She turns around fast, her eyes a bit red, but other than that, I don’t see any telltale signs that she’s been crying. She stands up fast as I get to her pew.
My face must look like I want to question her, and before I can say anything, she speaks. “You think this room would be heavy from all the emotions, but it’s not.” She walks toward me, kissing my lips, not giving me the chance to ask her if she’s okay.
“The guys and I are going to head out for a bit; monitor Damian. I’m sure Niko will be around if you need him.”
Her eyebrows crease together at my mention of Niko. “I’d rather drink hot oil than mess with him.”
Niko is someone I haven’t been able to crack. He’s dark, quiet, and something about him sends chills up my spine. Fuck, he put Catherine in the cremation chamber. There is no telling what else he has done to her, but I honestly don’t care, as long as she’s kept watched by him. One problem we don’t have to worry about.
I can’t help but laugh. “I feel ya.”
“Where are you going?” Do I tell her? Rowan has a way of wanting to be a part of the plans, but I gave her what she wanted and needed: J.C. Grant and Colt. Her time of being in harm's way is done. My hand involuntarily fixes any wayward hairs in my beard, and her eyes squint at me.
“Luca.” She stops in her place, hand on her hip. Looking sexy, not intimidating as she’s trying to be.
“We’re going to get rid of Briggs' house.”
“I-” she starts, and I cut her off.
“You’re not going. And you can get pissed at me all you want, but you’re staying here where I know you’re safe, Rowan.” My words come out clipped, but I need her to understand. I can’thave her constantly wanting to put herself where she shouldn’t be, especially with the job I have.
I can see her breathing getting rapid, and I know she’s pissed at me, and that’s fine.
“I’m not a fucking damsel in distress, Luca. I want to help.”
“Helping me is staying here and keeping an eye on Damian. Helping me is knowing you’re safe. Helping me, Rowan is fucking listening to me.” I’ve never raised my voice to her, but I need her to understand.
Her face transforms in front of me. “Fuck you.” She turns away and leaves me standing in the middle of the pews.
“Fuck,” I groan out as I stretch my head back and look at the ceiling. “Give me the patience with her,” I pray to whoever.
I can’t leave like this. I can’t go into the unknown with us fighting.
As I turn out of the Hall of Remembrance, I see her turning the corner to the hall at the back of the funeral home.
“Rowan,” I call out her name.
She doesn’t stop, only walks faster, her hair moving with each of her steps.
My shoes announce each step I take to get to her, and she just walks even faster, her steps quiet from her bare feet.
Rowan turns around on her heel. Her face is red, her eyes watery, and she closes the distance between us. Her finger pokes into my chest with each word she says, and I just stand there and let her. “If you ever speak to me again like that, I promise on everything I will cut your dick off and shove it down your throat, like I should have done to Colt.” She’s seething.
My eyes travel to her mouth, back to her eyes, and then rest on her pouty lips.
“Do you understand me, Luca? Men have used and abused me, and baby, you will not do the same as them.”
“Are you serious? I would fucking burn the world down for you, Rowan, and you know that. I want you to be safe. I need you to be safe. Without you, there is no me. And I need you to be safe.” Those last seven words come out as a whisper, because I can’t lose another person. I can’t.
Her face becomes softer, her furrowed brows uncreased as she steps a little closer to me, closing the space between us. Her hands clasp both sides of my face. “We are a team, but you don’t get to make the decisions for me, Luca.”
Looking down on her, she’s small and fierce, but so fucking hardheaded. “This is a relationship, isn’t it? We’re in this together, right? So, understand that it’s not just you alone anymore; it’s us. And with that, we have to make decisions that are best for one another, and mine is keeping you safe. You can be as angry with me as you like, but at least I know I'm keeping you safe and away from the dangers that lurk in my life.” Before she can even open her mouth to argue with me, I steal her lips. We become fervent, a push-and-pull between us. Hoping to show me she’s in charge and me pulling, letting her know she can think she is, but at the end of the day, what I say goes. I push her to the wall, entrapping her with my body, as I place my knee between her legs and she starts slowly moving her jean-clad pussy over my knee, liking the friction as I eat down her little moans of approval.
My hand travels up her arm, feeling her skin engulfed with chill bumps, over her neck, caressing her face, and wraps around her hair, pushing her mouth into mine even harder. I’ve let her rule the show since the beginning with us, but now it’s my turn. I’ve shown her I’m gentle, trusting, and patient; now I also need to show her that side I’ve kept tucked away until I knew it was time for it to come out and play, and it’s time.
Pulling her hair, her mouth inches away from mine, I watch her hooded eyes glaze over with arousal. Sucking on her bottomlip, I pull it, adding a little teeth, making her whine. Releasing her hair, my nose traces her face, and my hand remains in her locks. “I’m going to fuck some sense into you,” I growl at her, and she moans, liking the way I’m speaking to her.
I massage her head where I was pulling, pecking her lips before stepping away from her, leaving her gasping against the wall. Wanting. Needing.
