Hitched by Mia Watts, Katie Blu

was their problem. All she’d been asked to do was find out where they were. The who was a bonus.
    Willow felt sick.
    “Thank you for showing me,” she said, knowing her voice didn’t convey the enthusiasm Austyn probably expected.
    “You don’t sound happy to see it.”
    “Only because I know what this would cost you.” She glanced at Austyn, then around the room. The camera was in her palm, but she couldn’t bring herself to use it. She couldn’t bring her friend down like that. What she had to do was bad enough.
    Austyn hugged her. “You’re worth it.”
    So this is what Sage had meant when he warned her not to get attached to the mark. Well, she didn’t know how to investigate any other way. Especially when she was in Austyn’s presence, getting to know her, spending time with her. She wasn’t so great at separating her personal feelings from the job.
    With sickening realization she knew that trait carried over into other aspects of her life. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she led with her heart. She could cover it up and argue against the sanity of investing herself, but the truth was Willow threw herself into everything.
    “I don’t feel so good,” Willow said tightly.
    Austyn looked disappointed. “Do you need to go?”
    “Yeah, I think I should.” Willow clutched her stomach for effect. “Can I come back and see these later?”
    Austyn beamed warmly. “Of course you can. Anytime you want.”
    “Thanks.” Willow stumbled through the maze of rooms and hallways, dodged the dog and got to her car. She barely cleared the security fence when she asked the chauffer to pull over. A couple of minutes later, she wiped her mouth and headed for Harper Security.
    Willow pushed Kane’s speed dial number. “Hey,” she said when he picked up. “I found them.”
    * * * *
    Bruce stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders, as all of the Harper Security office listened to the FBI sting in progress. She stared at the small walkie Sage had placed on his desk. The FBI got onto the property without a hitch, but getting to the back room, Austyn screaming and pleading with her father in the background, was almost more than she could bear.
    Willow closed her eyes as the tears fell.
    Austyn refused to unlock the door and the sickening crunch of wood splintering made Willow wince.
    “She told you! She told you! Tell Willow Harley she can go to fucking hell! I hate her,” Austyn screamed.
    Willow put a hand over her mouth. It didn’t stifle the sob. As Dill rose up to turn off the walkie, Willow stopped him with a shake of her head.
    “I need to know,” she sniffled.
    Her sisters sat on either side of her.
    “You did the right thing,” Fauna said.
    “I know it sucks,” Flora echoed. “But Fauna’s right. You had to.”
    As the activity on the walkie slowed, Sage switched it off. “You did a good job, Will. I think maybe this job was too hard on you. Why don’t you take some time off?”
    “With Bruce,” Dill added. “Both of you, take time off.”
    The office emptied. Willow stood and Bruce wrapped his arms around her. Sage remained the only other person there by virtue of it being his office.
    He brushed the hair off her forehead. “You, Bruce, and Kane have some talking to do. Work through this case together and work through the other stuff.”
    He dropped a kiss on her cheek.
    “Don’t come back until you’ve done that, baby sister.”
    “I’m afraid to ask you to clarify that,” Willow joked through sloppy tears.
    “Well, let’s just say that Mom is sending a care package of sex toys.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    Bruce drove her home in silence. She took the key out and let them in her house. He followed her back to the small sunny kitchen, and she handed him a glass.
    “Water?” she asked.
    “How about conversation?”
    She pulled out the chilled water from the fridge and poured some into each glass. She took several long swallows.
    “Willow.”
    “I just feel like