Page 12 of Mafioso's Muse

‘It was a rough neighbourhood.’

Willow looked heavenwards. ‘It wasn’t that bad?—’

‘Not a lot of quality food options,’ Harrison countered, giving Willow a condescending look. ‘And before you argue the point, your definition of quality food is very different to most people’s.’

Vaughn felt an odd wave of heat wash over him at Harrison cutting her off and his general tone. ‘I hear you were Willow’s dance teacher back in the day.’

‘I was.’ He rocked on his heels. ‘She had a great work ethic—still does.’

Willow smiled. ‘I’d probably be teaching at that very dance school if it weren’t for him.’

Vaughn doubted that. She would have been snatched up by another company, perhaps a better one—if she’d ever been given the chance. It was clear Harrison knew a good dancer when he saw one and wasted no time in securing her. Vaughn wasn’t sure what to make of that—or him. Something about his manner just did not sit right.

‘I have to go,’ Vaughn said, his gaze returning to Willow. ‘Enjoy your pho.’

The gold flecks in her eyes seemed to light up when he said that. ‘I will, thanks.’

‘Should I have Nigel call you and set up a meeting?’ Harrison asked before he could leave.

If Vaughn took that meeting, he knew he would end up helping them in some way. Willow’s hopeful face was not helping matters. ‘Have Nigel call me. I’ll see if I can find some time next week.’

He could have sworn he saw Willow exhale with relief, and that pleased him. His eyes met hers a final time before turning away.

‘Much appreciated,’ Harrison called to his back. ‘We’ll be in touch.’

The air outside Star Theatre was stifling. Not even a hint of a breeze in that part of the city. He paused to light his cigarette.

Finn appeared from behind the car, opening the back door for him. ‘How was it?’

The soft rumble of idling cars vibrated beneath Vaughn’s feet as he exhaled smoke. ‘Entertaining.’ That was a safer word choice than ‘extraordinary.’

Finn eyed him as he climbed into the car. ‘Tony’s waiting at your apartment.’

Vaughn replied with a nod. It was time to return to reality, a reality in which poisonous men like him steered clear of gentle-hearted women like Willow. He waited for the driver’s door to close before saying, ‘I want you to find out everything you can about Victoria Ballet’s creative director, Harrison Walsh.’

Finn met his gaze in the rear-view mirror as they pulled away from the kerb. ‘After anything specifically?’

He shook his head.

As Star Theatre disappeared behind them, Vaughn had this strange, irrational feeling that he’d forgotten something—or maybe someone. As painful as it was to admit it, he was not enjoying leaving. He was teetering on a line he wouldn’t have dreamed of crossing a week earlier.

Straightening in his seat, he tried to push all thoughts of the dancer from his mind and focus on the business ahead.

But the thoughts persisted.

Willow Hayes had left a permanent mark on his mind.

5

January 2024

Despite Harrison’s claim that Willow had poor taste in food, he joined her and Lili for pho, even topping his with condiments he had claimed—twice—were breeding grounds for bacteria.

‘This is fine,’ Lili said. ‘You should see some of the places I eat at in Shanghai when I visit.’

Harrison’s face creased with disapproval. ‘No thanks.’ He squeezed half a lime into his bowl. ‘You both did a great job today. I think Vaughn Gallo was about as impressed as someone like him can be.’

Willow looked out the window to the traffic now at a standstill, her insides warming at the memory of Vaughn’s praise. It wasn’t so much what he said but thewayhe said it. The depth of his voice seemed to penetrate to her bones. She couldn’t ignore the childlike excitement she felt when she first saw him standing there and the lift in her chest when he looked up.