"Xander is just one person, I'm sure I can handle him," Julian replied.
"Wow! You're willing to defy your former best friend because of a woman. Now, tell me, what makes Anastasia so special?"
Julian's gaze softened as he stared at the photo of Anastasia. It captured her in a rare moment of joy, her smile radiant and genuine, outshining even the camera flashes surrounding her. Seeing her like this reminded him of who she once was—far removed from the nightmare she was enduring now.
She looked alive, she looked happy, compared to how she looked in Xander's slave house.
He had no idea as well why he wanted to defy his friend all because of a woman.
"I have no idea," he replied, his voice steady. But as soon as the words left his mouth, laughter boomed from the other end, sharp and mocking, almost loud enough to make him flinch.
