Page 24 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

Don’t throw up, I repeat, swallowing the anxiety and nerves winding their way up my throat.

As if she senses my anguish, my phone flashes with a call from Bex.

“Hey.”

“If you wait ten minutes, I’ll be there.”

“You can’t leave work.”

“Abe said that if you needed anything today, I am free to help.”

“He probably meant if I needed anything medically.”

“He meant mentally, spiritually, medically—whatever.”

“I have to do this myself.”

“You can do it, but I’ll be your moral support.”

I smile, my nerves easing. “It’ll be okay. And if it’s not, then I’ll send an SOS and you can ply me with booze to help heal my broken heart.”

“Jesus with the theatrics. Talon has kept you locked away for two days and is completely crazy over you. This is not the end of your relationship.”

I gnaw on my lips, staring at the building in front of me.

Rendezvous.

One of the hottest salons in Nashville.

Frequented by local celebrities and stars.

The write-ups have gone viral and the wait to get a new client appointment is almost a year out.

Small business of the year…

And most importantly, owned by Rowan Ellis.

“Hello? Did you hear me?”

“Sorry, what?”

“I said that Talon had you in bed the last twenty-four hours and barely let you up for air. He’s not going anywhere.”

“He did let me up for air. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Taking you to the shower to have more sex, and cooking you dinner, where you had sex on the island. You are probably walking bow-legged.”

“I am not bow-legged!”

I shared way too much with Bex about my newfound sex life.

“Rowan is a huge part of him, and it’s important that we get off on the right foot. I didn’t exactly make a great first impression.”

“You were justified in your actions. Joseph Jackass left an impression.”

“But she doesn’t know that. She probably thinks I’m an overreactive lunatic.”

“You should wait until he’s off tomorrow and let him introduce you. Or, wait for me to get there.”

“I love you, but this is a solo job.”

“Call me the minute you can.” She sighs in defeat, then disconnects.

I tried not to ask many questions, but Jewls and Harley openly spoke about Rowan and Ford. It was obvious how badly I’d misjudged the situation with Talon.

One thing I learned about Jewls is her bluntness.

This is a tight-knit crew. These men have gone through hell and back and survived. But there’s something special with Talon and Rowan. She carries weight for him being hurt, even though it’s bullshit.

Talon’s protective over you. He’d never suggest this, so I will. Let her off the hook for whatever you overheard. She’s freaking out that she screwed things up between the two of you. The woman carries enough guilt for her lifetime.

It’s me who should feel guilty after the way I bolted like a maniac.

Ford and Rowan returned late last night after Talon and I went to my house.

Which is why I’m here today.

To apologize and introduce myself properly.

My phone dings with a text from an unknown number.

Would you like me to come outside?

My eyes dart to the salon and the blonde watching from the window.

Shit! No turning back now.

I exit my car and walk slowly, steadying my legs the closer I get to the door. My phone chimes again, this time with Talon’s number. As much as I want to answer, he will have to wait.

It may be my imagination, but the second I step inside, the chatter dies.

All the practice of my speech flies out of my mind, and I blurt out, “I’m sorry for Wednesday morning. It was a visceral reaction to a huge misinterpretation of the situation.”

Visceral reaction to a huge misinterpretation of the situation? What the hell?

Rowan says nothing, her big blue eyes brimming with kindness and understanding. She throws herself forward, engulfing me. “I am the one who is sorry. My feelings were hurt and it was immature for me to act out.”

“He means a lot to you,” I whisper in her ear. “He’s a genuine hero.”

She pulls back, her gaze wide in shock. “He told you?”

“He did.”

“Thank God. He never talks about what happened. I’m glad he opened up.”

“I am, too.” This is the absolute truth. Knowing more about him only heightens my feelings.

“You should know,” she steps away, “I know about you, too.”

It takes a second to sink in. “About Joseph?”

“If that’s his name, then yes.”

Hurt strikes hard. When did Talon tell her?

“Talon didn’t tell me.” She reads my mind. “I’m an expert at spotting the signs of betrayal from someone you trust.”

Her ex-boyfriend comes to mind.

“Yeah, it sucked. But now I thank God. I’ve met Talon.”

“Amen, sister.” She smiles a blinding smile as another blonde wedges between us.

“I’m Shayla.”

“Harley’s cousin?” Harley and Jewls mentioned her several times.

“Yep, you the new member of the club?”

The club… Casanova Club.

The infamous mansion on the hill with a rotating door of women. Or so the rumor goes.

“I guess?”

She assesses me, her lips in a thin line until they reach my feet and spread into an admiring smile. “Nice shoes.”

I stop myself from dancing at her compliment. “Thanks, they are new?—”

A high-pitched, jarring shriek sends all of us jumping.

Please, dear Jesus, this can’t be happening.

The pig-like sound came from none other than Rylee. She’s glaring at me with such hatred and revulsion my skin singes.

“You! Why are you here? Trying to sabotage my wedding isn’t enough. Now you want to ruin my bridal preparation?”

“I-I-I had no idea you were here.”

“Sure, you didn’t. Are you following me?”

“I knew I hated this bitch when she made her consultation appointment,” Shayla says loud enough for everyone to hear.

Rylee’s face flames, the fury building.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Rowan backing away.

“What did you tell them?” Rylee bellows, “Did you give them a sad story, blaming me for your misfortunes? It’s not my fault you’re a shrew who doesn’t know how to keep a man.”

My stomach twists, and I go light-headed. Everyone is gaping as my sister tears me apart in Rowan’s salon.

This has to stop.

“I-I-I didn’t say a thing.”

“I-I-I,” she mocks. “Your stutter is annoying, Willow. Who wants a physical therapist who can’t speak correctly? Get your life together.”

She makes a move my way, pointing her finger viciously. “You are a pathetic loser!”

My wits return and I square my shoulders, sucking in a deep breath. “Rylee, we need to take this outside. You’re disrupting Rowan’s business.”

“Rowan? What? You’re on first-name basis with the owner of the hottest salon in town? Puuuhhllease, you couldn’t afford to come here if you tried. Living like a hobo and looking like one, too. How do you even show your face in this place?”

My confidence in my carefully chosen outfit vanishes.

“I love her shoes,” Shayla defends. “And she looks a hell of a lot classier than that knock-off you’re wearing.”

“Shayla is a fashion buyer,” one stylist calls out.

The flames of Rylee’s skin heat to the hue of almost purple. “You bitch, you are enjoying this.”

I’m momentarily distracted by the rumble of a motorcycle somewhere in the distance when she shoves me hard. My body arcs back, my feet tangling and I go down, my head banging with a loud crash against the glass door.

Black stars blur my vision and nausea rolls as pain radiates in my skull and neck. There’s screaming, yelling, and chaos erupting as mortification smothers me.

“What the motherfucking fuck is going on!”

Talon’s roar sends a hush over the room, and I crack an eye enough to see him glaring at Rylee with a deadly force that fills the air.

He’s not in the uniform he left my house in this morning. He’s wearing black nylon shorts and a t-shirt that stretches across his broad chest and arms with a fading Marines logo. His black hat is turned backward. If the situation was different, I’d be drooling.

My stomach turns for a new reason when I note Rylee is eyeing him with pure desire.

He’s at my side in a second, lifting me like a child into his arms. “Baby, can you open your eyes?”

“Yes, I’m okay.”

“Bullshit.”

“Did you call her baby? Who are you?”

He stands, spinning to face her. “Your worst nightmare.”

“This woman is stalking me!” she tries.

“You better have a good fucking lawyer,” Ford seethes, Rowan tucked into his chest. “You don’t bring that bullshit into my woman’s building.”

“Willow is the one at fault. I’m here for a bridal consultation. I waited months for a spot to open up!”

Shayla saunters to the computer and scans the screen. “You were referred by Stacy Richards?”

“She’s my mother, and my father is one of the most influential people in this town. He’s a multi-million dollar Healthcare Executive.”

I groan at her description. Typical for her to use Dad’s position and influence to get an appointment.

“Sterling know you’re throwing his name around like that?” Talon snipes.

“You know my dad?”

He doesn’t answer which fuels her rage. She slices her eyes to me. “You are a pathetic, selfish, wretched bitch. Why can’t you accept Joey loves me more than he could ever love you? You’re dull and frigid—can you blame him?”

The air is sucked out of the room as my whole secret is exposed. Talon’s body strings tighter, shaking against me.

“Oh no.” Rowan moves in front of us, Ford stepping in front of her.

“Bitch, I don’t know what world you live in or who you think is saving you from this,” Shayla speaks casually, seeming bored. “You fucked with a Casanova’s woman. Not a smart move.”

“What the hell is a Casanova?”

“The worst enemy you can ever make,” Rowan snaps. “Get out of my salon.”

“What about my consult? This is not my fault. She stalked me!”

“Guuuurrrrll, you don’t get it. Willow is one of us. I’m grateful she showed when she did. Exposed the trash that got through my screening.” Shayla files her nails. “You aren’t getting your consult, and you will be charged triple for the idiocy and abusive disruption.”

“I will sue you!” Rylee cries.

“Better save your money for your lawyer.”