Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

21. Willow

CHAPTER 21

WILLOW

HOME – EDITH WHISKERS

The weeks pass fast leading up to the party. We invited the whole town but kept the reason why under wraps. I’m still wary after the spotting incident and more on edge than ever about the pregnancy.

We stopped buying newspapers after the first couple of days, instead opting to block out Mr Sanchez’s lies. His crusade against me has gone rather quiet, almost suspiciously so.

He’s still out there.

Plotting.

Biding his time.

Choosing a loose linen dress that covers my slightly raised midsection, I leave my short hair loose and curly, opting for no makeup. I’m too worn out to make much of an effort.

“Hey,” Micah murmurs as he enters the bedroom and stops behind me. “You doing okay?”

“Just tired.”

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“I know, but I don’t want to let everyone down. Besides, we can’t keep this a secret for much longer.”

He skates his knuckles against my cheek then drops a kiss on my lips. “Then let’s face the music, blow it off early and curl up with a movie. Sound good?”

I lean into his warmth. “So bloody good.”

“Problem solved. If it gets to be too much, just tell us, and we’ll send everyone home. You know people are going to be freaking out.”

My eyes flutter shut. “Oh God. I’m not ready for this.”

“Yes, gorgeous. You are.”

He runs his hands over my hair to smooth the curls, peppering my jawline with kisses before dropping a final one right between my eyebrows. I’d rather lock us both in here for the day.

“Mi,” I whine.

“We can’t right now, angel.”

“Then don’t tease me!”

He raises an eyebrow, trying hard not to laugh at me. “Is this a pregnancy thing? One kiss and you’re good to go?”

I squirm uncomfortably on the spot. “Pretty much.”

“Let’s see what we can do about that then, shall we?” He hums to himself as he fondles my overly sensitive breasts. “You gotta be quick, though.”

Heat floods my core. “I can do quick.”

Walking me backwards, my legs hit the bed, making me slump on the mattress. Micah kisses his way down to my collarbones as he raises the hem of my dress, pushing it up over my thighs.

“Be quiet,” he orders, kissing his way up my inner-leg. “I don’t want the others to interrupt us.”

Pulling my panties off, his mouth secures itself to my mound, and I swallow a moan. Micah’s lips are so sweet and attentive, he knows how to apply just the right amount of pressure.

With his tongue gliding through my folds, his thumb circles over my clit, sending sparks flying. I moan again, unable to hold it in. That’s when the footsteps begin to approach.

“Dammit,” Micah grumbles. “That didn’t take long.”

Without bothering to knock, Zach prowls in with a smirk on his face. He has a knack for appearing at the worst possible moments.

But as I note the tent at the front of his plain black jeans, evidence of his arousal at overhearing a single moan, I reconsider. Perhaps this is exactly the right moment to appear.

“I thought I heard something.” He grins at us both. “Maybe I was mistaken. Did I hear anything?”

Leaving the decision up to us, I spread my legs wider, giving him a flash of my bareness. “You did.”

Micah shakes his head with a grin. “I can never escape this asshole, can I?”

“Nope,” Zach answers for me.

Inching closer, he settles on the bed behind me, leaving Micah to resume his task. “You’re in charge, little brother. Don’t mind me watching over here.”

My lips are claimed by Zach in a hard, fast kiss as Micah’s wet tongue returns to my pussy. With Zach’s tongue in my mouth while his twin lavishes my core, I’m set alight with both of them pleasuring me at once.

Caught between them both, all I can feel is the steadily increasing embers of desire crisping my insides. I need a release, an end to the constant onslaught of fear and worry.

Their touch leaves no space for the bad thoughts to sneak in. Rather than Zach bossing Micah around, this time, the shyer twin is taking charge and torturing me instead.

“Are you going to come all over my twin’s face?” Zach whispers in my ear before biting down on the lobe.

“Zach,” I gasp.

“Yes, babe?”

His hand has snuck down my body to cup my breast through my dress. I need more. Want more. My nipples have stiffened into peaks and are begging to feel his lips wrapped around them.

“What is it, babe?” he teases. “Do you want more?”

“Yes.”

“Too bad we have guests arriving in ten minutes then, isn’t it?”

Plunging a finger deep into my entrance, Micah pauses to look up. “She’s going to come at least twice before then. That’s a promise.”

“He sounds confident, doesn’t he?” Zach laughs.

“I am,” Micah snips back.

Curling his finger deep inside of me, I fall apart within seconds. Having both of them watching me is so damn hot, the feel of their skin on mine pushing me over the edge.

“Mi,” I moan, my eyes squeezing shut.

“That’s it, angel. Let go.”

He doesn’t stop fucking me with his hand, the heel of his palm grinding up against my sensitive clit. It milks every last drop of my release from me until I’m spent and trembling all over.

“Pretty good,” Zach critiques. “But I think I can do better.”

Micah narrows his eyes. “You’re welcome to try.”

“Turn around, babe. Show me that gorgeous ass of yours.”

Taking the hand that Micah offers, I eagerly spin around on the bed so that my rear is facing Zach in a doggy position. I feel so naked and exposed like this, every inch of me on display to him from behind.

“Look at that glistening cunt,” he preens happily. “So fucking perfect. Reckon we have time for you to take my cock?”

My insides quiver at the thought. “Please.”

“Please what, Willow?”

Micah watches his twin tease me, a hand snaking into his own jeans.

“Please give me your cock,” I whisper through my embarrassment.

“That’s my perfect girl,” Zach praises. “You only had to ask.”

Pain crackles down my spine as his hand connects with my ass cheek in a playful spank. The spikes of heat cause wetness to flood my core all over again as I prepare to be filled by him.

These endless seconds of anticipation are torturous. I’m staring up into Micah’s interested eyes, a hand fisting his shaft as Zach unzips his jeans to free his length behind me.

Knowing his twin is watching every moment is gasoline on the inferno between my legs. I feel the tip of his dick press up against my slit, the pressure intense. I’m so oversensitive these days, the slightest touches are mind-blowing.

“Fuck,” Zach hisses as he slowly slides in. “This gorgeous little cunt is so fucking tight, babe.”

Gripping the bed sheets, my eyes don’t drop from Micah’s as he begins to pump his dick in long, measured strokes. At the exact same time, his twin moves and thrusts into me from behind.

“So hot,” Micah whispers in awe.

A hand gripping my hip, Zach spanks me again. “Isn’t she just?”

I want to scream and shatter into a thousand spectacular pieces. Their attention is too much. Too acute. There’s nowhere to hide beneath the weight of their combined eyes locked on me as I’m thoroughly fucked.

Each slam of Zach’s hips adds to the strength of the second orgasm that’s rising up inside of me. The time pressure only makes this hotter. At any moment, guests could arrive and interrupt us.

When Micah kneels on the bed and kisses my lips, I lose myself to the soft, gentle sweetness of his mouth. I can still taste the salty tang of my come on his tongue.

“I want to fuck this pretty mouth of yours,” he murmurs. “Is that okay, angel?”

The fact that he still asks melts me inside. Nodding, I open my mouth and greedily accept his length. His cock is long and hard as it slides against my tongue like velvet.

He takes a handful of my hair and grips it tight as he begins fucking my mouth. The twins must have some kind of psychic ability because they move in perfect synchronicity without uttering a single word to each other.

With both holes filled by them, my orgasm is inches away from falling into my lap. So close. I’m a moaning, writhing mess between them as my core tightens and heart explodes.

“Come all over my cock.” Zach pushes into me. “Show me how good we make you feel, babe.”

“We want to see you fall apart,” Micah adds.

Fisting the sheets even tighter, I let the rush of heat consume me. Blistering. Overwhelming. I’m on fire and falling in a tight, dizzying spiral into the deepest depths of pleasure.

With another hard spank, I let myself implode. Zach shudders behind me and roars through his own release, triggered by my pussy clenching tight around his length. We climax together in a breathless tangle.

Still rutting into my mouth, Micah watches us both in fascination, chasing his own orgasm until the very end. I’m relishing the delicious pang of aftershocks when his hot, salty come fills my mouth.

Pouring himself into me, he cups my jaw and strokes a thumb over my cheek, silently praising me. I blink in recognition, sucking on his length to steal every last drop before I obediently swallow his seed.

“Fuck me, angel,” he whispers with wonderment in his eyes. “How are you so bloody perfect for us?”

Wiping off my mouth, I collapse on the bed. “I’m really not perfect.”

Zach carefully rolls me over so the pressure is off my belly. “You damn well are.”

Climbing off the bed, Micah disappears into my ensuite then reappears with a wet washcloth. He passes it off to his brother who brings it between my legs to clean the mess from my inner thighs.

They’re so thoughtful and attentive—even more so now than ever. But they still aren’t afraid to touch me and give me the pleasure I need to survive each day without losing my mind. I love that about them.

“You… uh, may need to fix your hair.” Micah points at my head, looking sheepish.

I glance up at the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, finding a bird’s nest of black curls. “Awesome. Good job, guys.”

Zach soothes my sore, spanked ass with a gentle stroke as he pulls my dress back down. “You’re totally welcome.”

With a sigh, I sit back up. “I suppose we should go out there and face the music.”

“Together.” Micah takes my hand.

“Together,” Zach echoes, taking the other.

With both of them by my side, I blow out a breath and prepare to tell the world our secret. I can do this. With them to keep me safe, there’s nothing we can’t face… together.

The party is in full swing in my back garden. Dozens of tables are dotted about with glasses and dishes. Everyone is in attendance—the whole town turning up for hog roast and red wine in the cool sunshine.

After scarfing down food and a few too many drinks, the mood is relaxed. Killian’s cleaning up the food as he shoots me a knowing wink from across the grass. It’s almost time.

“Shit.” I shake out my sweaty hands. “I don’t think I can do this.”

Standing on the wraparound porch, Aalia’s arm slips around my waist. “Of course, you can. This is your family. They’re all going to be so happy for you.”

She was ecstatic when we told her a few days ago. I needed a woman to talk to, someone I could trust. Aalia was thrilled to be one of the very first to know.

But the one person who should be here today, the one person I actually want to tell, is nowhere to be found. I hope that somewhere, Lola’s watching down on us and smiling at the madness.

Leaving her fiancé to continue chatting with Albie and Ryder, Katie walks over to us and bundles me into a hug. She smells like floral perfume, and red wine clings to her lips, but I hug her back.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

“I’m good, Katie.”

“Are you going to get this mysterious announcement over and done with so we can finally talk about this?”

Blinking, I stare up at her grin. “I’m sorry?”

She rubs my arms. “I’m your mother, Willow. A mother always knows.”

Mouth opening and closing, I can’t even deny it. Her smile is too wide. With tears pricking my eyes, all I can do is nod in confirmation.

“You are?” She’s practically bouncing on her toes.

“Twelve weeks.”

“Holy shit, sweetheart! What did Arianna say?”

“She was so excited.” I smile at the memory of her squealing and grinning when we told her last night. “She wants a little sister to play with.”

“I bet she does.”

We embrace again, Aalia watching on with tears in her eyes. It feels better than I expected to tell them, like we don’t have to be alone in this wild, crazy journey anymore.

With both of them boxing me in, all three guys meet me at the bottom of the porch steps, and we call everyone to attention. Everyone’s eyes are on us at the head of the garden.

“What’s the big stink?” Ryder jokes, knowing full well what’s going on since the guys told him.

I wave him off, feeling nervous. “We wanted to get the whole town together for a party. This is the first time we’ve been together since Lola passed.”

The mood sobers. Everyone knows that Lola left me Briar Valley in her will—news travels fast around here. Yet no one has raised the issue. We’re all still mourning the loss of our leader.

“I know she’s here in spirit today with us all because we have some exciting news to share.”

Clinging tight to Micah’s hand for courage, I drop a palm to my belly. My eyes are locked on the pine trees at the back of the garden so I don’t run away from the sudden roar of applause.

“Oh my God!”

“Congratulations!”

The first people to reach us are Harold and Marilyn, offering their personal congratulations. One by one, we’re bombarded by people, all hugging and squeezing each one of us.

Killian saves Arianna from the crowd by boosting her onto his shoulders, so she doesn’t get squished. She’s beaming, obviously enjoying all the extra fuss over her as everyone asks if she’s excited.

“I’m going to be a big sister,” she tells everyone animatedly. “How cool is that?”

Killian bounces her on his shoulders. “Very cool, peanut.”

“Higher, Giant. Higher!” she yells.

I’m bundled into another lung-squeezing, tight hug from Ryder. He pecks my cheek too then steps aside to shake each of the guys’ hands.

“Willow.” Ethan nods, his expression grim. “I’m really sorry to do this right now, but can we talk? Something has come up.”

“What is it?”

“Not here.”

Waving the guys off before they can follow us, I take Katie’s arm instead. She looks surprised by my decision but lets me drag her back into the cabin with Ethan in tow behind us.

Closing the door against the party that’s kicking up a notch, I turn to face Ethan. “Do you want a drink or something?”

“No, I’m fine. I have to drive back to London tonight.”

“Has something happened?”

He gestures for me to sit down. “You could say that.”

Taking a seat at the dining table, I clutch Katie’s hand tight. She looks as anxious as I feel.

“What is it?”

Ethan begins to pace the kitchen. “We’ve been monitoring Sanchez’s official residence since your divorce announcement. Now that we have more evidence, we’re preparing to make a move on him.”

My heart leaps into my mouth. “You are?”

“We’ve been gathering witnesses and evidence for months to get to this point. Monitoring his location was part of our information gathering phase.”

“I don’t understand,” Katie interjects. “You’ve known where he is this entire time? Why not just go in there and arrest him?”

Ethan shakes his head. “Not that simple. This is a very complex investigation, and we needed to wait for the perfect moment to make our move. We’ve been preparing for that to come.”

“So… it’s time?” I ask hopefully.

He looks crestfallen. “He’s gone, Willow.”

The floor falls out from beneath my feet, my stomach dropping with it. “What do you mean, gone?”

“Our surveillance team performed their daily check-in and found the place deserted. Nothing left. Not even a single piece of furniture or speck of dust.”

Gobsmacked, I have no words. Not a single one. That mansion was an impenetrable fortress, the pinnacle of Sanchez’s empire, but a trace on his location at least.

Gone.

Gone.

Gone.

The word echoes on a loop in my mind, taunting me over and over again. I should’ve known his silence was too good to be true.

“Where could he have gone?” Katie asks urgently.

“Anywhere in the world. He has the money and resources to run faraway from anywhere we can find him. We think he may have been spooked.”

“By me,” I finish.

Ethan says nothing. I don’t need him to. The day I threatened Mr Sanchez to those cameras, I sealed this moment’s inevitability.

“We’ll find him,” Ethan reassures. “His assets and wealth are still traceable. He can’t hide from us for long.”

But he hid his true self all this time , my inner-voice whispers. Long enough to take me and keep his illegal operations under wraps while presenting a lie to the outside world. A whole decade, if not longer.

Fingers itching with the urge to find my switchblade and a quiet corner to cut in, I make myself take a deep breath. I can’t do that anymore. I don’t want to. No matter what my demons say.

“What happens now?” I gulp down the lump in my throat.

“We work on picking up his trail. My team is already on it. Tara and Hyland will remain here for your protection.”

“Do you think Mr Sanchez will come for us now?”

Ethan wrings his hands together. “There’s a possibility.”

With terror spiking through my veins, I let Katie pull me into a side-hug. It’s as much for her comfort as it is for mine.

While I’m grateful for our miracle, this is seriously bad timing.

I can’t let him find us.

Not now.

Not ever.

“Should she run?”

“Running won’t help anyone,” Ethan replies with a head shake. “He can find you anywhere, Willow. Stay here where my team and your family can keep you safe. The limelight will protect you.”

“There’s enough of that on me at the moment.” I squeeze the bridge of my nose.

“Exactly. Sanchez can’t try anything while the world is watching. He wouldn’t take that risk. Use that to your advantage.”

“I’m not going anywhere. This is my home. I have to protect it, as much as it protects me. Lola would want that.”

Smiling, Ethan nods. “I think she would.”

“I don’t think it’s safe,” Katie worries, clenching my hand tight. “You should come back with me. The apartment is still there.”

“No. I’m not leaving.”

“Willow—”

“My decision is final.”

Hearing the conviction in my voice, she doesn’t press the issue. “If that’s your decision, then I’ll respect it.”

“There’s something else.” Ethan glances at me, uncertain. “We’ve found another victim, but she’s refusing to go on the record.”

“Of Mr Sanchez?”

He nods grimly. “We’re trying to convince her to aid the investigation, but we’ve been unsuccessful so far.”

“So what does this have to do with me?”

“We want your help to convince her to go on record and help us nail this motherfucker.”

Stumped, I gnaw on my bottom lip. I have no desire to look in the eyes of another woman who was in my position. Facing my own darkness is hard enough without being confronted by others.

But the more evidence and testimony we have against him, the safer my children will be from that monster. He needs to be put away, and for a long time. This will help to achieve that.

“What do you say?” he asks hopefully.

Looking up at Katie for confirmation, I force myself to nod.

“I’ll do it.”