Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

19. Willow

CHAPTER 19

WILLOW

WILLOWS - HANS WILLIAMS

With my hands clasped over Arianna’s eyes, I guide her outside into the warm spring sunshine. The entire town has gathered in Lola’s sprawling back garden, a huge green space filled with every decoration imaginable.

There are fairy lights, streamers, balloons and even a bouncy castle. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted for Arianna. She can finally celebrate like a real little girl, surrounded by family and loved ones instead of pain and death.

“Ready, baby?” I croon.

“Yes, Mummy! Show me, show me!”

Steering her into the middle of the massive group, I remove my hands. Arianna squeals loudly, bouncing up and down as she takes in the organised chaos all around us. Everyone is shouting and clapping, setting off party poppers and engulfing her in a torrent of love.

I watch with happy tears pricking my eyes. It’s a beautiful sight, seeing her run towards the bouncy castle, surrounded by other kids to play with. She’s made friends while being home-schooled by Rachel in the last couple of weeks.

I’m even happier to see Johan running to join in with the fun, leaving Aalia to chat with a small cluster of women fawning over Amie, who’s fast asleep in her pram. She’s been out and about in town more, socialising with the others.

Miranda appears and traps me in a bear hug. “This is amazing, Willow! You’ll have to be our resident party planner from now on.”

“It wasn’t me.” I gesture towards the corner where Killian is nursing a beer and glaring at anyone that dares to approach. “Killian did most of it, and Lola too.”

“You’ve got yourself a good one there.”

She winks, squeezing my arm before returning to Doc’s side. I watch as she presses a kiss to his lips, despite his arms being casually slung around Rachel’s waist. The three of them snuggle together, sharing a conversation.

Their relationship is endlessly fascinating to me. I’ve never heard of people sharing like they do. I know it isn’t the norm, but nothing in Briar Valley is. This place defies every rule and expectation set by the outside world.

But more so, their dynamic intrigues me for selfish reasons. Killian’s staked his claim on me for everyone to see, sticking to me like glue and taking his over-protectiveness into overdrive. But that hasn’t stopped Zach from flirting and touching me at every opportunity.

And there’s still Micah to consider in this stupidly complicated mess that I’ve somehow engineered for myself. I’m so bloody confused. Is that what they want too? Could I even think about sharing? It seems like an alien concept.

“Mummy! Look!”

On the bouncy castle, Arianna is jumping like a maniac, fighting to get the highest among the other kids. I wave and blow her a kiss, loving the smile on her face.

“Wow, Ari! Be careful,” I call back.

Wading through the crowd of people, everyone greets me and offers bright smiles, but I long to escape the onslaught of attention. My stomach has been somersaulting all morning, cramping up so hard, I feel sick.

“Willow,” Ryder shouts. “Over here.”

He’s yelling from the huge gazebo that sits off to one side of Lola’s neatly pruned garden. Beckoning me over with a crooked finger, he plants a big wet kiss on my cheek before offering me a beer.

“You look frazzled.”

“Is it that obvious?” I sigh.

“Not at all, but I know your frazzled face by now.”

Collapsing onto a rattan sofa, I press the cold beer to my forehead. “This is all a bit crazy. I’ve never seen the whole town together in one place before.”

He takes a swig of his drink. “Yeah, it can get a bit loud. Lola likes big parties. We usually have several throughout the year. She loves to play host to everyone.”

At the mention of her name, white-hot anger pools inside of my gut. I can’t stop myself from searching for her silvery hair in the crowd. She’s standing next to Albie as he grills a pile of burgers and hot dogs.

Avoiding her has been difficult. I don’t know how to confront her about Katie. Frankly, I’m not sure I’m ready for what she has to say. I doubt it’s going to be a happy story, and my current state of mind is fragile at best.

“Ethan is coming in a couple of weeks.” Ryder grins as he always does when discussing his partner. “You’ll finally get to meet him.”

I force a smile. “I can’t wait.”

“He’s been busy working on this big investigation at work. I miss him so much when he isn’t here, but I can’t imagine leaving Briar Valley to live with him.”

“You’ll figure it out.” I poke him in the ribs. “You never know, maybe he’ll move up here. I’m sure we’d find a use for his detective skills.”

Ryder snorts. “Yeah, right.”

“I’m serious!”

“He could figure out who keeps taking all the eggs from the chicken coop,” he muses.

“It’s a legitimate concern. Killian has sworn lethal vengeance on the infamous egg stealer. Ethan could help avoid a very messy, public execution.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Killian take on Ethan. Hot damn.” Ryder snickers at my shocked look. “Oh, shut it. Even though he’s like family, I can appreciate a good view.”

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Speaking of the asshole himself, did I see you sneaking out of their cabin the other morning?”

I avert my eyes. “Erm, don’t think so.”

Ryder studies me closely. “You have a terrible poker face.”

“I do not.”

“And you’re a terrible liar too.”

“Jesus, Ry. Anything else?”

“Nope. That’s all.”

Pressing a hand to my aching stomach, I breathe through another wave of pain. To make matters worse, two familiar pairs of short, stocky legs are approaching the gazebo. Seeing the twins side by side is a huge shock to the system.

“Hey guys,” Zach greets. “What did we miss?”

I gesture towards the bouncy castle. “The big reveal.”

“Sorry, babe. I was dragging this one out of his antisocial cave.”

Micah narrows his eyes on his twin. “It’s a studio. Not a cave.”

“Smells like a cave to me,” Zach comments.

Helping himself to a beer, he deliberately doesn’t offer one to Micah who looks beyond desperate for a drink. Standing next to each other, their similarities are stark, but so are their differences.

“What were you two chinwagging about?” Zach uncaps his beer and takes a long pull.

Ryder laughs. “Wouldn’t you like to know, Zachariah. Can I ask if there’s any particular reason why you’re walking around in a princess’s tiara?”

He adjusts the plastic tiara buried in his caramel hair. “What? I’m embracing the theme. It was this or a zebra mask.”

“It’s quite the look.”

“I figured I’d make a sexier princess,” he replies smugly. “Willow?”

“You’d make a beautiful little princess.”

“Little?” Zach frowns.

We burst out laughing at the look of indignation on his face. Taking a seat next to his brother, Micah spares me a nod that kills my short-lived good mood. He’s avoided me like the plague, and he won’t even meet my eyes.

Thinking my luck can’t get any worse, I nearly combust into flames when Killian leaves his isolated perch in the corner of the garden and collapses into one of the empty chairs instead. He makes a point of resting a possessive hand on my thigh.

“Sooo,” Zach singsongs. “Should we play a game or something? Is truth or dare still a thing at parties? Anyone got a juicy secret to tell?”

“No,” Killian and I blurt at the same time.

Zach nearly falls off his chair, he’s laughing so hard. Ryder smothers a grin as he polishes off his drink. Amidst the laughing dickheads, Micah sits in stony, awkward silence.

I can only assume that Zach spilled the beans to him about finding me in Killian’s bed, very much naked and thoroughly fucked for the world to see. I’ll add it to the list of things I need to apologise for.

“I’m gonna get some food,” Killian announces.

Zach bats his lashes. “Get me some, cuz.”

“Piss off, kid. You’ve got legs, haven’t you?”

Ryder stands, sparing me a wink. “I’ll come too, Kill. Back in a mo. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Traitor,” I mouth at him.

I’m left alone with the twins both facing me from their rattan sofa. Zach stares at me like I’m a meal he wants to devour, while Micah cracks open a bottle of water, looking longingly at the cooler full of alcohol in the corner.

“How are you doing, Mi?”

He shrugs. “Fine. Got my supplies.”

“That’s good then.”

“I guess.”

Zach watches our stunted conversation. “Jesus, Mi. I need to give you some fucking education on talking to women. How are we even related?”

Micah glares at him. “Please shut up.”

“Charming. Love you too, brother.”

Sweat beads across my forehead while they exchange heated barbs. I fight a fresh wave of dizziness and grab another cold beer to hold against my head. I’m flitting between hot and cold which is worsening my nausea.

As Zach opens his mouth to question me, Aalia arrives with Amie propped on her hip. She’s wearing a beautiful, flowing dress, the bright yellow and blue flowers perfectly matching her olive-toned skin and glossy hair.

“Hey!” I blurt, grateful for the distraction.

She offers me a bright smile. “Hi, Willow.”

“You made it. Thanks for coming.”

“Thank you for the delivery. You’re spoiling us.”

After visiting her cabin, I wrote down my mental list and handed it to Miranda for this month’s supply run. Albie delivered the several boxes full of kitchen equipment and basics.

“If you want anything else, let me know.”

“You’re too kind.”

Amie squeals, demanding her mum’s attention. While Aalia digs around in her bag, Zach takes the baby and makes crazy facial expressions to quieten her screams for food.

“Cute kid,” he grumbles. “I think I want one.”

Micah chokes on a laugh. “You can’t look after a fucking potted plant.”

“Hey, language! She might hear you, dickhead.”

“Babies don’t understand shit.”

The sight of Zach with an infant in his broad arms nearly causes me to choke on thin air. I wouldn’t have thought such a sight would make me feel so many strange things. He looks far too comfortable bouncing Amie in his arms.

Returning with several platefuls piled high with food, Killian unceremoniously dumps one in front of me. His glare is already in place, issuing a silent demand. Carrying his own food, Ryder’s trying his best not to laugh.

“Food. Eat,” Killian orders.

“Um, thanks?”

Leaning against the side of the gazebo, he ploughs into enough food to feed a family of four. It all disappears into his mouth, one bite after another. It’s no wonder he’s the size of a house, even if it is all muscle.

“How come she gets fed and I don’t?” Zach whines.

“Get your own food, kid.”

I study my plate of food, but it makes me feel even more ill. Eating is the last thing I want to think about right now. There’s so much food on offer around here with zero strings attached.

You can eat when you learn some obedience.

No more crying, bitch.

Open your goddamn legs.

Eating was the first line of punishment in the mansion. I’d often be refused food by the staff who were under orders from Mr Sanchez and keen to avoid his wrath.

Even though Pedro’s father ran the kitchen, he couldn’t risk helping me. The last thing I wanted was to get them in trouble either. Only when I got on my knees and begged Mr Sanchez for relief would I be awarded something to eat.

“Willow? You with us?” Killian waves a hand.

I find everyone staring at me and realise I must’ve zoned out. When Ryder attempts to lay a hand on my shoulder, I flinch back, causing him to halt. Looking into his eyes, all I can see is a pair of cruel blue sapphires staring back at me.

It’s so hard to separate these guys from the man that dominated my life, even though I know they’re nothing like him. Past and present are difficult to compartmentalise at times, constantly bleeding into one another.

“You don’t look so good,” Zach worries.

Killian tilts his head. “And you’re too pale.”

Everyone is watching me like hawks. It causes my anxiety to spiral. My neck is wet with sweat, and I feel like I’m going to throw up the cup of herbal tea I managed for breakfast. I need to get out of the spotlight right now so I can fall apart in peace.

“Be right back,” I rush out.

Picking my way back through the madness to check that Arianna is still safe in the bouncy castle with her friends, everything blurs around me and my dizziness increases. Awful, gut-wrenching pain is twisting my insides into knots.

This doesn’t feel like anxiety or even a normal stomach bug. The pain is steadily increasing like it’s building towards a peak. I’m struggling to even breathe through it.

“Willow!” Lola beckons me over.

Ignoring her shouts, I lean against a tall plant pot to hold myself upright. The world is spinning around me, but I can hear Lola approaching and stopping next to me.

“Come sit with us. Leave those boys to fend for themselves for a while.”

“I c-can’t right now.”

Lola scans over me. “Are you okay?”

“I just need some air.”

“Let me come with you.” She takes hold of my arm, resting a hand against my forehead to check my temperature. “You look white as a ghost, poppet.”

“I’m fine. Please let go of me.”

Her worried frown deepens. “What is it?”

Peeling her fingers from my arm, I’m unable to contain my anger any longer. It rises out of me in an uncontrolled volcanic eruption. I don’t care that we’re surrounded by people, celebrating what should be a happy day.

“Just leave me alone, Lola!”

The group around us falls silent at my raised voice. Lola’s face slackens in surprise, and she takes a measured step back, reaching out for Albie. He moves to her side, a pair of barbecue tongs still in hand.

“Willow?” he prompts. “You good?”

The guys are all rushing to join us, abandoning their food and drinks in the gazebo. This is so not the right time to lose my shit. We worked so hard to make this day special for Arianna.

“Poppet?” Lola reaches for me again.

“Don’t touch me. I want you to stay back.”

“Let’s take this inside,” she suggests.

“No, I’m not going anywhere with you.”

She blanches. “What has gotten into you, Willow?”

Shoving away the hand that Zach tries to grab me with, I hug my throbbing midsection. I’m trembling all over from the exertion of remaining upright, and internally freaking the hell out.

I need to be alone to figure out what’s happening to me, but I can’t hide until Lola moves out of the way. Hysteria crawls up my throat, forcing me to take drastic action to get out of this situation.

“How long have you known?” I blurt.

Lola stares at me. “Known what?”

“Willow, stop.” Killian steps between us, his hands raised. “Maybe now isn’t the best time to get into this. Let’s get you inside.”

“No!” I shout back, swaying on my feet. “Lola has lied to me since my first day here. I’m done pretending that she’s some kind of saint.”

“What are you talking about?” she demands.

“My mother abandoned me!” I explode, uncaring of our growing audience. “Why did you give her a home? You took her in.”

With all the strength swept out of her in an instant, Lola leans on Albie, looking like one strong breeze would blow her over. Rather than answer, her mouth clicks open and shut. She clearly wasn’t expecting me to know the truth.

Zach attempts to grab me again. “Let’s go inside and get Doc to look you over.”

I inch away from them all, feeling like a cornered animal. “No! Stop… everyone stop. I can’t… I can’t breathe…”

There are too many voices around me, blurring into a confusing storm. It’s too much. Too loud. Too overwhelming. All I want is to find a quiet corner to curl up in. I let out a strangled sound as I’m overcome by a wave of blistering pain.

“Willow?”

“Zach, move!”

“Someone grab her!”

Their panicked voices disappear. Everything grows fuzzy, but the sudden rush of warmth between my legs sparks dread deep in my heart. Knees knocking together, the world moves in slow motion as I look down at my once-white sundress.

That isn’t right. Bright, accusing red is blossoming across the linen fabric. It takes my mind a moment to catch up. I’m bleeding down there, between my thighs. The swirls of colour are spreading by the second.

It’s blood.

And lots of it.

The flow of bright-red pours out of me at an alarming rate and drips onto Lola’s freshly cleaned patio. It takes a moment for everyone to stop shouting over each other in the chaos and realise what I’m staring down at.

All I can feel is the gushing crimson river spilling out of me. My body chooses that exact moment to pull the plug. I almost collapse to my knees, before a strong pair of arms catches me. I’m pulled into an awaiting lap.

“I’ve got you, baby,” Killian comforts. “You’re okay.”

“The blood.”

“Don’t worry about that.” His crooning voice rises, spiked with concern. “Someone get help, right now.”

His blue jeans are quickly soaked through and stained beneath me. He holds me against his chest, stopping me from wriggling to escape. I go limp in his embrace, suddenly exhausted and struggling to keep my eyes open.

“Doc!”

“We need to get her to the hospital!”

“No hospitals,” I whisper.

Killian stares down at me, his face filled with a look of horror. “Eyes on me, Willow. We’re going to get you some help.”

“I’m so t-tired…”

“Don’t shut your eyes. That’s an order.”

My eyes drift shut regardless.

“Willow! Don’t you dare do this to me. Wake up.”

I can hear Arianna screaming my name over his words, but she sounds far away. Everything is spinning, twisting, fraying at the edges. Killian grabs my chin and shakes, but I don’t have the strength to reopen my eyes.

“Mummy!” Arianna shouts again.

I want to reply, but I feel like I’m trapped behind a sheet of glass, unable to utter a single word. The approaching darkness swallows me before I can respond to her, and at last, the pain fades into nothingness.