Abigail’s wide eyes locked on him, horrified.
When Kai raised his fist again, ready to crush the limp guard with one last blow, she panicked.
“Stop! Kai! Please, stop!” she cried, throwing herself against him, grabbing his arm with both hands. Her fingers shook as she tugged him back with all her strength. “Please… just stop…”
Her voice cracked. Her eyes glistened as she stared down at the man on the ground. His face was battered, his lip split open, blood smearing the dirt beneath him. She had never seen such raw violence in her life, and certainly not from Kai. The man she thought was calm, in control, even gentle, had erupted like a storm before her very eyes.
Slowly, Kai’s fist lowered, though not out of mercy. It was her touch, her frantic hold on him that stayed his hand.
Then,
