“You stealing from a man who rode horses with me that summer and promised everything was going to be okay when Mommy came back for me is disgusting. It looks like we both have our fair share of shameful secrets.” I shake my head at her. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”

“Willa…”

“Goodbye, Mom. I love you and I really hope you can get the help you need.”

The last tether keeping me in this unhappy life of mine snaps indefinitely. I’m free. Finally free of the guilt and desire to protect my mother. Free to go to him. Free to go home.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Callum

The door from the garage to the house opens and in steps Spencer. His grin is wolfish and knowing. If I weren’t such a mess worrying about Willa, I’d tell him to go the fuck home. But seeing someone who’s recently been with her and knows her well-being, I can’t help but rush over to him.

“How is she?” I demand. “Tell me.”

“Aside from Gemma trying to accost her in the front yard, I think she’s just fine.”

The front yard?

Gemma left a few minutes ago to go home. Spencer must have given Willa a ride over here. I shove past him, storming into the garage. The overhead door is open, revealing the two girls standing in the driveway. Willa has two bags at her feet and a backpack hooked over one shoulder. They both turn their heads as I rush toward them.

Willa drops her bag and flies into my arms, knocking me against the back of my car. I squeeze her to me, afraid that if I let her go, even just the tiniest bit, she’ll disappear forever. She smells sweet like honey-scented shampoo. I inhale her, hoping to keep her essence trapped in my lungs until the end of time.

Pulling back, I grip her soft jaw in my massive hand and then crash my lips to hers. She tastes sweet like vanilla and Coke. I devour her mouth, needing to lick every part of her, claiming her as mine. Her moan is soft and breathy, speaking straight to my cock. It hardens between us, and I have the sense to feel ashamed at getting an erection in front of my sister and nephew.

Not the place.

Not the time.

“Fuck,” I rumble against Willa’s perfect pouty lips. “I missed you so fucking much.”

“You literally saw her a few hours ago,” Spencer says in an unhelpful voice. “Just pointing out the obvious.”

“Shut up,” Gemma sasses. “They’re stupidly in love. Leave them alone.”

It’s humiliating to be seen like this in front of my family, but I can’t find the sense to reel it back in. All I want to do is kiss and hug her. Keep her locked in my arms where I know she’s safe.