Page 79 of Kings & Carnage

"We wouldn't have to bank on it," I said.

"We have Rafe's men," Drago pointed out. "We can make any outings into town contingent on Willa having a security detail. Between that and protection from the Blades and Phantoms, she’ll be safer in Blackwell Falls than anywhere else.”

I waited, letting the silence sit while Neo came around to the idea. I would push the issue if I had to, force a vote, and with Drago on my side, get my way anyway, but it was always better to let Neo think he was agreeing to something.

His expression was murderous, his arms crossed over his chest. "I don't like it.”

"None of us like it," Drago said. “But I'm with Rock. It's not just about keeping Willa's heart beating, it's also about making her happy while we sort through this mess.”

“And there are other advantages,” I said. "You could go back to fight night.”

A flicker of interest passed over his features. Keeping Neo from pummeling someone bloody for months was like locking up a feral lion and trying to feed it cat food.

It might keep him alive, but eventually he was going to go ham and eat everyone in sight.

“I'll think about it," he said, stalking from the kitchen.

"I think he's in," I said to Drago. "Good thing too because Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I'm running out of romantic ideas for the house.”

Drago shook his head in disbelief. "Did you seriously do all of that so you could plan something for Valentine's Day?”

I tried to affect an air of innocence. "What? No.”

Valentine’s Day wasn’t the only reason, but now that I knew Willa loved me, I planned to make it extra special.

Chapter37

Willa

Ilay back in the chair at Siren, the salon in Blackwell Falls, and sighed as Flame, my hairdresser, washed my hair. It had been ages since I'd had my hair trimmed, since I’d had any kind of maintenance done that I hadn't done myself, and it was absolute heaven to be in a salon.

I closed my eyes and sank into Flame’s capable hands as she massaged my scalp, enjoying the brief moment where I wasn't thinking about anything else.

When she was done, she wrapped my head in the towel and helped me sit up and I crossed the room to a chair in front of one of the mirrors.

Claire met my gaze in its reflection. "I feel like I'm with a celebrity.”

I glanced at the front of the salon and the extremely large man standing there with his hands crossed in front of him, sunglasses hiding his eyes.

"The least he could have done was try to blend in," I muttered, getting settled in the chair.

He was one of Rafe's men, and my companion in Blackwell Falls for the day, a requirement of my freedom. It wouldn't have been so bad if he’d worn jeans and a T-shirt or something. Instead he was dressed in black from head to toe, his sunglasses an ever-present accessory whether we were indoors or out.

It was obvious to anyone but the most naïve that he was packing under his leather jacket.

Not that I was complaining. I was just happy to be free.

"At least he's pretty to look at," Claire said about the bodyguard.

One of the other hairdressers, a fashionably dressed older man wearing round eyeglasses, was snipping away at her damp curls.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," I grumbled.

I was annoyed but didn't have the heart to complain to the Kings. I'd been shocked as hell when they’d given me the news that I was now allowed in town while accompanied by a bodyguard — but only in town.

Apparently they'd struck some kind of deal with the Blades and the Phantoms and the word had been put out that we were untouchable within the city limits of Blackwell Falls.

I had no idea what kind of relationship the Kings had with the gangs of Blackwell Falls, and honestly, I didn't have the bandwidth to try and figure it out. I was just glad to have a little freedom, and I’d jumped at the chance to have a spa day with Claire.

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