Chapter 2

Later that night, Ryder meets us in front of a restaurant.

T'ang Court.

A waiter escorts the three of us to a private dining room.

"Freddie, how was your vacation?" Ryder asks as he pulls my seat out.

"It was so much fun! Well, except for the fact that Rebecca asked a million and one questions about you. You would think after almost one year, she'd know all there is about you."

Freddie then shrugs his shoulders as he places his napkin on his lap. I smile and look from Freddie to Ryder, putting the menu in front of my face.

Ryder furrows his brows. "Really? What did she want to know?"

Just then, the waiter arrives. He holds up a bottle of wine for Ryder to see. A Chavel Blanc. The cost is somewhere around thirteen-thousand dollars. I know this because it's my father's wine of choice. Ryder nods, and the waiter begins serving us.

"So," Ryder says as he takes a sip. "What did she want to know?"

"Your background more than anything. Rebecca finds it annoying how private you both are. She wanted to know about your parents, where you went to school. I told her some things without going into too much detail. I understand she wants to make sure her daughter's next husband isn't as crazy as the first."

I look down in embarrassment. Marrying Max is, in fact, the single worst thing I have ever done in my life. I honestly thought we were in love, and it turned out Max wanted to kill my parents and me. It was solely to take our money and seize control of Hallowell Enterprises. A company my grandfather built from the ground up, and my father now controls.

"Don't worry! I told her she doesn't have to worry about anything. I've known you for over twenty years. And besides, she's seen the worst side of you already."

Ryder gives me a wry smile. I beam at Freddie as Ryder reaches out and grabs my hand, squeezing it lightly. "Well, I appreciate you defending me, Fred."

We order our food, and Ryder starts telling us about his day. Freddie is more into the conversation than I am. I, honestly, don't care. I feel like we are in this city for more than just Boeing. Freddie said if Ryder were here for assassination, he would've known about it.

Do I believe that?

Maybe I'm just paranoid. Ryder promised me he would hang up the guns, but the love of my life is a murderer. I don't expect him to change overnight. We need to sit down and talk about it.

It's just that I don't know where to start. And to be clear, I am not judging Ryder or anything. Our relationship will be evolving soon. We are getting married in a couple of months. Eventually, we will expand our family, and I don't' want to be carrying a gun in the diaper bag.

Ryder and I decided to wait a year and a half to marry one another. We wanted to make sure we knew every single thing there was to know. It was my dad's idea, but Ryder was all too happy to agree.

Ryder, Freddie, and I are enjoying our meal when I decide to break the silence. I grab my cup of wine and take a sip.

"So how's the new assistant? I hear he had a bunch of hiccups while you've been away," I say to Freddie, suddenly remembering Darryl.

Ryder noticed Freddie spent less and less time at home. So he hired Darryl to help him, just with accounting. Freddie is to handle everything else.

Darryl only knows Ryder is in charge of Boeing and is instructed not to ask questions. He is also fresh out of college and is excellent with numbers. He's young, tan, short, and perfect looking—brown eyes and hair, with a beard and mustache to match. Darryl also has a British accent. I swoon every time he speaks.

Ryder doesn't want to tell Freddie he is slacking off, so Ryder hired some help. I did make him promise to tell Freddie that the guy is only helping him. So he gave Darryl the title of an assistant.

"Why was he hired in the first place? How do you accidentally click on a trojan horse and wipe out half of my computer drive?! Thank god I have everything backed up on a separate server." Freddie shakes his head in annoyance.

He doesn't care for the guy.

"Don't get me wrong; he's cute! However, it infuriates me that I have to fix everything he's supposed to be helping me with!"

Ryder smiles at him as he sits back, putting his hand in one of his pants pockets. "Give him a chance, Fred. I remember when Jayson left, and you were desperate for his position. You knew little to nothing."

I look from Ryder to Freddie, puzzled. "Who's Jayson?"

Freddie exhales. Another look of annoyance written all over his face.

"Jay assisted Ryder with his assassinations. Like how I do now. He's Asian with big, beautiful lips. A little on the short side. Big chest. At that time, I was only the house manager/chef. Fresh out of cooking school."

Freddie sighs and continues. "Being bullied made me do a lot of illegal things. So I got into hacking as aside thing when cooking wasn't really paying the bills. Anyway, Jayson didn't like me because I was gay. One day he quit. Something about joining a church. I don't remember or care."

Ryder rolls his eyes and puts a fork full of shrimp in his mouth. Once he finishes chewing, he looks at Freddie. "Jayson got engaged. I met his now-wife. Nice, young woman. He knew the risks of this life and didn't want to put her life in danger, so he quit, which I can respect. Eventually, we all want to find ourselves, be happy, and love," Ryder says as he looks at me and winks.

I blush.

"Anyways," Freddie interrupts. "Every single time I'm around Darryl, he's fumbling! It's so annoying! I should fire him and hire someone else."

Freddie then smiles as he looks over at Ryder. Ryder mouthes the word no at him. Freddie squints his eyes and gives him a disgusted look. It is evident Darryl is getting under his skin.

Freddie then pulls out his cell phone when it beeps, looking at a text message. He smiles.

"New phone?" I ask him curiously as I take a sip of wine.

He's had an iPhone for as long as I can remember. Now he has a Samsung Galaxy.

"Nope! I actually carry two phones now." Freddie pulls the iPhone out from the inside of his suit jacket. "One for personal use and one for our security network."

Oh. "Someone's rich."

Freddie smiles and sticks his tongue out at me.

"Ever think Darryl acts that way because he has a crush on you? You make him nervous?" Ryder asks, grinning.

Both Freddie and I snap our heads towards him. He gives Ryder a disgusted look.

"Ew! No, he doesn't! Darryl just doesn't know what he's doing. He's clueless! And he's not gay, so shut up!"

I put my head down and try not to laugh.

"Anyways! Now that I have you both here, I want to tell you something."

Both Ryder and I look at each other and then back at Freddie. Ryder sits up on his chair and scratches his chin, grabbing my hand.

"So, for the last couple of months, I've been seeing someone. He's amazing, and I really like him! He owns this cute café and wants me to work alongside him. I sort of told him I didn't have a job." Freddie looks around uncomfortably and smiles. "I wanted to know if I could work part-time for you guys and get my own place. Now that we have Mr. Darryl, it shouldn't be that bad. I don't want to inconvenience your way of life, Ryder, but this means everything to me!"

Tears start to pool in Freddie's eyes. It is so evident that he's in love. I'm glad for him! Ryder, on the other hand, shows no emotion.

"I'm so happy for you, Freddie! You have no idea," I say, grabbing his hand.

We both look towards Ryder for his response. Ryder lets my hand go, wiping his mouth, and places the napkin on his plate. "Don't be absurd, Freddie! You're not moving out. I made sure you got a whole wing at our new home just to feel as though you had your own space. You can bring him to the house. I have no problem with that."

Ryder clears his throat and pulls out his cell phone. "Only after I've run a background check, of course."

Both Freddie and I look at each other in shock.

"Baby," I whisper, surprised. Is he serious? Run a check on someone that Freddie loves?

"Are you kidding me right now?!" Freddie blurts out. "I've given you everything! You two are my only family. All I want is your blessing, and you sit there and act like you're-"

Ryder looks at Freddie with a stunning look. "I'm protecting you, Fred. As I said, I would. Take it how you want. It's not my fault you and Sam tend to go for the unhinged, so I need to protect you both. That's the most important job I have. Let's not forget Sam was in love with her ex."

Wait. What?! My mouth opens so wide that Ryder can fit his whole foot in it.

"How dare you?!" I spit. "You act like I knew Max was crazy! If I did, I wouldn't have married him!"

I am so relieved we are in a private room. If not, other people would've turned around at my outburst.

Ryder scoffs. "I warned you before you got married. So don't act innocent, Samantha. Freddie's last boyfriend hit him. It was the first and last time. Ask him where I buried him." Ryder looks from me to Freddie.

The waiter comes to the table, and Ryder hands him his credit card.

"Wow! After all these years!" Freddie throws his napkin onto the table. Ryder never bothers looking at him as he finishes his wine.

"I'm just asking for the same patience and love I showed Sam when she first arrived at the house. You can't manage that for me?! You want to control everyone's lives, and that's not fair! You must want us as miserable as you are!"

Freddie looks at me hurt. "I'm so sorry, Sam! I'll see you tomorrow."

Freddie scowls at Ryder, stands up, and walks out.

Chuckling wryly, I cross my arms. I can't believe this day took a turn for the worst. "What is wrong with you!?" I snap, hitting the table with both hands.

The waiter comes back with the credit card, and Ryder signs the receipt.

"Let's go," Ryder says unemotionally, standing up.

I can't believe it! He straight up ignored my question.

Once again, I cross my arms again and sit back.

"Samantha, we're leaving. Please." He holds out his hand for me. I exhale in irritation and stand. I look at his hand, turn my face, and walk out of the room.

The chauffeur has been waiting for us in front of the restaurant. When he sees me, he opens the back door to the red Cadillac Escalade.

"Nî hão, Miss Hallowell! And Mr. Forñay?" He asks, looking behind me. I love his thick, mandarin accent.

"Nî hão, Li! He will be along in a second," I say, getting into the car, and he closes it behind me.

Li is a hilarious, older man who is Ryder's driver while we are here. He has the skinniest legs with a huge belly, reminding me of Santa Clause. From the couple of times that I've seen him, he is very eager to please and always has a joke for me.

"You look sad, Miss. Would you like to hear a joke?" He asks me through the open window.

I smile at him as I shiver a little. It's a tad cold, but I don't mind it one bit. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Okay. What's Harry Potter's favorite method of getting down a hill?"

I look at him confused, trying not to laugh. "I don't know, Li. How?"

Li leans into the window a little, holding his hand to the side of his mouth as if he will tell me a secret. "Walking...JK, rolling."

It takes me a second, and then it hits me. "Oh!" We both start cracking up. "I get it! The author's name is J.K. Rowling!"

Li tells me another joke, and we continue to laugh. We laugh so hard that we don't notice Ryder standing there with his brows furrow. A nervous Li immediately straightens and clears his throat.

"Sorry, sir!"

I move down and look out of the window. I don't bother looking at Ryder.

"No worries, Li! I'm glad someone's putting a smile on my fiancé's face."

Li bows as he opens and closes the door for Ryder. He then climbs into the driver's side and drives off.

I feel Ryder's gaze on me as I continue to stare out of the window. It's is a beautiful night: so many lights and tall buildings. People are walking and laughing with no care in the world. It reminds me of the city that never sleeps. New York.

Ryder brings me back from my thoughts by grabbing my hand. I want to remove it from his grasp but decide against it. This trip has already left a bad taste in my mouth, and he is doing everything to make a bad situation worse.

"I'm sorry, Samantha. I'm so sorry for what I said back there."

I look at my hand and then at him. "Why did you have to spit in my face, that whole Max ordeal, when you know how hard it's been on me?"

Ryder looks dejected. "I know, and I'm truly sorry! I didn't mean to go off on you and Freddie as I did. It's just that I've been thinking about everything." Ryder swallows hard and looks down. "The fact of the matter is, I don't think I can do this anymore."

My heart falls. What?! Is he breaking up with me? Tears pool in my eyes. "Are you breaking up with me?" I whisper.