Page 13 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

“No thanks.”

“It wasn’t a question, Rowan. Stop with the tough girl act, it may have worked onBrendenbut it’s not going to work on me.”

“How the fuck do you know about Brenden?” I snap, turning to him.

He holds my phone up, “Luciano grabbed this off of you when we picked you up. I’ve got to say, Row, for a girl who’s saved herself for marriage you talk awfully dirty in these texts.” He stares at me looking amused. He went through my fucking phone? I only went out with Brenden a few times before he tried to pull the moves on me. When I told him I was saving myself he tried to sweet talk me into making an exception for him, obviously not realizing every other guy I’ve dated has done the same. I gave him false hope just to string him along but eventually I stopped answering his calls and texts. Some men just need to be humbled. Brenden is one of them.

“I’m going to be paying him a visit soon. I don’t like other men having pictures of my wife’s tits.”

“Seriously? Everyone sends pictures.”

“You’re not everyone. I’m a possessive man Rowan,” his chiseled jaw clenches, and his eyes narrow, “what’s mine is for my eyes only. Now go get dressed.” Great, now he’s going to make Brenden think I give a shit about him. Or he’s going to kill him for no reason.

I quickly walk back to the bedroom and throw on a white T-shirt with a pair of jeans and white Converse that Deirdra dropped off yesterday. She was probably just trying to get simple pieces for the time being but I actually prefer my clothes very plain because I’m not exactly a fashionista. I don’t know how to pair things together nicely. Grayson walks in the bedroom wearing a perfectly pressed suit with a gold watch.He,on the other hand, does know how to dress.

As we walk outside I see a black town car parked in front of the hotel and we’re greeted with a well dressed older man opening the back passenger side door for us. Grayson scoots into the backseat beside me with his eyes glued to his phone. Whatever he’s so focused on has him tense.

“So about last night,” I start, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

“You got wet from me bending you over and pulling your hair, nothing to be ashamed of with me, Row.” He cuts me off, glancing up at me from his phone.

He’s an arrogant prick. He doesn’t know what I was thinking about. I mean Iwasthinking about that but who is he to assume? “No, I was going to say it won’t happen again.”

A devious smile plays on his lips as he looks back down at his phone. “Yeah it will.”

I turn to face him while he still has that stupid grin on his face. “No, it won’t. I wasn’t even thinking about you at all by the way.”

He turns his phone off and rakes his eyes up and down my body before settling on my eyes. “You’re a liar, like your old man.”

“I amnothinglike my father. Your ego is just hurt that you weren’t on my mind.” I retort.

Before I can react his hand comes up, closing around my throat just enough to allow me to breathe. “You want me to believe you’re nothing like him,” he pulls my face closer and presses his lips against my ear. “Don’t lie to me.”

He releases me, still holding my gaze. “What were you thinking about?”

Don’t say it.“You.” The words fall from my lips almost involuntarily. I hate how bad I want him when he looks at me like this. All my common sense leaves my body when his eyes are on me like I’m the only woman he’s ever seen. Being alone sure has turned me into a dumbass.

“That’s what I thought,” He says, looking amused.”

We walk into Saks, met by Deirdra at the entrance. I feel relieved at the site of her. It’s nice to be around another woman after being stuck with some power tripping jerk all night.

“Rowan! I’m so glad to see you again!” She exclaims. “I already have a ton of dresses for you to try, come with me!” She leads me to the fitting rooms and Grayson heads toward the fragrance counter.

“How are you feeling about everything?” Deirdra asks.

I scoff. “Like my whole life has changed and I have no idea why.”

Deirdra stops and grabs my hand, offering me a soft smile.

“As long as I’ve known the Santoro family, they’ve always had a code to never hurt women or children. You’ll be okay, Rowan.” She’s almost too friendly. I like that she’s nice but her kindness and warmth isn’t something I’m used to.

I look around to make sure he isn’t near.

“So what will he do if I run? Or- go to the police?” I ask her quietly.

“Listen,” she says with sympathy in her eyes, “you cannot run from Grayson, and don't ever say the word ‘police’ again. Besides it’s no use, Grayson has every department within a two hundred mile radius paid off. This isn’t just some guy you’re talking about, he’s in charge of the largest criminal organization in the city.” She sighs, her eyebrows pinching together. “If you just promise me you’ll stay around, I promise you I’ll be the friend that you need. Deal?”

Tears prick my eyes at Deirdra’s words and my loss of hope to escape, but I hold them back.

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