Page 77 of Fanatic

Willow

The next day, I pulled into a rest stop on U.S Hwy 385 and sucked in a deep breath. Danny was with Gladys, and Fanatic wasn’t released until this afternoon. I wasn’t due back until tomorrow, which left my morning free. And I knew I couldn’t avoid this anymore.

I sat and stared at the busy area half a mile away. Shoving Fanatic’s SUV into drive, I drove up and headed down the two-lane road. The gates were open, although a prospect was on them.

I ignored the wave to stop because if I did, I’d turn around and flee. I parked up near the clubhouse as the prospect chased after me. He was on his phone, and his mouth was flapping like clothes in the wind. The clubhouse opened, and the figure there held a hand up, and the prospect stopped and retraced his steps.

The silhouette stood there watching me as I watched him. Slowly, I climbed out as he began walking forward. Arms wrapped around me as I face-planted into his chest.

“Willow,” Razor said as he squeezed me. He’d lost weight but was otherwise unchanged.

“I heard,” I whispered.

“Girl, I’m good,” Razor muttered as we kept a tight hold on one another. “Didn’t survive war to let this cunt beat me.”

“Kick its ass, Razor,” I replied as tears clogged my throat.

“That’s what I plan to do. Seen the Prez yet?”

“No. Is Inglorious about?”

“Head to the town. Inglorious will be down there trying to rein his woman in,” Razor shook his head in despair.

“She’s kicking ass and taking names?”

“She’s what Inglorious needed. Go on. Chill’s down there too,” Razor said, and I hugged him one last time.

Razor smiled. There was four years between us, but Razor looked older right now. “Have you got everything you need, Razor?”

“Willow, don’t worry. Between Prez, his old lady, and the brothers, I’m smothered. Although if we can shoot the shit away from this lot of worrying peahens, that would be a bonus,” Razor said.

I noted what he wasn’t saying. Razor was holding his own, but was tired, and everyone worrying was not helping. He needed strength, not sympathy.

“You got my digits, call me, and we’ll arrange something. And not at Hellfire either.”

“Girl, if Fanatic hadn’t pulled his head out of his ass, he’d have had a run for his money,” Razor said and dropped a kiss on my cheek.

“You knew?”

“Yeah, and respected the fuck out of Fanatic for holding back. Treat Fanatic right, Willow, and he’ll give you every single bit of him,” Razor answered.

I laughed and began walking up the road towards Merritt. It was only a five-minute walk, and it was beautiful. I saw a lot of people as I approached and nodded to some I recognised from Blackrock Construction.

As I neared a building, I was suddenly grabbed and hugged.

“Run away with me before the wicked witch finds me a woman!” Chill demanded.

I began laughing as I hugged Chill and patted his back. “But you need to settle down, Chill.”

“No!” Chill howled and released me. He held me at arm’s length and checked me over. “You look good, Willow,” he said, all teasing aside.

“Thanks. How you doing?”

“As well as can be expected. Ducking the witch as she’s decided we need to settle down,” he replied.

“Does Inglorious know you’re calling his woman a witch?”

“Prez started it!” Chill laughed. “You see Razor?”

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