Chapter 1597:
Barry, on the other hand, was on edge the entire ride back, his nerves strung tight like a bowstring. The notion of assassins and terrorists launching a coordinated attack gnawed at him.
Harlee, utterly unfazed, cast him a glance laced with mild impatience.
âTheyâre all dead. What exactly are you panicking about?â
âWhat?â Barryâs eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
âAre you telling me those assassinsâand the terroristsâare gone? Just like that?â
Too disinterested to waste words, Harlee simply pulled up a selectively edited screenshot of Judsonâs report and forwarded it to Barry via WhatsApp.
âSee for yourself. Now let me rest.â
Without another word, she stepped out of the opulent suite and made her way to her own room.
The moment her hand grasped the doorknob, her keen senses picked up on a presence near the floor-to-ceiling window. A silhouetteâtall, still, almost merging with the shadows. She paused, narrowing her eyes briefly at the figure, and then proceeded inside, her movements fluid and unbothered.
âWhen did you figure it out?â She reclined onto the sofa, her posture languid, her exquisite features betraying an air of amusement.
Rhys turned slowly, his Adamâs apple bobbing slightly as his gaze flickered toward her. His voice, deep and magnetic, carried an unshakable certainty.
âThe moment you took on the task.â
LαÏÑÑÏ Ï²Ð½Î±ÏÏÑrs ιn gð¶lðovÑlð.ð°om
There was no point in deception. Even if she hadnât uncovered everything yet, it was only a matter of time before the pieces fell into place. He had no intention of playing hide and seek.
âThat was quite early.â
Harlee crossed her legs, her demeanor cool as ever. She arched a brow, extending a delicate hand, motioning him forward with a single beckoning gesture.
Rhys moved instantly, crouching before her without hesitation.
With a lazy sort of curiosity, Harlee traced slow, deliberate circles over his chest with the tip of her finger, her lips curving into a smirk.
âSo⦠was it you who took care of those North Island assassins?â
âYes.â
Rhysâ gaze didnât waver.
âI didnât want you to dirty your hands with such crude work, so I took care of it for you.â
His voice dropped to a husky whisper, his expression unreadable.
âAre you angry? Should I make it up to you? With my body, perhaps?â
Harlee studied him for a prolonged moment before sitting up, tilting her head as if assessing a fine piece of art. She clicked her tongue, amusement dancing in her eyes.
âWell, youâre not bad-looking. Iâll allow it.â
With that, she rose gracefully and strolled toward the bathroom.
Just as she was about to shut the door, Rhys slipped inside with seamless agility, catching her wrist. He pulled her into his embrace, his hands settling against the curve of her lower back.
Harlee made no move to resist.
Rhysâ dark eyes gleamed as a knowing smirk played on his lips.
âI happen to be quite skilled at assisting in the bath. Perhaps that can be part of my compensation?â
Before she could respond, he lifted her effortlessly and carried her under the cascading water, his fingers deftly unfastening the barriers between them. The steam curled around their entwined forms, thick with heat and something far more dangerous.
Later that night, Harleeânow wrapped in the comfort of her sheetsâunceremoniously kicked Rhys off the bed as he attempted another round of intimacy. A yawn slipped past her lips as she murmured drowsily, âI want to sleep.â
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