to have it. And I certainly don’t want any of the underwear back.” She shuddered delicately. “Did you ask him why he took it? Was he working for Cavendish, do you think?”
I shook my head. “According to his ramblings, he thought it was pretty. Said it winked at him. He begged to keep the bag.”
Willow’s shoulders dropped minutely as the fine lines bracketing her mouth vanished. “He’s more than welcome to keep it. I’ve got what I need out of it.” She smiled up at me. “And hey, at least you get to replace some of my wardrobe.”
I chuckled, felt heat lick at my belly. “Indeed, I do. And that shopping is going to be fantastic.”
“Gross. You two are horrible. Go sex each other up somewhere else.” Rafe rolled his eyes. “Come on, Massi. Let’s leave the lovebirds to their sins.”
Mas shifted his hands and just like that, his gun was out of sight once more. He leaned into Willow’s personal space.
She didn’t back up.
He pressed his cheek to hers. “Be careful in future, sorella. Or you will be getting more responsibility lessons on gun ownership.” He eased back. Nodded at me. “Penn. Keep her safe.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
He waved that away. “Family first. Always.” He dipped his head and walked for the mouth of the alley.
Willow and I followed him and Rafe. I took her gun cases. Well, I tried to.
She shook her head. “No. They’re mine. They need to be in my care at all times.” She shuddered. “I really don’t want lessons from Mas again.”
“What kind of lessons?”
Her face went a little pale. “Pray you never find out.” We stopped at the curb. I opened her door for her. Helped her ease down into the seat so she didn’t drop her boxes.
I walked around the car and slid into the driver’s seat. Started the car and drove us home.
Home. Such an important word for four little letters. And this time, for the very first time in my life, it would be more than a prison. More than a place of pain and anguish. It would be full of love. Belonging. Acceptance. Fun.
Chapter 8 – Willow
Once again in the elevator, I huddled the gun safes close to my chest. I’d been so stupid to leave them in a different bag. To not have grabbed them the first trip. I could have gotten three very important men hurt. Or worse. I shuddered as I cut the thought off.
“You okay?” Ryker asked softly.
I nodded. Tried to smile. Words came gushing out of my mouth. “I’m so sorry. Sorry for not doing a better job. Sorry for not taking care of the guns the way I know I should. I could have gotten you shot. If the person who’d taken them…” I trailed off as nightmare after nightmare ran through my mind.
“Hey.” He pulled me into his arms. “Nothing happened. We’ve had a pretty emotionally draining couple of days. No one got hurt.”
“This time,” I muttered into his chest. I rubbed my forehead back and forth between his pecs. “Sweet goddess, Ryker. You could have been shot. Died.” I looked up into his face. “You’re not allowed to die.” My tone was hard, my gaze fierce. “You’re not allowed to leave me.”
He laid his lips against mine as the elevator slid to a gentle stop. “Same back at’cha, cupcake. Shake this off. We’re good. We’ll just be a bit more gooder in the future.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I snorted. “That’s deplorable grammar.”
He smacked a kiss to my lips before he pushed the button to hold the door open for us. “Got you to laugh, so I’m good with it.” His hand settled on my lower back as he ushered me into the penthouse living room.
All of my luggage had been deposited a few feet inside the private entrance. I stopped. Looked at the mountain of luggage. “Holy cannoli, I’ve got so much shit.”
Ryker burst into laughter. “You’re just now realizing this?” His hand on my back urged me farther into our home. “This way. I’ve got a gun safe you can put those in. I’ll also need to program you into it.”
He led me down a hall to the right. I wrinkled my nose as I tried to recall something that flirted with the edge of my mind. I vaguely remembered this hall from my first visit here. “One of the spare rooms is through there, right?” I pointed with a jerk of my chin.
Looking over, he nodded. “Yeah. Where you