Bedmates Soulmates

Her Get-out-of-jail-free Card

'No! Of course not. It's just that...you seemed to spend less and less time with me this year. I was... worried. I thought maybe you had another woman on the side." Her lips trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I was jealous, okay? So I hired a Pl. That's when I found out about you and Kira....

Austyn remained stony-faced.

Panicking, Kayleigh grabbed his forearm, 'I know what did was wrong, but I couldn't help it. I was scared you would dump me when you found someone else."

She tilted her face upwards, her eyes beseeching. 'My parents died when I was just a kid. Then my big brother left me. Every day, I live in the fear of getting abandoned again. You are all I have. I don't know what I'll do if you leave me.' Austyn looked into her teary eyes and caught a glimpse of the Kayleigh he met five years ago.

When Austyn left the army, he took Finley Woods' dying wish with him.

Kayleigh had just turned twenty.

Legally, she was an adult, but her eyes still held a childlike guilelessness.

Her big brother had protected her well.

After Finley passed away, Austyn took over the role of Kayleigh's protector.

She was shy around him.

She kept her eyes on the floor when she talked to him, in a voice he had to strain his ears to catch.

He had been surprised when the diffident girl said her dream was to become an actress.

But he promised Finely he would take care of her, so he did.

It took him a while to obtain what she needed.

The M Group had a finger in many pies, but not in showbiz.

Austyn acquired a majority stake in MS Entertainment so he could have a platform to launch Kayleigh's acting career.

Busy with work, he let the professionals take over from there.

She had acting coaches, a full-time agent, assistants, bodyguards, a chauffeur, a personal trainer, and whomever else she wanted.

Five years was a long time.

By the time Austyn noticed she'd changed, the transformation was complete.

The quiet, unassuming girl disappeared, replaced with a bold, arrogant, and demanding woman.

The prettier she got, the more narcissistic she became

She acted with impunity, secure in the knowledge that Austyn would always be there for her, to smooth. the way for her career and to steamroll over her enemies. Her appetite grew-for money, fame, and power.

He Get out-of-jail free Card

23

Now she wanted something more.

Austyn looked away. 'I said I would get you justice."

Kayleigh breathed out, grateful for the change in topic.

She knew Austyn could never say a harsh word to her after she mentioned her big brother..

It was her get-out-of-jail-free card.

"I remember,' she nodded, drying her eyes.

Then, recalling the lawyer's words, she asked uncertainly. "Are you really going to do that for me?"

Even after he knew the culprit was Kira?

If he wanted to punish the girl, why did he get her out of the police lock-up?

Even after five years, Austyn was still something of a closed book to her.

'Can you walk? Austyn didn't answer her question.

Yes, as I don't walk too fast."

as

"Come with me.' He'd already turned around.

"Where are we going? Kayleigh shot to her feet and got a sudden head rush.

'I said I would get you justice. I'm taking you to see the person who did this to you."

Kayleigh couldn't believe her ears.

Was he serious?

"I'll get changed! I'll be right out."

No time to call her agent, Kayleigh had to make do with the clothes Hylda brought yesterday afternoon.

Hoping Austyn would come over, she'd asked Hylda to fetch her little black Chanel dress.

She applied makeup and spent a minute preening in front of the mirror, frowning at the sight of the ugly bandage on her forehead.

When she hurried outside, she was surprised to find the lawyer standing in the hallway, looking deflated.

What was he still doing here?

She immediately glanced at Austyn.

Had he talked to the lawyer?

Would he think she was going behind his back to contact the lawyer?

'Austyn, he was just here to inform me

"

'I know."Austyn raised a hand to stop her. "You don't have to explain."

'Oh, okay," she said, relieved.

He didn't look upset, which meant he wasn't angry with her, right?

Austyn started walking towards the lift.

The lawyer followed him with his shoulders hunched.

'He's coming with us? Kayleigh asked.

Her Gelon of gal-free Card

Austyn hit the 'Down' button and didn't reply.

Austyn was behind the wheel.

The lawyer followed in his own car.

Kayleigh sat in the front passenger seat, stealing an occasional look at Austyn.

He had not said a word since he got into the lift.

Kayleigh was fidgety.

Her head wound was throbbing.

So was her heart.

Where was he driving her?

She knew Hewitt and her accomplice were released from police custody.

Could Austyn be driving to his villa, where the Hewitt woman was living at?

Kayleigh couldn't put her finger on the feeling that was gnawing at her, but somehow, she felt things might not be going in the direction she hoped.

Thé butterflies in her stomach told her so.

"Austyn..." she said in a low, gentle voice.

She always knew, instinctively, how to present her best side.

When she was with Austyn, she used her schoolgirl voice.

Austyn kept his eyes on the road.

'I just want to apologise again,' she said, sounding properly contrite. "I know I shouldn't have done the things I did. I shouldn't have hired a PI to snoop on you. I shouldn't have gone to meet Kira behind yout back. I just. I couldn't help it.' The car slowed at a traffic junction.

Austyn glanced at Kayleigh's face in the rearview mirror above the dashboard.

'I wanted to see what kind of woman could live in your villa, Who is she? What is she like? Can she take good care of you? Can she-"

'So what do you think of her?' Austyn cut in.

'I... she bit her bottom lip. 'Please don't be mad. I conducted a test."

"What kind of test?"

, uh, I asked her to leave you, and promised to pay her as much money as she wanted. She seemed rather eager at the chance and lost no time in naming her price.' "And?"

"And she took my cheque."

3

He Was Worth A Lousy Ten Milion?

He Was Worth A Lousy Ten Million?