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.

the couch, I’ll be in bed–just like when I help you fall

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 bedside and help you fall asleep? That genuinely breaks my

Briar wasn’t convinced. “Don’t even think about

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

Ashton might try something again, Briar hurriedly pushed him

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 day you got treated like this.” His face

misfortune.

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

and soul.

phone, connected to

cold–quite different from how she spoke to Ashton. Yet, for

was empty–just old equipment, nothing useful,” Memphis reported. It was rare for Briar to give him a

frustrated him more than

acknowledgment, saying little. It wasn’t shocking. “Understood. Keep

you

“Understood,” Memphis replied.

reminder: “Make sure to tell the guys to stay safe

the enemy.”

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

smile in

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

cascade over her. Zayne and the puppeteers behind him had better

never cross paths with her. If they did, she would have made sure their torment was so excruciating they’d beg for

hair over her shoulder, and hurried downstairs to answer the door. It was a chilly late autumn night, and

shrugged and led him inside. “It’s fine. My hair will dry soon

hair, Even when she did, she would only dry it halfway. When she visited Ashton’s place, she always made sure to