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“We’ll investigate the attempted rape,” the officer said professionally. “However, we’ll also need to look into the assault charges. As it’s a criminal matter, the court will determine if it was reasonable self–defense.”
Gabriella nodded. “Understood.”
After posting bail, she left with Asher.
“I can have the charges dropped,” he offered once they were in his car.
“No need,” she said. “I can handle this.”
Night had fallen around them.
In the darkness, Asher’s features were barely visible.
“Gabby,” his voice was soft, “you always handle everything alone. You could try leaning on me sometimes.”
Gabriella fell silent.
Then sighed.
“After Mum died, I was lost for a long time,” she said quietly. “When Father remarried, it felt like I had no one left in
the world.”
The night was still around them.
Her face was hidden in shadow, concealing the pain in her eyes. She tried to sound light. “I suppose I got used to handling everything myself.”
“Because I didn’t know who else to trust anymore.”
Something in Asher’s chest constricted.
“You have me,” he said softly, his voice aching.
Gabriella didn’t respond.
Victoria’s words about Grace had planted a seed of doubt.
Grace, Asher’s ward sister, might harbor feelings for him that she shouldn’t.
From what Gabriella knew, Asher was quite fond of his sister.
Yes, he’d scolded Grace yesterday for her rudeness, but his anger seemed more about Grace’s poor manners reflecting badly on the family name.
Not about defending Gabriella.
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She knew she couldn’t compete with the sister who’d grown up alongside him.
If conflict arose between her and Grace, Asher would likely take Grace’s side,
To protect herself from future disappointment, Gabriella decided not to count on his support.
Her silence felt like defeat to Asher,
He sighed, gently stroking her hair, “Gabby, remember this–1 will always be on your side. Always.”
She murmured a soft “mm,” head still lowered.
After dropping Gabriella home, Asher made a call to have the assault charges withdrawn.
Then he called his assistant.
“Find out which hospital those two are in. Handle it.”
Tattoos lay in his hospital bed post–surgery, Bleached Hair in the next bed.
A masked man entered their room.
They recognized him–he’d transferred £5,000 to each of them earlier to harass the woman.
This disaster was his fault! Both testicles ruined–no children in his future.
£5,000 wasn’t nearly enough compensation.
“You bastard,” Tattoos snarled. “Why didn’t you warn us she was trained? She’s destroyed my future!”
“Shut it,” the man snapped. “£30,000 each. When the police ask, say you were drunk and stupid. No mention of being
hired. Understood?”
Bleached Hair agreed instantly. “Done.”
His dislocated shoulder would heal. £30,000 was a windfall.
But Tattoos protested. “£30,000? For what she did to me? I want £100,000!”
The masked man relaxed. Only £100,000.
His employer had authorized up to £500,000 to keep them quiet.
If they implicated anyone, the Rodriguez and Blackwoods would investigate, leading straight to her.
He’d been prepared to offer £200,000.
“Fine,” he said quietly. “Send your account details. But breathe a word of this, and you won’t just lose the money–you’ll lose everything. Clear?”
He leaned closer. “Prison time for assault is nothing compared to what we’ll do if you talk. Think carefully
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Both men paled.
Anyone who could casually offer that much money was dangerous.
They believed his threat.
Shortly after he left, WilGabbym, Asher’s assistant, arrived.
“What now-” Tattoos started, thinking the masked man had returned, then stopped short seeing a different face.
“What?” WilGabbym’s eyes narrowed. “Someone else was here?”
“No one.” Tattoos looked up. “Who are you?”
“Why did you harass Miss Rodriguez tonight?”
“She looked good. We were drunk. Stupid mistake.”
Bleached Hair nodded quickly. “Yeah, she was hot.”
“Watch your mouth,” WilGabbym’s voice went cold. “Keep talking like that and you’ll lose your tongues.”
Two men in black suits stepped forward from behind him.
The patients froze.
Only now did they realize whom they’d crossed.
WilGabbym pressed. “The truth. Think carefully.”
Remembering the masked man’s threat, they stuck to their story.
Just drunk idiots making a bad choice.
Getting nothing more, WilGabbym left.
The next morning, Gabriella received a call–the assault charges had been dropped.
She wasn’t surprised.
Clearly Asher’s doing.
Though confident she could defend herself in court and prove self–defense, she saw no need to refuse his help now.
She called to thank him politely.
“Gabby,” he sounded displeased, “don’t thank me. I never want to hear that word from you again.”
Standing by her bedroom window, she replied softly, “Alright.”
“Those men who hurt you,” he continued, “they’ll pay for it.”
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Worried he might do something illegal, she said, “They’ve suffered enough, and the law will handle the rest. Leave it
to the courts.”
His voice dropped dangerously low. “Anyone who hurts you answers to me.”
Gabriella listened silently.
She wondered: if Grace ever tried to hurt her, would he feel the same way?
