Page 67 of Mafioso's Muse

For the next hour, he watched Willow push herself to exhaustion while he imagined all the different ways Antonio’s gambling buddies could get to her. His body was on high alert.

Towards the end of the session, Vaughn noticed that Harrison was pushing Willow harder than any of the other dancers. His corrections were relentless. It became clear that he was more interested in punishing her for Vaughn’s presence than teaching her anything.

‘Grab a quick drink and towel off,’ Harrison called to the group.

Willow bent over, holding on to her knees for a moment. There was a slight tremble in her legs. She straightened when Lili began talking to her.

Vaughn’s gaze drifted to Harrison, who was standing in the corner sipping water and doing something on his phone. Pushing off the wall, Vaughn walked over to him.

Harrison glanced in his direction and all but rolled his eyes. ‘Can I help you, Mr Gallo?’

Vaughn came very close and looked around to ensure no one was listening before saying, ‘Yes. You can help me by backing the fuck off Willow.’ His tone was calm and ice cold. ‘She’s doing her best. A blind man can see that. So stop embarrassing yourself by expecting more.’

Harrison’s cheeks flushed red. ‘You can’t speak to me that way. These aremydancers. You’re inmystudio.’ He spoke the words through gritted teeth. ‘You would do well to remember that.’

A patronising smile settled on Vaughn’s face. ‘She’ll never be yours. I know that’s tough for you to hear, but she knows her worth.’ He lowered his voice. ‘And if she ever forgets it, I’ll be right there to remind her. Consider this a friendly correction. I respect your position here, but if I see you targeting Willow like that again, I’ll make it my personal mission to have you replaced.’ He gave Harrison a friendly clap on the arm before returning to the other side of the room.

Harrison didn’t give Willow any more corrections for the rest of the day.

She went from studio time, to Pilates, to a meeting, to rehearsals. It was a little before 4:00 p.m. when they finished for the day.

‘Be sure to properly warm down,’ Harrison told the group before heading for the door. His eyes met Vaughn’s briefly as he exited.

After Willow had finished stretching, she exchanged a few quiet words with a concerned-looking Lili, then made her way over to Vaughn. ‘I’m just going to shower.’

He took her bag from her. ‘You can shower at the house.’

‘What house?’

He gestured for her to start walking. ‘I’ll tell you in the car.’

‘You’re really not going to let me shower first?’ she asked, looking back at Lili.

‘Not unless I can come with you.’

Willow faced forwards. ‘Later it is.’

‘Where are you taking her?’ Lili asked, following them out into the hallway.

Vaughn stopped and looked at her before saying quietly, ‘She’s safe with me.’

‘If anything happens to her?—’

‘She’s safe with me,’ he repeated.

Lili’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Make sure she’s here in the morning, or I’m coming for you.’

He really liked Willow’s taste in friends.

With a nod, he took Willow’s hand and headed for the lift. While they were waiting for it to arrive, he texted Finn. By the time they exited the building, the car was waiting for them. Vaughn placed a protective arm around Willow as they crossed the pavement, looking in all directions as they walked.

‘Now can you tell me where we’re going?’ Willow asked once they were inside the car.

‘Toorak.’

‘To your family home?’

He nodded.