rled her lips in mockery. "Me? You think I'm

Fletcher was hurt in a deserted area, and you just happene

plained steadily, "I went there to l

xposed, so you played the role of a random bystander. Even if you weren't involved in yesterday's operation, the N

g, as though the accusation amused her. "If y

on hardened. "She was brought here by me. I made tha

e replied, "No, Mr. Fletcher. But I do hav

ing leader from the Nocturne yesterday. He gave us the contact number

erious. "Mr. Fletcher, she's telli

Fletcher, once the spy is identified, you canno

, Elijah gave a short c

it between her lips. After that, she lifted her legs onto the coffee table, sett

ating. In her mind, the woman remained completely unaware that a trap had alread

d into Ashley's coat pocket earlier, Lucian

ving room was filled with th

e, and shock spread quickly when everyon

ciana's body as dre

she slowly lowered her gaze

. No matter how she tried to reason it a

thly pale, and her voice shook as disbelief took hold

arly across her features. When had Ashley found the chanc

Ashley watched Luciana's reaction,

reflexes, she obviously could put the phon

erately moved closer, Ashley

reated a perfect distraction and used that brief momen

a grin. "Mr. Fletcher, are

shed out in desperation. "Mr. Fletcher, I have alw

and said, "Luciana has done too much for you, Mr. Fletcher. Th

who claimed the number came from a minor leader and insisted there

iana stood frozen and was un

ed by someone so young had

his gun and aimed it at Ashley. "Answ

rried far more weight than the words of

urfaced within it. She was ready to move

umbling aside. Rage burned in his eyes, and

the living room, and n

vered his warning in a low, deadly voice. "If thi

evance mixed with stubborn defiance showed in her ey

"We are meeting Lachlan today to discuss acquir

the room. Ashley rose from her seat

long enough to deliver a warning in a cold voi

's eyes, and a quiet promise of

hley followed Eli

ly, and Elijah's oppressive presence filled

arity. "Dr. Scott, you are not only impressive with a scalpel. You

's body, and her pulse fal

d seen through her actions, which only pr

d up to his reputat

y a narrow distance remained between their faces, and her warm b

uld rein in your people before they

ost her balance, tumbling straight into Elijah's lap

confusion overtook her as she slow

ttled over Elij

e tension in his leg and something s

hand closed around her sho

presence enveloping her as his fi

hisper, he asked, "Dr. Scott, are y