Page 214 of Ewan

It smells like winter and aftershave inside the car as our ride glides away, and we sit next to each other, draped in silence.

“Will Ezra be okay?” I ask as he peers out the window, tense and not in the mood to talk.

“He’ll be fine.”

His short answer only confirms we’re doing something he’s not entirely on board with.

His phone rings, and he reaches inside his coat, retrieves it and answers the call.

“Yeah?”

The person on the line utters words before Ewan talks again.

“We’ll be there shortly.”

I expect us to turn left or right at the first intersection and, shortly after, reach our destination.

To my surprise, we’re heading to Manhattan.

We’re still not talking, and I won’t break the silence again.

Lights are strewn across the sky before we take the Queens Midtown tunnel and later cruise the streets of Manhattan.

The area looks familiar, and before long, it dawns on me we’re going to the restaurant where I saw him with his men for the first time.

That's an odd choice, but I won’t comment.

I set foot on an icy sidewalk, and we enter the place, where a smooth hostess takes us to the dining room in the back.

I know that room well. It’s always been reserved for private events, anniversaries, and small weddings.

The noise withers away as we walk down a long corridor.

“Your guests are here waiting for you, sir. Let me know if you need anything else,” the woman says neutrally before moving away.

My eyes go to him.

His hand rests on the doorknob as he starts to talk.

“This is your only choice to go back and forget about me,” he says quietly. “We can be social and pretend we never fucked, and I can leave you alone.”

I say nothing, so he continues.

“I trust you enough to take you to this room, but if for any reason you break my trust, there will be consequences.”

I swallow hard but still stay quiet.

“This isn’t only about me. People’s lives depend on me and the people I put my trust in. You wanted me to give you a chance. I’ll give you a chance. I’ll make an announcement in that room.It won’t tie you to me. You can still walk away, but your life will never be the same. Even though, you won’t be tied to me, you will be tied to the pledge of secrecy you’ll take right now in front of me. If you decide to stay, you will be mine body and soul. Your life will be mine. Your thoughts will be mine. I can’t afford a weak link, especially the woman in my life.”

His words drop with the force of a hammer.

His move is bold and final.

He demands everything, no questions asked.

It’s either that or nothing. He knows what he wants and doesn’t want to waste his time.

I understand this is not easy, perfect, or the smoothest way of ushering someone into your life.

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