?Chapter 977:


    Wesley lowered the gun with a nod. “Not bad.”


    It dawned on Arion just then—the gun wasn’t meant for Wesley. It was for Elena.


    Wesley put the gun away without looking up. “Arion, pay up.”


    Arion stepped forward, already pulling out his phone. “How much?”


    Still rattled, the shopkeeper named a higher price. “One million.”


    No haggling. Arion transferred the money on the spot.


    Later that day, Wesley and Arion made their way back to the Azure Dragon Unit Base.


    Once inside, Wesley didn’t waste time. He went straight to the estate, straight to Elena’s door.


    The moment Elena opened the door, the scent of cedar hit her like a wave—familiar, sharp, and entirely him.


    Wesley didn’t wait. Leaning down, he kissed her hard, guiding her inside after nudging the door shut with his foot. When they finally came up for air, he whispered against her lips, “Did you miss me?”


    Elena scrunched her nose and pushed him back. That smell clinging to him—what had he been rolling around in?


    He moved in again, undeterred, but she blocked him with both hands.


    “You reek,” she muttered. “Shower. Now.”


    Disgust practically radiated from Elena’s face. Wesley raised one arm and gave himself a quick sniff. Honestly, after spending hours in that grimy underground market where every corner stank of trouble, he couldn’t me her.


    Without warning, Wesley pinched her waist and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Feel like joining me in the shower?”


    Elena didn’t even blink. She just rolled her eyes. This man was growing bolder by the hour. She didn’t bother responding. One hard shove, and he stumbled into the bathroom.


    Soon, the steady sound of water filled the room. A few minutester, Wesley strolled out, towel hanging dangerously low on his hips. His soaked hair clung to his forehead. Droplets traced down his neck—and the stare he gave her now had more bite than before.


    Before he could pull another stunt, she hurled a towel at his face. “Dry your damn hair.”


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    Once his hair was dry, Wesley wasted no time wrapping his arms around the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.


    The room next door, meant for Wesley, had stayed untouched. Every night, he’d been crashing in Elena’s bed, using her shower, smelling like her thanks to the body wash she used.


    With his face buried against her neck, he breathed her in like she was the only thing that made sense.


    And Elena could tell. He wasn’t just attached—he waspletely hooked.


    “Missed me, didn’t you?” he whispered, his voice muffled against her skin, still carrying that cocky warmth.


    Elena had no interest in answering such a childish question. They’d barely been apart—less than a full day—and all he’d done was drop by Spencer Manor.


    Instead of pressing her, Wesley leaned in and sank his mouth against her neck, sucking like he wanted to leave a souvenir.


    “Ah!” Her breath hitched as a gasp broke free.


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