Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 70

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Pulling himself free, his hand gripped the length of his throbbing desire. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back, the image of Emma flooding his mind. Her smile, her laugh, the way she moved-it all played on an endless loop in his head.

His hand moved rhythmically, seeking relief from the torment, but it wasn't enough. No matter how much he tried, the pleasure was hollow, a poor substitute for what he truly craved.

He wanted her. Needed her. No one else could make him feel whole-no one else could

d fill the void she had left behind.

Just as he was beginning to lose himself in the sensation, the shrill ring of his office phone jolted him back to reality.

"Damn it," he hissed, cursing under his breath as he reached for the phone, his frustration reaching a boiling point,

He answered with a terse, "What?" his voice rough and uneven, bis emotions barely contained.

"Sir, it's Kevin," came the steady reply. "I've got the details on the man you asked about

Alexander straightened, his breathing still heavy. He tucked himself away, composing himself as best as he could. "Il call you back." he said curtly before slamming the receiver down.

stormed into the apartment, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. Her face was twisted with rage, her eyes. blazing as though fueled by

gaze lingering, soft, filled with something Annie hadn't seen directed at her in a long time, if ever. It

to cry; she hated the vulnerability it exposed. But she had wielded tears as a weapon for years, a means to pull Alexander back into her orbit

as she

fleeting, the shards glittering on the floor like the pieces of her crumbling facade. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as her

was a threat-no, more than a threat. She was the embodiment of everything Annie had fought so hard to keep. Alexander was hers. He always had been, and she

The shrill ringtone grated against her frayed nerves. Snatching

she snapped, her voice

made her blood boil even more. She clenched her jaw, wishing she'd ignored the call altogether. "What the hell do you want? Annie growled, masking the unease that pricked at her insides. She wouldn't give this man the satisfaction of seeing her fear. "We have no

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Chapter 70

the man replied, his tone mocking. "Our business isn't over until I

П

intended. "I paid you what we agreed on.

voice chilling. But a woman came to see me a

ran cold. The room seemed to tilt, her grip on the phone tightening.

evident in his voice. "She wants me