Chapter 147
The man’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Then maybe pain will help jog your memory about where he might be hiding.”
He lunged forward, arm raised.
I moved without hesitation, stepping between them and catching his wrist mid–swing.
“That’s enough,” I said, my voice dropping to the cold.
The man’s surprise quickly morphed into anger.
“Who the fuck are you? Back off, suit. This isn’t your business.”
I maintained my grip on his wrist, applying just enough pressure to make him wince.
He yanked his arm free and signaled to his friends. “Handle this rich boy.”
What happened next seemed to take only seconds.
The first man threw a punch that I easily sidestepped, using his momentum to slam him face–first into the wall.
The second rushed me, but a precise strike to his solar plexus left him gasping on the floor.
The leader pulled a knife from his jacket, but before he could use it, I disarmed him wit
wrist bent at an unnatural angle.
swift movement that left him howling in pain, his
Three men, disabled in less than fifteen seconds.
I straightened my suit jacket and fixed my cufflink.
“Now, as I was saying, the lady has nothing for you. Leave.”
The men scrambled to their feet, the leader cradling his injured wrist.
“This isn’t over,” he spat.
They backed away, supporting each other as they stumbled toward the stairs.
Only when they disappeared from view did I turn back to Amy and Ethan.
Ethan was staring at me, mouth slightly open in shock.
‘Holy shit, he whispered.
Amy’s expression mirrored Ethan’s surprise, but with an added layer of wary gratitude.
She stepped back, opening her door wider. “Thank you, you’d better come in.”
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Chapter 147
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The apartment beyond was a disaster zone–furniture overturned, a mirror shattered on the floor, and what looked like dried blood staining the carpet.
The walls bore signs of violent impact, and most of the drawers had been emptied, their contents strewn across the room.
“What happened here?” I asked.
“It’s Kevin,” she said flatly.
“He came home drunk last night, demanding money. When I told him we didn’t have any, he…”
She gestured vaguely at her face, then at the destruction around us.
Ethan stepped forward, his expression was eager.
“Do you know where Kevin might be now?”
Amy shook her head.
“After he tore the place apart, he just left. Hasn’t been back since.”
Her voice cracked slightly. “Took everything worth selling.”
Ethan seemed to feel a bit discouraged
He glanced at the door, then back at Amy.
“Those men will come back, probably with more friends next time. It’s not safe for you to stay here.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go,” she whispered, defeat evident in every line of her body.
“Come with us,” Ethan offered.
“We can protect you. All we ask is that you help us find Kevin. If he contacts you, you let us know immediately.”
I watched Amy carefully as she considered the offer.
She looked around at the ruins of her apartment, then down at her bruised hands.
She looked up, a new resolve hardening her features.
“Deal.”
Twenty minutes later, Amy had packed a small duffel bag with whatever belongings the destruction had spared.
We made our way carefully down the dilapidated stairwell and into the walking car.
The drive back to Thornton estate was mostly silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
When we arrived at my estate, Edward was waiting at the door, his expression troubled.
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Chapter 147
“Mr. Thornton,” he said quietly as we approached, his eyes darting briefly
“Mrs. Bailey–Eleanor Bailey–is at the gate. She’s demanding to see Ms. I
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09:31 Wed, Feb 11 C
Chapter 147
“Mr. Thornton,” he said quietly as we approached, his eyes darting briefly to Amy before returning to me.
“Mrs. Bailey–Eleanor Bailey–is at the gate. She’s demanding to see Ms. Lane and claims to be her mother.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
