Chapter 192 You''ve Got


    Guts


    After dealing with the immediate danger, Freya hoisted Kristian onto the bed with a firm but careful touch.


    Right up until the moment he lost consciousness, he never once suspected that she''d lured him in just to knock him out cold and quietly eliminate him as a potential threat.


    For Freya, the top priority now was to hunt down the source of that intoxicating scent and the signal jammers nted around the room.


    If she stayed here too long without doing so, she knew full well that she''d eventually fall under the same influence.


    Letting Kristian continue his cold shower might''ve worked-assuming he kept hisposure. But if he snapped and came out mid-meltdown, she''d have to waste more energy just to knock him out again.


    It was far wiser to handle the situation early and keep herself safe.


    Over the next hour, Freyabed through the room with painstaking care.


    Her diligence paid off. She discovered four separate sources of the strange scent-hidden inside the TV, the speaker system, and other gadgets with vents or heat outlets. Once she cracked them open, it was obvious they''d been tampered with.


    As for the signal jammers, there were three in total.


    Whoever had set them up had done an impressive job hiding them. If Freya hadn''t found the cement of a few decorations suspicious, she never would''ve guessed their true nature.


    Thankfully, she found no hidden surveince devices.


    Once those concerns were handled, she used a damp towel and tissues to seal off the scent and shut down the jammers.


    She then double-checked every piece of equipment to confirm nothing was being remotely essed. Atst, she sank into the sofa for a brief moment of rest.


    With a few quiet moments to herself, she began putting the puzzle pieces together.


    The mastermind behind all this had suddenly ordered Ashley to stand down when Kristian began pursuing her. Ashley had mentioned that this person bore a personal grudge against him.


    Judging from the tactics used, the mastermind clearly got a kick out of psychological torment.


    It was entirely possible the n was to have Kristian fall for her-build a romance- only for her to be abducted


    and used as leverage to force Kristian to hand overpany secrets or sacrifice himself to save her.


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    If that was the endgame, it wouldn''t be too hard to counter.


    Kristian could fake falling in love, and she could y the role of the damsel in


    distress. With coordination from


    her friends, they could reel the bastard in.


    But what if she had it all wrong?


    The thought unsettled her. Her head began to spin slightly, and somethingelt off in her body.


    Still, she chose not to leave the room. Staying created the illusion that the n was working, possibly nudging the mastermind into revealing his next move.


    Leaving now would onlyplicate things.


    She nced at the time.


    Given Kristian''s earlier reaction, the scent''s effects were undeniably potent.


    She needed to stay here for at least thirty more minutes.


    Soon, the strange sensation within her grew stronger. She realized she hadn''t escaped the scent''s influence either.


    Even though she''d used a damp cloth to protect herself, the prolonged exposure was starting to take a toll- though not nearly as badly as it had with Kristian.


    With a frustrated sigh, she rubbed her temples.


    Calling for someone to open the door was out of the question. If they were being monitored, that would tip the mastermind off that his n had failed.


    Suddenly, she froze.


    The signal jammers were off now-she could make a call.


    No, she couldn''t summon help or say anything incriminating, but she could


    distract herself and regain control.


    That thought gave her focus.


    If there was one person on this who could snap her back to her senses with a single word, it was her captain.


    The only problem was she didn''t know whether he was currently on a mission or catching some much-needed


    rest.


    A knot ofplicated emotions tightening in her chest, she dialed his number.


    She chose his personal line-he only answered that one when he wasn''t at base.


    If he was at base, then she wouldn''t be calling him at all:


    As the phone rang, her heart thundered in her ears.


    Her captain was a terrifying force, a strict drill sergeant.


    Back in training, they''d all suffered under hismand.


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    < Chapter 192 You''ve Got Guts


    Even now, just hearing him say her name could make her snap to attention in an instant.


    But that was exactly the kind of jolt she needed right now.


    As long as he kept talking, she could stay anchored to the sound of his voice-no matter what her body was going through.


    Drawing a deep breath, she steadied herself.


    The sensation in her body hadn''t gone away, but she forced herself to ignore it.


    The call connected on the fourth ring. A deep,manding voice answered, "Freya?"


    "Hey, Captain," she replied, trying to sound nonchnt.


    "What is it?" His voice was smooth, almost too pleasant-more so than Kristian''s,


    even.


    Not that it mattered. In her mind, he was still the strict, no-nonsensemander from their training days.


    Choosing her words with care, she lied, "Nothing serious. I just suddenly thought of those intense training sessions. Realized it''s been two or three years since west talked. Figured I''d check in."


    "What mess have you gotten yourself into?" he asked, cutting straight through the lie without hesitation. Freya went silent.


    Did she really have that kind of reputation?


    Her captain, dressed casually at home with his sharp, handsome features, looked


    as refined as ever. "Did you lose a round of truth or dare with Trent and the


    others?"


    "Of course not..." she replied, her voice betraying a flicker of nerves.


    Using him as a way to ground herself-if he ever found out, there''d be hell to pay.


    He narrowed his eyes on the other end, his toneced with quiet warning. "Are


    you going toe clean, or should I stop by and ask in person?"


    Freya suddenly wished she hadn''t made the call at all.


    Even though the worst of the sensation had faded, her captain was thest person she wanted prying into this.


    Just then, Kristian stirred, murmuring her name. "Freya..."


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    The sound jolted her.


    She was usually collected under pressure, but this-this rattled her. Did her captain hear that? Hopefully not...


    "Freya..." Kristian muttered again, voice soft and filled with longing.


    "I''ve got something to take care of," she said quickly. "I''m hanging up now."


    "Freya, you''ve got guts," came her captain''s calm but dangerous reply. Freya felt the urge to exin herself.


    But his tone-oh, he''d definitely heard it. And he did not sound amused.


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    She Took The House, The Car, And My Heart