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.

me sleep, okay? You take the couch, I’ll

the boundaries of his luck, and Briar couldn’t resist him. Ashton caught the underlying meaning of her words, his eyes dancing with laughter. “Babe, as your boyfriend, I don’t even get the chance to sit by your

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

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

him out

up.”

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Chapter 198

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he couldn’t help but laugh. “Mr. Wade, never thought I’d see the day you got treated like

misfortune.

on his lips, before walking away. In his mind, teasing only came with care, and care could grow into

and soul.

straight to the bathroom. Rather than jumping right into the shower, she took out her phone, connected to a secure network, and dialed a hidden number. The person on the

tone was cold–quite different from how she spoke to Ashton. Yet, for Memphis and his team,

likely tipped off and had already left. The lab was empty–just old equipment, nothing useful,” Memphis reported. It was rare for

him more than it did

saying little. It wasn’t

you discover

“Understood,” Memphis replied.

up, Briar added one last reminder: “Make sure to

the enemy.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Jennings. We’re all people you trained–taking us

replied, a slight smile in her

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

her. Zayne and the puppeteers behind him had

paths with her. If they did, she would have

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,

inside. “It’s fine.

halfway. When she visited Ashton’s place, she always made sure to dry it thoroughly so