The Protector Novel

Thierry sighed. They, too, would very much like to see Levi return. But he won’t. Can’t. He closed his eyes as if the thought physically hurt. There’s no way he could’ve survived that kind of explosion at Mount Drago.

While he and Judy knew better, both the Lopez and Black families were firm in their belief that Levi had committed high treason and hence escaped to Keerea.

“Zoey, let’s go back inside. It’s so cold out here. There’s no point waiting for his return.” Caitlyn tried to talk some sense into her daughter.

“Listen to your mother, Zoey,” Aaron added. “All evidence suggests that Levi is a traitor. There’s no way he’s coming back.”

Zoey, however, was adamant. “No, I’ll wait for him. He promised me he’ll be back in three months; it’s not yet three months until midnight!”

The others could only shake their heads at her dogged determination. “Why do you do this to yourself?”

Melanie and Jennie were especially unsupportive and freely dished out sarcastic comments. “It’s no use, Zoey. That traitor wouldn’t dare return.”

“For all we know, Levi is having the time of his life now in Keerea, surrounded by beautiful women. He probably forgot all about you!”

Zoey ignored all of them. With Forlevia in her arms, she waited for Levi at the door without a word.

blue to a warm orange set aglow by the evening sun, then darkened completely as the night fell. Still, she persisted,

members attempted once again to dissuade her. “Stop this nonsense, Zoey. He’s

in

passed. Then two. Soon, it

Cora, together with everyone from the

mockery. “But you won’t listen to us. What good

dolefully to herself.

one minute left till midnight,”

rest were equally disparaging in their remarks. “Wake up, Zoey. He has turned his back on the country. You

if you keep

up. Let’s go back

now he doesn’t have the guts to

to drag Zoey back into the house, a voice cut through the air like a ricocheting bullet,

Forlevia shouted in excitement. She twisted herself out of her mother’s hold. The moment her feet hit the ground, she started running toward the approaching figure before anyone could realize what was