Grayson
Rowan may be questioning everything right now but I’ll make her fall in line. She’ll understand this is for her own good. Maybe not why it is, just that it is. She’s a perfect example of the lengths I’m willing to go to protect what belongs to me. While she views me as her captor, she has no idea that her fate would be much worse had I not taken her.
I enter the computer lab in the basement to pick up some files. “What do you have for me?” I ask my tech guy, Austin.
“Well, word about your marriage is out and they’re not happy about it.”
I nod. “I figured they wouldn’t be. Any immediate threat? ”
“Not yet, but a couple of his guys will be scoping out the place tonight to get intel. Probably trying to confirm that Rowan is here. I suggest taking her somewhere tonight, that way they won’t have anything on you.”
Looks like Rowan and I are staying at my penthouse tonight. Maybe they’ll think she’s still in Detroit. At least it complicated things for them, that’s exactly what I wanted– to throw them off. My hope is that this can all blow over but considering the amount of money that’s at stake for them, I doubt it will be that easy. Either way, I plan to get rid of them. Their type of business isn’t welcome in my city.
“Save the camera footage of the outside for me tonight. I’ll take a look at it this week to see what his team consists of.” I say to him.
He pulls out files from his drawer, handing them to me. “These are the personal profiles of some of his people. One of them is the manager at Frank’s mattress store.” Great, a guy who has some intel on the money I launder.
“Luciano see this yet?” I ask, staring at the photo of the middle-aged man.
“Yeah. I gave him a copy of this file. Said he’s handling that one.” One less thing for me to have to do. Got to love my brother, he stays one step ahead just like Pop’s. I get to kill two birds with one stone tonight– get some time with Rowan while Luciano eliminates one of our problems.
I walk into the library to find Rowan sitting in the lounge chair in the corner, reading. She looks adorable with her hair up in a messy bun and wearing one of my Polo T-shirts.
“Hey,” I call out to her.
She glances up at me with an indifferent expression. “I’m only wearing your clothes because I have none here.”
I bite back a smile. “I don’t mind. We’re going out tonight.”
“Out where?” She asks, looking disgusted that I’m even speaking to her.
“I have another place uptown. Floor cleaners are coming so we’ll be staying there tonight.”
She arches a brow at me. “Floor cleaners? At night?”
She’s too damn observant. I guess I should have had a better excuse. “Stop asking questions for once.” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose .
“Whatever douchebag. Let me go pack my stuff– oh wait, I don’t have anything.” She snaps, rising from the lounge.
I close the gap between us and she plops back down onto the lounge, looking up at me with fear in her eyes. “Stop being a fucking brat,” I say, my voice a low growl. “You’ll have more than you need tomorrow. I’ll have Deirdra pick up some temporary clothes for you tonight.”
She nods. I’m impressed she didn't have something snarky to say, she’s learning. I turn on my heel and exit the library. I have to get up to my office and figure some things out before we leave tonight. I’m already letting Rowan distract me from business and I can’t let that happen.
I pace the length of my office, my thoughts consumed with Frank. The cartel is ruthless and of course he had to put everyone else in their line of fire. Their interest in Rowan isn’t just about money– it's about power and control. Keeping her under my watch is the only way I can make sure she’s out of their grasp. I still can’t figure out why Frank would need to offer them his daughter if he’s already working for them to infiltrate my empire .
I stop by the window, staring out at the manicured gardens that now serve as her gilded cage. Rowan’s hatred toward me is palpable, but I’d rather be her enemy than see her in the hands of those who would destroy her.
The door to my office swings open, and Luciano strides in, his expression tense. “We need to talk.”
I nod, gesturing for him to sit. “What’s the latest?”
He drops a file on my desk. “The cartel’s getting restless. Frank has already given them enough information to start poking around. They know about some of our operations and are looking for more leverage.”
A surge of frustration courses through me. “Fuck. What exactly do they know?”
“Names, locations, some business details. Nothing too damaging yet, but it’s enough to be a threat. If they find out that Rowan is actually here, shit will escalate quickly.”
“We need to keep her out of their sight.” I say, staring off in thought.
“And keep Frank in captivity. He’s our leverage right now.” Luciano adds .
I stare at him for a moment, my eyes cold. “Frank is a dead man after what he’s done.” He’s sold out every person in his life, he’ll be useless to us after this.
Luciano studies me carefully. “What about Rowan? Do you plan to tell her why she’s really here?”
“She can’t know,” I say firmly. “Our job right now is to protect her.” Truth is, she isn’t quite immune to this life. The last thing I need is for her to act out of emotion or open her mouth to anyone about it. Very few of my guys know what’s going on until I can figure out if anyone else is in on this with Frank. She needs time to process everything else that is happening before I lay this on her.
Luciano nods slowly. “You’re walking a tightrope, . If she learns the truth–”
“She won’t,” I cut him off. “Not until I say so. For now we focus on getting the cartel off our backs and keeping her safe.”
He rises from the chair. “Just be careful. Make sure you’re making the right move. ”
Luciano exits my office and his words play on repeat in my mind. The cartel is our problem regardless of Rowan, but marrying her pissed them off more than I thought it would. Part of me thought they would back off because nobody fucks with us but the cartel is different. They’re trying to prove something .
I noticed the tension in Rowan's shoulders as we entered the dimly lit penthouse. "Come on," I urged, guiding her to a plush seat. "Pretend to like me just for a little bit, you’ll feel a lot less stressed."
She rolls her eyes. “Try not feeling stressed when you’re kidnapped.”
Pouring a couple of drinks, I try to coax a smile from her. "Don’t look at it like that, look at it like we’re just on a really long date,” I chuckle. “It's just us here. I’m not so bad when I’m not working." I say with a smile, attempting to make her feel more comfortable .
Rowan takes a hesitant sip, eyeing me warily. As the warmth of the drink touches her lips, I decide to lighten the mood. "I miss your pretty smile I saw the other night. You liked me at first, remember?”
“Please,” she scoffs, “I need another drink or ten so that I don’t have to remember that night. You’re a great manipulator, you know that?”
I laugh at the tough exterior she’s trying to portray.
“I was just doing my job, Row. If it helps, I actually did want to know everything about you– for myself, not just for business.”
“Well I might have told you a thing or two had you actually taken me on a date instead of to a warehouse in the middle of bum fuck.” she says, looking away from me. Yeah, not my most perfect gentleman moment.
I plop down on the seat opposite her. “What if I take you on a date now. Would you still tell me about yourself?”
Rowan’s laughter bubbled up and she leaned in with a serious expression. “I won’t accept that offer again, I’d hate to end up with another chloroform rag over my face. ”
I nod, grinning at her fiery attitude. The girl is quick-witted, I’ll give her that. “Believe me, I didn’t want it to have to be that way, but I couldn’t risk you trying to jump from my car on the highway.”
She leans back, shaking her head. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You could have just, oh I don’t know– not kidnapped me.”
“And when you understand why I did you’ll be grateful.” I clip.
She scoffs. “You know, you’re actually such an asshole. I get plenty of guys hitting on me in my line of work and nine times out of ten I reject them. I finally accept a date and I get drugged and abducted.”
I lean in, resting my arms on her legs, she twitches at my touch for a moment but doesn’t move. “I know plenty of men would kill for the chance with you,” That’s what I’m literally doing. “And I’m sorry things happened this way. But there’s just so much you can’t understand right now, Rowan.”
“You’re fucking weird.” Not exactly what I expected her to say. “You keep trying to pretend like you’re saving me from something. My life in Detroit wasn’t that bad so if that’s what you think you’re saving me from you’re not. You’re stealing the independence I worked for.”
I’d rather let her make her assumptions. Whatever it takes for her to ask less questions.
“Why did you leave Chicago, Rowan?”
“I’ll answer that when you tell me why you’re doing this.” She snaps.
“Because your father stole from me. Your turn.” I say flatly.
“Yeah I got that but why didn’t you kill him or have him pay it off?”
“That’s not important,” I tell her, pouring her another scotch, “you’re safe with me Rowan, but you can’t try to leave or I can’t promise you will be.”
“What is that supposed to even mean?”
“It means stop asking questions.” I snap.
Rowan’s eyes narrow, a touch of irritation in her voice. “Fine. If you’re so secretive I won’t bother asking anymore. Just don’t expect me to stick around.” What the hell does she mean by that ?
“You seem to have forgotten you don’t have a choice, darling. I decide what you do and where you’ll be. Your job is to trust and obey. Got it?”
“And you have seem to forgotten I’m not a fucking dog and you don’t get to tell me what to do!”
“Or what?” I challenge.
“Huh?” she says confused.
I lean down, resting my hands on the arms of her chair. “I said or what?”
“Or– I’m going to leave.” She tips her chin up.
She really thinks this behavior is going to fly. I’ve been too nice to her. I go over to my duffel bag in the entrance closet of the penthouse and pull out a pair of handcuffs. Walking back to Rowan, towering over her, I grab both of her wrists, knocking the glass of scotch out of her hands, and cuff them both together behind her back, pulling her to her feet.
“What the hell are you doing?” she screams, trying to pull her arm from my grip .
I bring her into the bathroom. Standing behind her, I bend her over the sink. Her floral scent, the way this cotton dress form fits to her midriff– it’s taking everything in me not to do what I want to her right now.
“I know you’re a virgin, Row.”
“You don’t know if I still am-”
“Yes I do. I know everything about you. You’re my wife now Rowan, I’m going to make you bleed eventually. You can choose if you want it to be a punishment or a reward. Tighten up that little mouth of yours or piss me off, it’s your call.” I grit out grabbing a fistful of her hair.
“You can’t do that,” she says softly with tears welling in her eyes “I’m saving myself for-”
“Marriage,” I interrupt her, a malicious grin on my face. “I’m your husband, you’ve saved yourself for me . Now beg me not to take you, or I will. Right here. Right now. Not quite the candles and rose petals you would hope for, right?”
“Please-” She cries desperately. Of course I’m bluffing. I’d never force any woman into sex, I’d never have to either. Even Rowan. But I’m also not going to make her think that I have a heart. Nothing seems to scare this girl into staying and keeping her mouth shut, so the only thing I can do is threaten to take something only she can give.
“Please what?” I press up against her and breathe into her ear, “say my name.”
She presses her ass into my erection. She enjoys this. “Please .” she says with tears streaking her red cheeks.
I take a step back and turn her towards me, smiling down at her face now painted with mascara.
“See that wasn’t so hard,” I say, my voice low. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Now relax, and have another drink with me, darling.”
Seeing Rowan cry gave me a strange mix of guilt and satisfaction. I don’t want her to try and run so I have to put my foot down, but part of me wants her to rebel so I have a reason to punish her. Even I know how sick it is. I pour her another drink and we sit down on the white suede couch in the living room. She’s shaking and we’re right back to where we started. She's uncomfortable. I don’t blame her though. A guy that she’s completely unfamiliar with just threatened to take her virginity. This is all new and I have to ease her into it. That’s going to take time .
“I- I’m tired. I’m going to lay down.” She says.
Before I can say anything, she rushes off to the bedroom.
Rowan went to bed half an hour ago and I took time to make some work related contacts. As I walk toward the bedroom I can hear Rowan quietly moaning. Is she getting herself off? I press my ear to the door to get a better listen. She’s definitely getting herself off. I turn the door knob slowly and crack the door just enough to get a good view of her. Her back is arching and her hips rolling as she moves in slow, gorgeous motions. I wonder what she’s thinking about. Or if she’s thinking about how I had her bent over the bathroom sink earlier. She picks up her pace and her eyes are closed, so I take the opportunity to move further into the room, drinking in every detail of her like this. I take a seat on the accent chair in the corner beside the bed and watch her intently, waiting for her to open her eyes and notice. She opens her eyes as she reaches her climax and her relaxed, lust-filled expression turns to shock when she catches sight of me as she comes.
“Fuck! What are you doing in here?” She screams, pulling the comforter to her chest.
“Trying to go to bed but I didn’t want to miss the show.” I say, my lips curling into a smile .
I rise from the chair, walking towards her slowly. She looks up at me with her big eyes like a puppy that just got caught chewing on the furniture. I reach for her hand as she watches me without hesitation and slide my tongue down her fingers, tasting every drop of her arousal.
“Next time I watch you come, it’ll be with my face between your legs,” I say, dropping her hand. “Get some sleep.”