Cole leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze softening as curiosity filled his tone. “Elizabeth, just be straight with me. Why this sudden urgency for training? There’s something more to it, isn’t there?”
Elizabeth’s expression faltered as she glanced down, her hands nervously fidgeting. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking. “Ever since I heard about the David West story… I haven’t been able to shake it,” she admitted, her voice quiet but steady. “And then, to make things worse, my niece Lily was almost kidn*pped. If Ash hadn’t acted as quickly as he did…” Her voice broke slightly, and she looked up, her eyes shining with conviction. “She would’ve been taken. And I wouldn’t have been able to do a damn thing to stop it.”
Cole’s brow furrowed, his usually calm demeanor
