Page 20 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

Why is he so jealous? He married me just to get back at my dad, so I don’t know why he would care about other men looking at me. Brenden didn’t even act like this and I was actually with him voluntarily. I do have to admit though, I like feeling protected. Even by the same man that kidnapped me and is currently holding me captive, forcing me into a marriage. I must bereallyfucked up to find that endearing.

“Come on. Get changed, we’re going to grab a drink. I need one.” He sighs.

He brings me to the rooftop of the mansion where an elaborate outdoor bar is set up with small tables, a pool, hammock, burnt orange patio couches and two bartenders. We take a seat on one of the couches and Grayson motions one of the bartenders over– a young blonde girl. She looks more like an Instagram model than a bartender. Her hair is tied back into a ponytail without a single hair looking out of place, her skin is a beautiful, golden tan, and her makeup looks almost professionally done.I can see why he hired her.

“Hi Grayson! Maker’s Mark neat?” She smiles and winks at him.

“No. Get me a martini. Grey Goose and make it dirty.” He says without looking at her.

“Okay I’ll get that right out for you!” She smiles at Grayson then scowls at me as she walks away.

“Oh and Brittany?” Grayson calls out to her.

“Yeah?” She turns back with the stupid fangirl smile still on her face.

“Have Miles make my drink. You’re fired.” He says looking down at his phone.

“W-why?” Brittany says, her smile dropping.

“You’re annoying and rude. You can’t mix a decent drink to save your life and you walked away without even getting my wife’s drink order. You can go now. I’ll send your last check in the mail.” He says still looking at his phone.

Brittany stopped at the bar to give Grayson’s order to the other bartender and left without another word. I’d say it was a little harsh to fire her if she hadn’t shot me such a dirty look earlier. She’s obviously hot for Grayson and didn’t like seeing him with me.

“Oh I almost forgot. I have something for you.” He says averting his gaze from his phone to me. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, gold wrapped gift box.

“What’s this?” I ask, smiling on the inside. No man has ever gotten anything for me before him.

“Well, open it and find out.” He says, expressionless.

I pull the small, sheer ribbon off and open the box.What the actual fuck.

“Is- is that a fucking finger?” I scream.

“Pinky actually. It’s Brenden’s. Don’t worry, he’s still alive. I just had to get the pictures of you off of his phone.”

I drop the box and shoot him a look of disgust. I can’t even form words. The bartender, Miles, walks over and sets down Grayson’s martini on the end table.

“She’ll take a ruby port.” Grayson says to him, shooing the bartender away.

“Alright, maybe gifting you his pinky wasn’t the best way to earn your trust. Listen, I like you Rowan. You don’t crumble under pressure, the fact that you’re still a virgin after having men chase you is evidence of that.” He says, slowly looking me up and down.

“What you think we’re going to have a heart to heart after you just handed me a fucking finger?” I shoot.

“No.” He deadpans. “I’m saying you make the perfect wife in a business like this because you’re not weak,” he says, licking his lips and holding my gaze. “I’m going to need you to submit to me a little bit though, Rowan. Let your guard down with me but keep that guard up when it comes to everyone else. I mean it when I say you’re safe with me but youhaveto do what I tell you without arguing with me. Shits about to hit the fan and if you want to remain untouched you have to trust every word I’m telling you.” The bartender comes back to set the stem glass of port wine on my end table and walks off.

“Okay what the hell is going on? Because I’ve been going along with everything you’ve asked yet I still have no idea what’s going on with my father, why you are hinting that I’m in danger and why the hell I’m married to you. You want my trust then tell me what this is all about because ripping me away from my life over a man I no longer speak to is unfair especially if you won’t even tell me why.” I can feel my cheeks heating up with anger, or maybe I’m trying not to cry, I don’t know.

“I never said you’re in danger. Iamsaying if you want to avoid it, do as I say and try not to ask so many questions.”

Of course I can’t expect someone like him to divulge details of his business to me or really anyone. I expected that but it was worth a shot.

“Can you just give mesomethingto go off of? It’s hard to ‘submit’ to a situation I know nothing about.” I lean back, sipping my wine.

Grayson blows out a long breath before finally speaking. “I was watching you for a little while.” He looks down, almost embarrassed.

“You were watching me?” I asked.

“Yeah. Stalking, whatever you want to call it. But I’m glad I was. You know how many times random men have tried to follow you home? You have got to me more aware of your surroundings, Row.” He says it so casually.

---