Chapter 517
Chapter 517:
Ashton ignored him. His gaze locked onto me, making the hairs on my neck prickle. “Let’s go p>
“Go? Where? Wait, I can’t p>
Fabrizio had been about to give me the name of the man who helped him cook the books. With that, I could close the case and finally get my money back.
“Why didn’t you call me? And how did you even know I was here?” Ashton reached for my wrist.
“Don’t!” I yanked my hand free. “I said I’m not leaving p>
I glanced nervously toward the restaurant entrance, half expecting Silva to storm in.
“Is dinner with him really that important?” Ashton’s voice was a low, dangerous growl. “I’ve got news. Important news p>
“Whatever it is, it can wait. I’m in the middle of something.” I gritted my teeth, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear, “This dinner matters. A lot. I’ll explain later. Right now, you need to disappear p>
He stared at me. “You’re asking me to leave? For him p>
I let out a loud, frustrated breath. “This isn’t the time for another jealous outburst, Ashton. Just leave, all right p>
I turned back to Fabrizio with an apologetic smile, which froze when I saw him slumped in his chair, chin on his chest, softly snoring.
He was out cold.
“Shit.” I signaled for the bill and asked the waiter to fetch the restaurant owner, a friend of Fabrizio’s.
When the man arrived, I said, “Could you see that he gets home safely?” He glanced between me, Fabrizio, and Ashton, gave me a knowing smile, and said, “Sure p>
I headed for the door. “Let’s go p>
Ashton followed, silent but visibly furious.
𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝘦𝗅𝘀⧸ⅽ𝗈𝗺
“My car’s over there,” he said as we stepped onto the curb.
I ignored him and kept walking, my anger bubbling up, my blood boiling from tonight’s wasted effort. I had been so close.
“Where are you going?” Ashton caught up with me easily with his long strides. He tried to grab my hand again, but I shook him off. “Don’t touch me p>
I turned the corner and walked straight to a beige utility van parked in front of a closed shop.
Before I could knock, the door swung open. Silva jumped out, scowling.
“I didn’t get the name,” I said.
Silva nodded. “I heard. Not your fault.” He shot a look at Ashton. “This your fiancé p>
“Yeah,” I replied. Though, after tonight, I wasn’t so sure for how much longer. “What now p>
Silva glanced back at the van, where a computer and surveillance setup sat unused, two uniformed officers ready to call it a night. “We regroup. I think I know who Fabrizio meant. I’ll dig into it. You should go home p>
I unclipped the tiny camcorder button from my blouse and handed it to him.
“Here.” I didn’t want anyone listening in on what was coming next.
I headed back to Ashton’s car and climbed into the passenger seat.