Page 6 of Mysterious Mate

She pulled Mercy to her and hugged her close. “Thank you.”

Mercy grinned. “You’re welcome. You’ll be fine. Let others get your revenge or retribution for you. You just focus on having an amazing life.”

Willow nodded and smiled before turning to ascend the stairs, each footfall taking her one step away from the life she had never wanted. The jet’s interior was opulent, a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. Willow settled into one of the plush leather seats, exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She had learned a lot during her time with Frank, snooping discreetly and piecing together the puzzle of his dangerous world. She had passed herself off as stupid, cowed, and oblivious, hiding her true nature behind a mask of naivete.

The dirt she had gathered on him and those with whom he did business, including the Shadow League, would, she hoped, prove invaluable. She believed it was the key to taking them down, to dismantling the network of power and corruption they had built. But there were complications—she hadn’t understood that the Shadow League and the Resistance weren’t even on the radar for law enforcement. She was a lone pawn, unprotected and at the mercy of a very wealthy and very dangerous man.

The engines roared to life, startling her as the jet rolled forward, gaining speed. Willow looked out the window, waving to Mercy and watching as the ground fell away beneath them. She was leaving behind a life of deceit and danger, but the fight was far from over. She clutched her bag tighter, knowing it held all that was left of the life she left behind.

Mercy would see that the evidence she had risked everything for would get to where it could do the most good. Willow knew she might be called on to testify or to offer information regarding things she had seen, but for which she had no corroborating evidence. She just had to survive long enough to use it.

The Shadow Sisters had been her first point of contact, whisking her away to the cottage not all that far from her and Frank’s home. It had been an all too temporary haven, a place to regroup and rest before being moved to what Mercy had assured her would be a much safer place where they could plan her next move. Mercy had been kind, offering her warmth and safety, but the reality of her situation quickly shattered any illusion of peace. Willow’s husband, Frank, had put out a contract on her. He literally wanted her head on a platter.

The Resistance had a plan, though, and promised to keep her safe. Now, she found herself on a private plane, this time heading to a fortress on a remote island where she was assured she would be protected. The stakes were higher than ever. Frank was a notorious arms dealer and was somehow involved with some kind of evil organization, and the evidence Willow had brought to the Resistance was damning. His involvement in arms dealing had led him to a partnership with the Shadow League who was far worse than he was, dealing in human trafficking, illegal medical research, drugs, and other nefarious activities.

Someone—he had yet to introduce himself—she assumed was with the Resistance sat across from Willow, his presence both comforting and intimidating. The stress of getting out and getting on this plane had left her feeling nauseous and woozy. Hopefully, it would pass. He was dressed like a butler, but she doubted that was his true vocation. Under the uniform, it was easy to see his well-honed physique, broad shoulders, and musculature. His hazel eyes held a depth of knowledge and strength that belied the role he seemed to be playing, which Willow found reassuring.

“We have extensive security measures in place,” he began, his voice calm and measured. “The island is heavily fortified. We have guards patrolling the perimeter, surveillance systems covering every inch, and a special security force trained to handle any threat. You will be well protected.”

Willow nodded, absorbing the information. The plan was to keep her in a safe, secure location until she was called upon to offer testimony. Mercy had assured her the likelihood of her having to go through a public trial was slim, and the evidence alone would be the nail in Frank’s coffin. The Resistance wanted to protect her, but they also wanted to keep their ongoing fight with the Shadow League quiet.

“It’s crucial that you stay out of sight and follow our instructions to the letter,” he continued. “Your safety is our top priority, but we can only protect you if you cooperate fully.”

“I understand,” Willow replied, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The flight was long, giving Willow ample time to reflect on the events that had led her to this point. She had married Frank at her father’s behest, knowing that somehow her not agreeing to do so could harm her family. She never quite believed Frank was the charming, successful businessman he portrayed to the world, but she thought his wealth could make her happy. It wasn’t until later that she discovered his true nature, the darkness that lurked beneath his polished exterior. Her attempts to gather evidence against him had been dangerous, but she had managed to keep her cover, pretending to be the oblivious, subservient wife.

Now, the culmination of her efforts was within reach, but that didn’t mean the path ahead wasn’t fraught with danger. The Resistance had promised to protect her, but Willow knew she couldn’t rely solely on them. She had to be vigilant, ready to act if things went wrong.

As the jet banked and began its descent toward the island, Willow’s anxiety spiked. She peered out the window, seeing the sprawling castle below, surrounded by dense forest and a high, fortified wall. It looked like something out of a movie, and she hoped it would be enough to keep her safe.

The jet touched down smoothly, and the man guided Willow off the plane. A group of guards met them, their expressions stern and professional. They escorted Willow into the castle, where she was introduced to the head of the security team, who seemed to give some kind of deferential nod to the butler. She was given a brief tour of the premises, pointing out the areas to which she had access and those she did not.

The castle was a fortress, with reinforced doors and windows, hidden safe rooms, and an array of high-tech security features. Willow felt a little more at ease, knowing the lengths they had gone to in order to ensure her safety. But the knowledge of the danger lurking just beyond those walls kept her on edge.

Over the next few days, Willow settled into a routine. She spent most of her time either in her room reading or going over the information she had handed over to Mercy. The butler was never far from sight and checked in with her regularly, updating her on the security measures and offering words of encouragement.

“Don’t you think I ought to know your name?” asked Willow one morning as he set breakfast on the table before her. She’d forgotten what Mercy had told her.

“Weston, ma’am.”

Talk about taciturn. She remembered now his name was Cage Weston.

“Weston? That’s it, just Weston?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

So that’s the way he wanted to play it; well, okay.

“Not much of a talker, are you, Weston?”

“No, ma’am,” he answered before stepping back.

Willow shook her head. The sooner this was all over, the better. If she thought Weston was taciturn, he was nothing compared to those who came and went never saying a word.

Despite the precautions, Willow couldn’t shake the feeling of being hunted. She knew Frank wouldn’t give up easily; nor, she guessed, would the Shadow League. Their combined reach had to be long, and the resources they commanded vast. The castle’s security might be impenetrable, but Willow had seen what Frank could do to those he felt had betrayed him. She knew she had to be at the top of that list and that he wouldn’t rest until she had breathed her last. She knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down or depend solely on others.

One evening, as she sat by the bedroom window, gazing out at the darkening sky, there was a knock before Weston entered her room. There was a look of concern on his face that immediately put Willow on alert.

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