by Vi Carter
“Let me see your hand.” Willow’s eyes shine with fear.
“Not now. Get up the ladder.” I turn my back, keeping a close eye on the tunnels. Willow doesn’t move.
“Now, Willow.” My voice is harsh and she moves quickly. The light above me disappears and when it reappears she calls down.
“Come on.” Worry laces her words and I start to climb. The adrenaline that kept me going, is slowly leaking from my body. The moment I reach the top, I curl my hand in on itself.
“Don’t say anything,” I say to Willow quickly, as I fully stand on solid ground. I push the tile back in place before standing. Willow keeps looking at me, and I push my injured hand into my trousers pocket.
“Did you find anything?” Blitz asks, stepping up to me. I keep walking. I can feel the blood soaking through my slacks. I reach back and wrap my hand around Willow’s fingers. She’s shaking, and all I want to do is drag her closer and reassure her that she’s safe. That I would never allow anyone to hurt her.
We cut off half way down the aisle and into a side office that Blitz sometimes uses.
The moment we are in, Willow releases my hand and closes the door. She’s quick to pull off her cardigan.
“Let me see your hand.” She’s holding out her hand, and to give her peace, I take my hand out of my pocket. She inhales sharply.
“It looks worse than it is.” I half sit on the desk, my body running out of energy. I had lost a lot of blood.
“There’s a market under us.”
Blitz steps closer, and I try not to cry out as Willow pushes the cardigan against the wound. “We need to get you to a doctor.”
“A market? Like what we have up here?” Blitz asks.
“I don’t need a doctor.” I try to reassure Willow.
“You need stitches.” She presses harder on the wound.
I tighten my fist and push it down into the wood.
“Right under us?” Shock laces itself around Blitz’s words.
“There were hundreds of people down there.”
Blitz juts his chin towards my hand. “They discovered you?”
“No, just some scrawny kid, but they will soon.”
“You need a doctor,” Willow repeats.
“We need to flush them out, now,” I say to Blitz.
“I could make a monster of a bomb.”
That isn't wise, it could bring the whole building down.
“You can’t kill all those people.” The horror in Willow’s voice has me pausing this conversation with Blitz, and turning to Willow. She looks too pale.
“Get me some water,” I say to Blitz.
“We aren’t. Are you okay?” I touch her face with my good hand and she seems to lean into it.
“He was only a boy.” She shakes her head and frowns, looking down at her blood-soaked cardigan. “You saved me.”
Her gaze travels back up to me and that look in her eyes makes all the pain worth it. “I get to experience the whole nail through the hand thing again.”
Willow looks worried as she lifts the cardigan from my wound. Pain races through me and I want to tell her not to move the cardigan, but it’s giving her peace that she is doing something. Blitz re-enters with a glass of water and hands it to me. I push it against Willow’s lips. “Take a drink.” She does as I say.
“Is Fredrick out there?” I ask Blitz.
“Already have him coming.”
I curl my hand around the cardigan. “Blitz is going to take you outside for some fresh air.” The idea of her being away from me frightens me, but having Willow here while I get stitched up isn’t wise, and I have a few things to ask Fredrick.
Willow is shaking her head.
“I’m not asking you, Willow.”
She moves slightly back. The door opens, and Fredrick steps in with a small case under his arm.
I push off the table and step up to Willow while softening my voice. “I won’t be long.” I place a kiss on her lips and sense her relaxing slightly.
I nod at Blitz, and he holds the door for Willow. I watch as they leave before moving behind the desk. Opening the top drawer, I take out a bottle of brandy and slump into the chair.
Fredrick sets up on the table. I unscrew the bottle and drink deeply before pulling off the cardigan. Fredrick takes my hand, turning it both ways. “It went clean through.” I drink again as saliva pools in my mouth. Fredrick reaches out for the bottle, I take another swallow before handing it over.
The burn of the alcohol has me gripping the arm of the chair. “You motherfucker!” I’m sure my voice is carrying beyond the room. Fredrick doesn’t respond but holds my hand.
“This is going to hurt like a bitch.”
I grab the bottle and drink more. “Just do it.”
Each stitch is horrific, and several times, I think I might pass out. Once Fredrick stitches both sides, the brandy bottle is empty, but I am alert from the pain. He wraps the wound.
“You look like shit, Rian.”
I slide back in the chair. “I was just fucking stabbed.” I close my eyes, the alcohol making everything heavy.
“Did you find out anything for me?” I don’t open my eyes as I speak. My voice slurs.
The rattle of tablets hitting the table has me opening one eye. “Take three of these.” I reach out and empty three into my hand before popping them in my mouth.
“I wouldn’t take them with alcohol.” Fredrick drifts off as I crunch the tablets. I sit up and push out the chair. Picking up the glass that Willow had drank out of, I down it.
“Every time you’re here, so is a black BMW.” That gets my attention. I return to my seat. Fredrick reaches into the pocket of his sweat pants and pushes the piece of paper towards me. “The registration. Each time I flew the drone too close to get a look at the driver, he left.”
Fredrick gathers up all his tools. “You should rest.”
“Thanks, doctor.” I’m looking around in the drawer for more alcohol but come up empty. The door opens, and Fox arrives.
“What happened?”
I wait until Fredrick leaves.
“The Rat Pack is operating under our feet.”
Fox doesn’t sit but stands in front of the desk.
“You don’t look so good.”
I laugh. “I’m sure I look better than you.”
Fox’s complexion is nearly transparent. “You need to stop dying your hair.”
He curls up his nose at me. “We need to flush them out.”
“That’s exactly what I said to Blitz.”
Fox snorts and finally sits down. “I’m sure he wanted to drop bombs on them.”
“You know him so well.”
“Let me take a look at some of the old plans. If there is a water system below us, we could literally flush them out.”
“Yeah, I’d appreciate that.” I slide the piece of paper across to Fox. ”While you're doing paperwork, can you find out the owner of this car?”
Fox picks up the white slip of paper and opens it before glancing at me. “Yeah, sure.” He folds the paper and places it into his pocket.
“Anything I should be worried about?”
I lean back in the chair and close my eyes. “I’m not sure yet.”
I sit up. I need to get to Willow. Standing up, the room tilts, and I wonder how much blood I’ve lost. Or maybe it’s all the alcohol.
“I need us to squash this problem as soon as possible.”
Fox stands up too. “You don’t look like you should be standing.”
I ignore Fox’s words. “I want this kept quiet.”
Fox nods.
“I mean it.” He had fucked up the last time when I had told him to leave Rodger Smith, and he had shot him.
“I will.” There is a bite in his words, and I don’t give a fuck. I don’t need this getting out before we have a chance to react. Them finding the boy alive was stupid on my part. If it weren’t for Willow being here, I would return and gut him. The boy didn’t know who I wa
s, so I was hoping that would give us the time we needed to take care of the problem.
CHAPTER TWENTY
WILLOW
Outside, the air is nice, but all I want to do is go back to Rian. Things feel strange, with Blitz walking beside me. Being away from Rian also allows me to clear my head and remember that I had to end things with him. Once I knew he was okay, I would start allowing that to sink into my system.
“So you and Rian?” Blitz asks.
“No, we aren’t together.”
Blitz nods while stuffing his huge hands in his pockets and extracting a pack of cigarettes. He lights one up and offers one to me. I’d never smoked before, and I wasn’t about to start now.
“No, thanks.”
“You sure looked like you were together.” Laughter fills Blitz’s words.
“I thought you saw nothing,” I remind him while folding my arms across my chest.
He shrugs and smokes his cigarette. We walk around the building to the far side. Rian’s Bentley comes into view, and we stop near it.
“Should we check on him?” I ask, knowing I sound needy.
Blitz covers up a grin. “Nah, he’ll come out here when he’s ready.”
I take another look at Blitz. “How long have you been working for Rian?” I’m not sure he will answer me, but he surprises me.
“We met when we were kids. I was being bullied, and Rian beat the shit out the kids who hurt me.”
“You were bullied?” That is a hard pill to swallow.
“I wasn’t always this big. Rian protected me, and he has never stopped.”
“You don’t look like you need protecting anymore.” I’m trying to lighten the mood.
“Rian’s protection comes in many forms.”
I stop walking. “Like what?”
The door to the side of the building opens, and Rian steps out. His black clothing fits his large frame snuggly. I can’t stop the reaction that he sends through me. This isn’t good. The moment he steps up to me, he places a kiss on my lips like Blitz isn’t standing right beside us. It’s like he thinks we are a couple.
“I’m going to take Willow home. Fox is in the office.”
Blitz crushes the cigarette under his boot. “See you, Willow.”
I give him a tight smile before turning to Rian’s car. I need to put some distance between us.
“You need to rest,” I tell him the moment I get in and put on my seatbelt.
“I’d offer to drive; only I don’t know how.”
“You don’t drive?” This seems to surprise Rian.
“Never learned.” I quickly say before he asks why.
He starts the car, and I can’t look at him. He looks pale. “You need to rest.”
“Are you going to nurse me back to health?”
My body ignites at the thoughts of getting to see Rian naked again. I stare out the window knowing this isn’t going to go smoothly.
“What we did was a one time thing. It won’t be happening again.” Silence fills the car, and I take a quick peek at Rian. His white bandage is turning red as he grips the steering wheel too hard.
“Rian, your hand.”
He loosens his grip, but he must have reopened the wounds. He doesn’t fight me, and I hate the disappointment that courses through me. I had expected some kind of resistance, but I met none. We drive the whole way home in awkward silence. I want to say something else, but the moment he parks in the garage, he gets out of the car.
He opens the door that leads into the kitchen, and I’m waiting for him to leave, but he holds it open for me. I feel horrible as I pass him. He doesn’t try to stop me, and the moment I step into the kitchen—I straighten. My mother is sitting at the table, flipping through a magazine; she must be waiting for me.
“Where is your cardigan?” is the first thing she asks.
“I spilled tea on it at work. I left it behind.”
“Bring it home tomorrow, and we can wash it.”
Rian leaves the kitchen, and I stare after him with a longing that gives me a belly ache.
“Willow?” My mother raises a brow, and I know the decision I have to make. I sit beside her. “I pick you,” I tell her.
“Well, don’t sound so happy.”
I take my mother’s hands in mine. “I choose you. You have done so much for me, and I won’t disappoint you again.”
My mother takes her hands out of mine and touches my face. “There’s my daughter.”
Her smile is soft, and I sense my heart breaking as my cheeks heat up. I need to be somewhat honest. “I can’t be around him, mother. It’s too hard. I want you to speak to Henry and get me out of the job.”
It’s the only way. My mother pulls me into a hug. It’s unexpected and most certainly not like her. “There, there, don’t fret, you are stronger than you think.” She’s rubbing my back, but I don’t understand what she is saying.
“You can’t leave your job.” I try to move away from my mother, but she holds me still. Her voice has lowered. “I need you to stay close to Rian.”
The blood turns cold in my veins.
“Why?” The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Just do as your mother asks.” My mother finally releases me, and I feel sick.
“I don’t understand.” I’m shaking my head.
My mother sits back in the chair and glances around her. “Let’s go for a walk outside.”
I didn't want to go for a walk. I wanted answers.
If I want answers, I know I need to follow my mother out the back. She keeps walking until she is deep in the garden. Apple trees rise on either side of us. The garden is picture perfect, just like our home.
“What are you asking me?” Finally, I can’t wait any longer.
“Tell me what happened today?” My mother folds her arms across her chest. The blue pantsuit she wears, fits her tall frame. Blonde hair is swept back from her face. When I don’t answer her, she turns her sharp eye on me.
“Nothing, really.” The lie is clear to hear.
“You told me you chose me. I’m finding that hard to believe.”
I grit my teeth. “I do choose you.” She had no idea what I was giving up. “Rian was stabbed today.”
My mother looks shaken, and I hope she will reconsider getting me out of the job.
“He was protecting me.”
Now my mother stands even taller. “You were attacked? By whom? How did that happen? Where was Rian?” Her voice grows louder with each question.
“I just told you. He saved me.”
My mother turns her back on me, and I stand still as she processes what I am saying. “The person who stabbed him?”
She turns to me. “Rian stabbed him.”
“Is he dead?”
Everything about this conversation felt so wrong. “What’s this about, mother?”
“Is he dead?” She steps closer to me.
“No. Well, I don’t think so.”
She turns her back on me again, and I have no idea what is going on. “Mother.” The frustration I am feeling comes out in my voice.
My mother turns to me and exhales loudly. She steps closer, and I’m waiting for her to take my face in her hands, but she doesn’t. “I know you can’t leave your job. I already tried.”
“I can’t work with him.” I start, and my mother stops me.
“You are stronger than some hormonal teenager.”
My face blazes. She had no idea this wasn’t some crush. What Rian made me feel was so intense that I can barely keep it together around him. Before I can be honest and explain that to my mother, she holds up her hand and smiles, before linking her arm with mine. We start to walk back.
“I was talking to Father Cooney.” My mother smiles at me. “The bible group is going on a weekend break.”
I swallow the groan.
“I’m going to send you with them. I think the break away from this place will do you good.”
I force a smile. “Sounds won
derful.”
“Don’t pout, Willow.” My mother tightens our linked arms. “Luke will be with the group.”
My stomach swims with disgust. I can’t even look at my mother.
“It may help to get Rian out of your system.” She says “Rian,” like he is something despicable.
“I thought boys were not allowed?” I’m being careless with my words. My mother stops walking and un-links her arm from mine.
I see the warning in her eyes before she starts to speak with brows raised high. “Boys were not allowed. That was the rule until you broke it, Willow. First Chad, and now Rian. So If you are going to break my rules, I may as well select a worthy partner for my daughter.” This time when my mother touches my face, it’s gentle. “Have I not always put your interests first?”
“I’m not questioning that.”
Surprise filters through my mother’s features. The idea that I would question her at all, is something new.
“Why are you taking such an interest in Rian?” My mother is walking on dangerous ground.
“I just want to know how careful he is being with my daughter.”
I hate that I don’t believe her. “He would never let any harm come to me.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing.” Her nose curls up.
“It’s not a bad thing, mother.” I bite the inside of my cheek.
“It is, Willow. That’s what you aren’t seeing. Being in Rian’s favour isn’t a good thing.”
Sadly, she shakes her head, and I want her to tell me what she really wants to say.
She faces the house and that sadness fades away. “I’m going to take you to visit Chad.”
Every cell in my body pings at once.
“I didn’t like how that detective was watching you. So I think to throw suspicion off, you should visit him.”
My face heats up until it burns the tips of my ears. “I didn’t hurt him, mother.” My voice is small now. I can’t look at my mother. I don’t blame her.
She doesn’t tell me she believes me, and that crushes me even further.
I get showered and changed numbly. I’m scrambling for my armor that has always worked for me, but it isn't anymore. I’m still sore between my legs, but it’s a nice kind of soreness. It’s my only reminder of what I gave to Rian.
