Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 A Killer and an Arsonist, A Match Made in Hell

When everything finally quieted down, the night was still deep.

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A female police officer, worried she might be shaken, had wanted to accompany her to a hotel, but Claudia sent her away with the excuse that she needed time alone.

She stared at the ruins for a long time before finally moving her numb legs.

Walking to her car, just as she was about to open the door, she spotted a figure in the grass.

Calmly, she opened the door, took out a fruit knife, and approached slowly.

Pushing aside the overgrown weeds, under the blanket of stars a sharp, handsome face came into view. Even lying down, the man’s tall frame and strong build were obvious. His closed black eyes carried an air of mystery, and with blood smeared across his face, his already cold and distant features looked even more aloof.

Most importantly, he was someone she knew.

Claudia nudged him with her foot. “Tsk, what poor thing have we got here?”

She admired the broken beauty of the fallen man for a moment before turning to leave without hesitation.

But as she turned away, a long, pale hand caught her ankle.

The man had opened his eyes at some point. Those deep, whirlpool–like black irises locked on her in wonder. “To treat your savior so heartlessly, Ms. Lancaster, isn’t that a bit too cruel?”

Weren’t young girls supposed to be soft–hearted and righteous?

Claudia wasn’t the least bit surprised he knew her name. From the way the police chief himself had come to greet him in fear and respect the other day, it was obvious this man’s identity was unusual.

But so what?

“Every TV drama tells us never to pick up strange men off the roadside. And besides, don’t you think right now you look exactly like some fugitive killer?” she said firmly.

What decent man would be lying in the grass at midnight covered in blood?

Sterling–who really had just fed two men to wolves tonight–let out a low, amused laugh. “Is that so? But doesn’t a killer pair perfectly with an arsonist?”

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9:37 Tue, Oct 7

Chapter 12 A Killer and an Arsonist, A Match Made in Hell

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His gaze lingered with a smile on Claudia’s suddenly darkened expression. Though lying on the ground beneath her, he carried himself with calm authority, as though he were the one looking down from above.

No matter how much she grit her teeth, Claudia still ended up dragged into Sterling’s ploy.

She brought him back to her tiny apartment, and when the man deliberately leaned against her shoulder for support, she flung him straight onto the sofa without care.

The motion was anything but gentle, and Sterling groaned.

“You really don’t want to go to a hospital?”

“No need. Someone will come soon.”

Claudia looked at the bloody wounds that seemed far too serious to leave untreated. She hesitated.

“What’s wrong? Feeling sorry for me?” Sterling’s brows lifted, his tone laced with mockery.

Claudia’s face was serious. “No. I just don’t want you dying in my house. That’s unlucky.”

“Don’t worry. Even if I did die, someone would come to collect the body.”

“If they can collect the body, can’t they just take you while you’re alive?”

Her expression practically shouted: Hurry up and leave already.

Sterling barely hid the curve of his lips. “No. Because I have to give you the chance to repay

me.”

Claudia’s face fell.

Though he joked, he didn’t let his guard down for a moment. After resting briefly, he forced himself up and casually inspected every corner of her apartment.

He had lost a shocking amount of blood, his face pale, yet he didn’t utter a word of complaint.

The way he methodically checked the place–clearly the work of someone used to danger.

Claudia pretended not to notice.

She had no interest in him, no curiosity. Her life was already in ruins–she didn’t want any more chaos.

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9:38 Tue, Oct 7

Chapter 12 A Killer and an Arsonist, A Match Made in Hell

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When Sterling finally stumbled and half–collapsed in front of the sofa, Claudia was already in the kitchen boiling wontons.

Too much had happened in just a few days. She hadn’t even had a proper meal.

Now, back in her own space, all she felt was hunger.

Ten minutes later, she set down a steaming bowl of wontons on the table and lazily wandered back to glance at the man lying on the rug.

She had noticed in the car already–his willpower was incredible. Anyone else would have passed out from so much blood loss, but he had stayed alert, always watching the rearview mirror.

He was either a criminal or a man being hunted.

If not for his refined appearance, like some noble young master, she would have thought him nothing but a man who lived with a blade at his throat.

“Hey, still alive?” she asked, too lazy to bend down, giving him a nudge with her foot.

Back in her safe little home, Claudia had changed into a simple white dress. Her bare feet padded across the floor.

Her delicate face was tense, her slender legs swaying slightly as she moved, her pale ankles gleaming like fine jade.

When he didn’t respond, she pressed the soft curve of her toes against his chest.

Hmm. His heartbeat was strong enough.

Claudia pressed harder, jabbing him a few more times.

Ever since he had scared her in the car with tales of the tortures his enemies would inflict if they caught him, she had wanted to do this. If not now, when?

A cold hand clamped around her foot.

“Ah-”

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Sterling stared at her, exasperated at being caught feigning unconsciousness. Her eyes betrayed a flicker of guilt even as she tried to look unfazed.

He hadn’t been fully out–no injured man could survive her torment otherwise.

Besides, if he hadn’t stopped her, that foot of hers would have ended up on his face.

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9:38 Tue, Oct 7

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Chapter 12 A Killer and an Arsonist, A Match Made in Hell

Though, admittedly… it had felt surprisingly soft.

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Every time he touched her, he was gripped by an odd hunger for her skin, an urge to hold it, knead it.

And despite himself, he squeezed.

Smack-

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