Chapter 65

Emilia recognized the three men instantly. They were Sebastian's usual companions-Emilio Burgess,Brixton Loftus, and Slater Quimby. Each came from money, though none of their families could rival the prestige of the Mitchell family.

Now their attention was on Edwin, their eyes filled with ridicule, treating him like a fool too blind to realize his own weakness.

Brixton plucked the cigarette from his lips and flicked the smoldering butt straight at Edwin, who slipped to the side just in time to avoid it.

"Oh? Guess you're not entirely foolish," he sneered.

Their laughter rang out-Emilio, Brixton, and Slater linking shoulders, their grins wide with contempt, not even bothering to mask how little they thought of him. Snatching a baseball bat from one of the bodyguards, Brixton strutted forward, pressing the tip hard against Edwin's forehead.

"Think you're some kind of hero? Do you even know who you're dealing with? If you don't want your face smashed in, then disappear right now."

Brixton patted Edwin's face sneeringly. "Pathetic.Who do you think you are? Some no-name punk playing the savior? I'm here fo them, not you. While I'm still feeling generous, crawl out of my sight!"

Emilio and Slater closed the distance between them,arms still thrown over each other's shoulders.

"Cut the speeches. Just rough him up and have the guards carry him out."

"Totally. I hate weak types pretending to be brave.He's just a pretty face playing hero."

Heat and humiliation washed over Edwin, his cheeks flickering between pale and flushed as anger and embarrassment warred on his face. Regret gnawed at him for stepping forward so impulsively-after all, his father was still lying in a hospital bed. But now that he had stepped up, there was no reason to back down.

"I am not going to stand by while you pick on them,"Edwin said, planting his feet and meeting their jeers with steady resolve.

From behind him, Emilia felt his stance make him seem larger, and a small, approving smile tugged at her lips.

"Looks like you need a lesson," Brixton scoffed.He swung the baseball bat with brutal intent, only to have Edwin duck, pivot, and send Brixton crashing to the floor with a hard, practiced kick.

The bat hit the floor with a metallic crash that echoed through the room.

"Brixton!" Emilio's and Slater's faces twisted in shock as they pulled him up.

"Get that bastard! Teach him a lesson! You had your chance, now you're finished!" Brixton shouted, his bloodshot eyes blazing with fury.

The bodyguards surged forward, but Edwin squared his shoulders and shouted back toward Emilia and Sloane, "I'll hold them off! Go! Call the cops,hurry!"

Edwin was frantic, but they stood frozen, seemingly paralyzed by fear. Seeing the menacing bodyguards charging toward him, he felt they were all doomed.

His father was still in the hospital waiting for bills to be paid, and here he was, a male escort throwing himself into a fight he had no business starting. Still,he couldn't back down now.

Determination hardened his gaze. He snatched a beer bottle from the table, his eyes blazing red as if he were ready to fight until the end.

The first guard swung his bat at him. Edwin ducked on instinct and shattered the bottle across the man's shoulder,shards scattering.

He never saw the second guard coming from behind, bat already raised.

Before the blow could land, Emilia's hand shot out.She gripped the weapon mid-swing, her fingers locking tight around it. Her eyes were glacial,her presence radiating a deadly calm that froze the room.

Edwin turned in time to witness it, his breath catching. She looked striking, fierce, almost terrifying -an image seared into his mind.