Ch. 236..240: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 236-240

Chapter 236: Biggest shock

Tristan’s suite room

Tristan stopped and shot a glance at Ace who shut his mouth and lowered his head. He didn’t want to question his leader’s capability but as his loyal, he had to protect him at any cost.

"I can’t risk my wife’s life and if my going there can make him let her go, then I have no objection to going there by myself" came his calm words.

No one uttered a word and watched Tristan leave before he picked up his cell phone that was resting on the table where Noah stood.

Once Tristan was out of their sight Noah said," Prepare our team, we are following him" his words made Ace look at him in surprise.

Noah was the second boss, who stood equal to Tristan where no one could object to him," Yes boss" came Ace’s quick reply and he soon walked out of the room following his order.

****

Warehouse

After getting caught, Ashley was again tied by Marcus along with a blindfold covering her sight.

Sitting on the floor, Ashley cursed," Bastard..." venting her frustration.

"He isn’t here to listen to your cursing," came Jack’s voice who was also present inside the room sitting next to the door wall, with one knee up and the other leg stretched ahead.

After she gasps him to bring her some water, the innocent man thought she was genuinely thirsty but when he returned bringing the water along, he saw her pinned against the wall with Marcus’s murderous eyes gawking at her. He looked like he was ready to bury her head inside the wall.

If not for his interruption, Marcus would’ve done something unexpected which would have caused them further trouble.

"I wish he was" Ashley jerked her shoulder trying to sit properly on the floor.

Jack heaved out a deep sigh, watching the girl acting all spoiled. Even after getting bruises on her face, she still didn’t give up. The corned of her lips had a cut with some amount of dried blood while the right side of her face had turned blue due to the slap she received from Marcus.

A normal human like her would’ve fainted due to anxiety, but this girl was assuming herself as a superhero.

"You should be thankful that you are still alive. Marcus is very cruel with his target" Jack said knowing how his fellow comrade was a dangerous man.

Ashley scoffed but then pursed her lips recalling how bad-tempered the man had been. He didn’t even think twice before slapping her. Even now her right cheek stings.

A long silence engulf the room when suddenly Ashley asked," You don’t seem to like violence, don’t you?"

Ashley had been quite observant about Jack. He seems to be different from the other man. He not only saved her from Marcus but also fed her water before covering her eyes.

Jack was stunned by Ashley’s statement. He opened his mouth to speak but close it back as he wasn’t able to answer her.

He was the new member of the Poker clan but wasn’t as cruel and heartless as the other members. Being a trainee, he found it hard to watch Marcus being ignorant about Ashley being a woman and beating her as he wishes.

Ashley waited for the man to speak and when he didn’t she took it yes. Her assumption about him was right, but then why was here helping them?

"Hmm... I should take your silence as yes" she muttered giving him another shock.

Getting up from his position, he quickly walked and kneeled before her. Bringing up his palm in front of her face he waved it quite a few times.

"Is she able to watch me?" he said doubtfully and watched the girl puff into a light chuckle.

" You think I can see you after you wrapped this cloth around my eyes twice?" her words made him pout.

Jack was just twenty and had been a local goon when one fine day, their entire gang was brought here for training into merciless assassins.

"I was just checking," he said and stood up before he walked back to where he sat.

Ashley shook her head and leaned back resting her head on the wall. With each passing second, she felt her confidence decline. Because even after so much time had passed, she wasn’t able to do anything.

As she stayed still with her eyes closed behind the blindfold, she recalled Marcus’s words and she jerked up scaring Jack.

’I want Tristan Knight’ his words rang into her ear and her entire body stiffened.

"N-now what!" Jack flinch in his seat when Ashley suddenly snapped from her comfortable position and looked ahead frantically.

Jack was very well aware that he wasn’t allowed to make friends with their captives, but with Ashley, it became quite easier to talk. She was very cool with her way of approach, and it surprised him.

Ashley snapped out of her trance and turned her head from where Jack’s voice talked with her and said," T-Tristan knight, how do you know him? Why do you want him"

Jack turned silent, listening to her words. Why was she asking him about her own man?

"...."

Ashley waited for him to answer and again rephrased her words but this she asked him desperately. She could tell that these men were very dangerous and could briefly assume what they were trying to do by kidnapping her. But before they threatened Tristan using her, she had to get herself out on her own.

"I-I know you can trust me, but... but I want to know why you all are after my husband. He isn’t a bad human for you all to come after his life" she tried defending Tristan.

Ashley knew Tristan was a man with a good heart, then why would anyone want to harm him?

Jack didn’t utter a word and let her finish. He was someone in the right position to answer her. But the way she tried to defend her husband only made him conclude that she was unaware of who Tristan knight was.

He was about to talk back when the room’s door opened and Marcus stepped in, "Bring the girl. Boss wants to meet her" he said and his eyes turned to Ashley whose face crumpled listening to his voice.

"Bastard" she muttered under her breath, clenching her jaw in annoyance.

Getting the orders, Jack quickly stood up before he helped Ashley stand on her feet and they took her out of the room.

Walking along a long hallway, Ashley was brought to the main underground base of the Poker clan.

The empire they built in these few years wasn’t as vast as before, but it was safe enough to keep their presence hidden.

With Tristan’s men still in search of them, kept them on high alert. It became difficult for them to hide but as time passed by they managed to stick their foot firmly forming an army of their own.

The clicking sound of the doors opening caught Ashley’s attention and she realized that she was once again brought to another room.

After walking some distance they finally came to a halt and Ashley’s blindfold was removed swiftly.

"I hope you liked our hospitality" a deep hoarse voice reached Ashley’s ears and she slowly opened her eyes adjusting the lights inside the room.

Blinking her eyelashes a few times she finally cleared her blurriness and her sight fell on the man who was seated on his throne-like chair. His legs crossed and his one elbow resting on the armrest while he rubbed his chin staring at her in amazement.

Realizing who this man was, Ashley’s stare instantly turned cold. ’He is the boss’ she thought clutching her palm into a tight fist.

The smile on Deuces’ face faltered. Turning his attention from Ashley to Marcus he asked," Didn’t you take care of my guest Marcus"

Everyone could feel the sarcasm in Deuces. The boss wasn’t blind in noticing the bruises on Ashley’s face, that Marcus gave her. But still, he was behaving as if he didn’t see it.

Marcus lowered his gaze understanding the meaning behind Lord’s words that didn’t match his eyes.

"Don’t worry. Soon we have another guest coming here" he said bringing back his attention to Ashley the same cunning smile appeared on his face.

His words made Ashley’s face crumple and she asked," Who?" deep inside hoping her assumption was proven wrong.

"The Supreme Leader of Jaguar and your mighty husband Tristan Knight"

Ashley’s eyes widen in shock when she heard him introduce Tristan as some supreme leader and what was Jaguar, she thought staring at Deuces in confusion.

"Aren’t you happy?" he asked when he didn’t see her smile at the mention of her husband’s name.

"Or... are you shocked to find his real identity" his lips curled up into an evil grin as he watched her face contort even more.

Ashley’s mind turned frizzy when Deuces words landed in her ears and she stumbled a step back receiving the biggest shock of her life.

Chapter 237: Get Tristan killed

"Sigh...He took over the Jaguar when Dante slipped into a coma," Karl said as he finished telling Alice the reason why they had to step into the underworld and how all these years they carried Dante’s legacy by uplifting the Jaguar for a good cause.

Alice sat on the couch, immobilized as he minds tried to grasp all the info Karl blurt in front of her. She understood why Noah kept pushing things because he was afraid of confrontation.

"Why is my head spinning" Alice mumbled as she started to stars in front of her eyes and the next second she fell down on Gwen’s shoulder losing consciousness.

"Damnit, I need to call the doctor again" Karl panicked and was about to call the doctor when he saw Alice sit back straight.

"No!.. there is no need for a doctor," she said with a poker face when suddenly the corner of her lips curled up and she began to laugh hysterically.

"Pfft... hahaha... a mafia... hahaha" Alice wasn’t able to control her emotions and she kept laughing looking at both Karl and Gwen simultaneously.

Shocked by her sudden burst both Gwen and Karl share a confusing glance before Gwen poke her shoulder and asked," Alice, are you sure you don’t need a doctor" she just wanted to confirm whether she hadn’t lost her mind after a huge revelation.

Alice waved her hand with her face still contorted with a laughing smile while she held her stomach trying to contain her emotions until they hurt.

Once she got tired and her started to pain, she finally decided to calm down.

"Pfew... that was a huge blow," she said trying to steady her breath and looked at them in amusement.

Gwen looked at Karl who was also surprised by her calmness so he went ahead and asked," Aren’t you angry with them?"

Alice shrugged her shoulder casually," Why would I be? Didn’t you say Jaguar is the biggest organization with very skilled members?" she said and rested her palm on her knees before she got up and continued," If the army is unbeatable then how can I doubt the leaders" her eyes sparkled with pride when she finished her statement.

"Y-you mean you don’t have any problem in them being the mafia kings," Gwen asked getting up from her seat and stood next to Alice carrying an astonished expression.

"No" she answered.

"God... I was so scared that you would take it the wrong way. I’m glad you accepted it" Gwen heaved out a sigh reaching her hands to hold Alice. She felt relief that Alice didn’t judge them and instead accept them for who they are and now she only hope Ashley would do the same.

"How can I not, when I love my man way too much to leave him for such an irrelevant thing," Alice said calmly.

Yes, she was shocked at first, but when she analyzed everything, she understood it wasn’t bad to be in the underworld unless their partners don’t harm themselves. And above that, both she and Ashley loved their partners way too much for them to leave them.

Karl looked at the girls, listening to their talk, feeling happy that they understood their situation and agreed to support them rather than blame them. He so wanted Noah to come and witness all this because more than his boss, he had been scared of losing Alice.

Grasping into the happy moment, suddenly Karl’s phone rang with Noah’s name flashing on the screen.

He was about to share this happy news, but when he answered the call Noah’s words made his eyes pop out of his socket, and the next second he scream," Is he out of his mind"

Karl’s anxious voice caught both Alice and Gwen’s attention and they snapped their head toward him.

"How can he take such a reckless decision? Doesn’t he understand it’s a trap" Karl said getting restless.

Deuces asking Tristan to come and save Ashley was a strategy because their real target wasn’t his wife but himself.

*****

Tristan drove to the mentioned location, reaching alone as stated. Standing in front of the huge warehouse which seemed to be a working place with people doing their job.

Stepping out of the car, he looked ahead as a frown marred on his forehead and he started to walk.

He didn’t expect Deuces would negotiate with him in such an active place where their chances of getting caught by ordinary people were high.

Keeping a neutral face, Tristan walked further he saw one man approach him. The attire he wore matched the people working in the warehouse. But why was walking toward him?

Halting in his steps Tristan creased and saw the man stop in front of him," Follow me"

’He is one of them’ he thought and looked at the people around.

Everyone who was working here were Deuces’s men’s, but they disguise themselves as a commoner just to make sure he didn’t step back on his words.

Tristan knew Deuces was a very cunning man. Just to be cautious he located his men everywhere just to check whether he wasn’t double-crossing.

Tristan bobbed his head and followed the man as he guided him inside the warehouse.

****

Back inside the main base, Ashley was taken away and kept inside the cell adjacent to the main hall from where she could see everyone clearly.

Sitting on the chair with her wrist tied together behind the backrest, his eyes waited patiently for Tristan.

After learning about his identity as the supreme leader of the Jaguar clan, she took some time to absorb the unexpected news. It wasn’t that she was too shocked because she already had some clue that Tristan shared with her earlier.

It was just that the name underworld took her by surprise, as she didn’t imagine her husband to be an almighty mafia leader whom everyone was scared of.

Her eyes welled into tears when she recalled the words he said back then.

’I am not an ordinary man Ash, I have a darker side that I try to suppress, a very ferocious one. I am just scared if I open up myself to you or you happen to see it, I would lose you’

"Stupid man," she said shaking her head and smiling sadly.

Now she understood why he was so scared of her leaving him. He thought with her knowing about him being a Mafia leader would make her want to retreat from his life, but how did he forget that their souls were bound together? And there was nothing that could break them apart.

"Why are you smiling?" Jack’s voice brought her out of her thoughts and she blinked her eyes clearing her blurry vision and shook her head saying," Nothing"

"Are you happy because your man is coming to take you?" he asked with complex emotion.

Ashley turned to look at him and bobbed her head agreeing with his word. She didn’t think of hiding it from Jack knowing that he had been nice to her until now.

The crumbled expression on Jack’s face cleared and he watched her in disbelief," You think, they will let you both escape this place so easily" his words made her frown and she questioned," What do you mean?"

"It’s a trap they planned to get Tristan killed and you are just a medium they used to get back at him. He is being called alone with no security. There isn’t going to be a negotiation here, but a dead war" Jack didn’t want her to keep any hope because he was already feeling bad for her being treated so badly by his men.

Jack was a local goon who never targeted women and children. It never fit in his rule book but after he was taken by the Poker clan, they taught them to be ruthless regarding gender or age because they were just a mere target and nothing.

He learned various skills, but he couldn’t bring himself to use his muscularity against women and kids. Even after getting punished for being a soft heart, still he couldn’t change his mind.

Ashley’s eyes grew wide, sending a shiver running down her spine. There is no way, Tristan would agree to Deuces and come without any support.

While her mind was still busy grasping Jack’s words, her eyes caught the sight of Tristan entering the main hall through the glass window.

"He is here" Jack mumbled making Ashley’s mind turn blank, as she forgot to breathe.

As her eyes kept scrutinizing his frame and a frown marred her face when it fell on his hands that were tied behind. Before she could react, she heard a loud growl and a scream escaped her mouth.

"Tristan..."

Marcus kicked Tristan and he fell down with a loud thud. A satisfied smirk appeared on his lips as he walk past him and headed toward his boss, who had evil eyes laughing, watching Tristan in pain.Chapter 238: I make you suffer

Few minutes earlier

After the man guided Tristan inside the warehouse, he was immediately held captive by the guards who were standing inside to welcome him.

It was an order from their boss to recheck the man, confirming whether he hadn’t carried any weapon along and was following strict orders.

Once they were done, they tied Tristan’s hand and covered his face with a black cloth before they took him to the main base.

Walking through the hallway, Tristan kept listening to the sounds of footsteps that kept walking past him, figuring out the brief count of people guarding the place.

Once they reached in front of the main office where Deuces was, Marcus lead the way from there.

"Long time no see Tristan" Marcus muttered standing next to him with an evil smirk lingering on his face.

Remembering the owner of the voice, Tristan let out a chuckle. He was Deuces most loyal man, or say a devotee who worships his boss like almighty.

"You too Marcus" giving him the same sarcastic reply, Tristan was then dragged by Marcus inside.

Walking a few steps Tristan finally came to a stop along with the man who kept poking him with his gun on his back, standing at the center of the hall.

With one single swift, the cloth over his face was removed his eyes being welcomed by Deuces, and the next second he was kicked by his leg, falling down on the ground.

Present

"Tristan..." Ashley yelled her lungs out but her voice didn’t reach him. The soundproof glass window didn’t it pass to him and she kept wriggling on her chair.

"Untie my hands" she yelled, asking Jack to let her go, but he was bound by his duty.

Jack watched her struggle on her seat with her eyes tearing up watching Tristan. It wasn’t just one kick he received but was followed by multiple kicks after that.

Back in the hall, Marcus kept on kicking him until blood started to ooze out from his mouth.

Marcus followed his boss’s order when he motioned him to attack and he didn’t stop until Deuces, stopped him.

"Enough" Deuces’s voice echoed inside the huge living hall and Marcus’s action immediately came to a halt, then retreated back.

"Cough!... I expected something better from you Deuces" Tristan panted, slowly pulling his body up and standing back on his feet, spitting the blood that came out from his mouth.

Deuces, eyes calmly observed the man who wasn’t much affected by the kicks he received a minute back.

"Better is yet to come, Tristan," Deuces said and averted his attention behind, motioning him with his gaze.

Understanding his boss’s signal Marcus walked away from there, leaving Tristan in confusion.

His face turned ugly when he saw Ashley being dragged by him ruthlessly making his anger surge up in a second.

"Take your hands off my wife Marcus" Tristan’s threatening voice took Marcus by surprise and he stopped.

Tristan had been calm all this time, following their every demand wisely. But the second, Ashley stood in front of him, he lost it.

Ashley had her mouth wrapped, but the tears that flowed from her eyes stabbed his heart. The right side of her face was badly bruised, while the corner of her lips had blood stains.

The moment their eyes met, guilt creep into his heart, and he clenched his jaw in anger. By now, he understood, she already knew his truth, but instead of showing hatred toward him why did he see pain?

"Deuces!" keeping his eyes fixed on Ashley he said," You wanted me to come alone. Here I am... now let my wife go" his gaze then shifted to meet Ashley’s widen shocked eyes.

The moment his words hits her, she wriggled shaking her head vigorously, trying to stop him but he quickly moved his attention back towards Deuces who passed on a cunning smile.

"What a lovely couple. One is ready to sacrifice his life for his wife while the other is stopping him. Tsk.. tsk what a shame " letting out a malicious laugh Deuces stepped down from his throne-like chair and walked toward Tristan.

Stopping right in front of him, his eyes glared at him with a playful taunt." How about I change the task? It would be great fun to see you both die for each other"

"Deuces... don’t back on your words. Ashley has nothing to do with us" Tristan warned glaring at Deuces. He was just trying to be at bay because Ashley was still captive by them. His one wrong step and they wouldn’t bat an eye before doing something miserable to her.

"HAHA..... Look at you, Tristan. You are scared.." Deuces laughed watching the gleam of fear pass through Tristan’s eyes.

The mighty Tristan Knight, the supreme leader of the most powerful organization of the underworld was scared.

Tristan’s jaw clenched in anger and his face darkened." Let her go..." came a threatful growl that was enough to drop that sinful smile from Deuces’ face and he took a step back.

Tristan was that sleeping lion if once provoked would end up killing everyone without showing any mercy and Deuces was very well aware of it. He had seen how Tristan had gone wild when he found the person behind Dante’s attack was him.

He burned the entire base along with his army, just to get back at his grandfather’s condition.

Getting intimidated by Tristan’s murderous aura, Deuces signaled two of his men, and they quickly came and caught hold of him firmly.

"You think after what you did to me and my people, I will let it pass easily. You destroyed my entire clan Tristan Knight and now... it’s time for payback" Deuces was going to revenge on him for crashing down his empire.

"Bring the girl" his cold voice instructed and Marcus dragged Ashley pushing her in front of Deuces.

Tristan’s eyes swiftly moved from Deuces to Ashley as he watched him pull her by her hair.

" I will kill her first, and then... I will end your game" he heard him say and watched him pull out his gun before placing it on her temple.

"Goodbye, girl," he said and round his finger to pull her trigger when the emergency alarm began to ring, shocking everyone.

The door of the main hall opened with a few men running towards them." Boss we are under attack" the panic-filled voice expressed the unexpected threat, that came without warning.

Deuces shocked eyes looked at Tristan and watched him smirk," You fooled us" he said bringing up the gun, pointing straight at him and pulled the trigger.

"Ahh.." Deuces yelled when Ashley suddenly pushed him aside and he stumbled on his steps, missing the shot and killing the person standing next to Tristan

Kicking the other man, Tristan freed his hands from the rope and quickly bend down picking up the gun before shooting everyone at point-blank range.

Soon Noah and his team entered the main hall and target the enemy, killing the enemy

Ashley tried to run to Tristan when her body was pulled behind a huge table and she fell down," Let me go.." she yelled but her mouth was quickly covered and the man who did that was non-other than Jack.

"Stay here and don’t move. They are firing at blank range, a bullet might it you" she heard him say and immediately nodded with him leaving her mouth.

"Why did you help me?" she asked

Jack who was hiding along, taking a small peek at the commotion, pulled back his attention at her," I can’t let an innocent die. It is their fight and I am sure your man will win it" his sincere words made her want to believe him and that what she did, she followed his words and stayed there waiting for the gun firing to stop.

Ace and his team tried to cover up both Noah and Tristan as they targeted Deuces who was been guarded by Marcus and a few comrades.

With three shots the shield around Deuces fell apart with only Marcus remaining to protect him.

Pointing the gun, Tristan shot a bullet that passed through his head and Marcus fall down dead in front of Deuces.

Panic erupt in Deuces heart as he watched his most trusted man lying dead in front of his eyes and so did his army.

Looking around at the pool of blood flowing inside the huge hall made him see his end approaching nearer.

"No, I won’t die" he muttered when his eyes caught the sight of Ashley hiding behind the huge table, and without wasting he rushed to drag her out of the hides and pointed his gun against her temple.

"Stop or else I will shoot here" Deuces warned bringing his finger close to the trigger.

Tristan’s eyes grew wide when he saw Ashley and his hand holding the gun immediately dropped down.

"You once again won Tristan... but I will not let you kill me before I make you suffer," he said like a maniac and pulled the trigger, shooting a bullet.

"Thud!!"

Chapter 239: It’s all my fault

A loud gunshot echoed inside the silent hall, taking everyone by surprise. Noah and Ace looked ahead, eyeballing Ashley in shock.

Thud...

Deuces fell limp on the ground after Tristan shot him right at the center of his brows before he pulled the trigger over Ashley.

Tristan quickly ran towards Ashley, engulfing her in a tight hug," Are you okay" he said with a whisper, next to her ear which pulled her out of the shock.

Ashley thought it was her who got shot, but it was Deuces who was killed by Tristan and she tight there standing alive, embraced in the arms of her beloved.

She didn’t utter a word and just buried her face into his solace as her body trembled because of the loud impact of the gun sound she heard a while ago.

Tristan held her firmly and looked at the man lying on the ground with his eyes wide open. He didn’t regret killing him because his death was supposed to happen years ago, still, he managed to survive this day and planned to get back at him.

"What should we do with him?" came Noah’s voice who dragged Jack out of the desk, making him stand in front of them.

"I-I didn’t do anything" Jack’s words made both Noah and Ace share a stupefied glance at each other.

"If you didn’t do anything, then why are you hiding?" Ace asked pointing this gun at Jack and he started to panic.

"I-I.." he tried to speak up for himself but watching the deadly glare of the two men, made him forget the words.

Ashley finally calmed down when Jack’s anxious voice reached her ear and she pulled her head out from Tristan’s chest and looked at Ace who had his gun pointing at the poor kid.

"He is telling the truth" she raised her voice a little loud before looking back at Tristan who stared at her with confusion marred over his face.

"He saved me" she mumbled looking straight into his eyes.

"Let him go" Tristan instructed and the next second Ace pulled back his gun and stood as if nothing happened.

Jack watched him in utter disbelief and blinked his eyes before he turn to see Ashley, giving her a thank-you look.

"You can leave," Tristan said intertwining his hand with Ashley and was about t leave when Jack ran towards him like an excited kid.

"Please take me under your wings. You were so cool. I want to get trained like you" Jack expressed his desire.

He had already seen how skillful Tristan and his men were. They took down the entire base in no time and even killed the lord at point-blank range, shooting right between his brow. He couldn’t help but admire the man whom he never met but had only heard from Marcus.

Tristan gave Jack, a ’ what rubbish are you talking’ look and said," Kid, you should go and study. Guns and bombs aren’t good things"

"Look who is talking" Noah muttered under his breath giving a mischievous look at Tristan and getting ignored instead.

"I have nowhere to go and you seem a nice man to me, I can learn so much from you" Jack stated giving him a pitying look. He was totally whipped by Tristan’s aura and genuinely wanted to get into his clan and learn the right way.

Tristan was about to reject him when he felt a tug on his hand and his eyes fell on the person next to him. " Take him," Ashley said, giving him an assuring look.

"Okay," he said, and then they all walked out the along with Jack who was now a member of Jaguar.

*****

Back inside the resort room, Alice and Gwen kept tapping their feet anxiously getting worried for both Tristan and Ashley and kept praying for their safety.

"They are safe," Karl said stepping inside from the balcony. Ace informed him that everything was under control and they managed to get Ashley out of there safely.

"Sigh!... I felt like surviving a heart attack" Alice mumbled heaving out a deep sigh when she heard Karl’s positive response.

"They are on their way here," he said with a contagious smile and took the seat next to Gwen who returned a faint smile.

Sensing the disturbance behind that forceful smile, Karl immediately asked," Is there anything wrong Gwen". He was very quick in understanding her reaction and he also knew she would hide and hold back once he questions her.

Rubbing her palm nervously, the corner of her lips twitch as she again forced a smile, "Hehe... Karl. I informed Mom about my sister-in-law’s kidnapping and now they are on their way to Country X.

Gwen was so anxious about their safety, that in fear she ended up calling Grace, informing her everything, and now, they all were coming here.

"WHAT!!" Karl screamed, staring at her in disbelief.

Gwen lowered her face, knowing how stupid she was to inform her parents when she knew Noah and Ace were there to protect them.

Worried Karl got up and dashed out to the balcony making an emergency call to Noah.

*****

Inside the backseat of the car, Ashley sat on Tristan’s lap with his arms firmly wrapped around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder with her eyes close, trying to erase all of the things happened to her in that warehouse.

The atmosphere inside the car had turned pin-drop silent which bothered her.

"You aren’t going to talk with me now" she mumbled slowly opening her eyes, her head still resting on his shoulder.

Ashley expected him to talk with her, but all he did was hold her closer to him as if he wasn’t ready to lose her again.

Tristan didn’t say a word and just remained silent until they reached the resort. Carrying Ashley in his arm, he stepped out of the car and walked straight toward their room.

He informed Karl not to disturb them and let Ashley rest for some time to which Karl agreed and gave the couple the space they needed.

Placing her carefully on the bed, Tristan straightened u, avoiding meeting her eager gaze, and said," I fill the bathtub for you"

Ashley frowned when he did even look at her and was about to leave when she reached her hand out and held his wrist.

Standing firm on his ground, Tristan pursed his lips. He didn’t know how he was going to face after whatever he put her through. The fear he tried to fight, turned into reality even before he could think.

’Will she leave him now’ he thought once again feeling the same fear creep into his heart.

"Turn to me Tristan" she demanded very well knowing what was going on in his mind.

Taking a deep breath, Tristan turned around and sat next to her but never for once dare to raise his eyes to see her. He was purposely trying to avoid the confrontation, worried that his deepest fear might come true, leaving his shattered.

Ashley watched him for some time before she reached her hand under his chin and made him look at her.

The moment their eyes met, she saw so many emotions flooding into his blue orbs but the most evident one was of losing her.

She knew Tristan didn’t like to show his vulnerability to anyone and will pull up a mask to hide it acting strong, but inside she knew he was dying for losing her to his enemies.

She could tell he was blaming himself because it was supposed to happen and they can’t stop it.

Ashley kept staring into his eyes, watching his eyes well up in tears. A lone drop stream down his eyes but she quickly wiped it and said," It’s not your fault" her voice cracked watching him tearing up, stabbing her heart like a knife.

Tristan clench his jaw, trying to gulp back the lump inside his throat, and shut his eyes tightly with more tears rolling down," I would’ve lost you because of my cowardliness Ashley and still you think it isn’t my fault" he snapped open his eyes and turned his head away.

"I wasn’t able to protect you" he stated reaching his hand and tracing the cut on her lips.

"You wouldn’t have got hurt" his words slowly died as he cursed himself for leaving her behind. If they hadn’t left them alone this would’ve not happened and she wouldn’t have found out about his identity like this.

Ashley shook her head in denial and quickly crawled up onto his lap with her legs wrapped around his torso before she cupped his face.

"But you saved me and I am here with you... breathing" Ashley didn’t like the way he kept taking all the blame on himself when it was they who decided to take a stroll around even though they didn’t know the direction.

It was solely their decision, so whoever was to blame in all this was them.

Chapter 240: What condition

"No... I am Uhm..." before Tristan could utter further Ashley sealed his lips, not allowing him to say anything.

He had to know that not everything can’t be controlled and with her kidnapping, it became much easy for her to find out who is actually was, or else this slow man would’ve taken years to open up.

"Ah..." she heard him gasp and quickly slide her tongue deep into his cavern, tasting and tangling with his tongue rhythmically.

Arching her back in, she let her chest touch him, while her fingers clutch his silky hair into her fist.

Tristan lost his sense when he felt her suck in his tongue like a sweet candy savoring the juice and he relaxed.

Bringing his hand up to the back of her head, he slightly pushed her giving her a better access to his mouth. The uneasiness inside his heart vanished and he gave in kissing her back with the same passion.

It was only she who could tame his unsteady heart, silencing every chaos at the snap of her finger.

Once his body began to relax Ashley slower down before kissing him one last time and pulled back. She watched him sit with his eyes close, panting as he tried to stabilize his breath and slowly opened his eyes.

"Tell me you won’t leave me" he suddenly asked making her gape but she soon composed herself and shake her head.

"You think I would be able to survive being away from you," she said resting their forehead together, slowly brushing the tip of their nose," I would die" as soon as the words escaped her mouth Tristan covered it with his lips.

"Never say that" there was a glint of warning in his words as he held her firmly closer to him.

He would never let that day come because he wasn’t going to let her go even if one day her love for him falters. She belonged to him only him...

Ashley let out a chuckle making the man frown and he pulled back, slightly tilting his head as he arched his brow giving a questioning look.

"Then how can you think of me walking out of your life? I am not going anywhere Mr. Knight" she said and stretched the chain showing him the ring, he gave her as a wedding gift," We are bound for life. Forever"

Tristan tucked the corner of his lips upwards feeling the heaviness in her words. Whatever she was right, and nothing would ever change the fact that their heartbeats into one... always and forever.

*****

Noah’s suite

"Aww.. slowly Alice, it stings" Noah lay on the bed with Alice next to him applying the ointment on the slight cut on his hand that he received during the fight.

"Okay.. okay sorry. I’ll be careful" Alice was too much worried when she saw a few stains of blood mark on his clothes that she forgot everything and jumped on him taking him by surprise.

She wanted to scold him, but when she heard him hiss in pain, she dropped the idea and started examining his body.

Noah was resting like a patient, enjoying the attention he was getting from Alice, and purposely went on exaggerating things even though he wasn’t in that much pain.

Training along with Tristan and Karl made his body stronger enough to bear any kind of pain and to continue fighting until their last breath. This small cut was nothing in front of how many of the battles they have fought in the past reaching on the verge of losing their lives.

But now it wasn’t the time to recall anything and just focus on the present and protect them.

Once Alice was done, she turned to climb down the bed when her body was pulled, landing above Noah as he firmly circled his arms around her.

Alice didn’t wriggle and rested in his arms burying her face into his chest, thankful that nothing happened to them.

When Karl told them Tristan was going to negotiate with Deuces alone without any backup, Noah decided to go against his words and follow him bringing them back. Though she Karl told them nothing would harm them still, deep inside her heart she was scared.

Noah didn’t say a word and kept caressing her back until she calmed down. Moving aside, Alice lay next to Noah facing him and looking straight into his eyes.

So many emotions rushed into those orbs that skipped her heartbeat. She knew he wanted to talk about his secret, trying to explain it to her. But she had already accepted it and there was nothing hidden anymore.

He opened his mouth to say something but was stopped when Alice placed her index finger on his lips. "Shh... You don’t have to explain" he heard her say.

She then placed her palm on his cheeks and caressed them lovingly. "Karl told me everything," she said staring straight into his eyes. Looking at his calmness she could tell that he already guessed it.

"And I don’t mind you being a part of a mafia gang unless you don’t hurt yourself" her voice carried an underlying threat as her brows creased while she conveyed her words.

Noah just bobbed his head feeling satisfied deep in his heart. The burden of keeping a secret from her was already making him act stupid, but now when he heard her accepting him, everything felt at ease and he smiled.

"I will... I will" he felt so happy but then he heard her continue.

"I have no one except you Noah. You are my only family and I want you to protect yourself no matter what." though she accepted his identity, she still wanted to warn him. Something she couldn’t let him ignore.

She knew they were skillful fighters, and could take care of themselves, but it was her fear that she wanted to discuss. Just like this unexpected encounter, she knew there was much more waiting ahead and she wanted to be at ease.

Noah pulled her into a hug before he placed his lips on her head as if he was assuring her.

"I will," he said, and sensing her grip around him tightened.

*****

Tristan’s suite

Once they both relaxed, Tristan carried Ashley to the bathroom and turned on the water tap filling the tub with warm water.

Making her stand on her feet, he then helped to undress her and watched her step in before he followed her.

They sat in front of each other, their eyes never parting away even for a second. Tristan looked at her face and his eyes turned cold with his palm clutching underneath the water.

"Come here," he said, his eyes penetrating through hers.

Ashley followed his words and crawled towards him, sitting in between his long legs. Leaning her back on his chest, Ashley closed her eyes savoring the feeling of warm water relaxing her muscles.

"We will leave tomorrow," he said, tilting his head and watched her slowly open her eyes.

"Hmm..."

The couple stayed inside the water and cleaned themselves before they stepped out of the bathroom, changing into a new pair of night clothes.

Ashley lay on the bed watching Tristan bring the first aid box and then take the seat next to her.

"Give me your hand," he said and she stretched her arm towards him.

Her wrist was badly bruised because of her constant trying of untying herself. She was so in her head that nothing hurt her.

Tristan carefully applied the ointment around her wrist before, he joined her in bed, pulling her closer to him.

"Are you okay?" Ashley asked. She could still feel the change in his aura, but he was trying to succumb to it because of her.

Tristan thought he would be able to let it pass, but when she asked him if he was fine, his body stiffened and his hold around her tightened.

Craning his head down, Tristan washed her stare at him in worry. Everything was fine, she was safe in his arms but still, the threat was still lurking around.

Bringing his face close to her, he kissed her lips and pulled back. " Ashley, if I ask you something to do will you agree," he asked staring at her with a hopeful gaze.

"Always" came her quick reply. She had been foolish to take his words lightly until now. But after today’s incident, she wouldn’t give him a chance to worry for her.

"I want you to learn basic self-defense techniques" he stated more like a request.

Tristan didn’t want Ashley to lack behind when it came to self-protection. He wanted her to be prepared to fight against the odds if he wasn’t around. She was the wife of the underworld lord, and he wanted her to be stronger than before both mentally and physically.

Ashley blinked her eyes trying to process. Self-defense, she had learned it in middle school but it was many years ago. And now, she didn’t even remember how it was done.

An exciting feeling aroused in her heart thinking about going back to the time when she used to do things that thrilled her. Wasting no time, she bobbed her head with a pleasant smile drawing her face and said," Yes, I will but I have a condition" she stated and saw him crease his brow.

"What condition," he asked watching her curiously.

"I will be learning self-defense techniques only if you are going to teach me"