Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1084

Andrew raised his knee, blocking her incoming strike with ease. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he threw a punch without hesitation. The air itself trembled, bursting with a sound like a roar.

Tiana's face twisted in sheer terror. It felt like an ancient beast—a primal force—was crashing down on her, unstoppable and overwhelming.

It was like a helpless insect facing a natural disaster. With a sickening crack, blood filled her mouth and splattered across her chest and blouse. The dagger in her hand snapped, leaving only the hilt as she was thrown violently backward, crashing onto the stone path of the garden.

Andrew strode over with a cold, unreadable expression, towering over her. "Talk. Give me one good reason not to kill you right now."

Tiana tossed aside the broken hilt and wiped the blood from her lips. To his surprise, she actually laughed.

"Impressive. Seriously, that was incredible. Go ahead. If you want to kill me, then do it. But before you strike, let me explain why I came at you like that."

Andrew snorted. "Make it count. It better be a reason worth sparing your life."

Tiana smiled bitterly. "There's no other reason. I did it because I'm terrified of what you are. I'm afraid you might drag Lauren and Jameson into your mess. So, I had to get rid of you."

Andrew frowned. "Then what was all that earlier, in front of Lauren and Mr. Rhodes? What was the point of those kind words? I already told you I'd handle the Driscolls myself, didn't I?"

Tiana scoffed. "That was all just to trick you. Andrew, you're smart, but even you fell for something so simple? Yes, you beat Aidan. You're stronger than me by far. But against the Driscolls, you're still way outmatched. That gap is massive—nearly impossible to close.

"However, you're not in a place where you can say you're unafraid of the Five Apex Families, are you? So, I pretended to believe in you. I gave you my approval, just to get Lauren and Jameson out of the way."

She added, "But deep down? I still didn't think you were enough. It's a shame I failed. If I had succeeded, the Rhodes family would've been in the clear. Once Lauren married Joe, we'd be sitting pretty—no worries, no threats. Just wealth, power, and peace."

Andrew's blow earlier had been brutal, enough to take down a rampaging bull.

After speaking so much, her internal injuries flared up again, and she coughed up more blood.

Andrew hesitated, unable to finish her off. He thought this woman was a walking headache. From the moment they met in Jayrodale, she had tested every inch of his patience.