Chapter 213
Audrey’s POV:
My finger hovered over the trigger as I edged around the corner, my
heart hammering against my ribs.
The footsteps grew louder, approaching the living room.
I pressed my back against the wall, ready to confront whoever had
entered the apartment.
Two male voices murmured in the hallway–one of them strangely
familiar.
I nearly dropped the gun when they came into view.
Caspar. And Jasper.
My brain struggled to process the impossible sight before me. Caspar
-here in London, in Jasper’s apartment–supporting a limping Jasper
whose face was drawn with pain.
I stood frozen, the gun still raised in my trembling hand.
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Caspar’s eyes met mine, raising an eyebrow at the weapon in my grip.
“Audrey,” he said softly, as if speaking to a spooked animal.
“What–how-?” I couldn’t form a coherent sentence, my mind
spinning with questions.
Jasper winced as he shifted his weight. “Maybe save the reunion for
after I sit down?”
I quickly lowered the gun, shoving it into the back of my waistband as
I moved to help.
Caspar had one arm around Jasper’s waist, supporting most of his
weight as they made their way toward the bedroom.
“His leg?” I asked, finding my voice.
“Nothing life–threatening,” Caspar replied, his voice tense. “But he
needs to rest.”
As we reached the bedroom door, I remembered-“Wait, Emma’s in
there. She fell asleep waiting-”
But it was too late. Caspar had already pushed the door open,
revealing Emma curled up on Jasper’s bed, her tear–stained face
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peaceful in sleep.
Jasper halted abruptly, his eyes fixed on Emma’s sleeping form.
Something crossed his face a raw vulnerability I’d never seen before.
Caspar’s gaze sought mine over Jasper’s shoulder, that one look
communicating volumes.
Surely there are no more secrets between us now, his eyes seemed to say
as they held mine for a long moment.”
I looked away first, my mind racing with questions.
How did he find us? How did he know about Jasper? And the most
important thing was that Caspar Thornton wasn’t supposed to exist
in our world?
Emma stirred then, perhaps sensing the presence in the room.
Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then widening as they
landed on Jasper.
For a moment, she didn’t move–as if afraid he might disappear if she
did.
Then she blinked.rapidly, pushing herself up onto her elbows.
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“Jasper?” Her voice was small, disbelieving.
“Hey, trouble,” he replied, a strained smile on his face..
Emma shot upright, rubbing her eyes hard. “I’m dreaming,” she
muttered. “I have to be dreaming.”
Emma’s head whipped toward me. She reached out suddenly, pinching
my arm–hard.
“Ow!” I jerked back. “What was that for?”
“Making sure I’m not dreaming.” She pinched herself next, wincing at
the pain. “Definitely not dreaming.”
Her gaze returned to Jasper, who was still standing awkwardly in the
doorway, supported by Caspar.
She scrambled off the bed and approached him slowly, like someone
approaching a mirage.
When she was close enough, she reached out with trembling fingers
and touched his face.
“You’re real,” she breathed. “You’re actually here.”
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“You stupid, selfless hero,” Emma choked out, her voice breaking with
emotion.
“I thought I’d never see you again. How dare you sacrifice yourself
like that?” Despite her accusatory words, her eyes were filled with
relief and something deeper.
Jasper’s expression softened, clearly moved by her emotional
outburst.
He reached up to brush away a tear from her cheek.
“Hey, I’m here now, aren’t I?” he said gently. “You’re not getting rid of
me that easily.”
?
Something broke in Emma then. With a choked sob, she flung herself
at him, arms wrapping around his neck.
Jasper staggered backward from the impact, nearly toppling himself.
“Easy,” Caspar warned, steadying them.
Emma pulled back immediately, suddenly noticing how Jasper was
being supported. Her eyes traveled downward, landing on his injured
leg.
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“You’re hurt,” she gasped, immediately shifting to practical mode.
“The bed–here, you need to lie down.”
She quickly cleared the space, plumping pillows and pulling back
covers.
Caspar helped Jasper to the bed, where he sank down with a barely
suppressed groan.
“What happened?” Emma demanded, her eyes wild with concern as
she hovered over him. “Your leg–is it broken? Shot?”
Jasper attempted a dismissive wave.
?
“Nothing so dramatic. Just a parting gift from my hosts.” His attempt
at nonchalance failed when he winced while shifting position.
“Worth it,” he added quietly, looking between Emma and me. “Trading
a leg for everyone’s freedom seems like a bargain.”
My throat tightened. “What on earth happened?”
Emma’s silent tears tracked down her face as she sat beside him,
clutching his hand like she might never let go.
Jasper sighed, leaning back against the pillows.
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“After I handed myself over to The Organization’s representatives,
they kept me at a secure location. No torture sessions or dramatic
interrogations–just isolation.”
Emma’s grip on his hand tightened.
“Then this financial titan shows up,” Jasper continued, nodding
toward Caspar.
“Apparently, the Thornton empire has connections in both legitimate
and shadowy worlds. Not enough to directly challenge The Organization, but enough to negotiate.”
“What did you do?” I asked Caspar, surprised by this revelation.
Caspar’s expression remained impassive. “I offered them something they wanted more than your friend here–exclusive withdrawal from key European markets.”
Jasper let out a short laugh that turned into a grimace as he shifted
position.
“But the organization clearly didn’t want to let me off so easily. They said if I could make it out of their facility on my own, they’d consider
our accounts settled.”
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His eyes darkened. “The price was steep, though.”
The room fell silent as we all looked at Jasper’s injured leg.
No one spoke, but the weight of what he’d sacrificed hung heavy in
the air.
Ever since the three of us had fled The Organization years ago, we’d been hunted relentlessly–not just because our defection had angered them, but because they desperately wanted Jasper’s brilliant research
capabilities.
They would have done anything to force him back into their service.
Yet in the grand scheme of things, I realized that compared to the Thornton family withdrawing from European markets, Jasper’s value to The Organization suddenly didn’t seem so irreplaceable.
My gaze shifted to Caspar, a painful ache spreading in my chest.
Generations of Thornton influence, business relationships built over decades, market positions that had taken years to establish–all
sacrificed so easily.
For what? For Jasper. For Emma’s happiness. For me.
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The weight of that sacrifice made me feel small and unworthy. What had I done to deserve someone who would give up a cornerstone of
his family’s empire for people he barely knew?
The question I’d been avoiding finally tumbling out.
“How did you know about any of this? About us, about The Organization… about everything we’ve been hiding?”
Caspar’s expression remained carefully neutral. “It started when you were unwell that night at the estate. The medication you were taking
-I had it analyzed.”
My heart sank. “You’ve known all along.”
“I discovered your identity, yes. And Emma’s.” His eyes held mine
steadily.
“I’ve been waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me yourself,
Audrey,”
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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.
