Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 17

Chapter 16

Ashton sounded so genuine—and even a little humble that Briar couldn’t bring herself to turn him down. After a moment, she nodded. “I’ll do what i

can.”

“Thank you,” Ashton sald, clearly relieved. He gave her a small, respectful nod.

After dinner, Ashton offered to drive her home, but Briar shook her head. “I’ve got something else to do. I’m not going home yet. Let’s just say goodbye here.”

Ashton paused by his car. “It’s gonna be tough finding a cab around here this late. If you don’t mind, I can still give you a ride.”

Briar looked around and saw he was right. The place was too upscale–everyone either drove themselves or had a driver. Cabs were few and far between, and most were already taken. “Alright, thanks,” she said and walked with him to the car.

Brandon, Ashton’s bodyguard, was waiting. He opened the back door for them and greeted them with a nod. “Mr. Wade. Miss Jennings.”

Ashton motioned for Briar to get in first, then slid in after her.

Once Brandon got behind the wheel, he asked, “Should

drop Miss Jennings off first?”

Ashton glanced at Briar, and she gave Brandon an address.

Brandon didn’t ask questions. He typed it into the GPS and started driving.

Ashton didn’t ask why Briar was heading to some random neighborhood late at night, and Briar didn’t ask why Brandon was driving instead of him. But she saw it. There was something tucked into Brandon’s waistband–and from the shape, it looked a lot like a gun.

They were headed to an old apartment complex on the outskirts of the city–a far cry from the downtown lights. Briar had promised Sam she’d help him out with something there.

was her first time in the area. When they pulled up to the entrance, she looked out the window and told Brandon to park outside. She

can you wait a bit? I’m just meeting a friend. I’ll be quick,”

nodded. “Take

her head into the dimly lit complex, her steps steady

raised an eyebrow. “Does Miss Jennings really have friends living

same thing. She’d only been back in the country a

her, it felt like she was hiding

or completely

seniors. It

high, and only a few of the

44 and

let a teenage girl live in a dump like this? Sam’s

Chapter 16

by the time she climbed

stairwell was stuffy and smelled like mold. The lights on the top floor were out. Briar used

but no one answered,

knocked again, this time more gently. “Ellen? I’m Briar Jennings. I’m a friend of your brother’s. He asked me

nearly two minutes, a quiet, nervous voice came from behind the door. “My brother

he call you about

door cracked open just a little, and a pair of wide, anxious eyes peeked out. In the dim light,

spot for pretty

said, relaxing when she saw Briar was alone. She opened

tiny–just a worn–out one–bedroom. Everything looked decades old. The furniture was chipped and faded. There

Ellen said, flipping on the main light. It brightened

much.

the house–she simply couldn’t afford

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