Chapter 14 – Dinner with the Hudson’sOne week laterRowan PriestPOV“It’s so nice to meet you Grace…” Gabby, Alex’s wife says as she sits down across. I’ve known Gabby for exactly five years now, they got married I think six years ago.Gabby’s met Angelica, though the two didn’t hit if off, she was always friendly to Angelica because she knew Alex and I were friends.Grace smile widens. “I’m so glad to meet you too. You’re so pretty. You like those model’s I see on tv. I can’t believe how pretty you are. You’re really pretty.” She goes on, but I take her hand in mine to stop her from rattling on.She looks at me before quieting down.“You’re making me shy…” Gabby says but the wide smile on her face says she’s looking anything but shy. “What is it you do Grace?” she asks.Grace looks at me for answers.We haven’t talked about it, but I’ve asked Rayna to apply at NYU for her to start studying there. They had the best fine arts program I could find. And it helped a lot that Grace’s gra
Chapter 15One month laterGrace WilsonPOVI stand in front of the mirror my future mother-in-law has tears in her eyes.We’re trying on my wedding dress just the two of us. I don’t have any friends and Rowan doesn’t have any other family.“The dress is beautiful Grace, but I don’t think this is the dress.” Sandra Priest says biting her lip, her eyes narrowed at the dress.The dress was a tightfitting lace ensemble. Though it’s beautiful and the most expensive thing I’ve had touch my skin in my entire life.I nod and head back into the fitting room with the consultant Samantha. She’s been super helpful, though I was ready to give up an hour ago, my future mother-in-law had other ideas. She was determined to get my dress today.“How about we try on the dusty pink dress you were eyeing?” Samantha asks.I bite my lip. I loved the dress; I don’t think Rowan would. “My fiancée would want me in a white dress…” I’m sure Rowan wants his virgin bride in a white dress.Samantha looks at me bef
Chapter 16Hannah SmithPOVI stand in the door as Rowan walks into my apartment, I stand on my toes to give him a peck on the lips, but he dodges.I pout my lips closing the door. "Hello to you too lover…" I purr walking up to him.He pins me a glare.“Oh, come on don’t tell me you didn’t miss?”He doesn’t say anything just crosses his arms.“Oh, come on, when you look at me like that, I almost think you’re Damian.” I tease.“Don’t fuck with me Hannah. Why have you been blowing my God damn phone up?” he spits out.I walk up to him; I untie my robe. His eyes roam my body.He shakes his head. “You think that shit is going to work on me? I know a hundred other models with a body like yours.” He snorts.I let my robe fall to the floor. “Yet not one of those models have been fucking you for as long as I have.” I remind him.He tilts his head. “Just be out with it. I thought you were more straight forward than this…” he assesses me.I sigh dramatically. “Well, I want to ask about what’s go
Chapter 17 Rowan PriestPOVGrace and I walk into the restaurant together, I wrap her in my arms the cameras flashing, and the growing crowd is rowdy, and Grace is cowering into me. I’ve realized she’s not a big fan of large crowds. Spending the month with her, I’ve come to realize whenever we’re near them or she spent the day out she gets nightmares.Though for the first time in years I find myself laughing and genuinely smiling. A lot of the shit that comes out of her mouth is comedic and she’s got no filter.I brought her out to lunch today to celebrate and as payback to burying Hannah’s story I had to give the person she bought off a story worth more. And what do they want? Grace and I on a fucking date.What are we celebrating? We got her acceptance letter for NYU. She was so excited, and I couldn’t tell her my money got her in. Jesus I’ve gone soft. I know it’s only because Grace is genuinely a good person, and she didn’t deserve half the shit she’s been through. If it were any
Chapter 18Hannah SmithPOVGetting a tip off Graham set me the fuck off. Hours after he left my apartment, he was with her, happily. Sitting talking with her. I’d have to force him to talk to me. Last night was different I will admit that. He didn’t want to fuck me. I had to force him to. I went to the restaurant, thinking I’ll see cracks in their façade. A way to break them up. I didn’t expect to see him with hearts in his eyes. The last thing I expected was in this life was seeing a man incapable as so much as a smile to fucking laugh.Imagine my surprise when I see Rowan laughing, tears in his eyes at something she’s said. He ordered for her, I watched as he kissed her head and held her protectively as they walked in.Watching him not scowl at her. He doesn’t even look at her with the cold look he permanently has on his face. Even when he smiles his eyes are dead cold. But somehow, she gets him to smile even when he isn’t smiling with his mouth, if that makes sense.She looks like
Chapter 19 Rowan PriestPOVDamian on his phone sitting beside me. My eyes on the server Andre brought to the safe house. We call it a safe house but it’s anything but a safe house, we’re currently in the basement watching the man sweat.His wrists tied to the back of the chair and his ankles ties to the steel chairs legs. And what I assume is a white cloth tied around his to prevent him from speaking. My eyes go to Andre sitting to my right.Andre doesn’t say anything as he gets up… He removes the cloth and throws it to the side.“I-I don’t know anything…” is the first words out of the server’s mouth.I turn my head to look at him. “I didn’t ask you to speak. Why are you opening your mouth?” I ask.His eyes wide.Andre’s phone goes off. He looks at the screen before his eyes goes into slits.He walks over to me and hands me his phone. I watch him throw something in the burger before handing the waiter our food.I give Andre his phone back as I watch this asshole.Damian watches the
Chapter 20Rowan PriestPOVRING RING RINGThe sound of my phone ringing wakes me from my slumber. My head pounding. I feel like a truck had run over my head at least ten thousand times.Fuck!Laying on my stomach I reach for my phone on the bedside table. I answer the call without looking who it is.“What?” I bark. Who had the nerve to call me this early in the morning?“You better watch your tone when you speak to me Rowan.” My mother warns.I sit up “Mom?” I ask confused.Where am I? I don’t recognize anything around me. It takes me at least a couple of seconds to recognize my surroundings. I scratch the top of my head. My hair in knots.I look around and notice I’m at Hannah’s place. What the hell happened last night? The last thing I remember was driving to Rayna’s place. What happened between Rayna’s place and being in Hannah’s place? In her fucking bed naked… It doesn’t take a scientist to know what happened last night.I run my fingers through my hair.“Where are you Rowan?
Chapter 21 Grace Wilson POV When I woke up, I heard Sandra shouting at someone, and I when I was about to say something when I heard shuffling, but I heard her speaking to Austin about Rowan. So, I kept my eyes closed. What are they doing in my room? Why would Rowan let them in my room while I was sleeping? That’s a little weird right? “Where is Rowan?” Sandra asks. “I don’t know, I spoke to Lucian.” Austin "What did Lucian say?" Sandra asks. “It wasn’t an accident. Someone tried to kill her. Rowan spent the night investigating. They found a lead, but I haven’t been able to contact Rowan or Damian since last night. I had men check in on Damian he’s fine. I can’t find Rowan or his driver.” Austin says. “And Andre have you called him?” Sandra asks. Austin sighs. “Andre was busy, he didn’t go with Rowan. He hasn’t been able to find Rowan either.” Austin says. "Ha-has some-something happened to Rowan?” I ask trying to sit up. My throat hurts. It feels as though I swallowed kni