Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 179

Abby

My heart hammers in my chest as Anton’s words hang in the air between us. “Everything comes at a price,” he said.

I’m hooked, completely sold on whatever secret culinary world he comes from, but his cryptic statement sends shivers down my spine. What could he possibly mean?

“Alright… what’s the catch?” I finally manage to say, my eyes darting between Anton’s piercing gaze, John’s excited smirk, and Karl’s visibly confused expression.

Anton’s eyes search mine for a long moment. Finally, he sighs and starts to speak.

“I lost everything once, Abby. My career, my family, all because of a decision that sent my life spiraling out of control.”

“What was it?” Karl butts in, causing me to shoot him a warning glare. He shrugs, making a face. “What? Don’t we have the right to know?”

I’m about to open my mouth to respond, but before I can, Anton nods and speaks. “He is right. I’ll say it plainly: I made a series of bad investments. I stupidly gave away my family’s savings, my daughter’s college fund, to a bunch of losers claiming to be looking for investors for their new restaurants. I ruined everything.”

After Anton speaks, there’s a palpable silence that settles over the room. I don’t know what to say, but it seems as though I don’t have to, because Anton takes a deep breath and continues.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see Karl’s face shift through an entire host of expressions. Shock. Disbelief. And finally, a kind of reserved skepticism.

“Abby, can we talk?” he blurts out.

I furrow my brow, but before I can responde, Karl is grabbing my arm gently and leading me through the kitchen doors and into the narrow hallway, away from Anton’s earshot.

“Abby, are you insane?” he hisses, keeping his voice low. “Bringing a complete stranger into your kitchen, into your life? What if it backfires? What if he’s lying, or trying to use you?”