“Ms. Barclay, I think a black Cadillac is following us all the way from the airport.” Hayley was instantly on high alert. She knew they had been tailing Ashton since they left the pier. So were they now after her life?“They’re the mafia don, Salvatore Gambino’s men, Mr. Stewart. They were after my boyfriend, and it seems they’re after me as well.” Henry Stewart nodded and called the police for protection. He briefly explained the situation and within minutes, two police patrol cars appeared from nowhere and started chasing the Cadillac. Henry picked up speed and negotiated through the traffic, eager to get home. The Cadillac disappeared into a by-lane, giving up the chase, and Hayley breathed a sigh of relief. This time she was saved, but for how long? Mafia people were a dangerous breed who didn’t give up so easily. They would surely capture her by hook or by crook. “This doesn’t look good, Ms. Barclay. I think you should stay at home for a while until this dies down. I will have
Ashton gaped at the woman in front of him, as if seeing her for the first time. Her admission completely had him dumbfounded. While he had been wondering about the elusive Francesca, the cause of all his troubles, she was right there in front of him all the time. Every part of the jigsaw puzzle fell into place. No wonder her father’s men were ready to kill him every time she was jealous of Hayley. “What the f*ck? So you are Francesca Gambino, the root cause of my problems? It was because of you that Antonio abducted me, broke my bones, and abandoned me on a deserted beach. It was because of your jealousy that Gambino’s men are chasing me everywhere. Don’t fu*king call yourself my savior. I can’t believe that I associated with a criminal's daughter!” he groaned in agony while Francesca looked hurt by his allegations. “You know what? You’re the biggest as*hole I’ve ever met. I won’t protect you anymore from now on. My dad was right. You don’t deserve my love. You deserve to die. Goodb
After a while, the door of the OT opened, and they wheeled an unconscious man out. Ashton jumped to his feet and reached near him. Even from a distance, he could recognize the face. It was his dad’s! He gazed at his dad, speechless, while the nurses pushed him away. “I’m Ashton Pierce, his son. How is he now?” he asked the first doctor who emerged. “Mr. Pierce, the operation was successful at our end. We will have to observe the patient for the next twenty-four hours. We extracted two bullets from his abdominal cavity through laparoscopy. There was a lot of blood loss within the abdomen, and the viscera around was 50% harmed. We performed a percutaneous endoscopic surgery to extract the third bullet from his spinal canal. There was cerebrospinal fluid leakage and other impairments. We should be able to give a more comprehensive report after a twenty-four observation period.” “Thank you, doctor, but will my dad survive?” he asked in a whisper, unable to even hope. “Let’s observe hi
He rushed from one doctor to the other, waiting in front of the OT hopefully, leaving no stone unturned in his attempt to save his dad. The operation was successful. The bullet fragment lodged was removed, and they shifted his dad to the ICU. Ashton didn’t leave the hospital, waiting for the neurological examinations and serial imaging reports. It was evening when his dad gained consciousness and wanted to see him. The nurse allowed him inside the ICU for a brief visit. He went inside to find his dad looking pale and drained. “How are you now, Dad?” he asked, bringing a stool to sit at his bedside. His dad shook his head, having difficulty speaking. “Why did you shift me here, Ashton? This place is so expensive,” he croaked softly, unable to speak much.“It’s okay, Dad. I can afford it. Your health is most important.” “I’m not feeling any better, son. I can feel my body giving up on me,” said his dad, releasing a deep sigh. Ashton grabbed his hand as a feeling of dread washed over
Hayley reached Miami in the night and booked a room at Hotel Bayview. She introduced herself and fixed an appointment with the owner, Simon Baylor for the next day. There was no sign of Ashton still and she didn’t bother messaging him. Let him get the shock of his life when he returned. The receptionist was initially wary of her after Madison’s visit. But Hayley didn’t want access to Ashton’s penthouse, and she relaxed a little. “Actually, sir has tightened the security around the hotel. He has strictly prohibited us from entertaining any of his guests without his permission. Last time someone called Madison Parker gained access to his penthouse in his absence.” “Oh, Madison was here! Did she used to live with Ashton?” she asked, bursting with curiosity. However before Gina could answer her, the landline buzzed with an incoming call. Seeing her busy with numerous calls, Hayley picked up the keys to her room and left. Maybe she would find out the details later. The fresh piece of
Tears pricked at Hayley’s eyes, seeing the housekeeping staff carry an unconscious Ashton to the bed. She had never expected his condition to be this critical. What could have happened to him? She noticed the dark circles around his eyes, the hollow cheeks, and the disheveled state he was in. He didn’t look normal at all. They summoned a doctor immediately to diagnose the problem since no one had a clue about his illness.“The patient is suffering from extreme mental stress, dehydration, and insomnia. You can admit him to the hospital for immediate intravenous treatment,” said the doctor after reviving him and checking him up.“I’m not going to the hospital,” said Ashton grumpily.“Can’t he be treated at home, doctor?” asked Hayley. “Fine, but you have to adhere to the diet chart I give you. You need to monitor his glucose level and pressure. Make a six-hourly chart for the next 48 hours or until the patient is stable. Increase his fluid intake and ensure that he gets at least a week
Glazed with passion, her eyes closed as a deep moan escaped her lips. If she could, she would never let him stop. The feel of his lips pressed against hers in a soft, lingering kiss made her pulse race with abandon. Ashton scraped his teeth gently against her lower lip before closing on it like it was a delicious treat. Hearing Hayley’s pleasure-filled moans, he quickly soothed the sting with his tongue. She grabbed his head and kissed him back with equal abandon.Ashton groaned with pleasure at her response to him. It didn’t feel like they had ever separated. It felt as if they had resumed where they had left off the last time. The sound of the doorbell alerted them, and Ashton released her mouth reluctantly. “Who has a death wish now?” he growled with frustration. “It should be our dinner, Ashton. I asked them to send it here.”“I was already enjoying my dinner. Who needs food?” he grumbled, walking over towards the door. Hayley lay back, a small smile of satisfaction tugging at h
The next morning, however, Ashton forgot everything after finding her in his arms in the morning. He hovered over her and pecked at her lips, waiting for her to wake up so that he could devour her. The sight of her curvy body encased in nothing but her pajamas aroused him. He could feel her breasts crushed to his chest and the urge to take them in his mouth drove him crazy. No, he would die waiting for a week. He needed her now. She opened her eyes when he rubbed his painfully hard erection against her soft body. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she stared at Ashton, pinning her down with his weight. “Good morning, Ashton! Umm, what are you doing?” Ashton winked and planted a kiss on her neck, trailing upwards to nibble her ear. “What do you think?” “I thought you were sick,” she whispered hoarsely when his mouth traveled to her throat. She arched her head to give him more access, loving the feel of his lips on her skin. “I will be if I don’t have you.” Her heart skipped a be