AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter22
“Drugs are bad, kids!”
Oriana
My job is great.
After the first week, people got over the fact I was married to Kyler and now talk to me about me. It’s nice not to have to speak about Kyler all the time, considering most of my adult life has been about him and it’s tiring.
I signed the divorce papers and sent them in this week. He may not be happy about it, but it’s time to move on. I have to move on.
Jake helped me with that, and I was hoping to see him and thank him that night I went back to the club. But it was clear he didn’t want anything to do with me, and taking me to that house with those mafia people? Well, I don’t even know how to feel about that.
I liked them, but now knowing who they are, I’m not sure I want to see them anywhere again.
As I walk out to my car, Callie tells me about her plans for the holidays. She is going to Bali with her husband for their ten-year wedding anniversary. She shows me the new ring he got her, and I smile. It’s simple, with a lovely diamond in the middle.
Kyler insisted I wear the biggest ring. It annoyed me, all the time continuously rolling around when I typed. Something like Callie is wearing is perfect.
“Do you have plans?” she asks as she opens her car door and throws her bag inside. “Also, who is that fine specimen leaning on your car?” I spin around and see Jake’s brother standing there. How did I not see him when I walked out?
“That’s—”
“A fine piece of man, that’s for sure,” she whispers. “Do you have these men stored somewhere?”
“I should go. Have a good holiday.”
“Have a good night.” She leans in and kisses my cheek before I turn in the direction of my car. He’s standing there, watching me in a way that makes me uneasy. Sucking in a breath, I slowly make my way across the lot. He’s blocking my car door, so I can’t get in, and he makes no move to shift out of the way when I approach.
“You really don’t work for him,” are the first words out of his mouth.
“I don’t,” I confirm.
“Interesting,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. I can see the similarities between the two. Both are around the same height, with strong jaws and full lips, but the eyes are where they differ. They’re so different.
“I’m Oriana.” I offer my hand. His eyes flick to it, and he licks his lips before he takes it. “You already knew that, though, didn’t you?”
He holds on to my hand.
“I did. It’s curious… I never really took my brother for the redhead type.”
“I never took him to have a brother who specializes in stalking,” I bite back.
He clicks his tongue. “And she has fire.” He drops my hand and steps away from my car, so I can open the door. “Care to accompany me for dinner?”
“That’s a hard no.” I smile to lessen the blow. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Grayson,” he says. “But those who know me call me the bogeyman.”
I try to stop the laugh that bubbles up, but I can’t. I cover my mouth with my hand and laugh into it.
“You do know who you have been fucking, right? You seem…sweet. Innocent. I wonder if that was the attraction.”
“It possibly was, but what does it matter to you?” I ask, lifting a brow.
“I’m telling you right now you aren’t aware who you are lying with. Jake hasn’t gotten where he is today by being a good boy. Do you know I learned from him? And when I realized he was happy and content where he was, but I wanted more, I left. And I made myself bigger, scarier. Do you want to know why they call me the bogeyman?” he asks, leaning down into my personal space. “It’s because I have no problem killing you when you sleep. And when those eyes open as I slice your throat, I’m the last person you will see.” He pushes away. “Bogeyman.” He smirks. “I’ll be seeing you, Oriana.”
“Goodbye, Grayson,” I say as calmly as possible, holding back the scream I want let rip as I watch him leave. As soon as he’s gone, I get into my car and lock the doors, calling Jake with trembling fingers.
