Page 22 of Bad Business

“Dallas… don’t ignore me. What don’t I know?”

Dallas sighs. “Drake and I share the same father, but we didn’t know about each other for most of our lives. Our father, he was a… complicated man. He had two families, and he kept them completely separate. Neither family knew about the other.”

I can see the pain in his eyes as he speaks, and I reach out, placing my hand over his. “That must have been incredibly difficult to find out.”

“The fucked-up part is it was my brother, Ryker’s wife, who told us about it—but that’s a story for another day. Our father was a master manipulator. He lied to both families, weaving a web of deceit. My mother remarried after he… died. My stepfather adopted Ryker, Griffyn, and me, and we grew up believing that our dad died in a car accident. My mother never told us the truth.”

“What really happened?” I ask gently, sensing that there’s more to the story.

Dallas takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he’s about to reveal.

“Our father wasn’t just living a double life. He was involved in some very dangerous activities. One day, Drake’s mother—who was actually our father’s other wife—and he got into an argument. From what I know, he was not kind to her. Anyway, things escalated. In a fit of rage, Drake’s father killed their mother in front of him. And as if that isn’t enough family drama, we found out that Gage Winston isn’t my half-brother. He’s my brother. Again, it’s too long of a story to get into, but Gage and Griffyn are twins. They were separated at birth. So, when you think your life is messed up… know I’m a walking Dr. Phil show.”

I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. “Oh my God, Dallas.”

“Until now, I didn’t want what being a Winston meant. When everything came to light, part of his money became ours.”

My eyes widen in shock. “So, you…”

“Yeah.” Dallas nods, a bitter smile playing on his lips. “We’re billionaires. Not because of the club but because of who our father was and the empire he built in the shadows. It’s ironic, really. All that deceit and betrayal, and we ended up inheriting his fortune.”

“Something you don’t want.”

“That was true until you,” he admits. “The money doesn’t change what happened. It doesn’t erase the pain or the betrayal. But it means that we have resources—resources we can use to protect you and Juniper. Money is no object, Willow. Whatever I need to do to keep you safe, I’ll do it. Even if it means accepting the money that bastard left me.” He looks at me, his expression sincere. “You’re mine now, Willow. And that means I’m going to do whatever I need to keep you and Juniper safe. No matter the cost.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

He laces his fingers through my hair and tilts my head so he can stare into my eyes.

“Say you’ll be mine.”

His hands cup my face with a gentleness that contrasts with the intensity of his kiss. Every touch sends electric currents through my body, and I respond instinctively, my hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. The world fades, and there is only the two of us, locked in this moment of raw, unfiltered emotion.

When he finally pulls back, we’re both breathless. His forehead rests against mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. His eyes, dark and intense, bore into mine, searching for something. He wipes the tear away with his thumb, his touch tender.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to realize what I wanted. I was scared. Scared of what this means, of what it could do to give up my control.”

I nod, understanding the fear all too well. “It’s been a whirlwind, Dallas, but right now, this feels right. You feel right.”

His eyes soften, and he leans in for another kiss, this one slow and tender. As our lips part, he rests his forehead against mine again.

“We’re going to get through this, Willow,” he whispers. “Together. We should check on Juniper,” he says softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

I nod, reluctantly pulling away from him. “You’re right.”

We find Juniper still sound asleep on the floor, her small body curled up, clutching her doll. Dallas gently scoops her up, cradling her against his chest as we make our way to her bedroom. I follow, watching the tenderness in his movements, the way he looks at her with such care.

Once Juniper is tucked in, we stand in the doorway for a moment, watching her sleep. Dallas wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

“She’s lucky to have you,” he murmurs.

I smile, leaning into him. “Come on… I can think of a way to spend her nap time that doesn’t involve sleep.”

Dallas raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

I take his hand, leading him to my room. He follows me, his eyes darkening with desire. As soon as we clear the door, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me deeply as his foot shoves the door shut. The intensity of his kiss sends a thrill through me, and I respond eagerly, my body pressing against his.

Dallas’s hands roam my body, and I can feel the heat building between us. My fingers fumble with the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his breathing ragged.

---