Page 8 of Fanatic

Yeah, with all that shit happening, Willow was best off out of it.

Chapter Two.

April 2024.

Willow

Six months had passed since Danny had been born. Danny grew more like his father every day, and it warmed and chilled me. He was a lovable and well-behaved baby. Danny was the light of my life and beautiful. But Grey’s absence marred our perfect life. What was also a fuck up, was Danny had a huge family he’d never met.

As soon as I was back on my feet, I’d run again. Fanatic would no doubt kill me, but I needed space from anything MC, FBI, or Rapid City. I spoke to Dad once a week but refused to say where I was. Undoubtably, Hawthorne’s had probably tracked me down, but I think Dad understood I need time.

Plus, I had enough of Dad’s stubbornness that I’d keep running. Work wasn’t an issue; Grey’s insurance policies had paid out, and I was set up. My bosses were proving understanding. They’d not got a lot of choice, especially as I’d used outstanding holiday, sick time and bereavement, and now was on maternity leave.

I didn’t know whether I planned to return to work. Grey had taken out a five million life insurance policy. I was shocked, but receiving it was a far bigger shock. I thought that Grey would have left everything to his parents. But no, it appeared for the last few years, I’d been named sole beneficiary on it.

Grey’s family had been informed about the baby, and I’d met them a couple of times, but again, I couldn’t deal with their grief. Worse, Grey’s mom had latched onto Danny like a lifeline, and my child wasn’t a replacement for her son. They’d pushed me for my address and for me to live with them, but I couldn’t.

Danny’s grunt caught my attention, and I leaned over and emptied his hand of sand before he ate it. He frowned at me, and I laughed. At first, my laughter and smiles had been rusty; now, they came more frequently. My son made me smile constantly.

“Well, Danny has his father’s scowl,” a clipped English accent said.

I stiffened as bare feet appeared and Fanatic sat down beside me and sunk his toes into the sand.

“What are you doing here?”

“Looking for a stubborn bitch who keeps running away with my godson,” Fanatic answered calmly.

“Is that so?” I asked, instantly riled.

“Which bit?”

“Godson!”

“Yeah. I’m the best candidate,” Fanatic stated as he grinned and pulled a face at Danny. Danny replied with a chortle, something he’d learned recently.

“I have brothers who could be Godfathers.”

“They’re assholes,” Fanatic declared, and I laughed.

“Why are you here?”

“Been a year, babe. Time to come home.”

Instantly, I rejected Fanatic’s words. No, I wasn’t ready. I’d no wish to see anyone or return to South Dakota. Rapid Citywas somewhere I didn’t think I’d ever revisit. It held too many painful memories. Fanatic had been right; time didn’t heal, but as each day ticked past, the pain grew easier to handle.

“No.”

“Willow, how long will you run?”

“A year’s long enough to grieve?” I demanded, now angry.

“Nope. A lifetime won’t be. But Danny is losing out, and that’s unfair. He has a grandpa he’s only seen once. And Danny has a grandma waiting and uncles. Is it fair to deny him all that love? Because I tell ya, Grey would kick your ass for this,” Fanatic stated, and I wanted to claw his eyes out.

“Don’t tell me what Grey would want! Fanatic, I know better than anyone,” I snapped.

“Yeah? Then you’re aware he’d be disappointed in you,” Fanatic retorted.

Shit, that hurt. Tears welled, and I brushed them away quickly. “How dare you?” I whispered.

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