Piper nods. “The next morning, her shitbag ex actually told her she’d gotten old. Can you believe that?”
It’s all making sense now. “So, when she saw Ozzie and you with your age difference?—”
“It set her off. Once I pointed it out and she realized, she apologized. Everything has been fine since.”
I cannot fathom the amount of trauma that asshole put her through. I will do whatever I can to make sure she never feels less than ever again. And I’d like to find this ex and make his life a living hell as well.
“Thanks for telling me.”
She stands up. “No problem. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Have something home-cooked before you head out?”
“I’d like that.”
She steps to the door. “See you at six.”
I stare at my phone, debating what to say to Willow. But I don’t want to send this in a message. Instead, I call her as I get up and close my office door.
“Durango?” she answers.
“Hi. Can you talk?”
“Sure. Is something wrong?”
“Yes and no.” I pause, trying to decide how to tell her.
“Can you tell me what’s going on?” she asks.
I laugh. “Sorry, the good news is that Reed is sending me back out on an assignment. I’m finally back.”
“That is great news! You were worried you might not be able to work again at one point.”
The despair I felt while in the hospital was as bad as I’d felt when I knew I had to leave the service for my family. But I got through that, and I got through this.
“Yeah, and I’m thankful. But the bad news is I head out tomorrow morning. I won’t be back in time for Friday, so I need to postpone our date.”
“Oh. Well, I mean, it’s work. It can’t be helped. We’ll just go out when you get back, right?”
I sigh in relief. “Yes. As soon as I get back, I’ll call you. But one thing we haven’t really talked about is the fact you won’t hear from me while I’m gone.”
“Durango, you had a few assignments when I first came to town. I know what to expect.”
I lean against my wall, grinning. “I’m relieved to hear that. It’s just I thought you might feel differently about it now that we are dating.”
“I’ll be fine. I have plenty to keep me busy. But I will miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. And I’ll call you as soon as I get back.”
“Looking forward to it.”
She ends the call, and I feel much better. Everything will work out. It’s been a rough few months, but finally, everything’s going my way.
CHAPTER 10
Willow
Something my therapistsaid this past week keeps playing on repeat in my mind, and I can’t think of anything else. She said I likely wasn’t Tyler’s first victim, nor would I be his last. It’s what Durango said, too.
Now, all I can think about is whether Tyler will do this to someone else. Hell, he might already be doing it to Sasha. And while I should hate her, she actually was the one who allowed me to get free. No woman should go through what I went through.
