Chapter 84
Audrey’s POV:
:
I sat on the chair in the precinct’s waiting area, my fingers nervously intertwining as I waited for Caspar to arrive.
B
My mind raced with questions and concerns.
How would he react to finding me in a police station? Would he look at me differently once he learned I had taken down two men twice
my size? What if he decided I was too dangerous to be around Noah?
The thought of losing that connection made my chest ache.
Before I could spiral further into my anxious thoughts, a female officer approached me.
“Ms. Lane?” she said. “Someone’s here to post your bail.”
I followed the officer through a series of doors until we reached the main entrance. And there he was.
attention without effort.
his
presence seemed to fill the entire space.
Caspar Thornton stood just inside the precinct doors, commanding
His tailored dark suit looked impossibly crisp despite the late hourschelli
and
When he spotted me, something in his usually impassive face shifted.
He strode toward me with purpose, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was low, concerned in a way I hadn’t heard before.
“No, I’m fine,” I replied, suddenly aware of my disheveled appearance. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, a nervous gesture I couldn’t
suppress.
“Good.” His expression softened slightly. “James is handling the paperwork. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“Ms. Lane appears to have quite impressive self–defense skills,” an officer commented to Caspar as we prepared to leave. “Took down two
men twice her size.”
Caspar turned to me, one eyebrow raised in elegant surprise. “Is that so?”
I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “Just basic self–defense. Nothing special.”
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Chapter 84
Caspar nodded. His calm acceptance made the tension in my shoulders ease slightly.
‘I’ll have someone look into what happened tonight,” he continued, his tone shifting to that familiar business–like efficiency.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely appreciative of his support despite my reservations.
I tried to analyze who might have sent those attackers.
Their technique was sloppy, their approach amateur. Definitely not the people I’d encountered during my time abroad.
So it’s okay for Caspar to check, it won’t expose me.
The thought steadied me. My secrets were safe. For now, at least.
“Let me take you home,” Caspar said, gesturing toward the exit where I could see his sleek black Bentley waiting at the curb.
“Actually,” I hesitated, “I need to go to the Bailey residence. I still have some things there I need to collect. I’m… moving out.”
Recognition flickered in his eyes. “Right. The text you sent earlier.”
He nodded decisively. “I’ll drive you there and wait while you gather your things.”
“That’s really not necessary,” I protested weakly. “I can manage on my own.”
“It’s late, and after what happened tonight, I’d prefer to ensure you’re safe.” he replied, his tone making it clear this wasn’t a request.
I sighed in resignation and followed him to the waiting Bentley.
When I reached for the rear door handle, it wouldn’t budge.
Caspar was already sliding into the driver’s seat. The passenger window smoothly rolled down as he leaned slightly toward it.
“Front seat,” he said, his tone clipped.
Yeah, sitting in the back makes it feel like I’m treating one of New York’s most powerful men as my personal chauffeur.
Then I opened the passenger door and slid into the seat, the supple leather embracing me.
I exhaled slowly, trying to release some of the tension that had built up over the evening.
Just as I was beginning to relax, Caspar suddenly leaned toward me, his face inches from mine.
My breath caught in my throat, my heart hammering against my ribs.
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Chapter 84
For one bewildering moment, I couldn’t think, couldn’t move.
Then I realized he was simply reaching across me to fasten my seatbelt, his movements careful and deliberate.
“Safety first,” he murmured, his breath warm against my cheek as he clicked the buckle into place.
I felt heat rise to my face, embarrassed by my momentary misinterpretation.
Of course that’s all it was. What had I been thinking?
When we arrived at the Upper East Side building that housed the Bailey apartment, Caspar pulled smoothly to the curb and cut the
engine.
“Would you like me to come up with you?” he asked.
I blinked in surprise. I’d assumed he would simply drop me off and leave, his good deed for the night accomplished.
But his expression and the way his hand remained on the keys in the ignition made it clear he had no intention of driving away anytime
soon.
“That’s not necessary,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “I’ll just grab my things and be right back down. ”
He nodded once, his eyes meeting mine briefly. “I’ll be here.”
I hurried into the building.
I eased the apartment door open as quietly as possible, hoping to avoid waking anyone.
At this hour, the Bailey family should have been asleep, giving me the perfect opportunity to gather my remaining belongings without
another confrontation.
The lamp in the living room suddenly clicked on, making me freeze mid–step.
“Is that Mr Thornton waiting for you downstairs??” Sienna’s voice sliced through the quiet apartment.
I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart racing from the sudden interruption. “God, Sienna. You scared me.”
“Answer the question.” She moved closer, her silk robe swishing around her legs.
“I’m just here to get my things,” I said, trying to step around her. “I don’t want to argue.”
Sienna grabbed my wrist, her manicured nails digging slightly into my skin.
“What’s going on between you two? You told me there was nothing between you and Caspar Thornton.”
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Chapter 84
:
Her eyes narrowed accusingly. “Isn’t he supposed to be with Daisy Cole? Everyone knows they’ve been together for months.”
I pulled my arm free, genuinely confused by her intensity. “It’s none of your business.”
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“None of my business?” Her laugh was brittle, almost hysterical. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve completely ruined things
for me!”
I stared at her, bewildered by this outburst.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
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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.
