Chapter 37
For some reason, Natalie thought she caught a fleeting trace of indulgence in Rowan’s features, but when she looked again, it was gone, like the emotion was just part of her imagination.
A cab rolled to a stop in front of her. Hurriedly, she got in and closed the door. In the car, she instinctively looked back at Rowan through the window.
He stood tall and imposing by the road, a picture of innate elegance and nobility. Just from looks alone, he seemed utterly disconnected from the brutality she’d witnessed in that private room.
And then, there was his voice–it was familiar, somehow. Natalle had heard that voice somewhere before.
After a moment’s thought, she dismissed the idea.
Where would she have crossed paths with such a dangerous man?
After Natalie left, Rowan headed straight to the police station with his men.
As he watched Magnus haul the bloodied man inside, Landon couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Mattel, why didn’t you drive Ms. Spencer home? You could’ve spent more time with her that way.”
Rowan’s icy glare in the rearview mirror shut him up instantly.
Then, out of nowhere, Rowan said, “We scared her today. She was scared of me.”
Landon’s thoughts stuttered to a near–stop.
Rowan was always serious and composed, but right now, he sounded distressed. Landon could hear a hint of hurt in his tone, too.
“You were just helping her,” Landon comforted. “That bastard forged and sold Ms. Spencer’s paintings. He needed to be taught a lesson.”
Rowan did not say anything. His fingers absently traced the red hair tie on his wrist.
“Don’t be scared, Rowie. The bad guys won’t find you as long as you stay quiet.”
“I’ll protect you, Rowie.”
“I have to go now, Rowie. My name is Natalie Spencer. Don’t forget me, okay?”
She’d left him, leaving behind only that red hair tie that she had dropped by accident.
Pulling his mind back from his memories, Rowan stared at the hair tie. He hadn’t forgotten Natalie, but what about her? Did she remember him?
Landon suddenly remembered something. “Oh, by the way, Mr. Mattel, Jason Pereira was at Epicure Kitchen tonight, too. I believe he’s the person Ms. Spencer was hiding from.”
Rowan’s expression darkened as he pursed his lips. After a pause, he said, “Keep Jason’s involvement quiet, especially from my grandfather.”
“Yes, sir,” Landon replied.
Natalie slept poorly that night, her dreams haunted by the bloody visions she’d seen earlier.
The next morning, Natalie looked in the mirror to find dark circles under her eyes stark enough to startle her. She had no choice but to put on some heavy makeup to conceal them.
Chapter 37
+25 BONUS
She picked out a pair of jeans, a white T–shirt, and sneakers of the same color and completed the youthful look with a baseball
cap
She had gotten the address of Sienna’s ghost artist from Benjamin last night, so Natalie was planning to pay her a visit.
When she stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby, a pretty and professional–looking woman greeted her.
It was Cheryl Shaw, a smart and capable woman who worked as Benjamin’s assistant. “Mr. Zimmerman informed me that you’ve changed your name, so I’ll call you Ms. Sutton from now on
Before leaving Grendal three years ago, Natalie had erased her old lentity. She had since changed her name to Natalie Sutton and worked under a pseudonym, Amanda.
“Ms. Sutton” suited her just fine.
Cheryl handed her a set of car keys. “Mr. Zimmerman also asked me to deliver this car to you.”
The Zimmermans were a wealthy family. Though it was Benjamin’s elder brother who managed their holdings, Benjamin still held a respectable amount of shares in the family business. Besides, he was also successful in his own right–his law firm raked in millions of dollars per case.
In short, Benjamin was filthy rich. To him, cars were as disposable as socks, and he had more luxury cars in his garage than most people had.
“Thanks,” Natalie said.
Cheryl adjusted her glasses and smiled gracefully. “And here’s the taser you requested. But I do have to ask. Why do you need this?”
Natalie took the taser. It was the perfect size to go into her purse. “Self–defense,” she replied. “There are loads of bad people out there–better safe than sorry.”
After running into Rowan’s dealings last night, she wasn’t taking any chances. What if Rowan changed his mind and decided to come after her? She needed to be prepared.
After a short exchange, Cheryl left. Natalie got into the car and drove toward her destination.
