Chapter 11Rowan PriestPOVWalking into my parents’ house holding Grace’s hand, I could feel her sweaty palm, she’s nervous.I pause by the door. “What’s wrong?” I ask her.“We’re meeting your parents…” she whispers.I look at her confused. “So?” I ask.“What if they don’t like me?” she asks.I almost feel bad for the poor girl. She’s still a child and has been thrown to wolves.Before I can say anything, I hear my mother’s voice. “I swear none of my children love me…” my mother rounds the corner.Grace stiffens beside me. I don’t have time before my mother’s in front of us. My mother looks like she always does, a designer dress that fits her like a glove. Her hair tied in a tight bun like it always in.She startles when she sees me. Her eyes widen when her eyes move from me to Grace and then to our joined hands.Her hand goes to her heart. “Gesù, vuoi farmi venire un infarto? Mi è quasi sembrato di vedere un fantasma?” she asks. Glaring at me. {Jesus you want to give me a heart atta

Chapter 13 – AnnouncementGrace WilsonPOV“Grace your back to Rowan’s front. Yes, yes. Rowan wrap your arms around Grace’s mid. Yes, like that. Grace, can you place your left hand on Rowan’s hand so we can see the ring?” Willis the photographer directs us.Rowan and I follow his instructions.“Can you look over at me and smile.” Willis says before snapping pictures.I do my best to smile.“Grace, I said smile, not give me your best constipated look.” Willis shakes his head.I pout. “I’m sorry…” I apologize. I’m not used to doing any of this.“Grace is a little shy. She’s not used to having her photo taken. Why don’t you try to relax Grace?” Rowan asks.I turn to look at him. My face sandwiched between his hands. He smiles at me. I lift my hands to hold his wrists.“Relax Grace.” He whispers.I’m taken away by how green his eyes are. The camera flashing startles me.I turn to look at Willis wide eyed.“Look at Rowan Grace.” Willis tells me.I startle a nod. I look at Rowan. Why would

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 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 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