Page 56 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

“I know everything is one big joke to you, Rowan. But this isn’t the fucking time! What if one of those bastards fucking shot you? I didn’t know you were up there, what if theynoticed you and fucking shot you, Row?” I feel the rage clawing at the inside of my chest, a mix of fear and anger.

Her expression softens and turns almost– embarrassed. “I’m not a delicate little flower, Grayson–”

I grab her shoulders, and tower over her. “You’re mywife, Rowan, and that means I can’t afford to lose you. That means myonejob is to protect you and I can’t do that when you do dumb shit like this!”

“Grayson–”

“No, listen to me. I can handle Frank and his goons but I can’t handle losing you.”

The rage drains out of me as she stares up at me with innocent eyes, leaving behind a raw, aching fear. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand by knowing your life was at risk.” She says quietly.

I pull her into me, resting my chin on her head. “No, Rowan.I’msorry for making you feel like you had to do this.”

“Awe look at that! My boy has a heart.” Luciano interrupts the moment with his condescending tone. “Let’s get the hell out of here and grab a celebratory drink.” He suggests.

“Fine. But you’re buying for stealing my kill.” I look over at Rowan and see how uneasy my comment made her. Oh well. It’s what she gets for coming along for a ride she’s not ready for.

“So, uh– how’d you know where we were at?” I ask.

She smiles over at me as we exit the building. “I used Find My Iphone.” Smart girl. Stupid move.

“No more stunts like this.” I say coldly.

“I know I’ve been gone for a while but– are you two, like, together now?” Luciano cuts in.

“I’ll let you know when you want to tell me a little somethin’ about you and Deirdra.” I toss back, a half smile quirking my lips.

Rowan

“I’d like to make a toast to my son and his beautiful wife. Rowan, keep my boy out of trouble for me.” Sophia winks at me with a smile.

Grayson and I sit at the long table with our glasses of champagne in our hands. We’re finally having arealwedding. Grayson’s family came from all over the country to be here with us and Deirdra designed a wedding dress that is so gorgeous it looks like it came straight out of a Disney movie.

Grayson leans in, his low voice vibrating against my ear. “We’ll be heading out to Sicily later tonight, Mrs. Santoro. How are you feeling?”

“Excited,” I smile. “Can we binge some episodes ofLove After Lockupon the jet?”

He returns a smile, running his hand up my dress under the table. “We can do whatever you want, soon as I get what I want.”

I smirk at him. “Hm, I don’t know. If you want it you might have to take it.”

His smile turns dark as he stares back at me. “Careful what you wish for, darling.”

Epilogue

Grayson

Two years later

I admire the glow that outlines Rowan’s soft features as she strides through the vineyard, picking ripened grapes and tossing them into a small bucket. We’ve traveled all over together. France, Spain, Iceland, among many others. But she looks the most at peace with herself when we’re here. Each day we spend together the more I learn about her– the more I learn, the more I love her. We’ve argued, only a few times but every time it was about her father. She needs me as much as I need her. She needs me to help her heal from what she went through with Frank. I need her to help me heal from losing my father. Together we’re grounded. We’resafe.

“So, did you give it some thought?” I ask her.

A warm smile spreads across her face. “Yes, and I’m ready.”

“Seriously?” I smile, taking her hands in mine.

“Yeah, we’ve had our fun the past couple of years. What’s the harm in adding a mini Santoro into the mix?” She laughs.

I lift her up, wrapping my arms around her waist as she giggles, dropping the bucket of grapes. “On one condition though,” she says. “If it’s a boy we’re naming him Danny Devito.”