Page 26 of Mafioso's Muse

Willow got into position. ‘You’ll have to count.’

‘Sure. Ready?’ Lili stood up straight, preparing to clap her hands like Harrison would.

Willow pretended to be serious.

‘Five, six, seven, eight,’ Lili said through laughter.

Willow began to turn, feeling a brief sense of freedom as she lost herself in the familiar motion. The first five turns felt easy, but the room was definitely starting to blur as she arrived at seven. Her kitten heels were not exactly ideal. She felt herself start to tip at eight, then stopped with a sudden jolt. At first she thought she might hit the floor, but then her vision began to clear and she saw that she was upright. Upright and secure.

That was when she noticed a strong, familiar arm around her waist—an arm with a white shirt rolled to the elbow. His smoky scent hit at the same time her stomach dropped with the realisation.

‘Home time,’ Vaughn said into her ear.

The sensation of his breath on her skin had her head falling back and eyes closing involuntarily.

‘I’ve got her,’ Lili said, coming forwards to help.

Willow opened her eyes, feeling dizzy for a whole new reason. ‘That was eight turns.’

‘Well done. Let’s go.’ Lili snaked her arm through Willow’s and pulled her out of Vaughn’s arms. ‘I’ll get us an Uber.’

‘My driver will take you,’ Vaughn said, following them. He fetched his phone from his pocket.

‘Oh no,’ Lili said, not slowing down. ‘Now that I’ve witnessed this thing between you two first-hand, there’s no way I’m giving you her address.’ She tugged on Willow’s arm to get her to walk faster.

Willow looked over her shoulder and saw that Vaughn was still following them.

‘I could have both your addresses as well as all your family members’ within the next five minutes,’ he casually pointed out.

Lili exited the bar before turning to face him. ‘That is a very criminal, gangish thing to say. Though valid.’ She looked at Willow. ‘What do you think?’

Lili’s overprotectiveness was rather funny to Willow. ‘I think it’s a very generous offer that saves us $12 in fares.’

With a resigned sigh, Lili raised her chin as she looked back at Vaughn. ‘All right. Thank you, I guess. But to be very clear, we don’t owe you anything because of this.’

Vaughn gave Lili an amused look as he lit a cigarette, then took a long drag before replying, ‘Noted. This way.’

He walked ahead of the pair through the square, occasionally glancing back at them. A black Mercedes pulled up just as they reached St Kilda Road.

‘Finn will take you wherever you need to go,’ Vaughn said, opening the door and waiting for them to climb in.

Lili stepped slowly up to the car and peered inside, like she was bracing for a possessed clown to leap out. Satisfied that there was no one inside besides the driver, she climbed in.

Willow looked at Vaughn, and he looked right back. A part of her didn’t want to leave. Maybe even a big part. In truth, she wouldn’t have minded being wrapped in his smoky scent again. ‘Thank you.’

He held his cigarette away from her, eyes moving between hers. ‘Goodnight, Miss Hayes.’

‘Goodnight.’ She climbed into the car, and the door shut behind her.

10

February 2024

‘We’re nowtwofairies down,’ Harrison announced, barging into Nigel’s office without knocking.

Vaughn was seated across from the executive director. The pair had been discussing the details of the bar opening.

‘Mr Gallo,’ Harrison said when he caught sight of Vaughn. ‘Apologies. I didn’t realise there was a meeting happening.’