"Well, I'd be glad to join forces with the powerful McCarthy family, of course. In fact, I'm thinking about expanding our business to the city of Stamford. I was hoping you could may be lend a helping hand." Austyn Snected

'Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The M Group don't just collaborate with anyone. If you want to gain a foothold in Stamford, you'll have to show me what you are capable of. "Sure, sate, I understand"

Austended the call after another lifteen minutes.

Noman promised to do all he could to make things difficult for Gideon

Alynsent lumadossier.

It contained Gideon's various addresses in Stamford as well as the list of people he had been in touch with

Norman would now what to do with those contacts.

Austynapped a finger on the desk, lost in thought

He hoped Noman worked fast.

With the intel he gave Noman, Giden would have the ng pulled out from under him in less than a werk

Dai, however, was confused.

'Boss, we could have dealt with Gideon elves."

Stamford was the McCarthys' territory.

Why would oss need the help from someone thousands of lortutres away?

'Thave my plans, Austyn sald simply.

He wanted to make sure that by the time he was done with Gideon, the man would not have a home base to cetum to.

He would not give did on the opportunity to make a comeback

Kaew he wasn't going to get any more answers from his boss, so he just nodded and left

He had a lot on his plate right now, including planning a wedding.

That evening, Austynurtumed to the villa to find Kira was out.

He knitted his brows.

Didn't he tell herto stay in the hose?

"Young Madam went to the hospital, 'Elsie said. 'She's visiting Madam.

The housekeeper checked her phone, 'She should be home any minute now."

The front door was pushed open before she finished speaking

Kara's voice came from the foyer. "Elsie, I'm home'

She bent down to change her shoes.

When she sensed shadow in front of her, she looked up.

Austyn pulled her to her feet and crushed her in a bear hug.

It was such a fierce hug, Kira felther ribs hurting

"Uh, what's wrong?' she was startled

Austyn gished his teeth told you not to go anywhere for the next couple of days. Why didn't you listen?"

'But it was just a quick trip to the hospital, "Kira tried to explain. I don't want to leave Charlotte all alone in the ward by herselt,"

She struggled out of his amns. "You're hurting my stomach"

When she saw the cross look on Austen's face, she patiedlis.

maplaratmy gesinne. How how to take care of myself, don't worry

she junk not her phone and word it in front of blus. Videon called me a few times today.

she pulled up the call log. See? Everything's thor. I'm ther."

When Mestyn still didn't look approved, she said, 'Do you want me to din a few pumping jacksto prove my polut?"

He grabbed her arm. "Stop thath"

kay "Kitashenggal

She took hold of his hall, Come L

They entered the living room together.

During dirmet, Austyn maintained a pobet face.

fini Kinabad lived with him long enough to know he was still upset,

He cut into the modham-well beet with just a tal move force than necessary.

He didn't compliment Elsie on her cooking.

He kept his head down and avoided eye contact with Kira

Kita was perlesd

She had beenout of the house for less than two hour.

And she told Este betone she lell

It was not like she sat away.

Why was Austyn making such a big deal out of this?

"Honey?" kinaused her sweetest wice

Ausly replied with agreni..

Can you pass the salt? Shebatted her eyes at him.

He slidover the saltshalar without a word

pina's shimulders weed.

She made a face behind his back when Austyn get up.

His bad mood continued after dinner.

Kira took a quickshawer and came out of the bathten.

Austyn was standing on the balcony, talking on the phone.

"Whin was that?" She tried to strike ovation when came back inside,

He glanced at her. "Not someone you know.

Kira moved doser to him and reached for his hand.

"Don't touch me." Austyn took a step back.

Then she decided that she'd had enough

I was just a quick trip.

And a necessary one.This belongs to - ©.

She went to keep luonte company

Then she went to tre her dad.

And she tried to track down Susan Jenner, the nurse who n

overheard a conversation between the hospital's cro and a man who seemed unnally interested in her

But the muse was not on duty today.

Kiracame home as soon as the could.

Why was Austyn acting like she'd eloped

Mira put bathauns onher hips and jurted out her chin, ready for a ligh

Listen, mister!

'Ton't touch me when you're dressed like that."

Kira's wards were stuck in her pul

She looked down Cursed like what?

She was wearing: 4 Night plukkegligen

It had a low-out V-neck

Pull The Rug Out From Under Him

Kira blushed.

Austyn was so much taller than her.

From his vantage point, he probably saw everything.

*Slow And Steady' Vs "Fast And Furious'

Kira didn't try to approach him again.

"It's just something I threw on,' she said defensively

She liked the pink colour and the smooth feel of the silk fabric.

It was not like she was trying to seduce him.

Well, not yet, anyway.

Mustym took a deep breath,

It was a perfectly normal nightgown

He had seen plenty of women in much more revealing clothes.

But he just couldn't help his reaction when it was Kira who was dressed like this.

A single touch from her was enough to get him to pitch atent.

He changed the subject. "What were you trying to tell me just now?

Kica stood with her armsalumbo. 'I thought you were still mad at me."

'Forwhat?

"How should I know?" She shagged. "I just left the house for a couple of hours, and you've been giving me the cold shoulder the entire night." Ausrynsighed

He went up to her and drew her into his arms.

"I wasn't mad at you,' he said. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"That's what I thought!' Kira huffed. So why the long face?"

Austyn fell silent.

She'd left the house to spend time with Charlotte.

She knew he was busy with work, so she did her best to help him shoulder the burden on the home front.

Charlotte said she was ready to let go because Austyn finally had his own family

He had people in his life he cared about and who cared about him.

She happily approved of her son's choice of wife

Austyn stroked Kira's back and sniffed her long hair.

She had always been so sensible, which only made him feel guiltier."

Two years ago, he never thought he would fall inlove with someone like her.

In fact, after Deborah, he never thought he would love anyone ever again. He held back a sigh -

It only he'd met Kira under different circumstances..

How nice it would be if they'd known each other since they were kids

They could be childhood sweethearts.

They could grow up together.

They would be best friends first, and soulmates later.

They would be a couple just like any other, without all the complicating factors that were dragging their marriage towards its inevitable, devastating, ugly end. Austyn wished he could turn back the dock Kirasqulmed in his ams.

He was hugging her so tightly, it was getting difficult to breathe.

Austyn felt the soft mounds of her berasts rubbing against his chest.

She wasn't wearing a bra

And she was still wriggling and showed no signs of stopping

A fim started south of his waist,

Austyn pushed her away,

He headed for the door.

You should go to bed, I've got work to do."

Kira grabbed his hand.

When he turned back, she wiggled her hips

Now And Steady Vs Tast And Fungus".

Seeing me dressed like this, are you sure you're still in the mood for work?

She tried foragestive wink, but due to lack of practice, it came out more like a muscle spasm.

Austyn knew better than to laugh at his wife's clumsy attempt at the art of seduction.

He cocked an eyebrow. "What do you think I should be in the mood for?"

Kiraran a hand up along her side. 'I think you know the answer to that question." Austyn's eyes came to rest on her décolletage.