Chapter 6: To friendship

The Halloween book signing event was a huge success. Goddess of the moon jumped up to number one in the supernatural fantasy genre and my sort of sequel In light of darkness was set to be published just after thanksgiving. But the best thing to come out it was my rekindled friendship with Tom. Liam still made sure everyone new he was the alpha but he was much more at ease now that he knew Tom was happily married and about to be a dad. I had my friend back and a new one. Erika was awesome. She was just like me and Liv and we all got along amazingly. And what better time then now. We all gathered at mine and Liam's house for Thanksgiving. While everyone else was dishing up I leaned against the wall watching Liam in the living room rocking Ash who was now 7 weeks old.

He caught me looking at him and plastered a big smile. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist.

Liam: I'm sorry I can't give you one of these.

Willow: Don't be. I am more than content with how things are.

Liam: But I see how you look at him. How you care for him. Do you think about it.

Willow: losing Page was the worst thing imaginable. Maybe I'm still too broken but, it's hard to imagine having another one. This is fun. Taking care of Ash but being able to give him back.

I laugh and Liam chuckles and he kisses my forehead.

Liam: Would you consider adoption?

Willow: If it's something you'd want then yeah of course I would consider it. Maybe a little later on down the road.

I kiss his cheek as he sets Ash down in his play pen. I dish our plates and join everyone at the table.

Liv: If you don't mind I would like to say a grace.

We all join hands and bow our heads.

Liv: Bless the food that is before us,

This home around us,

The family beside us,

And the love between us,

Amen.

Everyone says amen and the forks begin to clink. Half way through the first plates, I grab all the guys a beer and top off the lady's apple cider and raise a glass.

Willow: If someone one would have told me over a year ago that I would find love, happiness and friendship again I would have told them they were crazy. But right here and now in this room I am blessed to have all those things. I love you guys. To friendship.

Everyone raises their glasses and repeats my words "To friendship". When I sit Liam pulls me into him and devours my lips.

Liam: I love you Baby.

Willow: I love you.

No sooner had the thanksgiving decorations came out they were back away and it was time for the Christmas stuff. Though there wasn't a lot since we've only shared one Christmas together. Thank goodness for my clearance shopping. Opening boxes full of Christmas stuff I bought last year was like opening a Christmas gift full of surprises and the inside of our house was looking quite festive. Liam finished with the lights outside while I heated up some chili for lunch. The tone of nut cracker played on my phone. It was Kelly.

Willow: Hi Kelly, did you have a good thanksgiving.

Kelly: I did and you.

Willow: Can't complain. So what's up.

Kelly: Well I have just been informed that Goddess of the moon is up for an award for best book of 2020.

Willow: Oh for the supernatural Fantasy genre.

Kelly: No for best book of the year. It hit an all time best selling record for the month of October and November and it still leads so far into December.

Willow: You're joking right. This has to be a joke.

Kelly: It's no joke Willow. You're a freaking best selling author.

I let a squeal that caused Liam to come running into the house in a panic. He stops as he reaches the kitchen and sees me waving my hand at my face taking shaky breaths.

Liam: Baby what's the matter.

Kelly: Willow you still there.

Willow: Yeah.

Kelly: The award ceremony will be in January in New York. I'll text you all the details as I get them. And Willow, congratulations.

Willow: Yeah

I set my phone down as Liam comes up to me cupping my face.

Liam: Babe.

Willow: Oh shit the chili.

I quickly turn off the stove and move the pan off the burner before turning back to Liam.

Willow: Goddess of the moon is up for an award for best book of 2020.

His mouth gapes open and eye widen. He scoops me up spinning me around as he hollers.

Liam: That's awesome babe. When is it.

Willow: Kelly said in January, she'll send me the details once she has it.

He sets me on the counter settling between my legs kissing my fiercely.

Liam: Where?

He asks as his lips travel down my neck.

Willow: New York.

Liam: How soon will she know so I can get the time off or move my schedule around.

Willow: I don't know I'll try to push her on it later.

Both our stomachs protest. I turn the fire back on and re heat our now cold chili while Liam gets out the cheese and crackers. Setting them on the kitchen bar.

Liam: You know this could work as a kitchen island.

I look at him sideways while stirring the chili and look at the counter top. His smile is wide from ear to ear as he waggles a brow and pulls down a couple of bowls while pressing himself against my back side. As I pour the chili my phone lights up.

Unknown: Why haven't you responded?

Liam sees the message pop up.

Liam: Who's that.

I glance over and my heart thumps a little harder. I place the bowls on the counter and walk around to take a seat.

Willow: I have no idea. They won't tell me who they are so I've just been ignoring him.

Liam: Him!

Willow: I don't know for sure but I assume by some of the texts they left that it's a guy?

Liam opens the messages and takes a seat next to me. His jaw starts ticking as he scrolls back to some of the inappropriate messages.

Liam: How long has this been going on for.

Willow: Halloween

Liam: Why haven't you told me.

Willow: Liv said this kind of thing is bound to happen as I become more known. They haven't left anything threatening and really what can I do. I'm not not going to change my number every time some stranger gets it. Look at the flowers I've been getting from random people.

Liam: This guy send anything?

Willow: I don't know. How would I. I mean I read all the cards or notes that come with the flowers but I can't tell if he has. I had a weird feeling when I got the stuffed bat that was wrapped around a bouquet but that doesn't prove anything and what would we do anyway. Cops can't do anything about texts messages and flowers.

Liam: No but Tom can.

Willow: What's he gonna do. Like I said there's been no threats of any kind just some odd messages.

Liam: Are we not looking at the same messages. This guy wants you. He's obsessed with you.

Willow: Liam you think that about every guy.

I place my hand over my phone pushing it on the counter and cup his jaw with my other.

Willow: We can call Tom about it after lunch if it'll make you feel better.

He closes his eyes and pushes the phone aside.

After lunch Liam calls Tom. We meet him at his office in Venice. As we walk in to the two story office building over looking the ocean we are greeted by an older woman with long black hair that looks a lot like Gal Gadot. Before she has a chance to ask us anything Tom comes jogging down a set of stairs grabbing me for a hug and shaking Liam's hand.

Tom: Gale, these are my friends Willow and Liam O'Bryan. Can you bring a couple coffees up. Both with cream and sugar.

She nodded at Tom and smiled at us.

Tom: Come on I'll take you to the tech room and then show you around.

In the tech room there's a young guy with glasses and long shaggy black hair working at a station that looks like something out of a spy movie.

Tom: May I

Tom holds out his hand for my phone. I open it to the messages and hand it over.

He reads the first few and furrows his brows before giving me a scowling look. He hands the phone to the guy.

Tom: Aron run a trace on this unknown. I'll show you guys around while he does his thing.

Liam's hand tightened on my hip as Tom introduces us to half a dozen of ex military and or law men who are now apart of the Eagle eye security team. Finally he takes us into his corner office with a full window view of the ocean. Just as we sit Gale walks in with our coffees. Tom stares at me from across his desk as he rests his chin on his elbows. I can feel a lecture coming.

Willow: Look I'll tell you what I told Liam. Liv and my publicist Kelly said this kind of thing is bound to happen. He hasn't threatened me and I haven't replied back since the first few texts. I figured if I ignore him he'll eventually stop.

Tom: But this is you we're talking about. Not just some random famous actress. Willow you have no idea what you do to guys.

Liam practically growls at Tom. Tom raises his hands palm up in a "am I wrong gesture" then starts laughing as Liam shakes his head. I role my eyes and try to think of a come back but words escape me. Tom starts asking all the same questions Liam asked to which I reply the same.

Willow: I have no idea who it could be. The bat gave me a weird vibe but I can't say it was from the unknown text guy. I don't know what else to tell you. Like I said he hasn't sent any threats. What can you possibly do if you find out who he is. The cops can't do anything he hasn't broken any laws.

Tom: No the cops can't do anything but I can.

Willow: Oh my god the two of you need to stop this shit.

There's a knock on the door and Aron the tech guy walks in handing me my phone.

Aron: He's untraceable.

Tom: This is your expertise Aron what do you mean he's untraceable.

Aron: I don't know man he has some crazy Russian spy wear shit that spit a virus into my system. I was able to defeat it but then it destroyed any evidence there may have been to trace the number or get a ping.

The word Russian stood out for some reason, but I couldn't figure out why at that moment.

Liam: Can you look into someone?

Tom: You have a suspect?

Liam: I do

He says looking at me with both jaw muscles ticking.