Chapter 10A few hours earlierRowan PriestPOVMy patience has been wearing thin listening to this fool rattle on and on about how he was framed, he hasn’t given us any information. But he sure as hell knows if he is involved in any way, I will put a bullet in his head myself.I eye him. I couldn’t stand his babbling any longer. Though I am trying to spot his lie if there’s one. I’d find it.Andre’s standing behind him. Andre’s eyes are on me. His hand behind his back, no doubt he’s got his hand on his gun.I finally speak. “How does your entire crew go missing with an entire shipment gone to?" I ask him.He swallows not answering me. He looks at me panicked.I narrow my eyes at him. Andre begins to say something, but I stop him.“I don’t know anything Rowan, I swear. A few days ago, there were couple of guys sneaking around asking about you, but I got them sent off site. Then when I showed up to work this morning none of the crew pitched and then the police came to arrest me. and th
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 12 Grace WilsonPOVThe Priest family is something out of this world. They’re the type of family you see in Hallmark movies. Their mother is loving and very stern with her sons. When Damian gives snide remarks, she glares at him, and he shuts his mouth. When she asks Rowan about planning the wedding and he gives her one-word answers to show he has zero interest in something she glares at him, and he gives her the answers she wants afterward. It’s a family dynamic I’ve only ever seen in movies.Their father is quiet throughout dinner and barely says a word other than put food in his wife’s plate and eat his food. From what I can see he loves his wife dearly. Even when she’s scolding her sons, he has hearts in his eyes.“You, okay?” Rowan asks me.I turn to him, we’re on our way back to his house after dinner. I nod.When Rowan was saying bye to his parents Damian his twin brother approached me and told me I better give up on getting his brother’s love and that he would never l
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 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