Chapter 213
Zachary Dawson's glare silenced the crowd instantly.
With a yellow-toothed grin, he reached for Luna Whitaker's shoulder. "Come with me, sweetheart. I'll treat you right—"
His words were cut short by a sickening crack as his wrist was twisted behind his back.
"Ow! Who the hell—" Zachary barely had time to curse before a fist slammed into his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
His two lackeys finally registered the towering figure looming over them, eyes burning with fury.
"W-who are you?" they stammered.
"Let her go!" Ryan Wallace's roar made them flinch.
Luna's eyes welled with tears. "Ryan!"
Spitting blood, Zachary discovered a missing tooth and saw red. "You asking to die?" He charged at Ryan, only to be kicked three meters backward.
The lackeys scrambled to help their boss while Luna darted behind Ryan, clutching his shirt.
"Stay back," Ryan murmured. "No one touches you while I'm here."
Luna's heart warmed as she retreated into the crowd.
Zachary snapped. He whipped out a dagger, and his men brandished knives. The onlookers scattered—except for Luna, who stood her ground, bamboo basket in hand.
"Walk away while you can, punk," Zachary sneered, waving his blade.
Ryan smirked and pulled a fire poker from his pack. "Be careful!" Luna cried, stomping her foot.
That was the last straw. "Kill him!" Zachary howled.
Clang! Ryan disarmed the first attacker with one strike. But as he turned, cold steel grazed his arm—Zachary's sneak attack drew blood.
Luna screamed.
Ryan's gaze turned glacial. The poker became a blur, breaking one thug's arm before a kick sent Zachary crashing down again.
"Mercy, sir!" Zachary begged, all bravado gone.
Luna rushed forward, tugging Ryan's sleeve. "Stop!"
Ryan relented but delivered a final kick. "Next time I see you, I'll break your legs!" He pointed to his bleeding arm. "I was butchering pigs while you were still in diapers!"
Zachary's face crumpled. Today, he'd picked the wrong fight.
"I'm leaving! Right now!" He scrambled away like a beaten dog.
Luna tore off her headscarf to bandage Ryan's wound. "Does it hurt?"
Cheers erupted as the crowd returned, praising Ryan's bravery.