Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James)

Sophie sneaked a look at Odie. Even though Harold had kept things on the down low, Odie still felt like he'd been disrespected. Back in the day, just dropping Odie's name in Summerfield would make even the biggest shots step aside and take the long way around him. But ever since Joseph butted in, the power game in Summerfield's been flipped on its head. Odie got the Mintons back under his belt, but now he's dealing with the whole reform mess. Summerfield's never been more messed up. Everything looks calm on the surface, but underneath, it's a storm waiting to happen. Nobody's ready to let go of the Summerfield crown.

"I'm heading back now," Odie suddenly announced, throwing Sophie off. "Jonah, hold your boss back!" she pleaded. Jonah, who was now pretty much taking cues from Sophie, didn't miss a beat and blocked Odie. Odie's face turned stormy: "Who's the boss here, me or her?"

"Boss... you really shouldn't go out right now," Jonah advised. The Silent Shadows were probably staked out around the Aldridge place, ready to pounce the second Odie stepped out.

Sophie chimed in, "We've still got Kena, don't we? The Gibbs family has their own place in Summerfield now, so the Spellman family won't act on a whim. Their invite to me means they can't be dumb enough to try something in Summerfield. Plus, your Mintons in Summerfield are not to be messed with by the Spellmans."

Sophie's words seemed to calm Odie a bit. "Yeah, my people, the Spellmans wouldn't dare mess with them," he agreed.

"So, it's not such a big deal," Sophie said, trying to reassure him. "I'll be in Summerfield for just a day to see what the Spellman family's up to. If things go sideways, your crew will back me up. The Spellman family knows better than to cross me if they want to stay in Summerfield."

Odie gave a nod, albeit reluctantly. There weren't any better options right then. But it seemed like the Spellman family was tangled up with The Silent Shadows, and The Silent Shadows seemed poised to back the Mintons as a second major player. If the Spellman family pulled it off, the Mintons' stature in Summerfield would be heavily hit.

As Sophie was about to head upstairs to pack for her Summerfield trip, Harold spoke up, "Sophie, there's something you need to know." "What's that?" she asked.

"According to the Aldridge family's intel, the Spellman family didn't just invite you; Colby's on the list too."

That made Sophie pause. Harold went on, "Colby hasn't been around lately, but if you bump into him at the dinner... try to keep your emotions in check."

"What, worried I'll flip out at the

party? My emotions are more in

check than you think," Sophie replied, shaking her head. She'd been working hard not to let thoughts of Colby consume her. And Colby hadn't been in touch either. This was the longest they'd gone without seeing each other. Hearing that Colby would be at the dinner stirred up feelings she thought she'd tamped down. It really had been ages since she last saw him.

"Sophie." Odie called her name. When she turned, he slipped something into her hand with

ninja-like swiftness. She couldn't et

even catch what it was, just heard Odie say, "Open it when you get to Summerfield. If things go south, this might just save your life.