Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 725

Wayne was behind his pain, and I made a mental note to remember it.

1 stopped, still pressed close to Hayden, catching my breath. Messing around with him like this felt... good, like we were back to normal.

Then I remembered he was technically still supposed to be in a coma. "How long are you planning to keep up the act?" I asked. "I'm done. I'm awake now, aren't I?" he replied, grinning lazily.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're such a troll. You're just messing with them for fun, aren't you?"

Hayden's expression darkened slightly. "If I didn't have bigger priorities, I'd do more than mess with them. I'd make them pay.

His tone was casual, but the words carried a dangerous edge.

He called it "messing," but we both knew he was talking about risking everything-his life, no less. It wasn't that different from what Demi had been through.

"I saw Demi..." I told him about her situation, sharing everything I'd learned. Hayden didn't say a word, but I could see the weight of it in his eyes.

"Lena said she once treated girls with injuries like Demi's. She thinks their stories are similar and offered to track them down to gather more evidence," I added, hoping for a reaction. But Hayden stayed quiet. "What's wrong?" I waved a hand in front of his face.

whole black-market operation-bigger than you realize.

explained why DracoLux wasn't just your typical shady nightclub. If all they did was sell sex, Hayden wouldn't

dealing with, and I don't want to. But you need to promise me one

I cared about. I didn't have the right to

voice heavy. "I didn't want you involved. But here you are, tangled up in all of

right. Wayne wasn't the man he pretended to be

+25 BONUS

Chapter 725

how hannless he

me. But if he couldn't have me, I had

tell Hayden that part. There was no point it would only

my protector, but this time, I wanted to be the one shielding him. "Tanya's probably tied to DracoLux too," I said outlining my plan

his expression serious. "You know this could put you in the

that reckless? The bar's already signed over to

not just rich-you're getting sharp, too," Hayden teased, though his tone carried

sharp, just-practical. If I don't take control, someone else

brushed my cheek softly, a rare

grown up so I