Page 61 of Mafioso's Muse

He angled his head. ‘Willow?—’

‘How will I know when they’re lying?’

His expression softened. ‘You won’t.’ He leaned in and kissed her. ‘I have to go.’ He exited the apartment, closing the door behind him.

Willow stared at the door for a long moment. When she turned, her eyes met Lili’s through the glass. Her friend exhaled heavily before making her way inside.

‘I’m sorry,’ Lili said. ‘I ruined your good mood.’

Willow shook her head. ‘You’re allowed, because I’m clearly in over my head.’

Lili appeared sympathetic. ‘Is this going to be one of those life lessons you learn the hard way?’

‘Probably.’ The least she could do was be honest with her.

Lili sighed noisily. ‘Then you leave me no choice. I’ll have to wait in the wings, ready to collect every broken piece of you.’ She shrugged. ‘What are friends for, right?’

Willow pulled her into a hug. ‘No one’s breaking anyone.’ It didn’t come out as confident as she would have liked.

Lili hugged her back. ‘Not true. If he hurts you, I’m going to break both his kneecaps.’

Soft laughter came from Willow. ‘You’re so gangster.’

‘You better warn your new boyfriend that I’m not playing.’

Willow pressed her eyes closed. ‘Thank you.’

19

April 2024

Vaughn waited at the edge of the boat shed, his breath visible in the morning air. He used the time to reflect on his conversation with the police the day prior. They had shown up at Titian, asking all kinds of questions. He answered every one. They clearly knew his family was involved in the Chinatown incident, but the Merit Group’s airtight alibis, coupled with the mysterious absence of surveillance in the area, made it impossible for them to make the necessary arrests. He knew they would continue to dig and watch, so Vaughn needed to keep his movements small—and legal—until it blew over.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his car approaching. Willow sat in the back seat. She smiled at him through the window as the car rolled to a stop. He beat Finn to the door, and she stepped out and looked around. Even in oversized clothing and her hair in a messy bun, she still managed to steal the breath from his lungs.

‘Morning,’ she said, pushing up onto her toes to kiss him.

It was crazy how his mind quietened when she was around. She could hold his full attention simply by existing near him. ‘You going to be warm enough in that?’

She looked down at her clothes. ‘I figured the hard work of rowing would heat me up.’

He swung an arm around her and walked her towards the boat shed. ‘Let’s get a life jacket on you.’

She looked around. ‘No one else on the water is wearing one.’ Then she turned her eyes up to him. ‘I can swim, you know.’

‘I don’t care how good a swimmer you are. If there’s a way to make this experience safer for you, then that’s the way we’re doing it.’ He gestured to the double scull boat tied to the dock. ‘That one’s ours.’

Willow leaned her head against him as they walked, and it was unsettling how much he liked it.

When they reached the boat, Vaughn plucked the life jacket from it and slipped it over her head, then tightened it around her waist. He checked the oars and rope to make sure they were secure before helping her climb in. Once they were both seated, he gave her a few instructions.

‘Ready?’ he asked.

She looked excited. ‘Ready.’

Vaughn untied the boat and pushed them away from the dock. He rowed gently and slowly while Willow got used to the oars, compensating for her inexperience. She kept glancing back at him for guidance and encouragement, and he kept giving her whatever she needed. He wasn’t known for his patience, yet he seemed to have it on tap for her.

‘I’m so bad at this,’ she said apologetically. ‘I assume we’re supposed to be in sync?’