Page 154 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“No,” Willow gasps in utter horror.

Every drop of colour has drained from her face, leaving her deathly pale and visibly shaken. She begins to tremble, as if electricity is burning through her, and the blossoming strength that’s steeled her spine vanishes before my eyes.

“My name,” she whines. “He knows me.”

“Who is it?” Killian demands.

“I don’t know. We have to run.”

“We can’t run. It’ll tip them off.”

Exchanging a lightning fast conversation with Killian, we attempt to hide Willow between us from whoever is rushing to approach us. Even if we could weave through the crowd, running isn’t a good idea if we want to avoid suspicion.

“No, no,” she panics.

“Easy, baby.” Killian holds her in a tight grip. “You’re okay.”

“We need to get out of here right now.”

“Just breathe. We’ve got you.”

Three broad-shouldered men duck through the crowd of people, blending into office workers with their expensive charcoal suits and unbuttoned shirt collars. The tallest steps closer, wearing a leering smile beneath slicked-back blonde hair and sharp grey eyes.

Willow holds my hand hard enough to grind bones. Even her posture has changed. The person I know isn’t here anymore, and I don’t recognise the woman standing next to me.

“Mrs Sanchez,” the man coos. “What a pleasant surprise. I thought it was you.”

She plasters on a strained smile. “Mason.”

“Pleasure to see you, my darling.”

Killian has to hold back a snarl as the slimy scumbag takes Willow’s hand and plants a kiss on her knuckles, his eyes shining with mirth. I’d love to rip his goddamn spine out.

“What on earth are you doing in England? Where is Dimitri?”

“He’s not with me at the moment,” Willow rushes to explain, her smile almost slipping. “I’m here on holiday… visiting family. How have you been?”

Her voice is all wrong. Weak and obedient in an alien-like way. She’s sliding back into the shell of the battered creature we found in the mountains. Killian looks ready to publicly decapitate all three men.

“Busy as usual.” Mason flashes a shark-like smile. “I’m visiting England on business. I’ve invested in a property development nearby.”

“Here? In England?” Willow’s voice rises.

“There are lots of opportunities for growth. I’ll be spending a lot more time here.” His smile takes a dangerous edge. “When did I last see you? Was it that fundraiser last year?”

“Oh, I believe so.”

“And how is that beautiful daughter of yours?”

I warn Killian with my eyes, silently pleading with him to hold his cool. The mention of Arianna from this snake’s mouth has caused the vein in his neck to throb so hard, it looks ready to tear free from his skin.

“She’s fine,” Willow bites out.

“I’m glad. Listen, I’ve been meaning to book a meeting with your husband.”

“He’s working as usual,” she squeaks. “You know how… driven he is.”

“Of course. Please tell him to drop me an email. We’ll get something pencilled in.”

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