the sight in front of me stops me in my tracks. Willow has Juniper standing in a chair at the stove. She holds the little girl's hand in hers as they stir something in a big pan. Seeing them awakens something inside me I hadn’t thought possible—something I was sure I wanted to avoid. I must make a noise because Juniper turns to spear me with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen.

“You hungy?”

Smiling, I saunter to where they stand. “I sure am, Little Bit.”

Wrapping my arm around Willow, I lean in and press my lips to her ear.

“I never thought I would want a family, Willow,” I whisper. “But now that I’ve found you… I’m not letting you go.”

9

WILLOW

When Dallas said his brother was coming to help us, I never in a million years expected the man standing in front of me. While I see the resemblance, I would have never guessed they are brothers. Dallas and Drake stand outside for what feels like forever when Dallas finally leads him into the house.

“Willow,” Drake speaks as he takes a seat on the couch. “I’m sorry we’re meeting this way, though I doubt Dallas would have actually introduced you to me otherwise.” He smirks, cutting his gaze to Dallas, who sits uncomfortably beside me on the other sofa.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but surely if our relationship had started normal, you’d have met me sooner.”

“We don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“‘Cuse me.” Juniper pushes around me and steps in front of Drake. “Hi, I’s Juniper.”

“Hello there, little one.” Drake’s hardened expression softens, and I can’t help but stifle a gasp. The man was gorgeous before, but seeing him almost human is breathtaking.

Juniper seems to approve and returns to her spot on the floor.

Dallas growls, making me turn his way with an arched brow.

“Calm down, Dallas.”

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