Page 29 of Bad Business

Massimo laughs. “Let’s just say my brother’s wife is former FBI and still has a friend on the inside. In the meantime, you need to get to Reno and find that bear.”

“I can’t go back. Brian… err, Detective Hughes, told me under no circumstances was I supposed to come home until they solved the case. Shit.” She mumbles, “I need to call him. He’ll?—”

“Your safety is not a concern, Willow.” Massimo cuts her off. “I’m going to call a family friend. His family now operates out of Reno, and he’ll want to know about this, anyway. I can assure you he will not let anything happen to you. You’re friends, after all. And I take care of the people who are important to me. You helped me save my sister, Drake. Let me help you guys. Be waiting on a call from Lorenzo Bianchi. He’ll take care of your safety… among other things.”

“Thank you, Massimo. We’ll be in touch.” Drake stands and shoves his phone in his pocket. “Okay… let’s get everyone situated. We’ll meet in two hours and go to the plane together.”

“Plane?”

“Of course, Willow. Being a billionaire has its perks. Having a private jet is one of them. Did you think we flew commercial?”

“I guess… I don’t know.” She shakes her head. I reach out and pull her against my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m just so overwhelmed. Juniper is all I have left of my entire family. I can’t lose her.” She buries her head in my chest. “Do you think they’re hurting her?” Willow hiccups a sob against me.

“I want to believe they aren’t hurting her, but… I don’t want to fill you with false hope, baby. Regardless, we’ll make sure she’s okay when we get her home.” I gently tilt her head up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Because make no mistake, Willow. Nashville is your home now. Actually,”—I turn to my siblings—“think you two can do something for me while we’re gone?”

“What?” Griffyn snaps, his voice tinged with anger. “You aren’t going alone, Dallas.”

Holding Willow tightly to my frame, I can feel her heart racing against mine.

“I can’t risk you guys getting hurt.”

“Too fucking bad.” Ryker growls, his eyes fierce. “You helped me; now it’s my turn to help you. Besides, I’m not scared of a fight… you know this.”

“What? You think because you killed one man, you’re ready for this?”

Willow gasps, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

“Baby, it’s not what you think. My baby brother killed a man in a boxing match—a legal match that was fucked from the word go. Then the bullshit with the human trafficker. But that doesn’t change the fact this isn’t dangerous, Ryker. You just got married.”

“And she would kick my ass if I let you two go alone. Besides…” He cracks his neck, his determination palpable. “It’s been a hot minute since I kicked someone’s ass.”

Shaking my head, I sigh heavily, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders.

“Fine… but Addison stays behind… Danika, too. Maybe they can handle what I wanted you two fuckers to do.”

“I’m sure they can.”

“Sure we can what?” Danika slides up next to me, her curiosity piqued.

“Can you move all Willow and Juniper’s things to my house? Then notify the landlord she is moving out?”

“Wait…” Willow steps out of my hold, her face flushed with surprise and defiance. “Dallas, you can’t just decide I’m moving in with you.”

“Don’t fight me on this, Willow. I want you and Juniper with me full-time when she comes home. And you’re going to need to be there for her—moving in with me gives you the freedom to quit working for me.”

“So, now I’m a charity case?” Her voice wavers, the pain in her eyes cutting deep into my soul.

“You know you’re more than that to me.” Cupping her cheeks, I press my forehead to hers, our breaths mingling in the tense space between us. “Please… I can’t live without you. Don’t make me.”

Her eyes search mine, and I see the flicker of hope and fear. This isn’t just about safety or convenience—it’s about needing each other in ways words can’t fully express. The silence between us speaks volumes, the unspoken promises and the shared grief pulling us closer together.

“Okay,” she concedes, the fight leaving her body as she melts against me, letting me be her strength.

“We’re going to get out of here. We’ll be back in an hour. Don’t think you try to leave before us, Dallas. If I have to hunt your ass down in Reno… I will.” Griffyn tugs me against his side. His arms wrap around both me and Willow. “We’re going to get your niece back, Willow. I haven’t had a chance to be Uncle Griffyn yet.” He presses a kiss on her head. “See you in a bit.”

After bidding farewell to my siblings, all of them and their wives, I lead Willow up the steps. Between the constant flow of police and people in and out, exhaustion mars her pretty face.

“I need to call Brian, Dallas.”

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