Willow always gets what she wants. Always finds a way. Always charms, manipulates, fights, wins. I know that just being around her for the short time I have.
But not this time.
This time, the one person who has always been in her corner—the one person who would burn the world down for her—was the one reinforcing the walls she’s trying to break through. Walls we created. We are the enemy to her right now.
Graham shakes his head. “She’s going to push harder.”
I nod, rolling my shoulders. “I’d be disappointed if she didn’t.”
Hunter’s expression darkens. “She’s not just pushing to test limits, Carson. She’s looking for weaknesses.”
His words hit hard. Because we all know what that means. She’s looking for the crack in our armor. She’s looking for the way out. She’s still trying to convince herself that we’re the problem, not Finn.
If we don’t shift this dynamic soon, she will find a way to slip through our fingers. I don’t plan on letting that happen.
“So—why don’t we give her a weakness?” I say, stretching my arms behind my head, casual as hell, even if it’s a crazy fucking idea. “She already knows you two don’t approve of what I did—with her.”
The words hang. Heavy. Both of them tense. Exactly what I wanted.
Predictably, Hunter’s shoulders bunch, his hands curling into fists at his sides. Graham goes completely still.
I bite back a smirk. Too easy.
“But I can be that weakness,” I continue.
Hunter’s brows lower, a deep line forming between them. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Maybe even help her get to Finn…like a play date,” I say, not really answering him.
Hunter stares at me like I’ve just sprouted a second head. His nostrils flare slightly, and I know he’s seconds from snapping at me. Graham tenses. The only sign he’s even alive is that little muscle ticking in his jaw.
“A play date?” Hunter echoes, his voice flat. “You just going to sit on the couch while they play?” He blinks at me, slowly.
I roll my shoulders, keeping my tone casual. “She isn’t going to do anything with him.”
Hunter snorts. “You sound real sure about that.”
I am sure. Finn is playing a long game. He wants her, but he’s patient. And Willow likes the attention, but she’s also fighting it.
If I put her too close to him, if I give her just enough space to see exactly how far gone he is—maybe she’ll realize we’re not the enemy here.
I let the silence stretch before I continue, because I want them both really thinking about it. “She wants Finn. We all know it. But she also doesn’t fully trust him. Not yet.” I shift my weight, keeping my voice even. “I can be her in.”
Hunter crosses his arms, rolling his shoulders, already hating this. Graham just stares, his jaw tight, unreadable.
“It could help her see how crazy he is,” I finish.
Hunter tilts his head, considering. I shoot Graham a look.
That tendon in his jaw ticks again. His gaze flicks to me, then past me. He’s already running every possible scenario in his head, looking for the outcome that keeps Willow alive and untouched.
Then he nods.
“Yeah,” he says. “That could work.”
I blink. “That could work?” I repeat, just to make sure I heard him right.
He’s agreeing with me.
