Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1097

"Not bad. You look stunning," Andrew commented with a smirk.

Aspen silently cursed him for being a pervert. Though she was fully dressed now, her expression remained dark, and her mind kept flashing back to the thought that he might have touched every inch of her body—especially the most private parts.

Her skin crawled just thinking about it.

…

After a quiet breakfast downstairs, the two returned to the villa they had been staying in.

"Pack your things. We're leaving. It's not safe to stay here anymore," Andrew said casually.

Aspen frowned, feeling both annoyed and disappointed. "The house was perfect, and it was paid for, too. Such a waste, all thanks to you!"

Andrew let out a cold laugh. "Then why don't you stay behind?"

Aspen's face went pale in an instant, and she did not dare argue further. At this point, she and Andrew were practically bound together—if she did not stick with him, she was not sure she would live to see the next day.

They gathered a few essentials and headed back to the hotel.

"I think we should get separate rooms. I'd feel more comfortable that way," Aspen suggested.

Andrew shot that down immediately. "No. We're staying together."

Aspen grew irritated. "Andrew, what the hell do you want from me? I'm telling you now—I'll never give in to your pervy demands!"

Andrew looked at her with disgust. "You seriously think I'm that desperate for you? I want us in the same room so you don't end up getting assassinated in your sleep. Get it?"

Aspen fell silent, knowing he had a point. If she stayed alone, she might not even get the chance to scream before someone took her out.

"I've got a meeting today with one of our major project suppliers," Aspen said after answering a call. "The guy has serious backing. I need you to come with me."

Andrew nodded. "Good. Time we started making a name for our company. It'll also set me up nicely for when I go head-to-head with the Driscolls."

Aspen scoffed. "You're seriously throwing your future away for Lauren."

The Driscolls were one of the Three Titans, not the family one would casually provoke. To her, Andrew was just another moth throwing himself into the flame.

Andrew's smile did not change. "Wow. Fancy little club you've got here. Threatening people at the door?"

One of the guards sneered. "Threatening? Hell, I'll slap the teeth out of your mouth right now! I know why you're really here—you're worried that girl's gonna get taken advantage of, right? Well, let me put your mind at ease. Mr. Parks already gave the order. Tonight, she's getting ruined. We're talking used and broken."

The other guard chuckled darkly. "You'd better leave while you still can. No woman walks out of this place untouched. Why else do you think Mr. Parks does business here?"

Andrew still wore that same calm smile. "Mind if I ask who owns this classy establishment?"

The guards puffed their chests proudly. "No secret. It's owned by the Haywoods—one of the Five Apex Families. Scared yet? You should be!"

Then, they burst into laughter.

Suddenly, two brutal slaps landed hard across both of their faces. The guards collapsed instantly, unconscious before they even hit the ground.

"If this place belongs to the Haywoods, then I don't have to be polite anymore," Andrew muttered coldly.

He stepped over their bodies like they were trash and marched straight into the club. He and Seth were already at each other's throats anyway—this would just be one more fire added to the blaze.