Rhys straightened up his position, sighing a breath while chanting curses underneath his breath, hoping to have the mental capability to tolerate Ashley as he walked the distance off her office.He just came in for work after being suspended for almost a week, which did help him a lot in building up his patience and the ability to embrace more than is yet to come. He needs that much space away from Ashley, or rather the Freemans in general.Ashley had dropped him a message late at night, ordering his presence by 7 a.m. sharp. Normally, Rhys isn't prone to tardiness, but being ordered around is something new.This is why he needed to gather more of his raging emotions to survive throughout the mission without blowing up any cover.He stops at her office momentarily, blinking his eyes, as memories of what happened the last time come rushing down like a wave of nostalgia.The slap Layla had landed on his face made his jawline harden. It took a lot of convincing from Lex for Rhys not to r

"Mr. Mickelson, please come with me." One of the boutique attendants says she is leading the way for Rhys.He shared a look with Ashley, his Adam's apple bulbing up and down as he walked past her.He could swear he heard her suck in a harsh breath with the way their shoulders brushed when he walked past her, a smirk lifting on his lips.He adored the effect he had on her; even without going too far, she was beginning to make things a lot easier than he thought they would be for him.She led him to one of the rooms."Go in and get dressed," she orders, tossing him the white tux.Rhys bit back a growl, taking it as he watched her walk away. He hisses as he walks into the changing room while unmuting the earpiece."Where the fuck are you?" He fires, keeping it down.Lex chuckled. "I'm standing in front of the boutique; I can spot Ashley and Layla, but not you. Where are you?"Rhys heaved a breath, undressing. "I'm changing. Just walk in and do what you have to do," he ordered as he wore

Today is the engagement party. After today, Rhys is going to move in with Ashley into her apartment. One of the things that displeased Rhys in these circumstances.He values his personal space and doesn't like having to share it, especially with someone who hates him for no reason, or rather because he's not up to her status.It annoys him big-time.But he has to get used to it, especially with the fact that in three more weeks, they'll be pronounced man and wife."Are you sure it's a good idea?" Lex asked as they drove to the boutique if he was supposed to meet Ashley before they both got to the venue where the engagement party would be taking place."I don't have a choice; besides, it's only a few days till things are made official, so we may as well start getting used to it now. Don't you think?" Rhys reasons, to which Lex nods in response."Yes, you're right?""How are things with Layla?" Rhys asked.Lex chuckles. "She hates your guts. If there was a way to have you prosecuted bef

The ride to their destination was quiet; he could hear her sobs yet pretended to be lost in his thoughts, his stare glued outside the window.His thoughts ran haywire, the conversation he had with her aunt rushing back to him. So she's well aware of the crimes her husband has been committing, and just as much as they wanted that Dark Syndicate organization down, she wants the same.The thought of how Freeman has had her chained to their alignment using her kids as a method of blackmail to have her mouth shut makes him even more disgusting than he already is.Somehow the urge to protect Ashley has never felt so needful, but then how does he do that when she wants nothing to do with him?If only she could make things easier for him by helping him out, but the risk of her finding out is too dangerous, not only for her safety but for the sake of the whole mission.He can't risk it.The car comes to a halt, and in the blink of an eye, Ashley blots inside, leaving Rhys contemplating whether

It's only been a week since they got married. Ashley has completely shut herself out of the world. Dark circles, bloodshot eyes, a weary demeanor—it's almost as though she's married to a blood-sucking monster that has her clutched to his claws.No matter how much Rhys tries to get her to relax and let loose, it's to no avail. She pushed him away and stayed locked up in her room; his mere sight enraged her.He's not even sure if it has to do with their marriage alone, but he has this gut feeling that there is more to this, and deep down, he knows Freeman has everything to do with Ashley's current state of mind.He shakes his head, stepping out of the guest room in which he is lodging and walking to the door, where he finds Ashley already by the door, her sight glued to the car parked at the entrance door with a chauffeur holding the door open."Hey," he mumbles, standing next to her.He didn't miss how she moved uncomfortably, turning to meet his stare."I have a proposition to make,"