It Kira were in Austyn's shoes, she'd probably drink more than he did.

Austyn was silent for a long while before he finally nodded.

"I just hate this feeling of not being able to do anything."

but because it was the quickest way to eam a lot of money.

After he left the army, Austyn entered the world of business not because he was greedy-he wasn't Money might be the root of all evil, but it was also the cure to most of the world's problems. without it, he wouldn't have been able to fund so many state-of-the-art medical research facilities. Their medications and equipment pulled Charlotte back from the brink of death more than once. But now, Austyn was confronted with a problem money couldn't solve

No amount of money could buy him a heart that matched Charlotte's, none except Leland's.

Kira stroked his back when she felt how teme Austyn was,

He pulled back a minute later. 'I'm tine."

He squeezed her hand. Twon't lose control like this again.

Kica's anger had long passed.

Everyone had their own way of handling stress.

Drinking wasn't the worst coping mechanism she'd seen.

*1'm not blaming you," she said. "I'm just worried about your health. Alcohol polsoning can be life-threatening

Austyn caressed her cheek, I know, I won't do it again, I promise.'

Kira nodded.

"Did...did Jesse say anything last night?

*No. He just asked me to take rate of you, then he left.'

The Glock 19 Ticking

000

Kira recalled Jesse's refusal to check on Austyn. To be honest, I don't think he's a very compassionate doctor."

Austyn smiled. "He's just trying to separate his work from his personal life."

jesse often griped about getting summoned by his friends when he was off duty,

"There are other doctors, you know,' he would complain. 'Not as good as me, but still, you don't need the chief physician of Stamford General to treat a little cut and scrape After the brief moment of levity, Austyn placed both hands on Kira's shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Kits, there's something I need you to do for me."

A Murderer For A Husband

"What is it?" Kira was startled by how serious Austyn looked

"For the next three days, don't leave the house by yourself. Don't answer anyone's calls, especially from Gideon. Can you promise me that?"

Taken aback, Kira asked, "Why?"

*Can you just trust me on this? Give me three days to deal with this. Afterwards, I'll tell you everything

Kira stared into his eyes, which were filled with a strong emotion she couldn't recognise.

A feeling of unease niggled at her mind, but she did trust him.

So she nodded. "Olay."

Austyn breathed out.Exclusive content from .

He kissed her forehead. "Good girl'

Then he drew her into his arms.

He was reluctant to let go, even though he knew he had to

'You should go upstairs and catch some shut-eye,' he said. 'Tis going to work

'Okay. Don't forget to have brealdast."

She took inler husband's pale and haggard face, and the ache in her heart grew stronger.

She called after him when he was at the door. 'Austyn.'

"Yeah?"

'Don't forget you still have me by your side. Whatever happens, we can get through it together' Austyn headed into the office

He locked the door, sat behind his desk, and stared at his phone

Then he called Gideon

Gideon answered the phone withachuride. Calling so soon? shall expect to hear some good news?"

Austyn's voice was ice-cold. "I'm calling to tell you, the answer is no.

"What?!

"No, I'm not going to divorce Kina.

There was a full minute of silence on the other end of the line.

"What did you say?"

'I'm not going to divorce Kira, Austyn repeated calmly. 'Not now. Not ever

He heard the sound of a chair being kicked over

Gideon shouted into the phone. 'Aren't you afraid I'll tell Kira everything?"

'Go ahead and try." Austyn remained unflustered.

Gideon gripped his phone.

Was Austyn bbafting?

'You think you've got my Achilles heel," Austyn continued. "And you're right. My biggest fear is Rica finding out the truth" 'Then why-'

"But once the lows," Austyn cut him off, I'll have nothing to be afraid of. I'll have no more weakness, and nothing to lose. Then I'll come after you with everything I've got. You don't want to loow what I'm capable of." Austyn stared at the lit-up tablet screen on his desk

A map was displayed on it.

The Emerald House, Gideon's address in Stamford, was circled in red.

Thus the address of his newly minted office downtown.

If Austyn wanted, he could have Gideon taken out in a matter of hours.

But be bad Kira and their baby to think of.

He didn't want Kira to have a murdererforahusband.

Gideon took a deep breath. 'So that's your final answer? You won't divorce her?

"I won, Austyndeclared.

can break up your marriage with just one phone call"

Austyn hung upon him.

Gideon heard the busy tone,

He flung his phone across the rOOML

i shattered against the marble floor.

His breathing grew heavy,

The wins in his forehead throbbed.

"Fine! If this is the way you want to play it, we'll see who gets the last laugh!'

oleonpaced in the living room.

After a lone while, he retrieved his phone.

The screen was cracked, but the phone was sill serviceable.

He found Kira's number.

'Sorry, the number you have dialled is unavailable right now. Please try again later."

Gideon called four more times with the same result.

The call didn't go to voicemail, nor was it declined.

Which meant Kira was dodging his calls.

Gideon und Austyn must have ordered her to.

He snorted derisively.

Did Austyn think such a simple trick could deter him?

He drummed a finger on the desk

His eyes came to rest on another number in the contact list.

Gideon hesitated.

He struggled with the decision.

There was no tuming back once he made the call.

But if he didn't, he would never get Kira to come back to him

Gideon hit 'Dial"

The call was picked up by a man with a creaky voice.

"Hello, who's this?

0000 "Mr Abbott, Gideon smiled. "This is Gideon damer. I'm calling for your master. I would like to arrange a meeting at his earliest convenience."

Sebastian paused at the name.

"May I know what this is about?

"I would prefer to talk to Mr McCarthy face to face.

"I'm afraid I can't let that happen, not without knowing the purpose of your call'

"Just tell your master that I have a cure for his wife,"

It took Sebastian a while to absorb the news.

'MrGarner, right?' he finally said. "Please hold on for a moment. I'll go get Master McCarthy,"

A smile slowly spread across Gideon's face.

Kai knocked before entering the office.

Austyn summoned him five minutes ago.

"Have you reached out to the Gamer family?

Kai nodded. 'I talked to Norman Gather. He says he's looking forward to your call

He pulled up Norman's number on his phone. "Here you go."

Norman was Gideon's unde

He was the one in charge of the family business before Gideon's return.

Ostensibly, Gideon's father was the head of the household, but he had long given up control after booze, drugs and unrestrained sex wrecked his health, both mentally and physically. Norman was appointed the administrator of the estate after denn's father passed away Intestate,

Gideon was the rightful her, but Norman was reluctant to relinquish so much power to someone he considered to be still wet behlul the ears.

A Murderer For A Husband

He tried, by both fair means and foul, to drive Gideon away, but none of his tactics worked.

In the end, he was relegated to a secondary role in the family business, and held a grudge ever since. When he got the call from Austyn's assistant, he was ecstatic.

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Pull The Rug Out From Under Him

The M Group was a behemoth

With Austyn's help, Norman could finally have his revenge.

"But why?' He was still sceptical, though.

He knew what he would get out of the deal, but what would Anslynger?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Austyn said simply.

Foff

Noman caught on immediately.

'Ah, I see. So my cocky nephew has finally stepped on the wrong toes, huh?"

Nomanchuckled

Herbed both hands in glerfel anticipation.