Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
She stared at the phone, which was aglow with Carson’s name, but she clicked “ignore.” Willow wasn’t going to talk to him, not now, not as she watched the fire crew try to temper the blaze.
Miley continued to hold her, and they had garnered a spectacle. She didn’t care. All she saw was her grandmother’s smile when she had been about to open the store. She’d been there to witness it and had worked in the shop that day, even though she’d been young. Ten years ago.
So much had happened in ten years. She lost her father, her mother, her grandfather, and her grandmother, and now she had lost the freaking shop.
Carson eventually arrived but seeing as they were surrounded, Willow didn’t cause a scene. Peter was there for his woman. Carson held her tightly. The moment his arms wrapped around her, she hated how quickly she felt safe. Pressing her face against his chest, she wanted to hate him for not being there, for not picking up the phone, but what could he have done? He wouldn’t have made it in time. There was no reason for her to hate him. This anger should be directed at the person responsible, not him. She loved Carson, so fucking much. He wasn’t the reason her shop had gone up in flames.
“I’ve got you, baby,” Carson said. “I’ve got you.”
She sobbed against his chest as she let it all out, wishing this was different.
Her grandmother’s shop, the one piece she still had of her, was gone.
****
“It happened so fast,” Miley said. “I had seen him on the street the moment I got there this morning. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but then we had the morning rush, which was amazing, and this guy was still there. He was looking shifty.”
Carson listened to Miley’s description. He already had men obtaining the security footage from the shops and the streets surrounding Willow’s shop. Carson wanted to know why his men weren’t in position.
Staring across the living room, he saw Willow curled up in a ball. She had gone to sleep. He had brought Willow and Miley back to his place, which was something he never did. Peter was there, holding his wife.
They had been in a meeting, an important one with one of the MC clubs he dealt with. Whenever he was with them, all cell phones were turned off. It was the only time he had turned off his cell since finally staking his claim on Willow, and now he was pissed off.
“I told Willow and she walked over, and she must have seen the same thing I did. She started to call you, but it went to voicemail, and then she told me to call Peter, and the same thing happened, but then I remembered you guys were at a meeting.”
Carson glared at Peter.
“I only told her that I wouldn’t be available for a couple of hours in case she needed me, that’s all.”
“Private business is not meant to be discussed.”
“He doesn’t tell me anything else, I promise. Only when and if I can’t get in touch. That’s all.”
Willow sighed and then sat up. She ran fingers through her hair.
“How are you feeling?” Miley said.
“I’m fine.”
She returned her gaze to Carson.
“Miley and Peter were just leaving. The police are investigating the fire.”
Willow nodded. “I’m tired.”
She got to her feet and walked away without another word. Carson knew she was hurting. He didn’t make excuses for her behavior, but he did show Miley and Peter out, ordering them to be careful.
Carson didn’t know who would be stupid enough to try to take him on, but he was more than happy with the challenge of finding out.
Closing the penthouse door, he flicked the lock into place and then went to find Willow. She wasn’t in the bedroom, but he did find her in the bathroom, already soaking, standing beneath the water.
“I’m showering,” she said.
He stepped into the stall.
“Do you not understand private spaces?” she asked.
He pressed his hands either side of her head and smiled. “When it comes to you, no. There is no such thing as private spaces, because, Willow, you are all mine.” He put his fingers beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Baby, you think I don’t know when you’re pissed. I do, and I know you’re angry right now, so why don’t you tell me what I can do about it? Tell me what’s wrong?”
“You didn’t answer the phone and I know it’s crazy. I’m not angry at you, I’m angry at that … that … monster who set fire to my grandmother’s shop. How could anyone do that!” She all but screamed.
He went to her and wrapped his arms around her but Willow was not in the mood to be comforted. She tried to stop him, but he didn’t let her. Now was not the time for her to be angry.