Page 60 of Fanatic

“Stay, Willow!” I demanded, determined not to lose tonight.

I headed back downstairs, phoned the restaurant, and explained. Shamelessly dropping Willow and Hellfire’s names, I managed to get them to cook our meals with a hefty bonus for them. The flowers and chocolates I’d ordered for there would also be re-delivered. I called Jinx, informed him what to fetch,and walked into the dining room. There was a sideboard that held all Willow’s good stuff.

I hauled out a dining cloth, cutlery, and everything she’d need. A vase sat on the table, looking empty, so I headed into the garden and picked some flowers. I placed them in the vase and hoped they looked somewhat decent.

Wine was coming with the meal, but Willow always kept a couple of bottles in the fridge. I grabbed a white and put it on the table. Happy with it and satisfied there was nothing else I could do, I waited for Jinx.

Forty minutes later, I knocked on Willow’s door and opened it. “You ready?”

“For what?” Willow questioned, looking adorably confused.

“Come on, woman, let’s find out.”

I led Willow downstairs and into the dining room. Her gasp made me feel good, but the expression on her face… I felt on top of the world.

Fanatic

How was getting out of the house with Danny such hard work? I had siblings and little cousins. I understood what was involved with kids. And Danny was such an easy baby. Yet it was a total nightmare. It was two days after our date night, and it had gone perfectly. Willow was moving at her own pace, which was fine, but she kept touching me. A hand to my arm, a touch to my chest. Willow couldn’t help herself.

Of course, I could not keep my hands to myself, either. But I was attempting to be a gentleman. Which was hard when all I wished to do was ravish her. She’d gone into work today and was meeting with Markin, Lio, and Gold. They were considering the possibility this could be someone she arrested. The whole thingwas worrying, and while I wanted to keep Willow locked up, I knew that was useless.

Willow was a trained agent, and I had to trust in her skills to protect herself. If I failed at this hurdle, then I needed to let Willow go because I’d ruin us by trying to control her. I had to accept the woman I loved had a dangerous job and get on with it. Something not that easy to do!

Danny chortled as he threw a toy at me as I backed out of the drive. I was using my car as Willow had my SUV; clearly, Danny couldn’t ride on a bike yet. As I drove off, I hoped that they got a break and whoever was after Willow was caught. Because if the law didn’t catch the perp and I did, his body would never be discovered.

Willow

I looked up as Jenna Rose came up to my floor. Lio and Gold were questioning me further, wondering if this was something to do with a previous arrest. It was possible. But I didn’t think I’d upset anyone else. Of course, I could have, as people can perceive slights were none were meant. But the crosshair incident made me assume there was a criminal element.

Markin was by my side as he’d ordered all case files I was involved in brought to the room. Lio and Gold hadn’t realised how many until the boxes started being rolled in. They swapped glances and shook their heads.

“Workaholic much?” Gold teased.

“Why don’t you let Willow and José review them? They can at least whittle down suspects, and on top of that, they need to start planning interviews,” Markin said.

“There’s a lot of interest in the job vacancies,” I replied with a nod. “We’ll be starting assessments next week when I’m back properly.”

“You’re doing a three-day week for four weeks, that’s correct?” José asked.

“Yes. Then it goes to four for the following month and up to full-time from there,” I answered.

“If you give me your rota, I will schedule interviews for them. Meanwhile, I guess we better start wading through this lot,” Jimenez said.

“Well, I’ll leave you lot to it,” Markin stated when Jenna stepped forward.

“Wait, sir, this came in the post addressed to Willow,” Jenna announced, holding out a box.

“Shit, another one?” I asked as I gazed at the brown paper-covered package.

“Step back, Willow, and let us open it,” Lio ordered.

Unamused, I did as ordered and watched as Gold unwrapped it. Once again, it was a white box with a black bow. Gold opened the box and lifted the lid. Lio frowned as Gold’s mouth opened in an O.

“Tell me that’s not human,” Jimenez demanded, peering over their shoulder.

“Need evidence bags,” Lio said as he gazed at whatever the parcel contained.

“What is it?” I whispered, not liking the looks on their faces.

---