Page 80 of Impossible
He’d kept his voice low, so Ada didn’t think the others had heard. Still, she didn’t want to take the chance that they would. She motioned at Lucien to go ahead and did the same to Prudence, who nodded in response.
The other two couples started along the path back toward the front gate while Ada walked a bit behind them with Max, her hands curled around his right arm.
“I’ve embarrassed you,” he said.
The self-loathing in his tone made her want to weep. “Not at all. I didn’t realize the fireworks would upset you. I should have known.”
“Why would you? They’re pretty and entertaining. I’m an aberration.”
“You are not!”
He withdrew from her. “I need a moment.” He walked to the outer wall, covered by shrubbery, and put his back to her.
Ada longed to go to him, to comfort him, but she wouldn’t intrude. She looked to her left to see the other two couples were now several yards ahead of them—already past the next walk where the cascade was located.
A trio of young man approached. They talked loudly and weaved as they walked. Ada could practically smell the gin from where she stood. She stepped back, nearly to the trees to give them a wide berth.
“What’s this?” one of them said, moving close to her. “All by your lonesome, sweeting?” His gin-soaked breath filled the air, and Ada brought her hand up to her nose.
“I’m not,” she said firmly.
“Not anymore, love,” another of them said as they encircled her. “Give us a kiss now.” He reached for her.
Before Ada could cry out, before she could call for Max, he was there.
And he brought the darkness with him.
Chapter16
Max watched the men close in around Ada, and for a brief moment, he couldn’t move. The air left his lungs in a rush. His feet were rooted in the ground.
No, he wasn’t losing someone else.
He launched himself toward them, the warm air washing over him, reminding him of another summer night when violence had been necessary. Gripping the back of the coat of one of the men, he pulled him to the ground, then stepped on his chest as he moved toward the assailant who had his hands on Ada.
The world blurred around him, but Max focused on the ruffian who was trying to kiss her. Grabbing the man by the shoulder, Max whipped him back before putting his fist into the man’s face.
The criminal staggered back, and Max kept after him, hitting him viciously over and over. Another of the men tugged at Max, but Max kicked back. From the corner of his eye, Max saw the third man run toward him. After hitting the man in front of him again, he turned. But he wasn’t fast enough to stop the blade that pierced his shoulder.
Max barely felt the sting as he circled his hand around the man’s wrist, squeezing until he dropped the weapon. With a low cry, Max hit him hard in the gut. Then again. And again. The ruffian doubled over, and Max sent an upper cut to his jaw, snapping the man’s head back.
The other two men came at him, catching Max’s arms and waist. Whirling about, Max fought brutally, his fists and feet flying. He hit the ground hard, one of the men landing on top of him. Max’s hand grazed something in the dirt—the knife. Clasping the handle, he drove it into the man’s side, then pushed him over to the ground.
Max didn’t hesitate as he leapt up and went after one of the other men. He was vaguely aware of more people. The ruffians had help.
Growling and baring his teeth, Max sprang forward and slashed at one of the brigands. They were faceless animals, threats he needed to kill.
“Max, stop!”
But he was already in motion. And he needed to prevent these men from taking Ada from him. God, they hadn’t, had they?
Max had missed the man, so he lifted the knife for another swipe. A man’s hand collided sharply with the base of Max’s wrist, sending the knife flying.
Then a body slammed into him, driving him to the ground once more.
“Max, you have to stop. You’re safe.Adais safe.”
Max fought to breathe—landing on the ground had knocked the air from his lungs again. He blinked several times, and the blur around him came into focus. Lucien’s face hovered above him, and to the right, Glastonbury.
