Philip let out a soft, breathy chuckle. "He tossed me into his truck like a sack of potatoes—strong man for someone so lean—and drove me to his farm. The whole truck reeked of moonshine and pine… and yet, I've never felt safer in my life."
Christina listened, speechless, her breath caught in her chest.
Philip's smile faded into solemnity. "They followed us. I saw their car not five minutes behind. But Sean—he wasn't even worried. There was fire in those eyes. He knew men like that. Knew how they thought, how they hunted. He used to run with a mob, back in the day—before he walked away from that life."
He drew a breath, voice quiet but steady. "That night, he made calls. Friend of a friend, old ties. Arranged a meeting. He talked directly to the boss who wanted me dead. And somehow… somehow, he convinced them I wasn't worth killing. Just like that, the bounty was gone."
Philip paused, gaze distant. His voice lowered, thick with wonder.
