Chapter 52 The Shameless Austin
Finished
The guys around them immediately started cheering, calling Evelyn Austin’s fiancée like it was already a done deal.
After all, Austin had just called her “sweetie” out loud. How could that be wrong?
If Austin said it, then it must be true-so they all joined in.
Evelyn’s face flushed with anger. Her sharp eyes, usually soft and bright, now burned with fury as she glared at Austin. “Stop calling me that. I’m not your fiancée.”
Austin nodded quickly, almost too eagerly. “Alright, alright, I won’t call you Sweetie anymore.”
Then he leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “I know you like it better when I call you Lace.”
What a scoundrel!
Evelyn had reached her limit. Unable to hold back, Evelyn lifted her foot and kicked him hard in the thigh, landing dangerously close to a much more sensitive spot.
“Next time you run your mouth like that,” she warned coldly, “I won’t miss.”
Everyone froze.
Wasn’t this woman a little too fierce?
She hadn’t just embarrassed Austin in private-she’d done it in front of the whole group, smashing his pride in pieces.
But still, some of them couldn’t help smirking at his misfortune.
Evelyn hadn’t held back. That kick carried nearly all her strength. She wanted him to remember this lesson.
When it came to her limit, she never gave
But instead of getting angry, Austin’s grin only widened. His sharp teeth flashed, and he looked even more roguish.
Lace was fiery-he loved it.
She had done this at the restaurant last time, and now she did it again.
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Chapter 52 The Shameless Austin
Perfect. To Austin, they were a great match.
:ས།
Finished
“I’ll take you to the lounge,” Austin offered smoothly. “We can talk in private.”
He started to turn away, but Evelyn’s voice stopped him cold. “No need. I only came here to give this back. And one more thing-quit sneaking into my house. If you try it again, don’t be surprised if you end up in a mousetrap. I won’t be responsible for your injuries.”
She made it clear; she saw him as nothing more than a pest to be kept out.
“Aw, don’t do that to me,” Austin teased, still shameless. “Sitting by the window with you, talking while the moon’s out-don’t you think that’s kind of romantic?”
Romantic? Evelyn almost laughed out loud.
What nonsense.
The only thing she wanted was to draw a clear distance between them. If she really sat alone with him to admire the moon, that wouldn’t be romance-it would be pure stupidity.
Who in their right mind would risk being caught with a strange guy sneaking into her home?
“Listen carefully,” she said firmly. “Stay out of my life. I don’t want you anywhere near it. Got it?”
Even with all those eyes on her, Evelyn didn’t stutter or soften her words.
Evelyn knew Austin had no shame. If she gave him the courtesy of talking in private, he would probably take it as a sign she still cared a little. That would only make him cling harder.
Better to lay it all out, even if it stung. They’d go their separate ways, and eventually he’d forget.
That was the best ending.
But clearly, she had underestimated just how thick-skinned he was.
Even after everything she said, Austin still wouldn’t let go.
He pointed at the bullet necklace resting in her palm. “You saved my life. From the bottom of my heart, I feel I have to repay you. I’m not the kind of guy who likes owing favors, so I’ve got to stick with you until I do.”
Evelyn looked at him squarely. “And you’re sure that once you’ve paid me back, you’ll stop bothering me?”
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Austin nodded and promised seriously, “Of course. I’m a man of
Well, that made it easier.
my
word.”
Finished
Evelyn lowered her eyes, then lifted her gaze to the crowd around them. “Then make it clear to everyone, I’m not your girlfriend. My heart already belongs to someone, and I’m not about to play both sides.”
Austin turned to his buddies at once. “You all hear that? She’s not my fiancée just yet. Don’t go calling her that, got it?”
But to Evelyn, something about his words sounded all wrong.
Not his fiancee yet? What nonsense. It was never going to happen, not now, not ever.
The guys beside him nodded so fast their heads nearly came off. They understood perfectly well what Austin meant. “Not now” only meant later for sure.
After all, their boss was famous for stealing other men’s girlfriends. Not recognizing Everlyn as Austin’s fiancée for the time being wasn’t a big deal.
“Alright then, Lace-nope, Evelyn,” Austin corrected himself with a crooked grin. “Anything else?”
There was. In fact, it was the most important thing.
“Well, if you really want to repay me, here’s how: stop showing up in my life. Do that, and your debt’s paid in full.”
And just like that, the whole conversation had circled back to the beginning.
Austin was about to argue again when one of his boys came running up, breathless. “Austin! There’s somebody outside who says he’s your brother. He’s here looking for you.”
Austin cursed under his breath. “Dang it. That guy’s like a ghost-won’t leave me alone.”
Evelyn seized the moment. She shoved the necklace into Austin’s chest. “Go catch up with your brother. I’m busy, and I’m leaving. And remember-don’t sneak into my house again. If you do, I’ll set mouse traps, and I’m not kidding.”
With that, she hastily makes her escape.
Austin moved fast. Before Evelyn could react, he pulled her into his arms and hoisted her up like she weighed nothing. Without giving her a chance to fight back, he carried her straight toward the lounge.
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Chapter 52 The Shameless Austin
The arcade’s lounge used to be an old music club from the ’70s.
Finished
It still had that retro feel, like a smoky bar where people once sang their hearts out to live bands. Back then, only the wealthy could afford a place like that, and they wanted everything done in style.
This room was proof. Inside the lounge was a small private suite, complete with a bathroom.
Evelyn couldn’t help but wonder if the place had once been more than just a club-maybe even a fancy hotel.
Austin shoved her inside the back room and locked the door. “Be a nice girl and wait here for a while,” he said with a grin. “When I’m done, we’ll keep talking about my plan to repay you. But if you’re in such a hurry, I don’t mind keeping you in my arms while I chat with my brother.”
“Austin, this is illegal detention! I can sue you for this!” Evelyn shouted, pounding on the door in anger.
Austin just laughed from the other side. “Lace, wait until I’m back. After we talk, then you can decide if you still want to sue me. Sit tight-I’ll go get my brother.”
Sit tight, my foot!
She cursed in her head and kicked the door hard.
But the old wooden door, flimsy as it looked, didn’t budge an inch.
Breaking out wasn’t going to happen.
Frustrated, Evelyn paced the room, searching for anything she could use to force the door open. Nothing. Not even a chair sturdy enough to swing.
Then she heard it-footsteps outside.
Heavy. Two people.
Austin had brought his brother back with him.
For a second, Evelyn thought about yelling for help-or maybe the brother would take her
side.
But the thought died almost as quickly as it came.
If Austin was this rotten, how decent could his brother be?
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Finished
Even if he had a shred of decency, this was Austin’s turf. He wouldn’t risk going against him.
No-if she was getting out of here, it would have to be on her own.
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Reborn for Love and Revenge
