“That’s just mind-boggling,” I mumble.
“One thing is still very much a certainty at this point, though,” Cole says to me. “You were the intended target, Willow, which is why, at least while the investigation is ongoing, you’ll be staying with us.”
For a moment, I’m speechless. The information doesn’t quite click right away. I stare at the Morgan brothers for what feels like a rather awkward eternity, equal parts fawning overtheir handsome features and wondering what this means for us, for me, in particular.
“Wait, what?” I manage eventually, then glance at Jamie, who’s wide-eyed and trying not to laugh while stuffing the rest of a cronut into his mouth. “What do you mean I’m staying with you?”
“At my penthouse,” Cole replies. “The four of us can comfortably stay there for a while. There’s plenty of space and everything is provided for, including extra building security, which I’ve already requested from the building manager.”
“Cole, hold on. I’ve got my own place.”
“And you can go back to it when this whole thing is over, if you insist,” he replies, shaking his head. “But until then, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Neither are we,” Asher adds with a stern look on his face.
“But I don’t need protection. I mean, whatever that guy tried, it failed. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to try it again, not when the cops are looking for him, right?”
Jamie gives a heavy, dramatic sigh. “You know what, Will, I’ve had enough of your independent lady act. Did you ever tell these tall drinks of water about the messages you received since you took over the wedding planning?”
The air in the room shifts in a most uncomfortable manner. All eyes are on me, and I can feel my cheeks burning with a mixture of guilt and shame. I told Jamie about those messages in confidence, but I can’t exactly blame him for bringing them up now. The possibility of a connection between them and the poisoning did cross my mind more than once. I just didn’t have the bandwidth toaddress it.
“Willow?” Cole asks, his voice low.
I swallow before I answer. “So, there were these text messages…”
“Let me see,” Toby replies and puts his hand out.
I hand him my phone.
“Yes, so, as I was saying,” Cole decrees after reading the texts. “You’re moving in with us.”
“But I?—”
“No buts. End of discussion.”
Jamie giggles, prompting a smile from me. His humor is infectious, even in the most inappropriate settings. I’ve been on my own for so long, fighting my own battles, not having to rely on anyone, especially the man next to me, before the Morgan brothers came along, that I’ve genuinely forgotten what it’s like.
As much as I hate to admit it, staying close to Cole, Asher, and Toby might very well be the only way forward for me. Whether it’s temporary or permanent all depends on whether I survive, because deep down, even I know the poisoning could merely be the beginning of something much worse.
13
WILLOW
Cole’s penthouse seems a lot more spacious and welcoming now that most of my stuff is unpacked and stored in the appropriate drawers and on some of the shelves in the guest bedroom. I didn’t pack much to begin with, hoping I’d be able to go back to my place once this is over.
Even so, it’s nice that they made room for me here.
“We thought about cooking dinner tonight, but it’s already seven,” Cole says as he walks into the bedroom.
“A pizza will do just fine,” I say as I close the last drawer of the ginormous chest that covers half of the bedroom’s eastern wall. “I’m in the mood for something sinfully greasy, anyway.”
Asher and Toby are talking somewhere in another room. Cole lingers in the doorway, watching me with a curious gleam in his bluish-green eyes.
“I know this can’t be easy for you, giving up what is basically a testament to your independence, your own place.”
“You’re right; it isn’t easy,” I admit. “But you’re also right in that I’m safer here with you until we figure out who tried to kill me. Besides, I don’t mind your company.”
Hunger settles in his gaze, and it has nothing to do with dinner. A shadow simmers in silence, beckoning my body to react as I slowly turn to face him.
