Page 40 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

Grayson

“Sex trafficking?” Her voice breaks as the words fall from her lips.

“Once the cartel deemed you useless after a while, they were then going to sell you into organ trafficking. Frank was planning to make a huge profit off of you. Told them you’d be an easy target because no one would report you missing.” It hurts like hell to have to tell her this, but I couldn’t hold it back from her any longer. The closer we get the harder it is to keep secrets from her.

“W-why thefuckdidn’t you tell me this? I don’t believe you, I don’t.” She shouts, standing up and pulling her dress up her body.

“Rowan, I have proof but I couldn’t tell you–”

“That’s why you fucked me! That’s why you wanted to take my virginity so I’d be useless.” She accuses as tears start to fill her eyes.

Now was not the time to tell her but there was never going to be a right time.The right time would have been when you kidnapped her, dumbass.

“Rowan, that wasnevermy intention. I couldn’t risk you telling anyone.”

“Like who? Who the fuck would I have told?” She spits.

“Deirdra, my guards that you were getting a little too friendly with I don’t know, Rowan I just wanted to keep you safe.”

“Well that was astupidfucking way to do it because I was planning to escape. Why should I even believe you? You kidnapped me, you could be just as bad!”

I stride over to her and take her head in my hands, holding her gaze. “I willalwaysprotect you, regardless of what you want to think. If I hadn’t taken you they would have. I know you’re scared and you’re angry but I promise, Row,everythingI’ve done is to protect you. You think I wanted to do this? To see you suffer or be the cause of your pain?”

She pulls away from me and I see the wall that I’ve tried so hard to break down, building back up. “Then why? You don’t even fucking know me–”

“Damn it, Rowan, because I love you!” I cut her off. I don’t want to say it but I need to. “I’m madly, disgustingly, undeniably fucking in love with you. Ididn’tknow you but I do now. I watched you every single day for a year just to know you were okay, just to get my fix because I’m addicted to you.” I hear my voice cracking, desperate for her to feel what I’m saying.

She takes a step back. “No you can’t–”

“I can and I do,” I say, my voice softer. “I knew from the moment I saw you that you were different. That I need you as much as you need me.” My words are lost on what I really want to say to her. I don’t know how to tell her exactly how I feel or if it’ll even matter.

She steps toward me, our faces just inches apart and all I want her to do at this moment is melt into me. Reciprocate my love. Anything. “Fuck you, Grayson. You’re a liar.”

“Rowan–”

“Save it. I need to be by myself. I’ll be in the car.” Her voice is calm but I can hear the undertone of anger. She doesn’t believe me– about her father, maybe she doesn’t believe that I love her.Maybe it was too soon.

As Rowan exits I pick up my phone to find all the pictures I have of Frank’s exchanges with the cartel so that I can show her. She needs proof if I even have the slightest chance of her trusting me.

Missed Call -Ma

Missed Call -Ma

Missed Call -Ma

Missed Call -Laila

Missed Call -Ma

Ma:Where are you?

Ma:There’s a black Escalade parked outside

Laila:Where the fuck are you?

Laila:Answer your fucking phone some shady motherfucker in an escalade is parked at the end of the driveway.

Laila:Grayson what the fuck

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