She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Walls, Wheels, and Wounds 260

Chapter 260 Completely Unhinged

Both Brendan and Natasha turned to Freya at the exact same time.

Freya's face didn't shift in the slightest; she wasn't about to give anything away- not until the final moment arrived.

"Or maybe she's K," Ashley snapped, pointing her finger at Natasha with a shrug that said she had nothing left to lose. "If you're still not convinced, you can say I'm K."

Brendan let out a quiet chuckle. "Are you really that eager to get your brother killed?"

"I've already told you," Ashley said sharply. "You're the one who refuses to believe me."

Brendan studied her.

Ashley met his gaze head-on, and for once, the fear that had been gnawing at her seemed to recede. "You want me to name someone I've never seen or heard of? How the hell am I supposed to do that? Go on, kill me. Maybe K will swoop in and rescue me."

"You've got a death wish, don't you?" Brendan murmured, idly lifting her chin between his fingers.

Ashley's heart thudded in her chest. "It's you who wants me dead!"

"If you don't know, just admit it. Why get all worked up?" He let go of her chin and casually drew her into his lap, "How could I ever not trust you?"

Ashley didn't flinch.

She knew his moods too well. One second he was cold and cruel, the next he was playing the tender lover. He was completely unhinged.

"If you listen to me, your brother stays alive." Brendan gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

Ashley's body quivered ever so slightly, a chill running down her spine as sweat soaked the back of her blouse.

Freya, watching it all unfold, wasn't fooled for a second. That so-called tender touch? It wasn't affection-it was a calculated check for any hidden earpiece.

His mind worked in twisted, meticulous ways.

"Ashley," Brendan said sweetly, his voice coated with charm, like he was in unusually high spirits.

The sound sent ice straight through her veins. Any warmth she had left was gone.

Brendan grabbed her chin again, forcing her to look at him. "Are you mad at me?"

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"I dare not."

to vent your anger?" He coaxed

might've passed for a

Ashley only felt

just how fast he could

fingers pinching her waist with a smile that looked more like a threat. "K is bad news. If

pain will come from you!" Ashley didn't say it out

old and frail. I'm doing this for her sake.

a sharp twist, and that awful

him pay-every last drop of blood he owed-for

he asked again, noticing the flicker in her eyes. He

wave of dread surged through her. Forcing the words out, she muttered the thing she most didn't want to

girl," Brendan

"What's wrong with you, scaring a woman

you?" Brendan replied lazily. "You just focus on finding

one of the few who dared talk back to him.

fine. He was

"What..." Ashley froze.

make it look real,” Natasha explained, and Brendan didn't bother stopping

Panic gripped Ashley.

Brendan was beyond terrifying.

flaw. If she had turned on Freya back there, she would've

her all over again.

Natasha, though her eyes briefly flicked

it true?" Ashley asked, eyes darting back to Brendan.

reason?" Brendan poured himself a

She did think that.

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it aloud. So

smiled, but it was empty. His gentleness never warmed the air around him-he was a gentleman in appearance, a

memories were carved into her bones, and she was

didn't call her bluff,

Fear kept her compliant.

her from trying to escape and ensure she stayed

side.

while later, Brendan

alone on the beach in nothing

And he would pay for it-every

said, handing the iPad to Freya. “Take a look at

pathetic?"

Freya looked.

bleak setting, Kristian sat on the sand, the sea wind

cold seeped through.

was stubborn to the end, refusing to believe in her. He

you have against him?" Freya asked for the