Chapter 48. Beyond His Expectations
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Wren turned his head over his shoulder and shook his head slowly.
"It just needs to be warmed up. I can do it. But honestly, I can't cook. Well... I can fry eggs. That's if frying eggs can be categorized as cooking. The essence of frying eggs is to crack the eggs in the frying pan and flip them over until they are cooked."
Riley burst out laughing at Wren's overly convoluted answer.
"The point is you can't cook."
“Ouch, that hurts me. You're really mean, Riley," Wren held his left chest dramatically like he was a soldier who had just been shot by the enemy.
"Relax. I can cook. Do you have groceries in stock?”
"It's in the fridge. Fortunately, Mrs. Marris never forgets to fill the fridge. At least, we'll have food supplies for the next week."
“Cool. But are we going to stay here that long? Maybe Logan has got his men to look for me."
Wren caught the worry on Riley's face. He walked away from the microwave and sat down on a stool at the bar counter.
“I have several options. Sit down, Riley. Let's discuss this matter while we wait for our pie to be ready."
Riley moved closer to Wren and threw her butt on the stool.
“So, you have acquaintances who can help me create a new identity?”
“There's someone in Las Vegas who can provide us with the illegal documents you need if you want to change your identity. He's not a good man. Well, of course," Wren chuckled blandly.
"What do you mean, Wren?"
“This person works for a black organization. A group of mafia. I know them because I was in Logan's circle of friends."
"So, he's Logan's friend?"
"Not exactly. They cross paths when they have an agreement. Beyond that, they will not interfere in personal matters. This person is indebted to me. He had been shot and nearly died from bleeding. I helped him and made him survive until more capable doctors treated him at the hospital. After he recovered, he gave me his number and he said he would help me if I needed his help.”
Riley bit her lip nervously. She had seen the cruelty of those people before. It wasn't a good idea that she had to deal with people like that. They could turn into cruel and ruthless at any time.
“Is there any other option than asking that person for help? Someone who lives within the white lines, not the black lines.”
“If you want to do something illegal, you have to get in touch with people on the black line.”
Riley sighed in frustration. “I guess I have some trauma with people like that. I saw Logan kill Alan and I met Cooper Smillow. They scare me. I get goosebumps every time they cross my mind. And I have nightmares about the shooting that night.”
Wren looked at Riley with concern. He took Riley's hand and squeezed it gently.
"I'm sorry for making you have to go through all this."
Riley rested her head on Wren's shoulder. It felt better and calmed her heart.
"It's not your fault. I made a pact with Logan."
“I don’t want you to have anything to do with Logan anymore. You need to leave your old life behind and become someone new in a new place.”
“There is no other way to escape from Logan than to leave all my old identities behind. So, how do I get to meet this guy in Las Vegas? I don't have a passport or any documents."
“We’re going to Las Vegas on a chartered plane. The security checks aren’t as strict as commercial flights.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”
Wren stared at Riley intently. His eyes locked on the sea of chocolate in Riley’s beautiful eyes. His feelings for Riley had grown beyond his expectations. He had never risked his life this much for a woman. His life was filled with medical things and how to save people’s lives. He never thought of having a relationship with any woman because he thought he would forever be single and devote himself to serving those who needed him.
But now, it felt different. The temptation to have a woman beside him was tantalizing. If he had someone by his side, he wouldn't feel lonely. His life would have been more beautiful. Every day he would have someone waiting for him to come home while preparing him a delicious dinner. Even if he was lucky, he would also have children who would call him daddy.
"Wren?"
Wren blinked once and saw Riley looking at him worriedly. The back of his hand pressed against Riley's face. All his fantasies had made him act impulsively to caress Riley's soft face.
"Sorry. I just wanted to get rid of the strands of hair that fell over your face,” Wren said awkwardly and dropped his hands on his lap.
Riley stepped back and quickly tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Where were we?"
Riley cleared her throat, trying to clear the steam that was bubbling between them. Riley knew exactly what Wren was thinking. She wasn't some naive, innocent girl. She knew how most men's brains worked when it came to women. Even though Wren wasn't the perverted type, she still had to be careful with him.
“What are the risks if I traveled abroad on a chartered plane?”
"Nothing. It will only make you uncomfortable because we have to go through immigration officers. Don't worry, I have a plan for you."
Right after Wren stopped talking, the microwave made a small clanking sound. He then stood up to take their meat pie out of the microwave. Riley took the initiative by getting the plates and cutlery to set on the dining table.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Riley brought the glass to the dining table. She looked left and right for the water jug, but she couldn't find it there.
"There's juice and Coke in the fridge. I also have bottled water in the fridge. You can take it and drink from it."
“It would be classless if you drank straight from the bottle. It would be better if you used a glass.”
Riley took the orange juice from the refrigerator and poured it into each of her and Wren's glasses.
"Great. This looks like a fancy dinner, not lunch. You're a master at setting the table."
"I did it for my parents for years. Sit down, Wren."
Wren sat quietly while observing Riley who was slicing meat pie seriously. She bit her full and sexy lips. Those lips pursed every time she felt that she had cut the pie with imprecision. Wren found herself fascinated by everything about Riley. Her courage, fortitude and patience were truly extraordinary.
"Here's your pie. Do you want more?”
"No. That's enough. Thanks."
"What are you thanking me for? I should have said that. Thank you for helping me and giving me all these amazing facilities.”
Riley smiled sweetly, then she began to eat her meat pie with great enthusiasm.
Wren admitted that Riley had a very strong charisma. She shone in her own way. He would not be surprised if Logan would do anything to find Riley. She was a woman worth fighting for. Even worth loving.