Page 70 of Mafioso's Muse

Finn was her assigned protector for the day. She had agreed on the condition that he waitoutsidethe studio.

Willow held on to Lili for a few moments before releasing her.

‘Now can you tell me why your lover was arrested, since our phone call was cut short last night?’

Paula had been loitering nearby, and Willow knew how seriously the family took privacy. She glanced at the door before saying, ‘Suspected murder. That’s what the police officer said when he was cuffing him.’

Lili stretched her neck. ‘I don’t even know what to say to that. I’d love to pretend I’m surprised.’

‘You don’t have to say anything, even though you’re well within your rights to say “I told you so.”’

Lili gave her a sympathetic look. ‘You know what they say. It’s all fun and games until your new boyfriend murders someone.’

‘No one says that.’

Lili stretched her neck the other way, observing Willow as she did so. ‘Anything I can do? Besides encourage better taste in men?’

A weak smile came and went on Willow’s face. ‘No.’ She began to stretch also. ‘Do you want to hear something that makes this whole thing a hundred times worse?’

‘I don’t know. Do I?’

Willow looked at her. ‘I’ve already fallen in love with him.’ She gave a resigned shrug. ‘Despite it being too soon, despite all the logical reasons why I should be moving forwards with cautious steps?—’

‘Or running in the opposite direction.’

Willow gave her a tired look.

‘Are you sure it’s not good sex disguising itself as love?’ Lili asked.

Willow immediately shook her head. ‘These feelings were there before that. As I said, much too early on.’

‘Then surely that confirms it’s just the bad boy effect.’

Willow began swinging her leg back and forth. ‘The flaw in your theory is that I might be the only person whodoesn’tsee him as a “bad boy.”’

‘The getting arrested for murder thing wasn’t a clue?’

Their conversation was cut short when Harrison entered the studio with a sour look on his face. ‘Morning, ladies.’ His gaze settled on Willow. ‘I gather that’s one of your new friends outside?’

‘He won’t come in,’ she assured him. ‘I promise.’

He took a sip of water from his drink bottle. ‘Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?’

Heat climbed her neck. ‘It’s just a precautionary measure while a small personal matter is being sorted out.’

Harrison walked closer to her. ‘Are you in some sort of trouble?’

Thankfully, more dancers arrived, entering noisily and bringing an end to question time.

Or so she thought.

Piper looked in her direction and asked, ‘New mafia boyfriend?’

Willow dropped her gaze to the floor.

‘If you don’t want him, I’ll take him,’ said one of the male dancers, making the others laugh.

‘Let’s get those bodies warm,’ Harrison called to them.

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