When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I am highly acquainted with this gesture from having witnessed it many times. Abe was reaching for his gun.

I glanced toward Ashton in desperation. He seemed to be looking for someone. His haughty expression kept people from approaching him.

“Mr. Abe, you…”

“Shut up!” He glared at me.

I was frightened into silence. Why is Ashton here? I thought. What is he doing here?

Was he looking for me?

No one would know about my disappearance from the country if Savini did not speak. Even if he did know and was out to look for me, how did he end up here?

Query after query raced through my mind, but the most pressing one was Abe’s intentions towards Ashton.

Abe grabbed my wrist and brought my attention back to the present. I was here as bait.

“Don’t startle him,” Abe muttered into his earpiece. “Let’s see how many men he has with him.”

After giving the order, he was dragging me along toward Ashton’s table.

“Mr. Fuller, what a coincidence!” he said with feigned surprise.

We locked eyes. I was at a loss for words with the sudden twist of events.

Joseph looked as stunned as I felt. For as long as I’ve known him, I have never seen him like this before. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of me.

are you?” I blurted, as I leaned forward

shot a glance at Ashton and composed himself in an instant. “I’m well, how do you do.” He took my

said, with an inscrutably

men were of similar height. One had a calm and stable aura that hid an unpredictable nature, while the other looked calm and mild-mannered, but had ferocious rage just bubbling

down; I meekly next to Abe. I began to grasp faintly

that he intended to leave no

had thought that his purpose in bringing me along was to use me as a human shield if things got ugly. But it didn’t seem

grudge does Abe have with

did you bring it?” Abe asked briskly. He detested small

his rugged brows. Traveling to this

the lady?” Ashton said with a casually unrecognizing

Abe leered at

didn’t seem interested in an elaboration regarding

Joseph, who placed the black briefcase

you want to inspect the goods

old friends. I trust that the goods are

me and gave me

had told me to seize

fraction of a second and reached out

top of mine. The familiar touch and

allow us to inspect the goods in return, shouldn’t he?” Ashton said as he loosened

to withdraw my hand but Ashton

you’re always cautious.”