جميع فصول : الفصل

Chapter 61(Lines Crossed)Ace remained by the fireplace, one hand resting against the mantel, fingers pressing into the marble as if he needed something solid to cling to.Patrick watched him from the armchair, glass in hand, eyes sharp with keen interest.“She’s a spitfire, isn’t she?” Patrick said, pouring himself another drink as if nothing had just happened. “I’ve never seen anyone in your house speak to you like that. Not in front of company.”Ace exhaled slowly and turned away from the fire.“She’s under a lot of stress,” he said, walking towards the chair opposite Patrick. “The kidnapping. The Gala. It’s been… a lot.”Patrick leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.“Stress?” he repeated. “Ace, you look like you haven’t slept in days. And she looks like she’s ready to report you to the police.”Ace sank into the chair, but he didn’t relax. He just wanted his back on something.“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “We have work to finish. The Sydney branch—”“For