Sweet Subterfuge

Kevan successfully got Travis to shut up. Choking, the latter managed to spit out, “Shameless bastard!”

Kevan was unconcerned. He had lived for 34 years and had heard worse than this. The words “shameless bastard” had no effect on him at all.

“Is there any use in being modest?” he retorted. “I’m sure the two of you know better than I do that sometimes being shameless is the key to success.”

His sarcasm was obvious; Travis caught on to it immediately.

“You!” Enraged, Travis let go of Amber and charged over. His fist aimed for Kevan’s face, but the latter caught it a few inches before it could land.

“You’re biting off more than you can chew,” Kevan sneered coolly as he twisted Travis’ wrist, causing him to turn around.

Kevan then kicked the back of Travis’ knee. With a thud, Travis was kneeling on the ground.

Covering her mouth, Amber wailed shrilly, “Help! Help! There’s an attack! Someone’s assaulting my partner!”

Her voice was rather irritating in the silence of the night.

Kevan leveled a cold glare at her and growled, “Shut up! Or I’ll beat you up too!”

Amber took a big step back. “How dare you!” She did her best to look fierce, but that did not shield the fear in her eyes.

“You’ll find out later, won’t you?” Kevan smiled darkly as he yanked on Travis’ hair and stepped on his calf. A twist of his forefoot caused Travis to let out a piercing shriek.

“Amber, call the police!” he cried.

Coming to her senses, Amber reached for her phone, fumbling several times before she finally got it out. Before she could unlock it, however, Larissa snatched it and threw it on the ground.

a squawk of despair before she lunged at Larissa like a

pregnant, Amber was heavier than Larissa. So, when Larissa moved aside, Amber missed her target and fell flat

for a while before her soft whimpers

to Larissa. She hurriedly went to turn Amber over and crouched to check her

lip hard and trembling incessantly, her hand pressed against

that a dark red patch had stained

she thought as she quickly whipped out her own phone to call emergency

to free himself from Kevan’s clutches and practically

for a little while longer! You’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you!” He

he came over, Larissa let him have her space. Right now, she stood about two steps away and watched the couple

itself, but she was not as miserable as she was that night at the fancy restaurant. As a matter of

However, she did

you cold?” he

question was not related to the situation before them, Larissa was stunned for two seconds before she replied, “A little.”

had just begun. Hence, occasional cold winds were blowing

could not resist the

had taken off his suit jacket and draped it over her. The fragrance of male cologne invading her senses made

okay.” Larissa wanted to peel off the jacket and return it to

each other, and said in a low voice, “As things stand right now, you won’t be

he said that,

moved to face Larissa with a stern expression as he helped her to adjust the jacket, ensuring that she

“See?”

stopped resisting

…

ambulance arrived quickly.

a threat at the

fainter, and Larissa remained

thought he imagined it. He was not a doctor, so he could not answer that question. But