by Jill Shannon
Hunter grasped her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing it. "Yes, princess, I'm fine. Trust me, I've been banged up worse than this. This is nothing." He placed her hand on his heart and covered it with his own. "You have such a nurturing way about you. I know you are going to be an amazing mom."
The statement snapped Willow right out of her euphoric mode. "Whoa there, mister. Who said anything about kids?" Willow sat up from her prone position. "Do you really think this is the time to be talking about children? Shit, we've only known each other a week."
Hunter was blindsided by her reaction. Needing some clarity of his own, he questioned, "Don't you want to have children?" He had naturally assumed that she would.
"The thought of children never crossed my mind. I was always so busy with my work. I figured that would be my baby."
"You never dreamed of getting married? Having a family with a dog? A house with a picket fence?" His voice held a touch of uneasiness to it.
Willow shook her head no. "I dreamt of being a mermaid and swimming with the fish in the sea."
Hunter chuckled; he could envision Willow as a girl sitting by the water's edge for hours. "But as you got older, didn't that dream change?"
"Of course, it did. Once I knew being a mermaid was out, I did the next best thing. I learned to scuba dive. Which led me to the dream of one day owning my own salvage company. However, since I was not fortunate to have been born into a well-off family. I've been working toward it."
"Willow, I want to fulfill that dream for you." He turned on his side with a lot of effort. Looking into her ice-blue eyes, he continued. "I want to give you the world, but most of all, I want us to have a child. I need to know a baby is something you want."
"Hunter, I still think it's way too soon to be talking about kids." She softened her expression. "Besides, it's not like I never wanted to have a child of my own. I just never thought it would ever happen to me."
"So, the notion is not totally off the table?" Hunter asked with more enthusiasm. Willow smiled at his excitement. "That's very good to hear." A sense of relief filled his body as he fell back on the bed, a smile plastered on his face.
Willow grinned at his lopsided smile. Needing to know the reason behind his statement, she inquired, "Why is that a good thing?"
Hunter swallowed before he spoke. "Well, first, remember that without my mother's help, none of those women would have been released."
"Okay." Willow was starting to get a little apprehensive.
"And… she did clear Alex and Jax of their debt with Zapatero."
"Yeah, for a price," Willow whined out, the light now dawning on what he was trying to say. "Which is now our debt. Something about having a year to get it to her. I say we get it to her now and be free of our debt as well." She stared at Hunter for his reply, and when she didn't get it, she prodded, "So, what is it?"
"Before I answer that, tell me, could you see yourself having a child with me?"
Children had never been on Willow's radar. She had always been too focused on her work to even consider it. She naturally assumed if she married, the person would be like-minded. She had decided to leave the childbearing to her sisters. She gazed at the beautiful man before her. She visualized him lying on the bed, a child with his unique eyes resting on his chest. As she did, an overwhelming sense of joy flooded her. "I believe, with you, I would welcome a child."
Hunter grabbed her face and brought it down to his lips, giving her a quick kiss.
Willow pulled back, asking, "What was that for?"
"You have just made me a very happy man."
"I'm glad, but you know we can wait a little bit before making us a threesome. I'd like to get the business up and running first."
"So you are accepting my offer? You'll relocate and run the business?" Hunter's voice was filled with so much hope.
Willow flopped onto her back, looking at the ceiling. "I had some time to think while you were gone." She twisted her head to look at him. "About us, and there can be no us unless I move here." He started to lean over and kiss her, but she halted his progress by covering his lips with her fingers. "But there have to be ground rules set first." Hunter poked his tongue through her closed fingers, forcing her to remove her hand.
"Of course, there will be rules. The first of which is never bring work to our bed." Hunter took hold of her hand, kissing her palm. "There is no room for it here. So, if you don't mind, we can go over the business proposal tomorrow." He sucked her index finger in his warm, wet mouth. Then he released it with a pop. He started to rise from the bed.
"What are you doing?" Willow snapped up from her prone position.
"I'll be right back." Hunter got out of bed gingerly and walked cautiously to the head, returning a few minutes later with a warm, soapy, soft cloth. "Lie back while I care for you."
Willow wanted to argue with him but knew it would be futile. Lying back, she opened her legs for Hunter to wash her clean from their lovemaking. When he was finished, he tossed the cloth onto the floor. He moved to the mini-fridge and retrieved two bottles of water. Breaking the seal, he offered her the bottle. "Here, you need to hydrate."
Willow accepted the bottle, drinking half of it on her first draw. Hunter finished his, placing the empty bottle on the nightstand. Retrieving hers, he set it next to his. He then climbed back into the bed. Pulling her close, he adjusted the blankets around them. Willow snuggled into his well-built, tattooed arms, a smile on her face. "Are you comfortable?" Willow sighed with contentment and nodded her head. He knew he needed to be upfront and honest with her, or there could be no relationship. So, before he lost his nerve, he spoke the words that needed to be said, "Willow."
She heard the concern in his voice and tilted her head up to look at him. "What's the matter?"
"I need to tell you something about my mother. I've never told anyone this, so please bear with me." He cuddled her close and began talking. "After my father died, my mom fell apart. She had lost the love of her life and had no clue how she was going to pick up the pieces. When her father became ill, she saw it as a sign. She packed up all her belongings and moved back to Ireland. Maggie sat beside his bedside every day. She would read to him; they ate meals together and played chess. By the way, don't ever play chess with my mother. She's a shark at it. Anyway, during all the time they were spending time together, my grandfather was educating her about the family business, grooming her to replace him. The deals in the making, the current clientele, the enemies, the debts owed, everything his father had done for him." He paused, lost in his own thoughts for a moment. "On the day my grandfather was laid to rest, there was to be an attack on my mother. Another rival organization figured that she would be at her most vulnerable then."
Willow cut in, "Well, I can see their logic. I would have thought the same thing."
Taking her chin in his hand, he tilted her face up to his. "The first rule of war is never underestimate your opponent."
"What happened?"
"The car my mother was to ride in at the end of the funeral had been rigged with explosives. Enough C-4 to take out the four cars around her."
"Apparently, that didn't happen, because your mom is still here."
"No, Willow, it really happened." He heard her intake of breath. "My mother was fully aware of the plot against her and who had put the hit out on her." The next part of the story had been what caused him to disengage from his mother.
"What happened next, Hunter?"
"Gavin, her second in command, was made aware of the plot. My mother sat with Cormac, her consigliere. He advised her that for her to really take my grandfather's place, she would need a show of force against her enemies. So, my mother had her associates and soldiers round up the family that had put the hit out on her." This time, when Hunter paused, he grabbed the bottle with the remaining water and finished it. "Wives, cousins, children, no one was exempt. If they had a blood tie to him in any way, they were fair game."
"Keep going, Hunter.
What happened next?" She knew he didn't want to tell her, and she didn't really want to hear it. But it needed to be said.
"On the day of my grandfather's funeral, all the families came to pay their respect. All but one, the MacGrath. When the funeral was finished, Gavin retrieved Ronan MacGrath from a nearby mausoleum. My mother stood tall on the hill, looking down at the four vehicles waiting for our family. She was dressed in a black Chanel pantsuit, a hat covered her brilliant red hair, a black netting concealed her face. Her hands were encased in black lace gloves and joined together in front of her. Others from the funeral stood around wondering why she didn't continue onto the cars. And then Gavin threw Ronan at her feet. I don't think I will ever forget the venom that dripped from my mother's mouth that day. She told Gavin, "Force his head up. I wouldn't want him to miss the fireworks." Doing as he was told, Ronan was grabbed by the back of his neck and made to watch."
"Watch what, Hunter?" Willow was terrified to hear the answer.
"The side windows of the four cars rolled down, and MacGrath heard his entire family screaming to be let out. His wife and daughter were separated from each other. She hadn't even allowed them to be together. Then my mother squatted down next to MacGrath and said, "Now, watch as I do to your family what you had planned for mine." She stood, a device clutched in her lace-covered hand. She pressed the button, and the car at the front of the line exploded. Pressing the next button, the vehicle at the end of the row imploded, leaving the two cars with MacGrath's wife and daughter in them. She spoke loud enough for all to hear. "Let this be a lesson to all who think to challenge or oppose my position." Then she pressed the final button, erupting both cars into balls of flames.
"By this time, MacGrath was sobbing and spitting out threats. 'I'm going to kill you, you fucking cunt', were his exact words." Hunter paused again, reliving the moment in his head, then he finished. "Willow, I watched my mother accept a twelve-inch knife from Gavin. She leaned down and spoke softly to him. "No, you won't, because there is no one left from your family line. Your tree was diseased, and I eliminated the contamination. You will go to hell knowing there is no one left to avenge you." And with that, she grabbed a clump of his hair, and holding his head straight, she slit his throat from ear-to-ear." Hunter relaxed his body, relieved to have finished the story. "It was the last time I spoke to my mother until I requested her help. She has always been lurking in the shadows of my life, but I was never ready to forgive her for the cruelty she showed that day."
"But it worked, didn't it?" she asked offhandedly.
Surprised by her question, he argued back, "Yes, but that's not the point."
"Hunter, in what world could your mother have taken over such a powerful position and not have to defend it as well as her family? You could have been killed too. Plus, it's not like she could send flowers to make everything all right. She needed to establish dominance."
"She didn't need to kill all of them."
"I agree with you." She flattened her palm on his cheek. "But she did what she thought was right. I'm sure, to this day, she regrets her actions. However, she's the one who has to look at herself in the mirror. You can't take on your mother's burden."
"I've learned that. It's just taken some time to forgive her. Since she's been with Patrick, she seems more like the mother I knew rather than the ruthless businesswoman."
"I'm sure it will take some time. But if you give it a chance, you might get back what you lost."
"I'm not sure if I want it back. I think I'd like to start fresh." Choosing his words carefully, he explained, "I think once she becomes a grandmother, she might consider stepping down as head of the family."
Willow noticed right away how he brought up the subject of a baby again. "You might have a point there, but it will be some time before that happens." Hunter stayed quiet, not agreeing or disagreeing. Frustrated, she sat up in bed, the bed sheets slipping to her waist, exposing her naked breast. "What? What are you trying to tell me? Please, spit it out already," she shouted at him.
All conscious thought disappeared from his mind at the sight of her tits. Yet, the raised sound of her voice brought him back to reality. He spat out, "The deal we agreed upon with my mother." He stopped, trying to find the right words. Willow seemed to egg him on by extending her flat hand, her fingers encouraging the words from his mouth. "She wants a grandchild," he blurted out then relaxed his body as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
"So, that's what this is all about? I agreed to hand my child over to your mother in a year?" Her temper rose. "Are you out of your fucking mind? I'm not handing my baby over to your mother. It's my child," she shouted. She started to get off the bed, but Hunter halted her progress.
Stopping her from leaving the bed, Hunter grabbed her arm. "No, Willow, that's not it. I knew I couldn't explain it right. She wants me settled. This is her way of forcing the issue. And… what she meant by 'hand it to her'.". He did the phrase in air quotes. "She would like to hold her grandchild. Not that she was literally taking it."
Relief flooded through Willow, and then the light really went on. She had felt an overwhelming need to protect her child. A child that until now she had never thought of. The feeling opened her eyes to what Maggie must have felt that day, safeguarding her family and establishing her dominance in a man's world. Then the actual realization flooded her senses. But she needed him to say it. "Why did you agree so easily to the terms?" Kneeling on the bed naked, she waited.
Hunter eased his body up on his elbow, hoping to emphasize his explanation. "Because I found you."
Four simple words, but coming from Hunter, they meant everything to her. She leaned down and kissed him. Lying back down next to him, she snuggled into the security of his arms. They lay together in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Hunter stroked her arm, making the stress of the day leave her body. She was starting to doze off when, all of a sudden, she shot straight up in bed, facing the wall. "What if I can't have children? There's always the possibility."
He gripped her shoulders and pulled her back into his arms. "Whether you can carry a child or not, doesn't make you any less of a good mother. But we'll cross that bridge if it comes to that."
"But your mother said a year," she burst out.
"That was more of a guideline to get my ass in gear." Kissing her on her forehead, he told her, "We can talk more about it tomorrow; everything will be okay, Willow; you'll see. Right now, though, I need to close my eyes."
"But you said you'd tell me what happened with the exchange?" Willow reminded him.
"I will, but now my body is demanding some rest. Can it wait until tomorrow?" He yawned and rested his head on hers.
"Sure, baby, I can wait until tomorrow." Willow lay there awake, listening to the steady beat of Hunter's heart and his even breathing. Savoring the warmth of his body, she thought, who would have thought I would find the man I had always dreamt about as a girl. Her voice rang in her head. Having a mob boss for a mother-in-law has never been part of the dream, but it does add spice. A smile formed on her face as she settled down to sleep. Her brain, though, was still very much active. The wheels of her mind churned with a wide selection of wedding ideas, when, all of a sudden, her eyes popped open. He hasn't asked me to marry him. He's alluded to it, but he has never actually asked. Willow's brain didn't know how to process this thought. Although, so much had happened in such a short time. Willow wouldn't have been able to do any of it without Hunter. He had selflessly gotten involved with all of this because of her. That meant everything to Willow—more than she could say. Accepting the idea that she didn't need a marriage proposal, she knew in her heart that she and Hunter were meant to be, marriage license or not.
Shifting her body to her side, she nestled back against Hunter's warm body, his arm subconsciously wrapped around her chest. Willow took his hand in hers and laid it on her flat stomach. Wondering what it would feel like to have a baby growing inside her, a smile formed on her face with the possibi
lities. Bringing his hand to her lips, she kissed it then replaced it on her stomach, whispering, "You are going to be an awesome dad." Relaxing her body, she fell asleep dreaming of their future.
Chapter 10
The next morning, Willow was awakened by a notification on her phone that she had a message. The cold sheets next to her told her Hunter had been up a while. Grinning to herself, the memory of their incredible night flooded her mind as she stretched her sore body. Hunter had woken her up two more times during the night. Each time different, but with the same results, total bliss. She wondered where he was but was grateful for the alone time.
She grabbed her phone and retrieved the message. It was from Hailey. Hey, I know it's early, but I need to know if you're going on the donation presentation ride this afternoon. Eric asked me to go. I really like him and could use your support. Let me know?
Willow was happy for her friend. Hoping something special could come out of a terrible experience, she texted back, Not sure. Hunter hasn't mentioned anything about it. I'll get back to you. Willow received a smiley face emoji. She was placing her phone on the nightstand when Hunter walked in, carrying a tray of food.
"Everything okay?" he asked, noticing her replacing her phone.
Willow climbed back into bed under the covers. "It was a message from Hailey asking about the presentation ride today." Changing the subject, she asked, "What do we have here?"
Hunter placed the tray across her lap. "Coffee, juice, toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and some fruit. The eggs would have been over easy, but I broke the yoke. Sorry." He eased his body down on the bed. "Your body got quite the workout last night. I wanted to replenish your energy level."
Willow looked at the spread before her and asked, "Please tell me you are joining me? Because there is no way I can eat all of this."
"Of course, I'm joining you. No one likes to eat alone. Besides, it would be creepy if I just sat here and watched you eat." Hunter reached for a napkin and a fork and began eating from the other side of the plate. Swallowing his mouthful, he wiped his mouth. "What did Hailey want to know?" His interest had been piqued.
