If his tone would’ve held even the faintest hint of self-pity in that moment, she was certain she would’ve gotten up and left the room. Instead, there was an almost detached pensiveness to his words.
Leaning back and curling up so that she faced him on the bed, Willow told him, “You’re my hero.”
His lips curved up just slightly and he reached his hand out, brushing her hair behind her ear, then lightly tracing the curve of her jaw with his finger. “You need better heroes,” he said lightly.
She smiled faintly, bringing her hand up to cover his, holding it hostage against her face. “Nope. I only need you.”
The hint of a smile grew and he moved closer to her. “I don’t think I deserve you.”
At that, she grinned, rolling her eyes playfully. “You’re probably right. I’ll just go…”
“No, you won’t,” he said, lightly squeezing her and pulling her closer. “Whether I deserve you or not, you’re mine now.”
“Am I? I don’t remember signing anything,” she teased. “This is a trial run, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Oh yeah?” he asked, smiling as he pinched her sides again, making her squirm, helpless laughter escaping. Once he relented, she curled up in his arms, resting her head against his chest. It was more comforting than she wanted it to be, being in his embrace that way. It might be the only dark corner of the world where she felt safe instead of anxious.
Premature declarations crept up her throat, but she kept her mouth firmly closed, her troublemaking tongue trapped inside her mouth. Too soon, brain. Too soon.
Once her impulses were under control, Willow allowed herself to speak. “Would you do something for me?”
Her head was still tucked under his chin as he cradled her against his chest. “Name it.”
Even though she didn’t want to, she pulled back to meet his gaze. “Could you find out what happened with my case? I know that might be a weird request, but I can’t do it myself, it makes me too anxious, and I haven’t heard anything new about it. I mean, I know these things take time, but, like, I’m pretty sure I’m still supposed to testify, and I haven’t heard anything. I don’t want you to get in any trouble or anything—if you can’t find it online or wherever, don’t worry about it. I mean, don’t, like… you know, if it’s a big deal or you don’t usually—”
Interrupting her nervous ramble, he assured her, “It won’t be a problem, Willow.”
“Okay,” she said, releasing a little breath.
A couple seconds passed before he said, “I don’t know where Tito is. I’ve looked for him. He disappeared. If I had to guess… he’s gone.”
“You mean… dead, or…?”
Watching her carefully, he nodded his head. “It’s that or he’s far better at disappearing than anyone would ever suspect. The last trace of him I can come up with is that video he gave your dad. There’s nothing after that. Either he ran and he’s deep in hiding, or… he didn’t.”
Willow hesitated. “You’re sure the video was from Tito?”
Ethan nodded a bit jerkily. “Yeah.”
“Does that mean my dad killed him?”
It was a naïve question, but even knowing what her father was, it was tough to wrap her head around the idea that he could actually murder someone.
The apprehension that very briefly touched Ethan’s face mirrored that thought. “I’m sure he didn’t do it himself, but…”
Dread swept over her again and she curled up against his chest, wrapping her arms around him even tighter than before. “Well, don’t poke into his business. I don’t care where Tito is, not that much. He’s gone. Let’s just… leave it at that.”
“For what it’s worth, Willow, if I had your dad’s connections and someone showed me a video of him watching my daughter’s rape and not lifting a finger to help her, I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same thing.”
Willow shook her head. “It wasn’t even about me. I’m not that important to him. I think he took it as an insult. I want you to stay away from my father. I only meant find out what happened legally, to the guys who got arrested. Lane. I fucking hated Lane.”
“So did I. Don’t worry, I’m not stupid; I’m not going near your dad.”
“Good.” Nuzzling against him again, she tried to get closer, but she was already as close as she could get.
Well, not as close as she could get…
Her fingers lightly caressed his bare back, skirting his waist, then dropped lower, under the thin sheet that covered him.