Leni’s voice was tender with sympathy. “Oh, Willow. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
Willow’s head bobbed in response. Her green eyes shone with pain under the lamplight, but she kept herself together. “Laurel had gotten into some kind of danger in Montreal, evidently. That’s where she was living and working until about a year ago. She ran to Colorado to get away from whatever it was and to be close to me, but she didn’t run far enough. Somehow they found the cabin she was living in outside town and they . . . they killed her, then burned it down with her inside.” Her voice caught on the words. “She was all the family I had.”
Leni reached out to her, covering Willow’s hand with hers. “I don’t know what to say. There are no words for that kind of pain.”
“Thank you,” she murmured quietly, visibly struggling not to break down.
Razor moved his hand to her back, lightly stroking her and wishing he were better equipped to offer the kind of emotional comfort and support she deserved.
All the while, he felt Knox’s gaze boring into him from across the table. “Obviously, there’s more to this story,” he said. “I think you’d better explain it to me, Raze. Particularly since you’ve just brought it to my doorstep.”
“I will,” he said, meeting his brother’s eyes. “I’ll tell you everything. First, I just need to know if Willow and I can stay for a day or two, until some of the heat on us has a chance to cool down.”
“You gonna at least tell me what kind of heat we’re talking about? Who’s after you two?”
“I don’t know. But I do know what they’re after.” He glanced at Willow, wanting her agreement to share what they’d found at St. Anne’s. She gave him a faint nod, then he took the flash drive out of his pocket and placed it in the center of the table. “They’re after whatever’s on this.”
Knox picked up the device and stared at it for a long moment before leaning back on an exhaled curse. “These bastards were willing to ash you for this? What the fuck do you think it contains?”
“No idea, but get me access to a computer and I’m going to do my damnedest to find out.”
Willow nodded at the flash drive in Knox’s hand. “My sister hid that for me to find in case anything happened to her. I need to know what’s on it, and why it cost Laurel her life. If not for Razor coming to Colorado when he did, I’m sure I’d be dead by now too.”
She glanced at him, and the warmth of her tender regard cut through him under the weight of his guilt for the truth he still hadn’t told her.
Knox grunted, setting the flash drive back on the table. “If it’s all right with my mate, our home is yours for as long as you need it.”
“Of course, it’s all right with me,” Leni said. “I’m sorry, I’m being a terrible host. Willow, can I get you anything to eat or drink? I have some cold chicken and potato salad left over from my sister and nephew’s visit yesterday afternoon, or I’d be happy to make something else for you instead.”
“No, thank you,” Willow replied. “I’m fine.”
Razor slipped the drive into his pocket and looked at her. “You said you were hungry when we stopped here.”
She started to shake her head, but Leni abruptly stood up. “Well, I could have a little something. I’m going to get the food, and maybe you’ll join me. Besides, I have a feeling the guys have some catching up to do.”
“Yeah, we do.” Knox lifted his chin at Razor as he got up from the table. “Come on out to the garage with me. You can finish explaining what’s going on out there.”
CHAPTER 16
Although Willow had been reluctant to impose on Leni any more than she already was, she found herself relaxing easily into the other woman’s company as the two of them nibbled on cold fried chicken and creamy potato salad at the small breakfast table.
“This is delicious, Leni. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She gave Willow a warm smile. “No one has to twist my arm to eat lately. Seems like I’m hungry twenty-four-seven now that this little guy’s arrival is getting close.”
“When are you due?”
“Four and a half weeks.” She beamed as she spoke, resting her palm atop the large swell of her belly. “I don’t know who’s more excited to meet our son, Knox or me.”
Willow smiled, struggling to picture the immense, scary-looking Breed male who’d practically stared holes through Razor across the table in the role of doting father. Then again, if Knox’s obvious adoration of his pretty mate were any indication, their child was going to be welcomed into a home filled with warmth and love.
“How did you and Knox meet?” Willow asked, taking another bite of chicken.
“Oh, it’s a long story. He showed up here in Parrish Falls last winter during a time when I was going through some . . . difficulty with my nephew’s father and his family. Knox kept Riley and me safe when no one else could have. He protected us, saved my life more than once.”
Willow nodded in acknowledgment. “Razor’s already done the same for me.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised. He and Knox are both good men, despite what they may tell you—or what they’ve been taught to believe about themselves.”
