All Chapters of Double Thorns: The Ashford Inheritance: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

The transition from London to Berlin was more than a change in geography; for Adrian Falk, it was a total recalibration of the soul. In London, under the icy gaze of Sebastian Ashford, Adrian had been a masterpiece of restraint—a man of crisp linens, silent footsteps, and a vocabulary limited to corporate precision. But as the private jet descended through the thick, charcoal clouds hanging over Berlin, Adrian shed that skin. In the cramped lavatory of the aircraft, he stripped off the bespoke wool coat and the silk tie. He replaced them with a black turtleneck of sheer, expensive knit and a leather jacket that smelled of woodsmoke and rebellion. He ran a hand through his carefully gelled hair, messing it into a state of calculated disarray. When he stepped onto the tarmac at Brandenburg, the refined executive assistant was gone. In his place was a man who looked like he belonged in the strobe-lit depths of a Kreuzberg underground club—a man who lived on the edge of a knife.The air

The steel tip of the needle caught the harsh overhead light of the Iron Vault, a sliver of lethal silver aimed directly at the vein in Adrian’s inner elbow. Dr. Vogel’s hands were steady, encased in latex that squeaked with every minute movement. Beside him, Victor Ashford stood like a gargoyle carved from shadow and arrogance, his glacial eyes fixed on the point of contact.Adrian felt the sweat pooling at the base of his spine. His training—years of psychological conditioning and physical endurance—was the only thing keeping his pulse from skyrocketing into the red zone. If his heart rate spiked, the doctor would notice. If he flinched, Victor would suspect. "Steady," Victor murmured, his hand coming to rest on Adrian’s shoulder. It wasn't a gesture of comfort; it was a restraint. "The sooner we have the results, the sooner I can ensure my investment is protected."Adrian looked up at Victor, forcing a weary, lopsided smile. "You talk about me like I’m a shipment of stolen diamonds