Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

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Connor took Zayne away, while Brandon arranged for a private jet to send him out directly. They moved so quickly that it felt like someone was right behind them. Fortunately, Briar wasn’t paying attention to Zayne anymore. Otherwise, with all the noise they made, she definitely would have tracked them in the shadows.

Today was a good day, and Briar had a hearty appetite for dinner. After the meal, she and Ashton rode home.

together. “Make sure to get some rest early tonight,” Ashton said as he walked Briar to her door, handing her cupcakes. “Don’t overthink things.”

The cupcakes were Briar’s favorite flavor, which Ashton had specially purchased just for her. Though indulging in

sweets at night wasn’t the healthiest choice, Ashton made it a point to bring her one.

Briar had a sweet tooth and never refused a treat, no matter how late it was. She always made sure to finish it

before the night ended. “Okay, you should get some rest too…” Briar nodded, cradling the cupcakes in her hands.

Remembering how Ashton often struggled to sleep, she teased, “Do you want me to tuck you in tonight?”

Briar never forgot to offer to tuck him in every night, and it always filled Ashton’s heart with warmth. He gently cupped her cheek and said, “No need. I’ll come by later and watch you fall asleep instead.”

“What?” Briar stared at him, caught off guard. “You’re coming over to watch me sleep?” She shot Ashton a suspicious look, trying to figure out what he was plotting this time.

Ashton felt a mix of amusement and exasperation at her reaction. He raised an eyebrow and replied, “Oh? You

always come over to tuck me in. Why can’t I tuck you in tonight?” His tone was so casual, as if tucking his girlfriend

in for the night was something he did regularly.

Briar bit her lip, wanting to remind him that even if he came over to help her fall asleep, with how things usually

went between them, he’d likely end up dozing off first. But Ashton looked so serious, and after the closeness

they’d shared earlier that day, Briar couldn’t bring/herself to refuse when she looked into those bright, earnest

eyes of his.

take the couch, I’ll be in bed–just like when

eyes dancing with laughter. “Babe, as your boyfriend, I don’t even get the chance to sit by your

spoke, he dramatically clutched his chest, as if Briar had genuinely injured him. But Briar wasn’t convinced. “Don’t even think about charming me with your looks, Ashton. Haven’t you been told that you’re far

“What a pity. I can’t believe my looks aren’t enough to impress my girl

try something again, Briar hurriedly pushed him out the door.

up.”

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was standing by the gate. Seeing Ashton get brushed off by Briar again, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Mr. Wade, never thought I’d see the

misfortune.

mind, teasing only came with care, and care could grow into love. And love–well, that was unshakable.

and soul.

the shower, she took out her phone, connected to a secure network, and dialed a hidden number. The person on the other end answered almost immediately, sounding

how she spoke to Ashton. Yet, for Memphis and

already left. The lab was empty–just old equipment, nothing useful,” Memphis reported. It was rare for Briar to give

him more

little. It wasn’t shocking. “Understood.

if you

“Understood,” Memphis replied.

“Make sure to tell the guys to stay safe and

the enemy.”

Jennings. We’re all

a slight smile in her voice.

smile faded from Briar’s face. She calmly removed her

water cascade over her. Zayne and the puppeteers behind

her. If they did, she would have made sure their

hour later, the doorbell rang downstairs. Briar quickly dried off, slipped into her pajamas, swept her damp hair over her shoulder, and hurried downstairs to answer the door. It was a chilly late autumn night, and when Ashton saw Briar come down like that, he frowned slightly. “Why didn’t you dry your hair

him inside. “It’s fine. My hair will dry

halfway. When she visited Ashton’s place, she always made sure to dry it thoroughly so it wouldn’t drip and wet her clothes. But now that she was at