Matthew Saxon held her tightly, lowered his head and kissed her on the corner of her forehead, his voice growing gentler: "Mm, I promise you."
"You said you'd come back unharmed. If I find even a single hair missing, I'll hold you accountable."
"Mm, I promise you."
"No matter what Alice says or does, you mustn't soften. She's done so many excessive things to us. I can't forgive her, and neither should you."
"Okay."
"When you get there, you must inform me that you're safe immediately. Call me morning, noon, and night, at least three times a day."
"No problem."
"Also, I've heard that the girls over there are very pretty and bold. Even if many women take the initiative to chat or ask you out, you're not allowed to pay attention to them."
"Okay, I won't pay attention."
"Even just looking at them twice is not allowed."
"Mm, I won't look."
"And also..."
--
Coming out of Seymour Tower, it was already dark, and the last streaks of sunset had disappeared.
