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.

despair before she lunged at Larissa like a

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

sound for

current reaction was more alarming to Larissa. She hurriedly went to turn Amber

lip hard and trembling incessantly, her hand pressed against her stomach while the other clutched at the hem

noticed that a dark red patch had

as she quickly whipped out her own phone

his body to free himself from Kevan’s clutches and practically

little while longer! You’ll be fine. I won’t let

Right now, she stood about two

was not as miserable as she was that night at the fancy restaurant.

to her. However, she did not know when he had come over.

cold?” he asked.

before them, Larissa was stunned for two seconds

just begun. Hence, occasional cold winds were blowing

that could not resist the cold. She rubbed her arms and ended

felt a weight upon her shoulders—Kevan had taken off his suit jacket and draped it over

and return it to Kevan, but he stopped

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

said that, Larissa sneezed.

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

“See?”

pursed her lips and stopped

…

arrived quickly.

Kevan, he snarled a threat at

sirens grew fainter, and Larissa remained

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