"Why?" Elias asked breathlessly.

"Because we can’t. We are in an ice cream shop, remember?"

Elias closed his eyes momentarily and then smiled helplessly, realizing how reckless he had been just now. "You were so tempting that I forgot everything."

When he looked back at her again, his eyes were dark with desire.

"Can I kiss you when we are alone in our room?"

Elena’s face turned completely red. Her pulse spiraled out of control.

"Um..." She stood up. "It’s late now. We should head home."

She practically bolted out of the shop.

Elias chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Elena, you are killing me."

He went to the counter to pay the bill.

Elena didn’t stop anywhere. She didn’t slow down. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Her heart refused to calm down.

The heat of his body, his scent, and his seductive voice—everything lingered in her mind.

’He wants to kiss me when we are alone in the room,’ she thought. ’What is he planning to do tonight?’

The more she thought, the harder her heart pounded. Her steps quickened. Without realizing it, she walked farther and farther away from the shop.

She wasn’t even looking to see if he was coming. Only when the road became unusually quiet did she slow down.

She stopped, then turned around.

The street behind her was empty. There was no sign of Elias.

Uneasiness tugged at her heart. She reached into her bag for her phone.

"Oh, look what we found?" A voice from behind startled her.

She turned and saw two men coming toward her.

Their clothes were stained with dirt, their hair unkempt. The strong smell of alcohol lingered around them.

She stepped back, fear freezing her blood.

The men moved toward her, smiling. Their yellow teeth made her stomach churn.

"Princess," one of them drawled. "Why are you wandering around alone?"

His eyes roamed over her body lecherously. "Come with us. We’ll take you to a safe place."

Danger alarms screamed inside her head.

She bolted.

But they were faster. They reached up quickly and stepped before her.

Elena’s heart was almost ready to jump out of her mouth. Her legs moved back unwittingly, only to bump into the second man.

Terrified, she cried, "Don’t come closer. My husband will be here soon. And if he sees you harassing me, he’ll make you pay."

Their smile vanished. They looked at each other and then laughed loudly.

"Threatening us?" the second one said mockingly. "We don’t see anyone. Where is your husband?"

"Maybe he abandoned you," the other one added. "No one is around. It’s only us."

Elena’s breathing turned ragged. She regretted leaving the shop alone.

She tried to run away. Before she could take a step, one of them seized her hand and drew her in closer, his arms wrapping around her firmly.

"Uh..." she screamed, terrified.

"Where are you running away, darling? Let’s have fun tonight."

"Let go of me." Elena twisted herself against his hold, but he didn’t loosen his grip.

Panicked, she struggled harder. Acting on instinct, she bit down hard on one man’s arm.

"Ugh..." He howled and released her.

But the other one slapped her.

She crashed onto the ground.

"You bitch," he growled, his eyes burning with fury. "How dare you bite me? I’ll kill you." He lifted his foot to kick her. But his friend pulled him away.

"Wait. Don’t kill her yet. We should enjoy ourselves first."

The two men smiled vilely at her, terrifying her further.

"Yes. Her skin looks smooth." He licked his lips as he spoke. His gaze was predatory. "She looks like she comes from a wealthy family."

He stepped in closer. "I have never fucked a rich girl before."

Fear seeping into her bones. Before she could stand up and flee, they jumped over her.

"No," she cried.

"Put your hands off her." A thunderous voice exploded through the night.

The two men froze.

Relief rushed through Elena when she saw Elias. Fear that had been suffocating her eased slightly. But the relief lasted only a second.

The two men quickly recovered.

"Looks like her husband recovered," one of them sneered.

The other cracked his knuckles. "Perfect. We’ll deal with him later."

Elias didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at them. His gaze remained firmly on Elena.

He noticed the red mark on her cheek. He saw her tears and her trembling body.

His gaze darkened with murderous instinct. The air around him seemed to grow colder. He slowly loosened the buttons of his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves.

"You dared to touch my wife," he said, his voice frighteningly calm. "How dare..."

Elena stepped back instinctively. A shiver ran through her spine.

She had never seen him like this before.

The two men’s mouths twisted in rage.

"Do you think you can win?" One man growled. "Pretty boy. You should run away. Or you will regret it."

"Is that so?" Elias grumbled coldly. "Let’s see who regrets at the end."

The two men charged at him.

Elias moved. His speed shocked both of them.

Before the first man could throw a punch, Elias grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply.

"Aaargh..." the man screamed in agony.

Elias didn’t give him the time to recover. He drove his knee into his stomach.

The drunkard doubled over instantly.

Elias slammed his elbow into the back of his neck.

The man groaned and collapsed face-first onto the ground.

The second man yelled and rushed over. His fist flew toward Elias’s face.

Elias tilted his head slightly, and the punch missed.

It only made the man furious. He tried to punch him again.

With a swift move, Elias grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder.

The man crashed heavily onto the asphalt.

Elena stared in disbelief. Her mouth fell open. She had been worried sick about Elias fighting two men alone, terrified he would get hurt.

But things seemed different.

The attackers looked helpless in front of him.

Elias’s movement was smooth, effortless, and precise. He fought as though he had done this countless times before, as if he were skilled in combat.

The first man staggered to his feet. The second followed. Then they both attacked him yet again.

Elias stepped forward instead of retreating. His fist slammed into one man’s jaw.

The impact sent the goon stumbling backward.

At the same time, Elias kicked the other in the abdomen.

The man flew backward and rolled onto the pavement.

Elean’s fear slowly faded, and astonishment replaced it.

Those men had tried to violate her. Seeing them get beaten was incredibly satisfying.

"Hit him harder," she found herself muttering under her breath.

Then she pursed her lips tightly, surprised that she had actually said that.

Meanwhile, Elias grabbed one attacker by the collar and punched him again.

Blood spilled from the man’s mouth. He collapsed with a cry of pain.

Elena almost wanted to clap in excitement. But her amusement vanished instantly when she saw the other man pulling out a knife and charging at Elias from behind.

"Watch out," she screamed.

Elias spun around and dodged. But he was a bit late. The blade sliced across his arm.

"Hiss..." Elias winced, stumbling backward.

Blood streamed down his sleeve.

Elena’s hands flew to her mouth, her face turning ghostly pale.

When the two men noticed him injured, their confidence returned.

"Get him." They jumped at him together.

Punches rained down on Elias.

One struck his shoulder. Another landed on his side.

Elias staggered. He bent forward, clutching his wound.

Elena’s heart nearly stopped.

"Stop..." she cried.