My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 67 Heartbeats And Bruises

Evelyn

For a moment, my entire world ground to a halt. There was an odd sense of relief that coursed through my nerves as the guy's hand finally released its grip on me. Yet, the shock of seeing Jacob Adriano, right there before my eyes, was overwhelming. I just couldn't get over it.

Is he really here?

My eyes stretched wide with surprise, my mind struggling to process the sight. And then, for a fleeting second, my vision went blank, only to be filled with the crimson stain on Jacob's knuckles and the fresh trickle of blood streaming down the assailant's nose. Even in my inebriated state, it wasn't hard to piece together that Jacob had just thrown a punch, a moment I'd missed while I had zoned out. He is here....

Everything was just happening too fast or it was just me and the intoxication of the alcohol. But I doubted, it was just the alcohol.

With a single glance in my direction, his piercing green eyes carrying a storm of anger beneath them, Jacob seized the man by his collar and delivered another resounding blow to his face. Why was he here?

"She said no, you fucking bastard!" The final punch sent the man sprawling to the ground, his body skidding a few metres away.

I watched the scene unfold in hysteria, my body still trembling from the realization of how close I had come to a possible horrific occasion just seconds ago—I almost got raped today. Almost.

Jacob didn't halt at just two punches, leaving the guy barely conscious on the ground. As the assaulter struggled to regain his senses, perhaps contemplating a desperate escape just as I had moments ago when he chased me down like a hunter, Jacob seized him again and, with ruthless outrage, slammed him against a nearby pillar. Blow after brutal blow rained down upon the man-his face, his gut, his neck- no part of his body went untouched.

My heart sank, a deep sense of dread settling in. At this rate, Jacob would end up killing the guy.

Summoning the last reserves of strength I had, I rushed forward, desperation in my voice. "Jacob, please, stop..."

There was no response, only the image of a man unhinged, a frenzied beast driven by blind rage. He continued to pummel the assailant as if his sole purpose was to snuff out his life, and nothing in the world could deter him.

I couldn't let this

still not making eye contact. His breathing was laboured, his chest rising and falling with the force of his fury. Beneath the curtain of chestnut hair that framed his face, I

way. I had to

pleaded, gripping his arm in a futile attempt

grip still vice-like on the battered man's collar. The victim now appeared barely conscious,

struck the man's face again, blood splattering across the pillar,

If Jacob ended up killing this man, he could land in jail. Panic coursed through my mind like a speeding train, and I teetered on the precipice of uncertainty, unable

him. I

trembling lips, and I clung to him from behind with all the strength I could muster, wrapping my arms tightly around him, grasping onto

went rigid, as

word quivering and laden with vulnerability that I didn't really want to show yet couldn't help it, "I don't want you

agonising seconds

his

but I

eased ever so slightly. To me, who was utterly attuned to every nuance of this man, nothing went unnoticed-not even a single heartbeat. My apprehension peaked,

air, and I watched as the assailant crumpled to the ground, nearly motionless. He blinked and gasped for breath, sprawled on the floor like an injured animal. His

else, Jacob

more vulnerable than before. It wasn't surprising that

he cupped my face and wiped away my

very person who had caused it. But not a single cell, hair strand, or heartbeat resisted his

away from him. His

He didn't finish what he