Four men got down from the white Camry and pulled out a huge sack from the trunk of the car. Ashton gasped, recognizing Costello as one of them. The sack surely had Hayley inside as it looked big enough to accommodate a human body. With Mr. Barclay’s grip on his hand holding him back, he couldn’t rush to rescue Hayley. Not that he could with his injuries. Suddenly, gunshots rang in the air, taking the men by surprise. Three men fell to the ground, while the other one dumped the sack and pulled out his gun. But he too was overpowered by the SEALS Team who had been waiting for an opportunity to nab them. But where was Francesca? Ashton searched inside the Camry but didn’t see her inside. Under the dim lights, it wasn’t possible to see properly. Just then, a black Maserati pulled up stealthily into the street. Henry’s eyes widened at seeing the driver’s window roll down and a silencer gun peer out, targeting the sack Hayley was in. He realized immediately what the person was up to. He
Hayley helped Ashton change into comfortable clothes before heading for a shower. Ashton looked around her huge bedroom suite fit for a princess. The king-size bed invited him and he lay down to wait for her. All the tension eased out of his mind forever. With Francesca’s death, the last threat that was looming over their heads also eased away. Now they were free! Free to enjoy life together like the others. He had always wanted such a free life and now his wish had been granted at last. “What are you thinking?” asked Hayley, looking fresh and dewy in a pair of lavender pajamas as she emerged from the en-suite. Ashton smiled and held out his right arm for her. She climbed into the bed, closer to him and he wrapped his arm around her soft body. It felt so good to be alive and cuddled up against her. After his accident, he had never thought he would live to see this day. “I’m grateful to God for granting my wish and reuniting us forever!” “Yes. Are you upset that we can’t marry this
“I’m so happy to be back!” exclaimed Hayley the moment she stepped into Ashton’s penthouse in Hotel Bayview. Ashton smiled but didn’t share the same enthusiasm as hers. “What? Aren’t you happy?” she asked, seeing the lack of excitement in him. “I’m happy, but I’ll feel happier when we move into our home. This is fine while traveling around, but we need a permanent place to call our own. I want us to settle down in the apartment Dad bought for us. Six more months to go and the New York hotel will be ready to inaugurate. We can then fulfill our dreams,” said Ashton while Hayley snaked her arms around his torso with contentment. She was happy with the way things were shaping up. “Still, I’m happy. Maybe because we’re together! Don’t think I’ll leave you alone in the next six months.”“We will be together, but you have an obligation towards your dad, towards Barclay International, Hayley. For years, you had dreamed of handling this empire. Don’t leave that at the peak of your career. Y
There was excitement in the air when all the guests arrived and they moved into the venue. Sienna came over with Lucas and her children, Adrian and Alexia. A heavily pregnant Eva and Alexander enjoyed the walks on the beach, mornings and evenings. A pregnant Alyssa came over with Nicholas, who never left a chance to irk Alexander with his pranks. Those two would never change! Amidst all their friends, Skylar was the most reserved, and they had no idea about her relationship with Christian. When asked, she just winked and walked away. “When are they marrying?” asked Sienna in a whisper. Although she was the first one to know about such things, she was clueless about where Skylar was concerned.“Don’t know!” said Alyssa, watching Skylar interact with Christian on the beach. It didn’t look like a lovey-dovey situation between them!“Let’s make this our mission, girls! We have to find out!” said Sienna, and they agreed immediately. They tried on their bridesmaid dresses and admired Hayl
Thank you for selecting my story. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © Rituparna Darolia. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. This is the fifth book of the Temptation Series. All the books under this series can be read as standalone books. This series deals with a series of passionate love stories of the Donnelly brothers and their friends, with spin-offs, all having captivating plotlines to keep you interested till the end.Summary Stubborn, secretive and an impossible flirt, Ashton Pierce has all the qualities that should prompt Hayley Barclay
Ashton Pierce entered the heavily guarded mansion gates in East New York, Brooklyn, for the first time in his twenty years of life. The huge fort-like property had armed guards who stared at him as if he was a criminal. “Are you Big Steve, I mean Pierce’s boy?” asked a muscular tattooed man with a deep gash across his face. Ashton knew his father, Steven Pierce, was known as Big Steve in the mafia circuit when he used to work for Salvatore Gambino, the most wanted mafia don in the world. After borrowing huge amounts of money from them, his dad gambled it all away. He left Gambino’s work and tried his best to escape Don until he sent his men to abduct him one night. Ashton was thirteen, and he became an orphan overnight. He had searched for his dad desperately for the last seven years with no success. It was impossible for a young boy to locate Salvatore Gambino’s hideout.“Yes. Don has summoned me today to his office,” said Ashton, looking at the man and his comrades warily, a little
“Hi, Ashton! It’s good I met you here. Can you get a tuxedo for yourself by tomorrow?” asked Hayley, enjoying the jaw-dropped look on his face. Served him right! For years he had been an arrogant as*hole, proud of his panty-dropping good looks. Being six years older, he hardly acknowledged her presence since the day she saw him first, eight years ago! What had changed now? Maybe she did! “Why?” Came his lazy drawl while his eyes glinted with amusement. Alexander rolled his eyes and ordered another drink to stay out of their way. “For our first dance. Why else?” retorted Hayley, and Ashton did a double take, choking on his spit. “What?” he somehow sputtered, trying to get a grip on himself. “To accompany me to my prom night at seven tomorrow. We will dance with each other for the first time. What did you think?” Alexander chuckled while Ashton gave her a blank stare. She tossed her shoulder-length, silky hair away from her face and walked away, leaving him gaping after her. The mome
Hayley helplessly looked at their eager faces and felt close to tears. She had so many unfulfilled dreams to chase! How could she get married now, at eighteen, to a complete stranger? He might be loaded and successful, but these weren’t benchmarks to make her wish to marry him. She wanted to marry someone she loved! All her life, she dreamed of marrying Ashton! It was true he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, but then she never confessed to him. How could she give up loving him without even trying to find her happiness with him? “No, please. I don’t want to marry at eighteen! I have so many unfulfilled dreams, dad. What’s the hurry?” she demanded bitterly. “Your life won’t end after you marry, Hayley. You can fulfill all your dreams afterwards. Jason is a very nice man and you’ll be happy with him,” said her dad. “Why would I need him to be happy? I am already happy. Please don’t rush this, dad. I can’t marry a stranger out of the blue. I need to fall in love first to marry,” she r