Page 30 of Bad Business

“Who is he to you, Willow?” As much as I don’t want to feel jealous of a man who isn’t even here, I can’t help it. “Am I going to have to fight the man when we get to Reno? Because I will… you’re mine.”

She snorts a laugh. “He’s a friend. We dated a few times, but it never went anywhere. Especially after he had to be the one to tell me Lark was dead.” Her eyes hold so much sorrow in them, all I want to do is wipe it away for her. “He and I were never… we never…”

A smile creases my lips. I hate to gloat at a time like this, but knowing he hasn’t touched her the way I do makes me feel feral.

“Okay, baby. Let’s get packed. We have a long flight ahead of us. We can call Detective Hughes in the car.” I guide her to the bed. “You sit. I’ll pack us a bag.”

13

WILLOW

In the last twenty-four hours, my life has taken some kind of twisted detour. A ride I didn’t ask to get… one I desperately want to get off of. Two months ago, I would’ve never believed I’d be standing here, talking to the head of a criminal organization. But here we are, and here I stand, listening to Dallas talk to yet another gorgeous man. I don’t know where the hell all these men have been hiding, but somehow, I’ve wound up in their alternate universe—a universe of men who defy logic and law… literally.

Did I mention the man has the sexiest Italian accent ever? Hearing him talk almost makes me forget why we’re here. Until he says my name, drawing me back into the conversation.

“Do you want to go to the storage facility first or get some rest? I know time is of the essence, but it has been a long flight for you.” Lorenzo stares at me. His words are like dumping cold water over my head.

“Um… the storage unit.” Dallas squeezes my hand as I answer. “The sooner we can find that damn bear, the sooner I can bring my niece home.”

“You heard the lady.” Lorenzo addresses the men standing around us. “Let’s get to the storage facility and see what her sister took.”

He spins on his heel and moves toward a large black SUV. Dallas nods at his brothers. “We’re in that car.”

This feels like something out of a movie. I didn’t ask, but I didn’t need to. The mob is helping us, and I should feel some kind of way about that, but Lorenzo and his sister, who I learned is his second in charge, have been nothing but kind. Apparently, they have a severe disliking for anyone who uses women to get what they want. Any other criminal activity is fine, but not that. That thought makes me want to laugh, but instead, I stay silent as I climb into the SUV with Dallas. His brother Griffyn sits in the front beside the driver, Alonso. I’m now mashed between Dallas and Ryker in the middle seat. And in the very back are Drake and Roland. I still can’t believe they came with us.

Ryker squeezes my knee, jolting me from the thousand thoughts running through my head. “Don’t worry, Will. We’re going to get her back.”

I can’t help the sudden sob that overtakes my voice. Dallas wraps his arm around my shoulder and holds me against him.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

“I don’t want to cry,” I mumble against his side. “It’s like admitting she’s gone for good.”

He shifts me so I’m looking him in the face. “Not true, princess. Crying makes you human. You haven’t really let yourself feel the stress of this. It’s okay to cry, Willow. No one thinks you’re giving up on Juniper.”

Acquiescing, I sit up and rub the tears off my face. “I want to see these people rot, Dallas.”

“No worries about that,” Alonso speaks up from the front. “If Mr. Bianchi doesn’t make them suffer, Miss Bianchi will. She hates men who use women and children for their sick pleasures.” He stares at me from the rearview mirror. “And taking a child to push their agenda is something that will certainly deserve her wrath.”

“Is that normal?” My question seems to confuse him based on the look he gives me. “What I mean is… is it normal for a woman to be in a position of power. I’ll admit, I know nothing about organized crime other than what I read in smutty books.”

Alonso laughs. “While some of what you read is accurate, it’s 2024. If something were to happen to Mr. Bianchi, his sister would have no problem ruling the family on her own.”

“I see.”

We pull into the facility that potentially holds the key to getting my niece back. Everyone files out of the car, and I am surprised when Griffyn, the eldest, steps between me and Ryker. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and stands with me until Dallas rounds the car.

“Getting handsy with my woman, brother?” Dallas half laughs as he stops and stares at our position.

“Fuck off. I figured you and the others would go through the unit. I’ll stay here with her while you take care of finding that damn bear.”

Dallas holds his brother’s gaze for a moment. “Willow, are you okay staying out here?”

“How about we all go inside?”

Griffyn starts to move toward the entrance, me still firmly in his hold. “I’ve never seen my brother so happy.” His voice is so low I almost missed his words. “Do you really care about him, or is this some game?”

“What?” I stop and turn to look at the oldest Nash brother. “I can assure you that this is most certainly not a game. And no matter what happens with Juniper,”—I take a deep breath—“I’ll still feel the same way about him. I just hope he will still want me… broken and all.”

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