Page 78 of Savage Desires
"That's the first time she's ever ran a course," T.J. brags. "And only the second day she's ever trained with a firearm."
Willow is blushing at the pride in T.J.'s voice. I'm glad my friend has accepted Willow. He felt horrible for scaring her, and knowing more about her history has put him firmly on Team Willow. I'm glad because he's an excellent person to have on your side.
"You're a natural," Shawn says. "Have you tried a sniper rifle?"
"Not yet, but it sounds like a fun challenge. Maybe after this mess is over, I can try?" She looks up at me questioningly.
"Of course, love. You can do whatever you want."
Shawn grunts. "Let me know when you're ready. Y'all can come up to my property, and I'll teach her."
Willow looks surprised by the offer.
"Shawn was a SEAL and an expert marksman. He's the best when it comes to teaching you the ins and outs of sniper shooting. He taught me," I say.
"Wow. Okay. Thanks," Willow says, genuinely pleased.
Finally, the others are gone, and we can get down to business. I lead everyone to the tech room because I don't trust the public areas to not be bugged. We have a snake, and until we get rid of it, I won't trust anyone who I wouldn't put at my back in a fight. Once the door is closed, I grab a bug detector and sweep it over everyone, just in case. Everyone is clear of bugs, thankfully. Everyone but Willow, Sissy, and Chante are looking at me like I'm losing my mind.
"Want to tell the class what the fuck is going on?" Mauve asks.
Willow seems to deflate under the weight of what we're about to tell them. I move to the couches we have set up for the tech people to rest on or work from. I sit and pull her down onto my lap. Before I can start telling them about Nolan, she starts talking. Willow tells them everything she knows about Nolan and, with my nod of approval, tells them about the Russians.
Everyone is surprised by both Nolan's deception and the Russian's involvement. We talk for over an hour making our own plans. T.J. is going to call in extra guys that are loyal to him. Shawn has a team of ex-military men who live for stuff like this and will gladly help. Mauve will call in her brother from Chicago, who married into the Italian mob and became second in command. He'll send some of his guys. Plus, he has connections with the Italians here in New York City, so that'll help if it comes down to war against both the Russians and the Irish.
If I didn't have to worry about going against both the Irish mob and the Russian Bratva, I wouldn't even consider bringing in the Italians into it. I might be on good terms with Dominic Savada after what Damon did years ago, but we aren't friends by any means. I respect how he runs his businesses and the fact that he disowned his son when he found out he was trafficking women, but that's it.
It's tricky asking any mob boss for assistance; it always comes with a price, and I don't want to owe a debt to Dominic. If Jett makes the request, I won't be on the hook for repayment. It'll be a complicated situation since I know that Damon is working with the Russians, so he's involved in what is happening at Mecca and the mansion. Even killing a dishonored and disowned son to the Don is risky. Asking the father to help with that is a bad idea, so I will keep Damon's connection to the Russians a secret for now.
Sissy and Chante aren't fighters. They help get the women out and to safety, so their parts haven't changed; we're changing the locations where they will pick up the women, but that's it. In less than two hours, we've made an entirely new plan that revolves around the old one.
I'm thankful that I have such good people in my corner. Willow is going to be safer than anticipated. I'm not sure if she realizes it, but Shawn inserted himself and his team into place with me and her. I won't argue because I know they will put her safety first. We share a look of understanding that Willow is the priority no matter what else happens.
After they leave, Willow and I hang back so I can contact the Savage Knights. Surprisingly, Gunner and his guys are in Boston following a lead on a trafficking ring they've been trying to unravel for several months. The lead was a dead end, and they were heading back to Texas tomorrow. We couldn't have gotten any luckier than having them so close by. They'll be here by morning, so we can fill them in on everything.
I send an encrypted email to Hera, letting her know what's happening. She may or may not show up. She's not big on free help, but I'm hopeful my message is vague enough to pique her interest. I'm sure the little thanks for the present remark will at least garner a phone call. Willow smacked my shoulder when I told her what I wrote. She thought I shouldn't be so vague, but I explained a little more about Hera and she begrudgingly understood.
When we finally leave the warehouse, it's after eleven. Willow falls asleep against the door on the drive home. She jolts awake when I touch her, her eyes wild. It takes a moment for her to realize where she is and relax.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep," she says around a yawn.
"It's okay, love."
She leans heavily on me as we walk to the elevator, so I scoop her up into my arms and carry her. I like having her in my arms better, anyway.
"I'm going to forget how to walk if you keep carrying me everywhere," she complains.
"Good. Then you'll always need to be in my arms."
She shakes her head but smiles indulgently. "You spoil me."
"Spoiled princess, remember?"
"As long as you're spoiling me with love and not gifts, I guess it's okay," she says. Her eyes grow huge when she realizes what she said.
"You'll have to get used to both, beauty. I'm going to shower you with gifts and love you so fiercely you'll forget what it was like without me loving you," I say fervently. It's too soon for confessions of love, but fuck it, I already know she's it for me.
"You love me?" The words are whisper soft like she is terrified to hear the answer but has to know anyway.