When he saw someone point a gun at Sophie, his heart nearly stopped from panic.


    "I..."


    Sophie whispered, "When I got into the venue, I couldn''t find you..."


    "That''s no excuse."


    Colby frowned, "Do you not trust me, or are you just used to handling everything solo? Even if you stood still, I would''ve found you right away. Charging in like that was reckless."


    "I just saw the castle gates closing, and I was scared they''d get away, so I..."


    "Sophie, I don''t give a damn about The Silent Shadows; it''s you I care about."


    Colby cupped Sophie''s face, his gaze intense, his tone dead serious: "Next time, if you go off on your own, I won''t let it slide."


    "What do you mean by ''won''t let it slide''?"


    Sophie''s eyes, wide and doe-like, locked onto Colby''s.


    In the past, Colby would''ve dodged her gaze.


    But this time, he yfully pinched her cheek and said, "I''ll break your legs! Let''s see if you dare run off again!"


    "Colby!"


    Sophie swatted his hands away, saying, "Today was different; I won''t do it again."


    "Remember what you said; don''t make me worry."


    Colby gently pinched her nose.


    "By the way, what''s going on in the castle?"


    "It''s all sorted out."


    "How did you handle it?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Colby kept quiet.


    Sophie didn''t push further, saying, "But... those gases in the castle, why do they affect me and not you?" "Got used to it."


    Colby shrugged, "The first time you smell it, it hits hard. The more you''re exposed, the less it affects you. Those folks have been around the block so the concentration was upped, basically turning it into a stimnt."


    "Ah, that makes sense..."


    No wonder when she caught a whiff of it, her heart pounded like crazy like something was ready to burst, and her senses were on overdrive.


    Sophie touched her flushed cheeks and nced at Colby, who was focused on the road: "Are you... still mad?"


    "Not mad."


    "Not mad, then why won''t you look at me?"


    "...I''m driving."


    Colby freed a hand to hold hers, saying, "I''m not mad; I just want you to take care of yourself. Even if you


    don''t think about how I feel v


    Seeing Sophie hurt drove him nuts.


    "Okay, I promise, I''ll take better care of myself and won''t get hurt again."


    Colby squeezed her hand tighter, "Funny, didn''t I hear someone make that promise before?"


    Sophie gave up trying to soothe Colby and switched topics, "Reece is waiting for us at home, so let''s get back... I''m taking a nap."


    She shut her eyes.


    Colby, noticing through the rearview mirror that she was truly asleep, eased up on the gas for a smoother ride.


    They soon reached Elwood Estate.


    Colby parked in the garage, and as he opened the door, Sophie stirred awake.


    He draped his jacket over her, teasing, "Alright, out you go, my dear."


    Sophiezily acknowledged him.


    Inside, Reece was on the couch, deep into a remote meeting with his agent.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!