ADRIANA

 

As Adriana speeds towards her apartment in the taxi Grayson called for her, she smiles at the thought of how hard it had been to leave him that morning. He’d wanted to drive her, but West had called ordering him to a training session, and she’d persuaded him to go. Despite hardly having any sleep, they had both been eager for more, eager to take as much of the other as they were willing to give.

 

So much had changed in the space of a few hours. Grayson had told her that he loves her, that he wants to be with her, and that he always had. No matter how many times she thinks about his words, it still doesn’t seem real. But some things hadn’t changed. She gnaws on her thumbnail at the thought.  Grayson had been fighting with someone on the phone, and from what she’d heard, it was more than just some crazy fan. He’d said that it was nothing, that it wasn’t important, but everything about his demeanor had said something different. It hadn’t been the time to push it. She has to believe that, slowly, he will share his secrets with her, and she has to give him the time and space to do that.

 

Before they had tumbled into bed last night, Grayson had said that there was ‘more’ he wanted to tell her, but she hadn’t wanted to wait, she doesn’t think that she could have. By that point her body had taken over all control, and her brain was in the back seat. But now she wonders if his mystery phone call has something to do with that ‘more.’ Even this morning, their bodies tangled together, she had seen the darkness that seems to lurk in his eyes, inside his soul. She desperately wanted to know what burden he was carrying, but she had been too afraid to ask. When he had spoken, what he told her had come completely out of left field, but it had made her feel warm inside just to think of it.

 

“So, it’s my sister’s birthday in a couple of weeks.” He’d paused then, like he was nervous, which just made Adriana think he was even cuter. “She’s coming down from NYU, and my mom’s coming up from Philly. It’s going to be kind of a family reunion.” He’d shifted on the mat so that he could see her face, gauging her expression. “I’d like you to be here. It’d mean a lot to me for you to meet them.”

 

Adriana noticed how he’d held his breath, waiting for her answer. Before she was able to answer, she had to swallow the lump in her throat. “I’d love to meet them.”  He’d kissed her sweetly and then smiled like the cat that got the cream, looking more like the eighteen year old she’d known all those years ago. “I’ve never really done the meet the parents thing before.” She’d bitten her lip, a little nervous at the thought.

 

“They’re going to love you. How could they not?” The innocence and sincerity in his reply had made her plant about a million kisses all over him. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining!” He’d laughed, the sound reverberating in his chest.

 

“Just for being you.” She’d shrugged because it really was that simple.

 

He’d flushed then, like a school-kid, and she’d felt her insides warm at how—when he’s not holding on so tight for control—his emotions play across his face, making him as easy to read as a book.

 

“Don’t go to work today. Stay here, with me.” He pulled her towards him and stroked her side, making her tremble underneath him, fully aware of what he was doing to her.

 

“I can’t.” She’d felt like the words were being pulled out of her. “I can’t let them down. Casey’s in today for a post-op check-up; I need to be there.”

 

Grayson had nodded in understanding and stroked her cheek so tenderly. “You’re amazing, you know that?” He shook his head, like he couldn’t believe how lucky he was, and she’d felt her heart sing. “Come back after your shift?”

 

Adriana smiled at the earnestness in his eyes. “It’s only a few days until your fight. I’m guessing West wouldn’t approve of me distracting you when you’re supposed to be resting.” She could still feel the hardness of his muscles underneath her hands, as she traced the defined bumps of his abs.

 

“After spending the night with you, I don’t think I’d be able to sleep without you again.” There was no hint of exaggeration or sarcasm in his voice. He was being completely serious.

 

“What are you saying, Gray?” She’d looked up at him, serious then.

 

“I’m saying that I don’t want to spend a night without you, ever. I want you to move in.” He shrugged, as if his suggestion made complete sense.

 

“Move in? Here?” She’d looked around as if checking that she was still in his house.

 

“Well, it’s a little bigger than your place,” he’d pointed out.

 

“Yes, it is. I mean, that’s not what I meant.” She’d closed her mouth until she’d actually managed to formulate a sentence that made some kind of sense. “I can’t move in with you, Grayson. It’s a little early, don’t you think?”

 

He’d frowned, as if the thought has just occurred to him. “Not for me. We’ve known each other a long time, Adrie. I want you in my bed every night and to wake up with you every morning. What else is there to think about?” His intense eyes gazed into hers, making it impossible for her to give any kind of answer.

 

“You make it really hard to come up with an argument, Gray.” She shook her head, already knowing what she had decided.

 

“That was kind of the idea.” He lowered his voice, like he was letting her into a secret, and she bumped him playfully with her shoulder.

 

“I should get going. I have to head home before I go to the hospital.” She’d made a move to get up, but Grayson’s strong hand on her arm had stopped her.

 

“That wasn’t an answer.” The look he’d given her had made it clear that he had no intention of letting her go before she gave him one.

 

“Yes, Grayson. I’ll move in with you.” The smile that had spread across his face at her words was the best thing that she had ever seen.

 

He kissed her hard, laying her gently back down on the mat, his hands wandering down towards the tops of her thighs. “Grayson, I’ve got to go.” She could barely get the words out. Plus, stilling his hand felt like the hardest thing she had ever had to do.

 

“I’ll come pick you up from your place tonight after your shift. Call me when you’re done.” Grayson’s eyes sparkled like a kid who can’t wait until Christmas, and she had melted a little more inside, wondering how it was possible that she seemed to fall in love with him a little more every time.

 

All these thoughts are swimming through her head as she floats towards her apartment door, like she’s in a dream. She tries to unlock the door to find that it’s already open, and she shakes her head. Willow has forgotten to lock the door behind her when she’d left the night before. Was it really only the night before that they’d gone to the party and that she’d been obsessing over how things stood between her and Grayson? It seemed like such a long time ago but less than twenty-four hours had passed. The thought of Grayson makes her beam like a spotlight, and she grabs her cell out of her bag to call Willow and tell her everything. That’s when she hears a noise that makes her jump out of her skin and drop the cell with a crash onto the floor.

 

“Ms. Garza, I presume?” The man is sitting on her couch, flipping through one of her magazines, looking completely comfortable. 

 

“Who the hell are you and why are you in my apartment?” Her voice is strong, despite the trembling in her legs.

 

“I’m an old friend of Grayson’s.” He stands up, and she realizes how short he is, barely taller than her. The hat that he’s wearing has a low brim that all but obscures his face except for the smile that doesn’t hold any warmth.

 

“Grayson? He asked you to come here?” She feels herself relax slightly at the name. This wasn’t some crazy guy that had waltzed into her house with a plan to rape and kill her; he was a friend of Grayson’s. “Are you helping with the move?” She looks curiously at him.

 

“The move?” He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “You’re moving in with him? A bit soon, isn’t it?”

 

Adriana catches a movement out of the corner of her eye and notices that it’s not just her and the little man in the apartment. There’s a guy in a suit that looks about two sizes too small for him. He looks like he’s about to burst out of it at any time. The predatory look that he gives her makes her hackles rise and her internal panic alarm starts to ring.

 

“Sorry, but, who are you exactly? Or should I just call Grayson and ask him?”

She bends down to pick up her phone only to find that the screen is smashed, and it’s batted out of her hand by the big man in the suit. For a big guy, he sure does move fast.

 

“I wouldn’t do that, my dear. Grayson probably wouldn’t be all that pleased to know that I was here with you.” The short man shrugs like he couldn’t possibly understand why Grayson would feel that way. “To be honest, I didn’t want to come here, but he really gave me no other choice. It’s nothing personal you see, my dear.” He gives her a comforting, kindly look; but, there’s something false in him, something that doesn’t ring even remotely true.

 

“I think I’m going to leave now. I have to get to work.” Adriana makes a move towards the door, realizing that she’s on borrowed time, but the big man grabs hold of her wrist and twists her round, making her cry out in pain.

 

“You’re not going anywhere, my dear, not until I get what I want.” His voice is low and cruel, and it makes the hair on Adriana’s body stand up on end.

 

“And what is it that you want?” She bites down on her lip to stop herself from crying out at the force that the big man is exerting over her wrist. She wonders absently if he’s sprained it.

 

“I want what everyone wants, Ms. Garza. I want what’s owed to me.” He looks at her grimly. “I want what Grayson owes me, and I think you might just be the best way for me to get it.”

 

“You’re going to blackmail him.” She virtually spits out the words, still in shock that this is all actually happening.

 

“I’m going to incentivize him, Ms. Garza. That’s a much better way of looking at it, don’t you think?” He looks over her appreciatively, and she feels her skin crawl under his gaze. “I get what I want, and Grayson gets what he wants…you.”

 

Adriana shakes her head, trying to wriggle out of the hold that the big man has on her. “If you know Grayson at all, you’ll know that he’s not just going to roll over and give you what you want.”

 

The short man raises his eyebrows, looking amused. “How much do you bet that I know Grayson better than you?” He moves closer to her, so close she can smell the decay on his breath. “I know all his dirty, little secrets, the ones that keep him awake at night, the ones that he won’t tell you, that he can’t tell you. Grayson has done terrible things. You don’t really know him. You think you do, but the truth is that you have no idea what he’s capable of.” He shakes his head at the shame of it.

 

Adriana can’t help but recognize how his words echo what Grayson had said to her last night. I’m not good, Adrie. I’ve done bad things. She can feel her breath catch in her throat.

 

“All in good time, my dear. But now we really must be going.” He nods towards his muscle.

 

“You’re going to take me out the front door? I’ll scream the place down, someone will hear me.” Adriana looks him in the eye, trying to show more confidence than she actually feels.

 

“I thought you might say that.” The short man sighs theatrically and nods again at the big man. A split second later a hand goes over her mouth and nose, and she breathes in the unmistakable smell of chloroform. She wriggles against him, batting her head back to try to get away from the sweet-smelling gauze, but his hold on her is too strong. Her eyes become heavy despite trying to fight the feeling, and she feels her lids closing against her will.

 

“Like I said, it’s nothing personal Ms. Garza. But I always get what I want.” They’re the last words she hears before consciousness escapes her. Then, there’s just blackness.

 

Read on for an excerpt from the breath-taking conclusion

Kissing the Canvas

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