Hazel arched her brows in surprise. 

"Did you leave me any room to plan something against you?" she retorted, trying to mask her anxiety with defiance.

Francisco's eyes narrowed slightly, studying her with a penetrating gaze.

"I just wanted to thank you," Hazel continued, her voice trembling slightly, "for keeping my parents safe. You... you didn’t hurt them."

Her lips quivered as she spoke, the vulnerability in her words clear.

Francisco raised his eyebrows, ...