His friend slapped his shoulder on his way back to the van. “We’ll get answers eventually,” he said with a wink. Then, he hopped into the back seat, leaving Ryker to drive.
Maybe Ezra did know what she wanted. Fuck. This was all so weird. He wanted to confront them about it now, but they still had a whole day together and the long ride back to Lakeview.
With a sigh, he climbed into the driver’s seat.
One more day.
Chapter 25
Willow
It was surreal, riding in the van without a bag on her head or a knife pressed against her back. The memory of that fear and uncertainty only fueled the feelings overwhelming her. She couldn’t get out of the heightened alertness. Every little thing was setting her off.
Finding out Stahma was fine—well, more than fine—had given her a little bit of relief, but not enough.
She’d managed to send a quick text to Landon. As predicted, he’d been worried and trying to find some trace of what happened. He didn’t believe it was her at first when she sent the message until she referenced a joke from one of their last games. Willow hadn’t told him exactly what happened; that could wait for a voice chat, but he deserved to know she wasn’t dead or arrested. He was the only one around to care now, even if they’d never met in person.
Her eyes found her captors. Though they weren’t quite captors anymore.
A frustrated noise bubbled up inside her throat that she quickly suppressed. She liked both of them, and it was fuckingimpossible. No guys would ever agree to share. Especially not ones like them—they’ve killed people for fuck’s sake.
They don’t want to, though.
The little voice kept creeping in. The one that tried to convince her it was all okay. They wouldn’t hurt her. Ryker hadn’t even truly lashed out about her fooling around with Ezra. After the initial surprise, it was more like he’d enjoyed knowing.
No. I know better.
That first year with Billy, she never suspected a thing. Life was perfect. He had a good job, her dad was thrilled she was dating his business partner’s son—they were living the dream.
Yeah. A dream. That’s what it was. A dream that turned into a nightmare. Looking back, she could see it all clear as day, and it was hard to believe she had been able to be lulled into his trap.
“Why are you wearing that? You look like a guy.”
It had been a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants. But that had been unacceptable in their apartment. She needed to look a certain way at all times.
“No. Tattoos are for dumb whores.”
Her piercings would have given him a fucking heart attack.
Billy didn’t hit her for the first time until two years in. It had been a small shove into the edge of the counter that he tried to play off as a joke. He would bring it up afterwards to laugh about it. Like it wasn’t a big deal. When she wouldn’t laugh with him, he said she needed to lighten up.
It only got worse.
“Willow,” a voice called out. It was deep and tender.
She turned to face the location of the sound. “Yeah?”
It was Ezra. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”
She readjusted in her seat and stared out the window. “Nothing.”
He was still looking at her. And now Ryker was taking peeks as he drove the winding gravel road.
“I’m fine,” she said more forcefully.
“You don’t look fi—”
“I said I’m fine,” she snapped. “Just watch the road.” That was enough of the prying. She was done with their questions.
