Page 10 of Hunted By the Cartel

"Everything alright?" Rowan asked, his voice hesitant. "You seem... agitated. I'm a little worried."

I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "Nothing for you to worry about, omega," I said, my voice gruff. "Just some business matters that need my attention. You don't need to be concerned about what I do."

He bit his lip, his eyes flicking to the floor. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

"Oh," he mumbled, his shoulders hunching slightly. "I just thought... well, never mind. I guess it's not important."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze narrowing. "You thought what?" I prompted, taking a step toward him. "Spit it out, Rowan. Tell me everything you are thinking."

He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the room. He wasn't good at hiding his emotions, was he? It was almost funny.

"I just thought maybe something was wrong," he said, his voice soft. "You seem tense, and I heard you trying to call your boss earlier. Weren't you trying to know what he wants to do to me? Does he really want to kill me?"

I clenched my jaw, my eyes flashing with annoyance. "Mind your own business, omega," I snapped. "You don't need to concern yourself with my affairs. I'll talk to the boss when the time is right."

He flinched, his eyes dropping to his lap. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing. "I didn't mean to pry. I should never do that again."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as I tried to reign in my temper. "Look, Rowan," I said, my voice softening slightly. "It's been a stressful day. Just drop it, alright? You don't need to worry about anything as long as you are here with me."

He nodded, his eyes downcast, and I turned away, my frustration mounting. I couldn't reach my boss, and it felt like the walls were closing in on me.

I couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to kill me as well. What happened? I thought he had told Marcus to tell me to collect the money from Rowan. I decided to give him some time to gather it. Could it be that my boss thought that my decision meant I was going against him? That was ridiculous. It wasn't the first time I gave someone who owed us money some time to pay it.

I needed answers, and the fact that Rowan had witnessed my display of agitation only added to my irritation. I kind of wanted him to see the best of me.

"We're going to have to lay low here for a while," I said, my voice tight. "So, get comfortable. This might take a few days."

Rowan's eyes widened, his gaze flicking around the room as if searching for an escape. He had clearly thought this was going to be a short thing between us. I had also thought the same thing.

"A few days?" He echoed. "But I can't stay here that long! What if someone finds me? Plus, I have a company to run."

I scowled, taking a menacing step toward him. I couldn't care less he had a company to run.

"You'll do as I say, omega," I growled, my patience wearing thin. "You're safer here than anywhere else. Now, stop questioning me and accept it. Otherwise, you'll regret what happens next."

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and resignation. No matter what, he wouldn't do something I didn't like. After all, as much as he was under my protection, he was also under my mercy.

Rowan was apprehensive. Maybe he was thinking I would never be scary again, but if that was the case, he didn't really know me. Well, I should say that he really didn't.

I turned away, my jaw clenched, knowing that my words had scared him. But in that moment, I didn't care. I had bigger problems to deal with, and keeping Rowan safe was my top priority. For now, anyway. If it came down to it, I wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

The rest of the day passed in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken words and simmering tension. He didn't know what to say to me and I didn't feel like talking with him, anyway.

Nevertheless, I was low-key hoping it wasn't going to come to that.

As night fell, I ordered takeout, knowing that Rowan needed to eat, even if he lacked the appetite. After what happened, my boss not answering my calls, I didn't feel like cooking again. I also didn't think Rowan wanted to eat what I would have made, to be honest. Not that that mattered. It was just something I was thinking about.

We ate in silence, the clatter of our utensils against the plates filling the quiet room. I hated everything about that. As much as I wanted to say it didn't bother me, it did.

After dinner, I stretched my arms over my head, my eyes landing on Rowan. "You can take my bed," I said, my voice gruff. "I'll sleep on the couch. It's more comfortable than it looks."

He shook his head, his eyes wide. "No, I couldn't," he said, sounding surprised, just as I thought he was going to be. "You offered me your home, your protection. I can't take your bed, too."

I snorted, a faint smile tugging at my lips. He looked so cute when he was trying to respect me as much as possible. I never thought there would, one day, be someone who respected me so much.

"Don't be ridiculous, omega," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm not offering you a choice here. You'll take the bed, and that's final. You can't change my mind about it."

He flushed, his cheeks tinged with pink, and I saw the internal struggle playing out across his features. He thought he wouldn't have to sleep in my bed.

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