Love so Hot (Misfit Millionaires #1)

Chapter 47Willow

Chapter Forty-Seven

Willow

The darkness of Greenwood Hollow's forest swallows us whole as River and I creep through the underbrush. Twigs snap under my feet, and I wince with each step, imagining some forest creature scurrying away in terror. Or worse, a security guard catching us red-handed.

"Keep up," River hisses over his shoulder, his silhouette barely visible in the gloom. "We're almost there."

I roll my eyes. "Yes, sir," I mutter under my breath. As if I have any choice but to follow him on this ridiculous midnight adventure. Apparently, this is how I prove my loyalty to the cause. Joy.

As we pick our way along the ridge, my mind wanders to the absurdity of my situation. Here I am, tramping through the woods with a man I once thought I loved, planning God-knows-what kind of eco-terrorism. And the kicker? My time with Larry—my fake fiancé and supposed mortal enemy—taught me more about respect and healthy relationships than years with River ever did.

I wonder if there's any humanity left in him. Maybe there's some redeeming qualities left, lurking underneath all his rage. "Hey, Riv. Remember when we used to come up here to stargaze?" I gesture at the sky, where a faint sprinkling of stars peeks through the clouds.

River's face hardens. "What the hell are you on about? I told you to focus."

Well, I guess that gives me my answer.

As I watch him scan the valley with feverish intensity, I can't help but compare him to Larry. Sure, Larry is no saint, but at least he listens. He considers consequences. River, on the other hand, seems to have left all reason behind in his crusade.

"Earth to Willow," River waves a hand in front of my face. "You with me?"

I plaster on another fake smile. "Always."

But as we continue our reconnaissance, a knot forms in my stomach. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this charade. Something's got to give, and soon.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't notice the twig until it's too late. The snap echoes through the quiet night like a gunshot.

River whirls around, his eyes flashing. In an instant, he's on me, his fingers digging into my arm as he yanks me close. "What the hell, Willow?" he hisses. "Are you trying to get us caught?"

I wince, both from his grip and the venom in his voice. "Sorry, I just?—"

"Just what? Decided to take a leisurely stroll?" His face is inches from mine, those piercing green eyes boring into me. "This isn't a game. We can't afford any mistakes."

I try to pull away, but he holds me fast. "I said I was sorry, okay? It won't happen again."

River's grip loosens slightly, but his suspicion doesn't waver. "You've been distracted all night. What's going on with you?"

My heart races. This is it. The moment of truth. I could come clean, tell him how conflicted I feel, how I'm not sure this is the right path anymore. But as I look at him, at the fervor burning in his eyes, I know he wouldn't understand. He'd see it as a betrayal.

So I lie.

"Nothing's going on," I say, forcing conviction into my voice. "I'm just tired. But I'm here, River. I'm 100% behind you and the cause. You know that."

The words taste like ash in my mouth. Inside, I'm screaming. What happened to the idealistic college kids we used to be? When did saving the world become synonymous with destruction?

River studies me for a long moment, then nods. "Alright. Just... stay focused, okay? We can't afford any slip-ups."

As he turns away, continuing down the path, I stay rooted to the spot. My arm throbs where he grabbed me, a physical reminder of how far we've strayed from our original ideals. I used to admire River's passion, but now it scares me.

I'm not sure what's right anymore. The pipeline will cause damage, sure, but so will blowing up machinery. And what about the workers? They're just trying to make a living.

God, when did everything get so complicated?

I take a deep breath, steeling myself, and follow River with exaggerated caution. Each step is a deliberate act, my eyes scanning the ground for any traitorous twigs or leaves.

We reach the overlook, and I have to admit, the view is breathtaking. The valley stretches out below us, bathed in silvery moonlight. It would be peaceful if not for the hulking shapes of construction equipment scattered across the landscape like some bizarre, mechanical graveyard.

"Well, isn't this just a lovely spot for a picnic?" I mutter under my breath, unable to help myself. "Nothing says 'romantic evening' like the smell of diesel and impending environmental disaster."

River either doesn't hear me or chooses to ignore my sarcasm. He's too focused on the scene below, his body taut with anticipation. He points dramatically at the machinery, and I half expect him to shout "Behold!" like some cartoon villain.

Instead, he turns to me, his eyes gleaming with that manic light I've come to dread. "There," he says, his voice low and intense. "That's where we're going to hit them. We'll rig the machines to explode when they try to start work tomorrow."

I blink at him, waiting for the punchline. Surely, this is just another of River's over-the-top hypotheticals, right? But as the silence stretches between us, I realize with growing horror that he's dead serious.

"Explode?" I repeat, my voice embarrassingly squeaky. "As in... boom? Kablooey? The whole Michael Bay shebang?"

River nods, mistaking my shock for excitement. "Exactly. It'll be a major setback for the pipeline, and a clear message that we're not backing down."

I stare at the machinery below, my mind racing. All I can think about are the workers who'll show up tomorrow, unsuspecting. What if someone gets hurt? Or worse? This isn't what I signed up for when I joined Earth Defenders. We were supposed to be protecting life, not endangering it.

Before I can find the words to voice my concerns, River's already in motion. "Come on," he calls over his shoulder, "we need to get down there and set the charges."

My stomach drops as I watch him slide down the hillside, his lithe form disappearing into the shadows. This is insane. Not only could people get hurt, but the explosion itself would cause serious environmental damage. The very thing we're supposed to be fighting against.

I open my mouth to call after him, to say something—anything—to stop this madness. But the words stick in my throat. What if he doesn't listen? What if he goes through with it anyway, and I lose my chance to prevent this disaster?

My mind whirls with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. I could follow him down, try to talk sense into him. I could run back to town and alert the authorities. I could even try to warn the workers somehow.

The cool night air prickles my skin as I stand frozen at the top of the hill. River's distant figure pauses, and I can almost feel his impatient gaze boring into me. "Willow!" his voice carries up, tinged with annoyance. "What are you waiting for?"

What am I waiting for, indeed? My fingers twitch at my sides as indecision paralyzes me. The machinery below looms ominously in the moonlight. My next move could change everything, but which path is the right one?

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding so loudly I'm sure River can hear it even from down there. It's time to make a choice.