Angelo''s arrival had thrown her for a loop.


    "I''ll take that as apliment, Ms. Sophie."


    Kiran, with his hand casually resting on the table, gave the wine ss a gentle nudge and said, "I''ve got a proposition for the two of you."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Oh? What kind of proposition?"


    Kiran put down his ss of red wine, leaning in a bit, "Hand over Odie."


    The smile on Sophie''s face faded at those words.


    "I heard Odie gave you a tough time back in Summerfield. By all ounts, there should be nothing but bad blood between you two. Handing over Odie shouldn''t be that hard for you, right?"


    "That must''ve been ages ago, right?" Sophie stretched out the word ''ages'' with a knowing smile, "If I remember right, back in Devonport, we were all strategizing against Joseph. Mr. Angelo, that quirky pajama of yours is still in a room at the Aldridge Estate... I wonder if Mr. Angelo remembers that?"


    Kiran''s smile vanished, and his eyes turned icy, sharp enough to cut. In that moment, it seemed like he could end Sophie with just a look.


    The wound on her shoulder still throbbed, but Sophie had to keep her cool in front of Kiran.


    She couldn''t figure out what Kiran was up to.


    But Gordon used to say, this is how it goes when the strong sh.


    It''s all about keeping yourposure.


    If one side falters first, they''re pretty much done for.


    Sophie couldn''t let Kiran see her fear. She held her ground and said, "Seems like you remember, Mr. Angelo. And since you do, you should know I, Sophie, don''t betray my own." "Then there''s no other option."


    As Kiran finished speaking, suddenly, a dozen people rushed out, surrounding Sophie and Colby.


    Sophie shouted, "Kiran! You can''t just break your word like that!"


    "I never imed to be trustworthy."


    Kiran smirked, "Your crew''s surrounded by my guys now. They''re stuck, just like you are."


    "Is that so?" Colby said coolly, "Kiran, don''t get too full of yourself."


    Nearby, the sound of a scuffle erupted, but it onlysted a heartbeat.


    Three secondster, Kiran could hear the rumbling of reinforcements heading their way.


    Colby took Sophie''s hand, signaling her to sit down.


    Sophie settled back into her seat as Colby said calmly, "I showed up out of respect. But if you''re going to y dirty to the


    don''t expect me to sto y


    rules of fair y."


    Colby''s crew was already backing Sophie, both teams locked


    215


    in a faltandoff, neither backing


    down.


    es stories


    Sophie chimed in, "Can we all just chill out and talk this over now?"


    "Alright, Kiran


    Said, "I want the gemstone


    Odie''s got. Hand it over, and we''ll call it quits."


    Bsts both take a step back,"


    "Call it quits?"


    Colby chuckled like he''d just heard a good joke, pulling out his handgun, and in a sh, it was ready to go.