Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

34. Willow

CHAPTER 34

WILLOW

RUNNING - NF

Dipping the spoon into a ziplock bag of coffee, I add several heaps to the metal saucepan of boiling water heated on the campfire outside our tent. It didn’t take much coaxing to reignite the wood.

A headful of messy, sun-streaked hair pops out of the tent’s flap. Micah blinks the sleep from his eyes, dressed in an oversized tee and his faded jeans from yesterday.

“Do I smell coffee?”

“It’s almost ready.”

He gives me a sleepy smile. “Yum, thank you.”

Filling the two folding cups with freshly brewed coffee, I settle inside the tent flap between Micah’s strong, outstretched legs. His chin lands on my shoulder, the flyaway strands of his caramel hair tickling my neck.

“Beautiful sunrise.”

I take a sip of coffee. “I wanted to see it.”

The summer sun is blossoming in brilliant hues of orange and pink. It’s a watercolour painting coming to life in real time, awash with vivid, unfiltered colours and wisps of morning mist curling over the mountains that surround us.

It’s the most peaceful place I’ve ever seen. I loved the rugged wilderness of the Mexican desert too, even if that place brought nothing but doom into my life. Nature in its rawest forms is so beautiful to me.

“Did you sleep well?” he whispers.

“Well enough. It’s so quiet up here. I don’t want to leave.”

“We could grab Arianna and retire to the mountains. I was serious about that.” He chuckles. “Frankly, I’d be fine without seeing another human for the rest of my life.”

“I agree with you on that, but somehow, I doubt your twin brother and grumpy cousin would be okay with us running away. Unless they could also come with us.”

“There’s plenty of wood up here for Killian to chop like a lunatic.” Micah pauses to sip his coffee. “And I’m sure Zach can find some trouble to get into even up here.”

“He usually does. It’s his best talent.”

“We could build a huge log cabin and properly live off the land. Grow old together and watch the sun rise every single day for the rest of our lives.”

“That sounds so peaceful.”

“Doesn’t it?” He sighs.

Letting my eyes shut, the dream-like world he crafts with his words tugs on my heartstrings. I can picture my life so clearly now. That was a luxury I never allowed myself to even consider before.

Killian, Zach and Micah all play their very important roles in that hazy vision of hope. I need our family more than I need air in my lungs to breathe, and the way they’ve accepted me and Arianna into their lives gives me hope.

“I want that with you guys,” I admit softly. “I want a future here in Briar Valley. I want us to be safe and find our forever.”

“You have us.”

“For now.”

“Forever,” he corrects.

“I wish I could believe you, but I’ve come to realise that life is fleeting. Nothing is guaranteed in this world. All we have is this moment.”

Micah gently kisses my hair. “That’s why you have to hold on, angel. Hold the hell on and never let go of those who matter. We can make it. I know we will.”

Biting my lip, I watch the mountains come to life around us. “I hope you’re right.”

Finishing off our coffees, I get dressed and slowly pack up all of our equipment while Micah dismantles the tent. We’re ready to start the long hike back into town by the time the sun has fully risen.

I have to get back home for Arianna. I’ve never spent so long apart from her before. I love my daughter more than anything, but this break was needed. Sometimes, I need to be just Willow for a few hours.

Descending the steep mountain slopes in contented silence, our hands are tightly entwined to safely traverse the tumbling rocks. At the base of St David’s Pointe, we begin the hike back into the valley.

The heat has calmed down a little, leaving comfortable warmth behind. When we emerge from the forest and spot Lola’s cabin emerging in the distance, my smile fades.

There’s nothing worse than returning to the problems you’ve been running from. I wish I could bottle the peace we found in the mountains and keep it with me as a reminder.

Micah tugs me to a halt. “Willow.”

“What is it?”

His smile is dazzling. “Thanks for last night. It meant a lot to me.”

“I should be thanking you. It meant everything to me. I love you.”

We fall into another windswept kiss. The feel of Micah’s lips consuming mine obliterates all of the dread blooming in my heart. Our kiss ends when the sound of laughter reluctantly forces us apart.

“Hi, lovebirds!”

Albie’s truck is parked outside Lola’s cabin, and he hops out with a stack of paperwork and mail in hand from his usual trip into Highbridge. His smile is far too fucking wide.

“Says the man canoodling with my grandmother!”

Albie’s mouth drops open. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Leave it out. We’ve all seen you holding hands.”

He offers me a sheepish smile. “I’m in so much trouble. Who else knows?”

“I think the whole town figured it out months ago,” Micah helpfully supplies. “So, enough with the cloak and dagger act. I’m happy for you both.”

“Thanks, Mi. I’ll just… erm, I need to go speak to Lola.”

Albie races up the porch and lets himself into Lola’s cabin to escape the conversation. We fall into fits of laughter. She’s going to freak out when she realises that we all know about them. I have no idea what she’s worried about.

“He’s screwed.” I scoff.

“Lola deserves to be happy again.”

“You know what… I think you’re right. She really does.”

Before we can begin to wind down the cobbled path heading home, Lola’s front door slams open again, violently crashing against the exterior. A wild-eyed Killian stomps out.

“Willow!” he yells.

Terror washes over me as he races across the clearing with long, frantic strides. I’m quickly gathered into his arms, and the force of his grip creaks my bones. Smashed into his chest, I wince at the thought of bruises forming.

“Kill… can’t… breathe.”

His eyes search me from head to toe. “Inside. Right now.”

“Did something happen?”

He scans our surroundings with worry. “We need to talk. Not here though.”

Half-carried into Lola’s cabin, Killian doesn’t let go of me until the door is firmly shut behind us. Micah abandons his backpack at the bottom of the stairs, following us into the kitchen where the hum of worried voices welcomes us home.

Packed around the dining table are Lola, Zach, Ryder and Doc. Albie has propped himself up in the corner, grinding his teeth so hard, his jaw looks like it’s threatening to break. All of their expressions are stony.

“What’s going on?” I ask nervously.

Everyone looks us up and down with palpable relief. I’ve barely placed my feet on the floor before Zach tackles me into a tight embrace as his forehead clashes with mine.

“You’re back. Fuck, Willow.”

“I told you that I would look after her.” Micah looks around at their matching looks of horror. “Why is everyone going crazy? We’re back right on time.”

“It’s not that,” Lola says tightly.

There’s real fear swimming in her eyes for what I think is the very first time. I’ve never seen her look afraid like this. She’s always been the strong, unshakeable one, holding the whole town together.

I scan around the room. “Where’s Arianna? Was she hurt or something?”

“She’s with the other kids.” Doc tries to reassure me. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

Shaking my head, I walk into Killian’s arms. I have a feeling I’m going to need him to ground me in the present for whatever comes next.

Clearing her throat, Lola spares me an apprehensive glance. “Someone contacted us last night with an offer to purchase Briar Valley. A cash buyer.”

“You’re selling the town?” I frown at her. “Why didn’t I know about this before?”

“I’m not selling the town,” Lola quickly corrects me. “This offer was out of the blue and entirely unwelcome.”

Killian’s arms are clenched around me so tight, it aches. The tense silence adds to the pressure building up inside of me. Everyone looks fucking terrified. My dread instantly reignites.

“Who was it?” I ask shakily.

“A realtor,” Killian growls out. “Lola was offered three million pounds for Briar Valley.”

“Who, Kill?”

“Sanchez Real Estate,” Lola cuts in. “Someone called Mason contacted us to make the sale on behalf of his business partner.”

The buzz of voices around me fades into insignificance. Those three words change everything. Months of progress vanish. The same wordless terror that drove me to run halfway across the world sinks back into my bones.

“Willow?”

Sanchez Real Estate .

“Breathe, Willow.”

He’s coming.

“Come back, beautiful.”

My vision whites out as the terror of distant memories takes full control. Their voices vanish. The world fades. My breathing halts. I’m falling back into the past, and I can’t stop the vivid flashback from swallowing me whole.

“Mummy! You’re scaring me,” Arianna whimpers.

Bundling her tiny frame in my arms, I pin her against my aching chest. Blistering agony is wracking my body, but I stuff the pain down. I don’t have time to hurt.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“What’s wrong?” Arianna asks.

“It’s time to go on that little adventure I told you about.”

“Now?” she says sleepily. “It’s dark outside.”

“I know, but we have a plane to catch. Are you excited?”

She smiles up at me. “Yes! Is Daddy coming too?”

Overcome by a wet coughing fit, I push her away from me so I can retch to one side. Hot blood rises up from my throat, spraying across the back of my hand. My chest and ribs are on fire.

I knew when Mr Sanchez appeared with a shining baseball bat that I was in serious trouble this time. I can still feel it connecting with my ribs, his laughter drowning out the sound of my screaming.

“Mummy? Mummy!”

I stare at Arianna’s terrified face. “I’m here, Ari. Daddy isn’t coming this time. It’s just me and you.”

“Yay! Let’s go!”

“Shhh. We have to be quiet.”

Bundling her into a light coat, she waits by the door as I slide beneath her bed, searching for the loose floorboard by touch alone. I had to change my hiding place after Mr Sanchez ripped apart my room in a drink-fuelled rage.

He was convinced that I was hiding something and beat me bloody when he couldn’t get the truth out of me. It took every last drop of strength I possess to bite my tongue until it bled and keep our precious secret hidden. This is our lifeline. Our last chance.

Wrenching the wooden board up, I reach inside to grab the two fake British passports and our limited stack of remaining cash. Melody and Adele. I begged Pedro to get one too, though it was to no avail.

He’s the only real friend I’ve ever had, but with his entire family in Mr Sanchez’s mansion staff, he insisted on staying behind to protect them. Instead, he’s going to get us to safety and go on the run, far from this hellish house.

With everything packed up, I throw the small duffel bag over my shoulder and take Arianna’s hand. We have to creep through the house on silent feet, dodging the patrol of private security that my husband hires for his own protection.

I don’t know why he needs bodyguards. There’s a lot about his dark and shadowy life that I don’t understand. Any questions are met with brutality and violence, so I learned to stop asking very quickly.

I’ve memorised where the CCTV cameras sit, recording the sprawling estate. We duck and weave our way to the deserted kitchens. Creeping inside, I nearly scream when someone emerges from the darkness.

Pedro raises his hands. “It’s just me, Willow.”

“Thank God. Is everything set?”

When he moves me into the faint light by the back door, he sees my face and lets out a curse. I can only imagine what I look like right now. I’m lucky to be alive after that beating.

“What the hell has he done to you?”

I press a hand to my abdomen. “It doesn’t matter. He’s in there with another woman right now. It should buy us some time to run.”

Disgust stains Pedro’s tanned features. He was born and raised in Mexico City. His father is the head chef of the household, while Pedro was awarded a role in Mr Sanchez’s personal security team.

Over the years, we’ve become friends in a series of quiet, secretive snippets. Whispered conversations. Exchanged smiles. Silent jokes and glimmers of hope. He’s kept me alive so many times.

When he approached me with an escape plan after nearly eight years of watching Mr Sanchez’s abuse, I broke down, desperately accepting his help. Anything to escape this perpetual hell, no matter the risk to us all. It’s taken so long to get everything into place.

“As soon as we’re in the air, you need to get out of town,” I tell him. “Hell, get out of Mexico. I won’t let your family suffer the fallout of our actions.”

Pedro seizes my hands and squeezes. “It’s going to be okay. I swore that I’d get you out of here, and I will. Both of you. Don’t worry about us.”

Tugging me against his broad chest, his lips brush mine in a brief whisper. I’m too surprised to respond, letting him kiss me gently, frozen like a statute until his forehead meets mine.

“I’m sorry… I just had to do that. I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again.”

“It’s okay.”

Meeting his eyes hidden beneath a shock of curly black hair, I feel nothing but gratitude. He’s been the only friendly face in this purgatory. In many ways, we’ve grown up here together, trapped by our separate roles and shared hatred of Mr Sanchez.

“If things were different, I would… you know.” I wince as pain blurs my vision. “But we both have people counting on us.”

Pedro gives me a weak smile. “I know. Me too.”

“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for helping us.”

“You can repay me by living. Both of you. Live the best goddamn life you can possibly imagine. Promise me, Willow. Promise me that you’ll live.”

I press a chaste kiss to his cheek. “I promise.”

“Good. Let’s go. You have a plane to catch.”

Leaving him to swipe his pass and disable the alarm, I grab Arianna and bounce on my feet, anxious to be gone. Once the door has been unlocked using his personal swipe card, Pedro lifts Arianna into his arms, taking my hand with the other.

Together, we slip out into the stifling hot darkness, pierced by the tick of cicadas and cars driving past on the road circling the mansion. We sneak around the outside, heading for the exit used by staff only.

Running in tandem, I see the towering gates ahead, ready to be unlocked with another swipe of his card. A tiny flicker of hope burns in my heart. We’re so close. This could actually work.

“Nearly there. Hold on,” Pedro pants.

“I can hear voices!”

“Just keep running. Don’t fucking stop.”

The Devil himself must be watching over us, pulling invisible strings to better serve his games. One minute we’re inches from salvation, the next I’m running through the darkness alone as Pedro’s hand is ripped from mine.

BANG.

The blast of a gunshot has me tumbling to my knees in fear. Arianna is screaming like a banshee, hitting the ground several metres behind me. But I haven’t been shot. Looking over my shoulder, the terror of reality sinks in.

Pedro is splayed out on the moonlit sand, a halo of blood surrounding him. In the distance, voices bellow and the crunch of thick-soled boots running to catch us echoes through the night. I race back, throwing myself at his feet.

“Willow… please,” he begs. “Go.”

“Pedro! No!”

Hot sprays of blood are spewing between his fingers, clasped over his midsection. He can’t move an inch, groaning in agony as the crimson tsunami continues to pour out of him. I can’t even drag him, not with my waning strength and injuries.

“Go… find the truck. Go!”

Thrusting his swipe card and a set of car keys into Arianna’s hands, he shoves her towards me with his remaining strength. I steady her, trying to stop her from staring at his bloodied state.

“Pedro!” she screams.

“Run, muchacha. Go w-with your mama.”

“Are you hurt?” I run my hands over her, searching for blood.

“N-No, Mummy.”

“Go then. I’m right behind you, Ari.”

I can barely see through my tears, holding a scream back as I bite down on my clenched fist to silence it. The sound of shouting assails us. Security is swarming and starting to give chase.

Arianna slips her bloody hand into mine instead of running as I told her to. She tugs hard, forcing me to find my feet and leave Pedro sprawled out on the sand.

“I’m so sorry,” I sob.

Blood pours out of his mouth. “L-Live, Willow.”

Crying too hard to think straight, I let Arianna pull me along, her shouting forcing me to move my feet. We break into an unsteady run, both of us struggling to remain upright. It kills me to leave Pedro alone in the darkness, watching us disappear.

“Hurry, Mummy! Pedro said he’s coming.”

Arianna’s frantic voice pushes me to move despite everything screaming in protest with each bruise and laceration. We run. On and on. Legs pumping. Hearts pounding. Dodging bullets and fury following hot on our heels.

I can’t let Pedro’s sacrifice be in vain. My only friend died to buy our freedom. He couldn’t keep us safe, but he got us as far as he could. I just hope his family will know what to do now he won’t be around to protect them from Mr Sanchez.

“Faster, Ari,” I shout, my courage rising. “Don’t stop.”

“Is Pedro okay?” She tries to look behind us.

“He’s fine. We have to leave him.”

Her bottom lip wobbles. “I’ll miss him.”

“Look, there’s the truck. Last one there is a loser! Run!”

With the innocence and naivety of her age, Arianna speeds off, heading straight for the shrubbery that conceals the truck Pedro stashed for us. We’re so close. Salvation is right there.

All we have to do is get out of the city undetected and drive a few hundred miles to the smallest airport Pedro could find. The flight is booked under our new identities with three more connecting flights after that.

It will stealthily take us across the continent and away from the monster chasing us. We can’t risk leaving a breadcrumb trail behind. He’s far too well-connected and powerful to let us go without a fight.

Making it to the truck, I take the set of keys from Arianna and quickly unlock it. She lets me boost her into the front seat, taking the duffel bag from my hands.

“We’re going to be okay, Ari.”

I don’t know who I’m reassuring more—her or myself. As I fire the engine and peel out of our hiding spot, a bullet clips the back of the truck and ricochets off. Arianna screams at the top of her lungs, and I shove her into the footwell.

“Stay down!”

The bullets keep coming, spraying across the thick steel of the truck and shattering the back window in a spray of glass. Pedro taught me how to drive a few summers ago while Mr Sanchez was away on a business trip.

Careening through the night to join the road leading away from hell, I slam my foot on the accelerator and watch the sand-blasted turrets of Sanchez mansion vanish behind us.

We’re finally free.