Page 5 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

I close my eyes, letting the anticipation mix with the exhaustion. As sleep pulls me under, I let my thoughts shift away from Grayson. I don’t need a man I just met taking up space in my mind. Tomorrow will be just like every other date I’ve ever been on, and I’ll be back to being comfortably alone.

Grayson

Luciano and I wait outside of Rowan’s apartment building. She of course doesn’t know my brother is joining us for our littledate.I could have pulled it off alone but it’s always fun to have him with me on side missions like this. It’s a game for us.

“You know you really need to learn how to compartmentalize.” Luciano says.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about this shit with Frank and his daughter. You’re making shit too personal. This is business, Grayson, we could have done this differently with Frank.”

“He’s a fuckin’ traitor, count yourselves lucky I found out soon enough.” I sigh, checking my watch. “Look, I don’t got time for a fuckin’ lecture. Frank’s working for the enemy and we need to be prepared.” He should really be more appreciative. If it weren’t for my interest in Rowan, we would have never learned about what Frank’s been up to behind our backs.

Rowan’s father was never a protector for her, I’ve picked up his slack because she’s too pure for the evil in this world. Me included. But I’ve benefited from it by finding out her father has been in some shady business that will cause a lot of problems for me and my organization.

He sighs, shaking his head. “Don’t bullshit me, bro. This ain’t just about the cartel.”

“Look, we don’t have time for a heart to heart my boy. You got the marriage license taken care of?” I ask him.

“Yeah. I had to jump through hoops at the courthouse but everything was notarized and sent in. You’re officially amarried man.” He says with sarcastic excitement. “I still don’t think marrying her will solve the problem.”

I shrug. “Maybe not the whole problem, but they’ll sure as hell think twice about their deal with Frank. No sense in not using whatever resources we have.”

We wait in the car, the engine idling quietly as Luciano shifts impatiently in the back seat. I take a deep breath, calming my nerves. Everything has to go as planned, without us having to hurt her.

Rowan steps out of the main doors to her building. She looks beautiful with her hair pinned half up, wearing a blue midi dress printed with daisies. Her bright smile lights up as I step out to open her door for her. She thinks tonight is a date, an innocent evening out. I feel a pang of guilt in my chest but quickly push it aside, this is necessary.

“You look beautiful, Row.”

She blushes, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you.”

Another excruciating pang of guilt. She’s shy. I’d feel worse though if I kept her in harm’s way, which is exactly what I’d be doing if I don’t do this now.

As she settles into the passenger seat, she glances back and notices Luciano. Her brow furrows in confusion. “Oh, hi. I– didn’t realize you had company.”

I flash her a reassuring smile, hoping to put her at ease. “This is my brother, Luciano. He needed a ride to meet a friend so I figured we could drop him off on the way. It won’t take long.”

Luciano leans forward, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you,Rowan.”

She hesitates for a moment before shaking his hand. “Yeah– you too.”

Shit. She’s already nervous. It doesn’t help that Luciano has an arrogant smile on his stupid face.

I start the car and pull away from the curb, keeping my tone casual. “So. Rowan, I have the whole evening planned. We’ll drop Luciano off first, then head to that new brazilian steakhouse downtown, maybe hit Fox Theatre after. Sound good?”

She nods, the confusion easing from her face. “Yeah that sounds great.”

As we approach a less populated area, I slow the car, turning on to a side street. Rowan looks around, curiosity creeping into her voice. “This isn’t on the way downtown.”

“Just a quick detour,” I say smoothly, glancing at Luciano. “Luciano’s friend lives around here.”

She nods but shifts in her seat, clearly uneasy. I pull the car to a stop in front of an abandoned warehouse and I can tell she’s ready to run, her body is stiff and her breathing has picked up.

“Luciano, this is your stop.” I say, turning to him.

He nods and before Rowan can react, he lunges forward, wrapping his arm around the headrest of the passenger seat with the cloth in his hand. He presses it over her mouth and nose, the chloroform acting quickly. Her eyes widen with fear for a moment, but within seconds they shut. She’s unconscious.

I step out of the car, moving quickly to the passenger side. I lift her limp body into the SUV we have parked by the back of the warehouse. Once she’s in, I secure her hands behind her back, and her feet together.

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