Chapter 191

The sound of tearing fabric pierced the mountain silence.

William Rubenstein sneered as he discarded the ripped sleeve, exposing Stella's slender pale arm.

An engine's roar approached in the distance.

A motorcycle?

Had he come?

Before William could react, an immense force yanked him off his feet. His body slammed onto the grass, tumbling several times.

"Who the hell—?" He clutched his throbbing back with a snarl.

A black-leather-clad figure stood silhouetted against the light. The helmet obscured his face but not the chilling aura radiating from him.

A golf club twirled in his grip.

"Which hand touched her?"

"None of your damn business! This woman—"

Crack!

The club smashed into William's left cheek. Blood and teeth sprayed out.

"One more time."

William spat blood, face contorted. "Do you know who I—"

Crunch!

The right side of his face caved in from a heavier blow.

"Surveillance... there are cameras outside..." William finally panicked.

A leather boot ground his face into the dirt. "Not here."

"N-name your price! Triple! Quintuple!"

The helmet came off, revealing Adrian Roland's icy features.

"Long time no see, William."

William's pupils shrank. "Adrian Roland?!"

The golf club rose again, aimed at his temple.

"Last chance."

Mountain winds howled, carrying the scent of death.

"Left hand! It was the left! Aaah—!"

His screams echoed through the valley.

Stella stumbled forward, wrapping her arms around Adrian from behind. "Enough..."

The club dropped.

Adrian turned and crushed her against his chest, his left arm hanging limp.

"Forgive me for being late."

His voice trembled.

Stella rested quietly in his embrace. "Weren't you overseas?"

"Finished early." He kissed her hair. "Let's leave this place. See the snow in Switzerland."

"But I've never seen snow..."

"You'll see it every day from now on." His tone softened. "But first, we go."

The motorcycle sped down the mountain road.

Stella noticed he steered with only one hand.

"Stop."

The moment they halted, she reached for his sleeve.

"Don't." He caught her wrist with his free hand.

"What happened to your arm?"

"Nothing."

She yanked his leather jacket open.

A gruesome wound glared back at her.

"You call this nothing?!" Her voice shook.

Adrian chuckled. "Scraped the cliff on the way here."

"This injury is days old!"

He nuzzled her nose. "Did I scare you?"

Wind scattered fallen leaves as ambulance sirens wailed in the distance.

Adrian secured his helmet again. "We'll talk at home."

The motorcycle roared to life, carrying them into the twilight.