Page 18 of Bad Business

“Yes, thank you, Kara,” I say, my voice strained. “We’ll be fine.”

She nods, gathering her things quickly. Kara gives me one last worried glance before leaving.

Dallas doesn’t put me down until we reach Juniper’s room. He sets me on my feet gently, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment. I tiptoe to Juniper’s bed, my heart swelling at the sight of her. She’s curled up under her blanket, her thumb tucked in her mouth, her little chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. The sight of her so peaceful and innocent brings tears to my eyes. I brush a hand over her hair, whispering a silent promise to keep her safe.

Dallas watches us from the doorway, his expression unreadable. When I straighten up, he steps forward and lifts me into his arms again. I don’t protest, too exhausted and overwhelmed to argue. He carries me down the hall to my bedroom, the familiar surroundings offering a small measure of comfort.

He sets me on the bed, his hands moving to the hem of my dress. There’s a tenderness in his touch that catches me off guard. He peels the dress away, leaving me bare before him. His eyes darken as he looks at me, but he doesn’t make a move. Instead, he strips off his own clothes, the fabric falling to the floor in a heap, leaving him clad in his fitted black boxers.

The sight of him, all hard lines and raw strength, sends a thrill through me. But tonight, there’s no more room for desire, only the need for comfort, for the safety he represents. He climbs into bed beside me, pulling me into his arms. The warmth of his body against mine is a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

“We’ll figure this out,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “In the morning, we’ll meet with Drake and come up with a plan. You’re not alone in this, Willow. I’m here. We’ll protect Juniper and get your life back.”

His words are a promise, a vow that he will stand by me no matter what. I cling to that promise, letting it chase away the fear that has gripped me for so long. I press closer to him, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothing me toward sleep.

As I drift off, I feel a sense of hope that I haven’t felt in months. Maybe I can finally put an end to this nightmare. Maybe, just maybe, Dallas can help me find a way to be free of the mess Lark made. I want to be pissed at my sister for leaving me here like this—for leaving her daughter. I close my eyes, letting myself melt into the warmth of the man holding me. For now, I’ll put the worries out of my mind and let his embrace give me the safety I crave so desperately.

The last thing I feel before sleep claims me is the gentle brush of Dallas’s lips against my neck, a silent promise of protection and unwavering support.

8

DALLAS

I wake to a warm body wrapped around my own. Willow is pressed into my side, her dark hair fanning over my shoulder and her leg precariously wedged between my thighs. Blinking, I lift my phone from the nightstand where I laid it last night and check the time. It’s barely six in the morning, making me wonder what stirred me awake.

“Hewwo,” a soft voice whispers beside the bed before a tiny body climbs onto the mattress.

I freeze, unsure of what to do. But Juniper seems to know exactly what she’s doing as she wedges her tiny frame against my other side. My hand pauses midair before I press it against her back.

“What are you doing, Little Bit? Shouldn’t you be in your own bed?”

She lifts her tiny head, dark curls spilling down around her face. “I wannet to sweep in here,” Juniper says matter-of-factly. “You had a sweep over?”

“Um… I guess so.”

Juniper touches the black ink against my bare skin, making me stiffen.

“Dis is purty. Did you gets in truble for drawing on urself?”

“No. I’m grown. I don’t get in trouble.” I shift, praying she stays on top of the bedcovers. “I think you should go back to your bed, Juniper.”

“Nope. I gonna sweep here.” She nestles her head into my shoulder, her little fingers slowly tracing the compass in the center of the swirling lines along my chest and shoulder.

Eventually, her sweet snores fill the room, and I give up getting her out of the bed and lay there staring at the ceiling. It isn’t long before Willow begins to stir. Her eyes blink open, her body stiffening against me.

“Oh, shit,” she whispers when she sees the little girl splayed over my chest, my arm clutching her small back in a protective hold. “I’m sorry. Let me get her.”

Tightening my arm around Willow, I press her against me, “No, leave her.”

Willow’s gaze softens as she takes in her niece cuddled against me. “She’s never been around a man like this.”

“She wanted to know if I got in trouble for drawing on myself.” I laugh. “I’m not used to kids. I’m terrified right now, but she’s sleeping so peacefully, I don’t want to move her.”

Willow wiggles against me. “I need to use the bathroom and shower before she gets up.”

Releasing my hold, I let her climb from the bed. I can’t take my eyes off her as she walks across the carpet with all the confidence in the world. Her bare skin beckons me, so I slowly maneuver Juniper’s sleeping body off me. I slip off the edge of the bed and tug her to the middle, making sure she’s secure. Glancing at my phone, I note it’s barely after seven. Stealing one last glance at the toddler who has somehow burrowed under my skin and into my heart, I pad across the bedroom.

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