Click.
She’s angry at me. She’s probably still scared, too.
But how am I supposed to remedy that if she won’t let me plead my case with her?
***
The doorbell rings. Viktoria answers it and allows Willow inside, guiding her to the terrace where tea is waiting. I stand up to greet Willow and twitch like I’ve just been burned when she slides past me and takes a seat at the table without hugging me. I’m left standing like an idiot near my chair.
Lucky for me, Viktoria pinches me right out of my shock. I drop into my seat and rub the freshly irritated skin. At this point, I’ve gotten used to the affectionate pinches. They feel more like mosquito bites than anything. In fact, Willow’s aloofness hurts more than any of Viktoria’s pinches.
“So,” I say while adjusting my sunglasses and gesturing to the cup in front of her. She lifts it while I ask, “Where is she?”
“Prospect Heights.” Willow sighs as she takes a quick sip. “She’s been squatting there in one of Daddy’s buildings for the last few days. I’ve taken over as the realtor so I can buy her some time. But I can’t keep her there forever.”
I raise my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to help her disappear.”
“Willow, you’ve never done anything like that in your life.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Even though she’s wearing sunglasses, I can feel the shade she’s throwing at me. “With the NYPD putting out that missing person’s report, it’s only a matter of time before someone in Daddy’s office recognizes her and calls the police. We have to act fast.”
“We?”
“You know better than anyone what could happen to her if the NYPD catches her. My hands are tied. I can’t help her disappear by myself.” She twists her fingers together. “That’s why I called you, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do.”
The way she’s fidgeting, looking away, jumping at every sound…
That’s when I realize what I’m seeing: fear.
Fear of me.
It hurts to see her like this. It hurts to know that she’s putting distance between us on purpose. She’s more than upset. She’s downright terrified. All because I more or less pulled the trigger on the gun that killed my brother.
I didn’t want to call you after what happened last week.
I bow my head shamefully.
“So what can we do?” Willow asks flatly. “You’re the only person who I can still trust to help her.”
I take a deep breath and sigh. “We have to move her somewhere safe. It has to be a place where the NYPD can’t reach her.” I stand up. “Then we shouldn’t waste any more time. Let’s get going.”
“What are you going to do, bring her here?” Willow looks at me like I’m crazy. “Bring her toyour husband?Are you nuts?”
“What other choice do we have?” I ask back. “If there’s anyone who can help hide her, it’ll be Pavel. And I know you don’t trust him, but he’s the only person whocanhelp. And he can keep a secret, Willow.”
“What about your maid?”
Viktoria practically growls at the word.
“She’s not a maid.” I whip my shades off and give Willow a hard enough stare to make her stop walking. “And she won’t say a goddamn word as long as you don’t disrespect her.”
Willow holds up her hands. “Got it. My apologies.”
“Let’s go.”
I stop by the hall closet, rummaging through the sun hats I keep in there. I hand Willow one of them along with an extra pair of sunglasses. And while I’m at it, I grab a yellow sundress and sandals to match.