Chapter 416
Chapter 416:
He and Colton had been close since childhood. His connection with Asher was less deep, but it was real — he considered him a friend. Watching a sharp, clear-headed man like Asher unravel over Kristine was something he genuinely could not make sense of.
Asher’s expression was perfectly still. “This is between Colton and me. You should stay out of it p>
“Both of you are my friends,” Devin said, and he meant it. “I can’t stand by and watch you go to war with each other. Kristine still loves Colton — she’s using you to get what she wants. Surely you can see that p>
Something moved across Asher’s face, brief and quickly contained. “I don’t care if she is,” he said.
Devin stared at him. “You can’t be serious p>
“I’m completely serious p>
Devin’s frown deepened. “Whatever is going on inside your head — you cannot let yourself fall in love with her. Do you understand what I’m saying p>
Asher tilted his head slightly and looked at him with calm, direct eyes. “So because Colton wants her, no one else is allowed to love her p>
“This isn’t even about Colton anymore,” Devin pressed. “You don’t know how dangerous that woman is. She had Elyse kidnapped to manipulate him. When that failed, she used you, faked her death, and came all the way to Raskor to find Goodwin — because she knows Goodwin controls the family. She’s trying to force a marriage. Is that really the kind of person you want to love p>
Asher’s expression tightened, but his voice remained measured. “Love doesn’t require logic.” He paused. “But that’s beside the point — because the woman you’re describing isn’t Kristine p>
A𝖽di𝘤𝗍𝗂𝘷e 𝘀𝘵𝘰r𝗂𝘦𝘴 оn
Devin looked at him for a long moment and gave up. “You’re completely beyond reason. Nothing I say is going to reach you — you’ll find an excuse for anything she does.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter anyway. Colton took her. You’re not going to see her again p>
A smile appeared on Asher’s face — small, quick, almost invisible. But Devin caught it.
And immediately felt something cold settle in his stomach.
“Colton just took her, and you’re not even slightly worried,” Devin said slowly.
Asher raised his eyes.
This time, he made no effort to conceal what was behind them. The small, dark smile stayed at the corner of his mouth. When he spoke, his voice was quiet, deliberate, carrying the weight of something long decided.
“After that accident three years ago, I made myself one promise — that I would never again let anyone take what belongs to me p>
The last word had barely faded when an explosion tore through the air behind Devin.
The blast was immense. The ground shuddered beneath their feet, and for a moment the entire estate seemed to hold its breath before the echo rolled away into the night.
Devin spun toward the sky. Thick smoke was already billowing upward, and the blast lit the darkness in a violent shade of red.
“What did you do?” he demanded. He already suspected the answer and was praying he was wrong.
Asher looked up with a tired, knowing smile. “What do you think p>
Devin stood perfectly still, feeling as though his grip on the evening was slipping entirely.