She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 145

Chapter 145 A Deal

"First, figure out who was behind those incidents," Freya began, ticking the challenges off one by one. "Second, beat me in marksmanship."

Kristian didn't find either of those demands particularly daunting. "And the third?"

"I haven't decided on that yet," Freya replied, her eyes settling on him with quiet calculation. “Once you've handled the first two, I'll let you know. But let me be perfectly clear-if you don't outdo me in every one of them, don't ever bother me again."

"Deal," Kristian said without missing a beat.

Freya felt a quiet wave of relief wash over her. For the first time in days, she could finally enjoy a sliver of peace.

She glanced at her watch. It was already past ten. "Can you open the door now so I can go home?" she asked, pronouncing each word with care.

"You're staying here tonight," Kristian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll handle the second task first thing tomorrow morning."

He turned, grabbed a bag, and handed it over. "Here's something to change into."

Freya was at a loss for words. She wanted to refuse, but after a moment's hesitation, she figured it wasn't worth the fight.

She took the bag from him and walked to the room he'd indicated. Once inside, she locked the door, shrugged off her coat onto the bed, and picked up the pajamas before stepping into the bathroom.

Kristian heard the soft click of the lock. For a moment, he couldn't decide whether to admire her caution or feel disheartened by how wary she still was around him.

Meanwhile, Freya stood under the shower, letting the water run over her.

Her mind drifted back to the conversation with Kristian earlier. Thoughts began to coalesce. She hadn't originally intended to investigate those incidents-they were petty and tedious.

But when she considered them through the mastermind's eyes, she realized she couldn't simply turn a blind

eye.

Kristian's sudden reappearance in Alerith, followed by his repeated run-ins with her, was bound to catch the attention of the person pulling strings from the shadows. It was only a matter of time before she was dragged into trouble again It was a headache she hadn't asked for.

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit basement across the sea, a woman lay sprawled on the cold concrete floor. Her hair was a mess, her face bruised and streaked with angry red welts.

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on

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shut, and her body was restrained by iron chains-around her

her, lifeless snakes lay scattered like

echoing

a reflex born

into view, dressed in a sharp suit, his very presence radiating

him a sickly,

he ordered, flicking ash off his

to the corner

immediately splashed a bucket of ice-cold water

freezing jolt yanked her back to consciousness. She gasped, jerking upright as the icy water soaked through her clothes, sending shivers down her

long drag from his cigarette, then flicked it to the ground and crushed it beneath his heel. He stepped closer, his face as striking as Kristian's,

up your mind?" he asked, crouching before her. He lifted a hand and lightly tapped her cheek. Ashley flinched hard,

just his words-it was the unshakable terror he

said, his voice slow and deliberate. "Do that, and I'll

only wanted him

clenched at her sides. Every inch of her body throbbed with pain-a constant reminder of the hell she'd been through since falling back into his

begged him to spare her family, he'd found new

die while he went on living? The man seemed to savor the fury and madness in her gaze. His smile curled wider. "You want me dead?" he asked, as

surged down

make that happen," he said, his large hand cupping her wet,

to Ashley, it felt

defy me?" His thumb brushed across

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but her chest tightened

be under guard,” he continued, drawing out the words, "but if I want them gone, no one

1. me. Got it?"

her eyes

the hatred burning in her eyes. "If you go near him, he won't question it. He'd never believe someone as weak and pitiful as you

bitterly. But she couldn't say that

in to help her.

happened last time, he doesn't trust me anymore." "Just do as you're told," the

body racked with pain. She looked up at him and