Page 70 of Jay Bird

“That’s what Mia and I think.”

Jay Bird’s jaw tightened. That meant that Willow hadn’t simply been unlucky; she had been targeted. Plus, he knew a little more about the Demetri character.

“Demetri was involved in more than your situation,” he told her. “He was behind what happened with Arianna too.”

Willow’s brow furrowed. “Arianna...Dino’s wife, right?"

Jay Bird grinned. “Look at you learning everybody. Yes, Arianna is Dino’s wife.”

She smiled faintly. “I’m trying.”

“Yeah. Dino is on Alpha Team. Arianna co-owns a restaurant and bar with her dad down near the beach. The place is basically unofficial team headquarters.”

“The one everyone talks about?”

“Yep. It is very family-friendly, and right on the water.”

Willow glanced toward Lily. “That sounds nice.”

“We’ll go sometime.”

The words came naturally, without hesitation or overthinking. Not maybe, not if you’re still here; he was certain that they would go.

“And Mia’s right about Dr. Walters and Demetri,” he added. “Neither one of them will ever be a problem for you again.”

Something in his tone must have told her not to ask for specifics. She just nodded.

Then her expression brightened. “Mia offered me a job.”

Jay Bird put down his fork. “Seriously?”

“Yep. At her clinic. She said I can work while I finish my degree, and the clinic will pay for the classes I need.”

He smiled. “That’s great.”

And he meant it. Willow looked genuinely happy talking about it, excited in a way he hadn’t seen in her before.

“She also said everyone helps with childcare.”

“They do.”

“I know. But I’ll probably need to start looking at other options too.”

Jay Bird frowned. “Why?”

“Because hopefully I won’t be hiding forever.” She gave him a small smile. “Eventually I’ll get my life back together, and one day Lily and I will be on our own again.”

Something in his chest went hard at the thought of them being on their own—meaning not here, not in this house with its scattered crayons and fresh flowers, not with Lily’s voice echoing through the rooms when he walked in, and not with Willow moving around his kitchen like she belonged there.

Jay Bird didn’t like the picture at all. “There’s no rush.”

Willow looked at him.

“I mean it. Nobody’s putting an expiration date on you staying here.”

Her eyes held his for a moment. “Okay.”

Jay Bird returned his attention to his plate.