” Leo?” the voice in my ear calls. “Leo, what’s going on?”
“I found her,” I murmur as adrenaline drains. Willa smiles, clutch and blonde wig in hand, wearing her cream gown. Her makeup is perfect; her blue eyes meet mine.
I’ve never known beauty like this—because she’s here, breathing, alive, real.
Safe.The word cracks through me, sharper than air.
Alive.My lungs finally fill.
“You found her? What the hell?”
“She’s at my place. I don’t know why, but she looks safe.”
“Oh, thank god.”
“I’ll call you back,” I say and hang up. My phone rings again, but Willa jumps into my arms and kisses me.
I’m home.
I’ve been in this house for weeks without Willa. It’s felt empty—like I was somewhere else.
But once more, it feels like home. I’m here, and Willa is here with me.
“You’re here,” I breathe out, burying frantic kisses across her face, desperate to taste her skin, to know she’s real. “You’re okay.”
“What?”
“You were missing. Jefferson just called me. No one knows where you are. You left your phone behind. I’ve never been more worried in my life,” I pull back, putting my hands to her cheeks, looking over her face for anything wrong.
“You didn’t call Gabe?” she asks, a bit confused. I shake my head and watch as she bites her lip.
“Oh. I figured you’d call Gabe, and he’ll tell you what happened.”
“Gabe knows?”
“Yeah. He helped me get into a town car he approved. I should probably text him. Can I borrow your phone? I left mine behind.”
I stare at her, still unsure of what is happening; it’s all like some bizarre dream at this point.
“Well, I actually smashed it, but that’s because I think Jackie has been accessing it.” Cold moves through me, and she reaches out for my phone. “Can I?” I nod without even thinking. I hold her as she unlocks my phone, knowing the passcode already, then tells Gabe she made it home okay and will call him soon.
“You’re cold,” I murmur as she shivers, sweeping her up the stairs and into warmth, rubbing her arms, heart pounding with fierce gratitude. She looks up at me, sweet and soft. With her here, I finally believe she’s safe.
And that’s when a new feeling filters in.
Because Willa is safe, and in my place before me, her eyes soft, and I haven’t held her in weeks.
Without hesitation, I pull her in close, wrapping my arm around her waist and dipping my head to kiss her. Her hands move up to my neck, holding me right, the same need moving through her as she returns the kiss.
“You’re here,” I murmur against her lips.
“I am,” she smiles.
“Never do that again,” I say, breathing heavily as my head rests against hers.
“What?”
“Never do that again, Will. That was dangerous. You could have been hurt. What were you thinking? Why didn't you call me?” The panic that I felt veers into something altogether different, verging on frustration that battles with the relief that she’s here and safe.
