Finding Willow VI (Nicholas POV)

Nicholas POV:

"You don't have anything in here about separation of assets in the event of divorce," he noted. "Would you like me to add in some standard clauses for your approval?"

I shook my head. "No, that won't be necessary."

"I must advise you to let me add those in. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't urge you to protect your assets."

I knew the stakes. But I was the one pursuing this path with Willow and in the event she agreed, married me, had children with me, and changed her life for me, I was going to enter the agreement by taking some risk of my own.

"At this point, I don't want any provisions about divorce terms except in the case of children. I will let you know if that changes in the future."

He took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "Okay then. This shouldn't be a problem. I'll have someone bring it to you tomorrow morning."

"I want you to do it. I don't want anyone else to see this except you. Can you bring it to me at my house in the morning?"

The fewer people involved in my personal life, the better.

He nodded. "Sure."

Smart man. He knew a big bonus awaited him.

"One more thing. I know you drafted the scholarship award paperwork and I wanted to enact the clause regarding revocation in the event of criminal activity."

He scrunched his eyebrows, waiting for me to continue. I told him about the incident, asking if it was legally possible for me to rescind despite the lack of official police involvement.

"Well, you have the final say. You are covered in the event you deem the recipient unfit to continue as the awardee."

I smiled at his words. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

"Okay then, I'll be in touch when I decide what course I want to take. There will be some stipulations at the very least attached to Mr. Grant's scholarship if I decide to let him keep the award. I'll let you know in a couple of days."

He nodded.

"Is that everything?"

"Yes, that's it. Thanks for coming in." I walked with him to the door, trying to avoid a look of disgust on my face when I shook his sweaty hand. I needed some fucking sanitizer.

No sooner had he left than Francis walked in, sat down, and put his feet up on my desk.

"Can I help you?" I asked, glaring at his shoes.

I met Francis shortly after his father passed away and left the company in his hands. He was a few years older than me, but still, I think he considered me a mentor of sorts as he got his footing. We got along well despite owning rival companies.

We became even closer following my breakup with Rosemary. He and Geoffrey were really the only two people who knew more than the vaguest details about what happened, and even they didn't know everything. A few years later, we merged our companies and now operated one of the top media conglomerates.

I considered Francis like a second brother.

And he knew just how to irritate me and push my buttons as only a brother could.

"What?" I demanded after he remained silent and sat there sporting a smile.

"Nothing. I just came by to see how you are." I reached over and knocked his feet off my desk before flipping through some reports.

"I'm fine."

"You've missed three meetings this week and Geoffrey says you are moodier than usual. What's going on?"

I was going to beat Geoffrey's ass. "Nothing's going on."

Just about that time, a text came from Virgil.

[We're on the plane. Took off 20 minutes ago.]

I couldn't help the smile plastered on my face.

Francis crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrow when I glanced over. I forgot he was even there. I knew I'd never get him to leave unless I gave him something.

"Okay. I've been a little distracted. There is something going on, but…" I sighed at his concerned expression. "It's not business. It's personal."

"You can tell me." I knew that. But not yet.

"Give me some time, Francis. I'm working some things out. I just need some time."

He nodded, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Okay, you know I'm here for you." He paused and frowned. "Listen, there's something I need to tell you. I'm not sure if this is the best time, but I thought you'd want to know."

I waved my hand for him to continue.

"And Entertainment is hiring Hector Willis." I hadn't heard his name in a long time, but it was still a punch to the gut. My former best friend. The guy who I roomed with in college, who shared my ideas about media development, the one who fucked me over completely.

It suddenly hit me why Francis was telling me this. "He's coming here."

It was a rhetorical statement, but he answered anyway. "Yes, he's moving to Quentin. It's supposed to happen within the week."

My jaw clenched, but I tried to maintain calm. "What are they bringing him in as? Executive VP?"

"No, he's being hired as president of their entertainment division."

I snorted. Hector was smart, but he had no imagination. No creativity. No morals. He could connive his way through any situation and make people see what he wanted them to. He was a used car salesman masquerading as a leader. It wouldn't have surprised me to find out he was still using my name to climb the corporate ladder.

"Anyway, sorry to lay this on you, but I didn't want you to be blindsided by the news from someone else."

I nodded at him. "Thanks, man. I appreciate you telling me."

He stood up and stretched his arms out. "Well, I'll have those projections ready later today."

"Sounds good." I stopped him before he opened the door. "And as for the other thing… I'll talk to you soon."

He grinned. "I'd lay odds that it has something to do with a woman."

I chuckled and nodded. "Doesn't it always?"

"Damn straight." He gave a little salute and walked out.

Despite the news about Hector, I was glad about the talk with Francis. He'd have my back no matter what happened with Willow.

I looked at the clock. In a couple of hours, I'd have her within my grasp.
The results were likely to be either highly successful or completely disastrous. Nothing in the middle.

.

She was here.

She was here and I was late.

I felt guilty after Francis had pointed out my recent slacking, so I'd gotten lost in paperwork during the afternoon and attended a board meeting which went later than planned. I ran like my ass was on fire out of the office when Virgil texted to let me know they were on their way to the house.

I sat in the back of the car, shedding my jacket and tie, my hands and knees shaking with nerves.

Why was I so nervous?

I was Nicholas Motherfucking Rowe.

Why did this girl I barely knew have so much power over me?

It was a mystery, yet undeniable.

"Can you go any faster?" I yelled at John.

Fucking traffic.

We finally pulled in front of the house just as Virgil was coming down the steps. I jumped out and he grinned at me.

"How's it going, boss?"

How's it going? How's it going?

I looked past him to the front door and swallowed. "She's in there?"

"Yes, she is." I turned back toward him.

"I should go in." It sounded more like a question than a statement.

He laughed and slapped my shoulder. "Good luck, boss. Don't worry so much. She's nervous enough for the both of you."

That steeled my resolve. I needed to be strong. Needed to show her that she belonged here. With me. That I could take care of her.

I jogged up the steps and went inside. I'd asked Laura to prepare dinner on the terrace so I made my way toward the back, hoping to find them along the way.
And did I ever.

I stood in the doorway of the library, catching Laura's eye momentarily before she smiled and left the room. I stayed right where I was, trying to remember to breathe as I watched Willow for the first time.

Her eyes were wide and her mouth slightly open as she spun around, taking in every detail of my two-floor library. She was wearing a dress that flared up as she moved, giving me a great view of her long legs. Her skin was pale but contrasted well with her dark hair.

My heart raced again, in the familiar way it had since her first phone call, and I smiled realizing it was some Willow-induced side effect. And that I didn't need a cardiologist on standby.

I felt different in her presence. Different than I ever had before and I didn't quite understand why. Lighter maybe? Less burdened. Happy.

All I was sure of was that it felt right.