جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 600

"Haha..."A sinister laugh echoed in response to my question.I knew that laugh. It was Bruno.But why the hell was Jace with him? Could Hernan's claim about the mastermind actually mean Jace was involved?I'd suspected it before, but now it hit me like a punch. Anger flared, and I demanded coldly, "Where's Jace? Put him on the phone.""Tsk tsk, so fierce. Just like when you play snooker," Bruno taunted.I didn't have the time or patience for games. "Bruno, what do you want?""I told you already, didn't I? Just wanted to play snooker. By the way, your game today was impressive. Very nice," he sneered.I should've appreciated the compliment, but coming from him, it made my stomach churn."If you want to play, fine. Just put Jace on the phone," I snapped, my voice sharp. I needed to tell Jace his cheap tricks weren't gonna work anymore. Even if they had him, I wasn't going back to him."Why bother with the phone? Come see him yourself. I'm sure he'd love to see you," Bruno said

I screamed without thinking, and then Yara's voice rang out, "Stop!"Next thing I knew, she was charging forward, taking on both guys like she was in some action movie.For the first time, it hit me—Yara knew how to fight. Every move was so smooth, like she'd done this a million times. The two guys holding me let go and turned to face her.I stood there for a second, totally stunned. Forget being scared, I was just watching her totally kick butt.But it didn't take long for me to snap out of it. I ran back inside, not to hide, but to grab a baseball bat.I wasn't a fighter like Yara, but I sure wasn't weak. No way I was letting her do all the heavy lifting.Fueled by anger, I swung the bat hard, knocking one guy back and getting their attention. They tried to grab it from me, but every time they got close, Yara kicked them back like it was nothing. It was like a tag-team match—I didn't have the skills, but together, we made them back off.We kept going, not sure how long it last

Yara really had some nerve.Seeing that smug grin, I matched her smile. "I'm not sold on the idea.""Not into Cole?" she asked, bold as ever.I shot back just as bluntly. "Not really. Besides..." I laughed lightly. "If I married Cole, I'd have to start calling you and Hayden 'Aunt Yara' and 'Uncle Hayden.' Kinda a downgrade for me, don't you think?"Yara burst out laughing. "Fair point!""If I had to marry someone from your family, I'd pick your brother," I joked. "Sure, Thorsten's a bit older, but he's loaded. And he probably won't outlive me. Once he's gone, I'd inherit all his cash—and you and Hayden would have to see me as 'the elder.'"She chuckled. "I like your style, but you'd have to get rid of my sister-in-law first, and deal with Sasha."Yara knew all about Thorsten's drama-filled relationships, down to the dirty details.I was done with the banter, though, so I got straight to the point. "Miss Drago, I get what you're trying to do, but I don't need anyone playing mat

Hayden shot Yara a look, his expression darkening.Yara raised an eyebrow, totally unbothered, like she already knew what was coming.She was way too comfortable around him. Like, seriously, where was the fear?"Just tell her already. Stop playing games," Yara said, all casual like this was no big deal.Hayden turned to me, eyes intense. "If you're leaving, then go pack your stuff..."I cut him off. "Hayden, seriously. Why can't you just answer me?"Yara sighed dramatically. "I'll leave you two alone." She gave us some space and walked off.Hayden stayed right where he was, locking eyes with me. "So, what do you think my reason is?"He actually wanted me to guess?I was so done. Yara had been vague and cryptic, and now Hayden was doing the exact same thing.He didn't want to talk. It was so obvious."Fine. If you're not gonna say it, then don't," I shot back. "Whatever your reasons are, they don't matter anymore. Even if I knew, it wouldn't change anything."Why was I still

It was Bruno on the line.At the same time, the security footage showed Yara sitting there with a coffee, only to be grabbed by two guys and shoved into a car. Bruno's men were on top of it, no time for her to react."So, you really can't wait to see me?" Hayden's voice was icy, his eyes locked on the screen."I'm dying to see you," Bruno replied, each word dripping with malice.I could feel the venom in his voice. If Hayden actually went to meet him, this wasn't gonna end well."Alright, I'm coming," Hayden said."Oh, and bring Keira with you," Bruno added, sending a chill down my spine. I instinctively scanned the shop.It was nearly empty, but when I glanced out the window, I spotted a car across the street with its window down.Someone inside waved at me."There!" I pointed out the window.Hayden saw it too. He walked out of the store, stopping just at the edge of the street, with Bruno's car across the road, almost within reach.Bruno hung up, then yelled across the str