No sooner had I spoken than a man rushed out of the alley, grabbing Emily’s wrist.
“You little tramp, finally found you. Thought you could ghost me, huh?”
Emily’s face went pale, terror flashing across it.
It was the first time I’d ever seen her look so scared.
He tried to drag her away.
I mustered every ounce of strength, shoving him back and pulling Emily behind me.
The man stumbled, nearly falling.
“I’m warning you. My friends are coming out any second. Don’t you dare make a move.”
He spat on the ground.
“Who cares? Think I’m scared? I’ll beat you too if you don’t get out of the way!”
He raised his fist.
I shut my eyes, Ryan’s face filling my mind.
But the pain never came. Instead, I heard the sounds of fists colliding.
When I opened my eyes, the thug was on the ground, Ryan’s fist clenched, his glare fierce.
“Ry—”
“Emily!”
Our voices overlapped.
I looked at him. He looked at her.
Ryan rushed past me, frantic, checking Emily for injuries.
In another world, when I’d run into danger on my way home, Ryan had descended like this too.
But that Ryan had held me tight, afraid I’d get hurt.
“I’m fine, Ryan.”
Only then did he breathe out in relief.
The thug staggered to his feet, pointing at me.