Ronan
I was eating a sandwich and reviewing the plans for a corporate security job when a text arrived from Zeke.
Zeke: Willow has left the building
Immediately, I was on edge. Where was she going? To the best of my knowledge, she usually had lunch onsite and didn’t leave during the day.
A moment later, another message came in, this one from Kade.
Kade: Don’t worry, I have a tail on her. He’ll keep her safe if needed.
I sighed. I’d rather watch her back myself, but Kade’s guys were well-trained, and if he said she’d be safe, then I had to believe it. I replied to Zeke first, then Kade.
I sat back and tried to keep going, but I couldn’t focus. I wanted to track Willow down and demand to know what she was involved in. Unfortunately, she was jumpy, and going after her like that wouldn’t help. Especially since she already thought I might have someone following her. A guilty twinge reminded me that I did, in fact, now have someone following her.
I kept an eye on the ticking clock, and twenty minutes later, I received another message from Kade.
Kade: She’s at the police station.
I leaped to my feet. What the hell?
Kade: My guy had to wait outside. If he’d followed her, there’s a chance someone would’ve noticed.
She was talking to the police? Something must have been really wrong.
I strode to the window and looked out over the city. I wanted to be with her, hunting down answers, but I needed to keep myself in check. If I came on too strong, she’d freak out and back off. But I couldn’t help feeling that if she was in trouble, I wanted to help. Especially if that asshole Tom was the one who’d put her in hot water.
Ronan: Did your guy notice anyone else following her?
Kade: No. But I’ll have him give a full report later.
The next hour passed excruciatingly slowly.
Finally, Kade advised me that Willow had returned to her desk. I waited for another ten minutes before dropping by to check on her. I approached from behind and scanned her body. She seemed okay. Nothing out of place. I rounded her desk to avoid startling her.
“Hi, Willow.”
She straightened and blinked at me owlishly. “Is there something I can help you with?”
I smiled, hoping I didn’t look as tense as I felt. “I wanted to check on you after this morning and make sure you’re okay. I was worried.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she gave me a pointed look, nodding toward her coworker, who was pretending not to listen. Willow’s reticence, and that blush, made me ache to scoop her into my arms and keep her safe. To protect her from everything and then kiss the hell out of her. I mentally scolded myself. I wasn’t this woman’s white knight.
“Everything is fine,” she said. “I had a rough morning, that’s all.”
My eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?” She’d hardly have gone to the police station without good cause.
She nodded.
There wasn’t much I could do if she wasn’t willing to share. I hesitated, then added, “Promise you’ll come to me if you need help?”
She shrugged. “If it’s something you can help with.”
I pressed my lips together. That was likely the best I was going to get. I just had to accept that I couldn’t shield her from the world if she wouldn’t let me. But I dithered. I had no reason to stay there, but I didn’t want to leave either. I liked being near her. She made me feel something I hadn’t in a long time.
If she were anyone else, I’d already have asked her on a date. But because of how we’d become reacquainted, and because of who her brother was, I’d held back. But why should that stop me? If I had real feelings for her, why not let her know? She was only doing what she thought was best to protect her father’s company, and I had no problem with that. Hell, I missed Frank every day.
“Willow.”
She cocked her head, and the look in her eyes made me think I wasn’t the only one who felt the tension between us. “Yes?”
“Would you like to accompany me to the charity gala that’s happening this Friday?” I found myself holding my breath, praying she’d agree. I wanted the opportunity to get to know her outside of a work environment and to figure out what was distressing her.
Her expression became pinched, but I thought I caught a glimpse of disappointment in her eyes. “I’m already going with someone else.”
My heart sank. No doubt she meant her brother and his crowd. “That’s too bad.”
I shouldn’t have been so disappointed, but I couldn’t help it. Tom Lennox ruined things even when he wasn’t here. At least I’d get to see her. Maybe steal a dance or a kiss—if she was up for that.
“I’ll let you get back to work.”
I left before I could do something I regretted, like ask her to ditch her plans with her brother and spend time with me instead.
Willow
As Sage did my hair in preparation for the dance, I wallowed in what-ifs. What if I’d said yes to Ronan? What if I had been honest with him about everything? I’d have much rather spent the night with him than Tom and his flavor of the month. But at least Tom hadn’t tried to set me up with any of his friends tonight. He loved to introduce me to “suitable” men, hoping one might stick.
“Why does Tom insist on going to these things when he has no money?” Sage asked, putting the finishing touches on a braid that curved around my forehead like a tiara.
I sighed. “Because he refuses to live within his means.”
It worried me that I didn’t know where the money for tonight was coming from. Events like this cost thousands of dollars per ticket, and thousands more went into looking the part. From what I could tell, Tom was basically broke. Yet he still insisted on putting on an appearance, clad in his latest designer outfit. He hadn’t been pleased when I’d told him I’d be wearing a dress I already owned and would have Sage do my hair, but when I made it clear that was the only way I’d agree to go, he hadn’t argued.
I checked my nails. I’d painted the pale pink polish myself and if anyone looked too closely, they’d know I hadn’t had them professionally done. And people would look. That’s what they did at these events. They gossiped over who was wearing what, and who’d come with whom. I had no patience for it, but I’d been attending galas and charity dinners since I was eighteen, and at some point, my frustration with them had dulled.
“There.” Sage patted an elegant knot on the back of my head. “All done. You look beautiful.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
I gazed at my reflection, feeling oddly nostalgic. Perhaps I didn’t enjoy the routine of getting dressed up for an event, but it was predictable, and I had a feeling we wouldn’t be doing it up for much longer. Even if Tom maintained control of the company, things would have to change or we’d end up back in the same situation.
“Are you sure you should go?” Sage asked, gnawing on her lower lip. “You haven’t seen anyone following you today? I’m worried about whoever took those pictures.”
I hadn’t shown Sage the photos, but I’d told her about them. Particularly the photograph of me on my bed. That had really gotten to me.
“I haven’t noticed anyone.” I applied lipstick and puckered up. “Maybe they saw me go to the police station and backed off.”
“Maybe,” she murmured, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was from Tom, saying he was downstairs.
I stood and collected a jacket from my closet. It wasn’t a cold night, but I wanted to be prepared. I tucked my purse under my arm and headed for the door.
“See you, Sage.”
She waved. “Bye, Willow. Stay away from weird old men for me.”
“I’ll try.” I took the stairs down and rolled my eyes at the sight of a limo idling by the curb. We no longer owned one, so he must have rented it. A driver, too, by the looks of it. I climbed into the back seat. “You look sharp.”
His gaze flickered up and down my outfit as we pulled into traffic. “Good effort from you too, all things considered.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. He meant well, but he could be a shameless snob. I glanced at his date, a blonde woman with a bored expression. “I’m Willow.”
She arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “I’m Chardonnay.”
Well, okay then.
“Nice to meet you.” I turned to Tom. “Is there anyone we want to impress tonight?”
Often, he had a business associate or a prospective client he wanted to wow, and it was my job to charm them so they’d sign on the dotted line with Lennox Securities.
“Petrov,” he said.
I glanced out the window so he wouldn’t see me pull a face. I wanted to ask if this was another of his attempts to thrust me at one of his business acquaintances in the hopes we’d click, but I held back. I’d rather not fight tonight. Things were tense enough.
We traveled in silence to our destination, The Art Institute of Chicago. When we arrived, he helped Chardonnay out while the driver rounded the car to open my door. I walked alongside them as we were escorted past the lion statues that stood guard by the stone steps. Inside, each of us was handed a glass of champagne. I looked around, taking in the grand staircases where people milled about and the quietly opulent décor—everything in tones of cream and gold. We did the rounds, circulating among his friends and acquaintances. I began to hope he’d forgotten Petrov, but then he led us to a standing table in the corner of the raised platform that ringed the room.
“Good evening, Mr. Petrov.” I forced a smile but didn’t offer him a hand, remembering the kissing incident from last time.
Tom gave me a meaningful look, and I ignored him.
“Willow,” Petrov said, touching my shoulder. “How many times must I tell you to call me Adrian?” A shiver raced up my spine. His finger was cold and unwelcome. I didn’t like it on my bare skin. But I liked the idea of calling him by his first name even less. Dad hadn’t liked him and wouldn’t have wanted to see us associated with him. Tom might have bought Petrov’s story that they’d been friendly rivals, but I got the feeling there hadn’t been anything friendly about it. “You are absolutely exquisite.”
“Thank you.” My tone was taut, but neither man seemed to notice or care.
“Tom.” Petrov gave my brother’s hand a hearty shake. “I’m pleased you came.”
“Likewise. This is Chardonnay.”
Petrov’s slight brow raise almost made me smile. “A pleasure.”
Tom pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Sorry, I have to take this call. Come with me, babe?”
He stepped away, taking Chardonnay with him, and I glared at his back. The liar. He hadn’t received a call. He’d ditched me with the man like a sacrificial lamb.
“Tell me more about yourself,” Petrov said, resting his forearms on the table. “You are twenty-five, aren’t you?”
I shivered. Why did he know my age? “Yes, I am.”
I looked around for an escape route. Much as I disliked him, we had an important working relationship that was currently more valuable to Lennox Securities than it was to Petrov’s firm, so I couldn’t afford to offend him by being rude. However unhappy I was with Tom, I didn’t want to make things worse for the company. “What would you like to know?”
He licked his lips like a hungry dog. “I’ve heard you like yoga. Have you been practicing it for long?”
Years of training taught me to keep a straight face, but I was shocked by the question. Who’d told him that? It wasn’t as though I kept it secret, but I spoke to few people outside of work.
“My friend Sage teaches it. She started making videos a few years ago, and I was her first student. I’m nowhere near as skilled as she is, but I’m passably good.”
“I’m sure you’re better than passable.” He caressed my bare upper arm, and my skin crawled in response. “In fact, I suspect you’re something of a prize.”