was going to be the one to give it to her. I had ways of making her hurt so good, suicide would never be an option for her again. Not on my fucking watch.
I’d do anything to keep from hearing that broken doll voice of hers ever again. I’d do whatever it took to keep Willow here among the living. Even if she ended up hating me for it. Even if it lost me her.
I shuddered. I’d heard that kind of hollowness once before. From my father, literal moments before he’d committed suicide.
Some things were important enough to risk. Some of them were more important than others. Some of them were more important than my happiness.
Willow Chase was one of them.
Chapter 31 – Willow
Cursing myself for not locking the front door, I set the hand mixer down on the worktop and moved to the doors that separated the kitchen from the booking and show space. I stuffed my phone in my bra. I needed to get rid of whoever was out here.
Then I needed to find out how to disappear. I had no idea why I’d called Ryker. He couldn’t help me. Other than pissing me off.
A sardonic smile pulled at the corner of my mouth as I got to the double swing doors. He’d helped me. Pulled me back with his ego and arrogance. I was going to have to bake the stupid man some more fucking cupcakes. They could be my going-away present to him.
I skidded to a halt as the one and only stupid man stood just inside my shop’s door. He looked big and menacing. Heat and emotion vibrated off him in waves and surges that reminded me of the ocean during a tsunami.
“Wh-wh-what are you doing here?” I asked, my hand moved to the collar of my shirt. Covered the base of my neck. Shit. Had he guessed what I had planned?
“What are you doing here?” he asked. One dark blonde eyebrow rose in question.
I swallowed. Hoped he couldn’t understand the depths of the hole I’d gotten stuck in. I told him my original plan. “I’m getting ready for the gigs this weekend.”
He took a slow step forward. “Is that all you were doing?” His low voice pulsated with authority and demanded answers. Truthful answers.
I opened my mouth.
“If you lie to me, I’ll tell the Amatuccis.”
I snapped my mouth closed. I crossed my arms. “Tell them what?” Maybe I could bluster my way through this.
“What you were thinking of doing.”
A cold chill swept through me. “And what do you think that was?”
“Hurting yourself. Going too far with it.” He took another step towards me.
I jerked as if he’d slapped me. He’d known. Somehow he’d known what I was thinking. Planning. Craving. Guilt and shame ate at my insides.
“I told you on the phone, cupcake. I can give you what you need.”
I shook my head. Denied his words. He’d had his chance. He had nothing I needed. Or wanted. And the same was true in reverse.
With a sound that was more animal than man, he lunged forward and gripped my arms. His fingers dug into my flesh. His green eyes watched me so closely, I felt like he could see into my soul.
Only this time…this time, he didn’t turn away from what he saw there. “Yes. I can. But there are rules. Lots of rules.”
I jolted. Tried to pull from his grasp. When he held steady, I stilled and glared up at him. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. Ever.”
He smiled. It was full of menacing promises. “Oh, but I will. And what’s more, you’ll like it. Because of what I can give you when you obey me.” He tightened his fingers slightly.
I inhaled on a wave of ecstasy and pain. Shit.
He released the grip without letting me go.
Almost begging him to tighten his grip again, I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood to keep the words inside.
“We’ve got lots to talk about, you and I. Conversations that will be had when you’re in a better frame of mind.” He set me away from him slightly. He took a deep breath. Shook his head. “Now. What are you making in here?” He smiled slightly.
I debated trying to throw him out. The man was taller than me by at least six inches and probably outweighed me by seventy five pounds. He was a bear of a man. A giant, bossy bear.
I’d probably have to call the Amatuccis to get it done and