By the Lakeside.
"Why not give them a chance?"
David moved closer, a wicked grin on his face. "It's also giving us a chance."
"Get away from me!"
Heather screamed.
"Stop! Let go of that girl!"
A loud shout echoed.
Ryan and his crew jumped in surprise. They turned around to see three young people—one man and two women—emerging from the woods. To their shock, each of them was holding a gun.
"Whoa, whoa, take it easy. Don't get the wrong idea! She's my girlfriend!"
Ryan, the only African-American in the group, was the first to stand up and raise his hands. "We were just having an argument!"
"Don't be afraid of them," David scoffed. "You think they'd actually shoot us?"
"You're right. We wouldn't dare shoot you. Notice how the barrels aren't aimed at you?"
Juno smirked. "But if you don't let the girl go, I'll send Adam over to teach you a lesson. Just so you know, he's a combat specialist!"
Adam's eye twitched as he glanced at Juno, speechless.
They had guns, which were more than enough to scare these guys off. Why complicate things by suggesting a fight?
A combat specialist? Really?
That was just asking for trouble, practically daring them to fight back.
Juno gave Adam a wink and gestured toward Heather.
One look at Heather, who was still restrained by Nikki, and Adam understood Juno's intention.
This was his chance to play the hero.
"A combat specialist?"
David looked at Adam, who appeared lean in his clothes, and burst out laughing. "Oh, really? Come on, tough guy! Hit me!"
Ryan regained his composure, his rebellious nature bubbling to the surface. He remembered how Adam's gunshot during the hunt had ruined their plans and triggered Heather's breakup with him. Rage built up inside him.
"Let's see what you've got! One-on-one!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
Before Adam could respond, Juno was already cheering him on.
"Let her go, and we can all walk away peacefully…"
Unlike Juno, who was being unusually bold, Adam tried to stay calm and reason with them.
"Coward!"
David's eyes flicked to Heather's beautiful blue eyes, which were fixed on Adam. His jealousy and anger boiled over, and he spat at Adam.
That did it. Enough was enough.
Adam handed his gun and compound bow to Juno, signaling her to step back just in case the others tried to grab the weapons in desperation.
"That girl's gorgeous, and she's got a good heart too," Juno teased as she took the weapons. "Even better than Karen's. Saving her will be worth it!"
"Why do you seem more excited about this than I am?"
Adam rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he stretched and prepared to fight.
Juno's encouragement stirred something in him.
It was only natural.
First, Caroline had left, taking away his usual emotional outlet.
Then, Rachel's relentless advances had tested his patience. He'd turned her down to keep the peace, but he couldn't deny he felt something.
After that, being around Karen every day was driving him crazy.
And last night, they'd feasted on venison and drank a bit too much.
Everyone knows venison is a powerful stimulant—ancient kings swore by it.
Adam was young, with incredible stamina, and all these factors were piling up on him. Even someone as steady as him was starting to feel restless.
"This is your last warning! Let her go, you jerks!"
"Ryan, teach him a lesson!"
David was all talk. When it came down to it, he urged Ryan to go first.
"Let me show you how it's done!"
Ryan flexed his muscular arms. He worked out regularly and was confident in his strength as long as no guns were involved.
Seeing Adam walking calmly toward him, Ryan charged, throwing a punch aimed right at Adam's face.
He hated that face.
Adam didn't bother dodging. He caught Ryan's fist and twisted his arm behind his back with a swift, powerful move.
Ryan dropped to his knees.
"Who's your daddy—no, wait! Who's the boss?"
According to what Adam knew, there was a game in African-American communities where two people arm-wrestled until one pinned the other's arm behind their back. The winner would then ask, "Who's your uncle?"
The loser had to respond, "You are!" which meant surrender, giving the winner full control over them.
Adam had used this reference but quickly realized it was inappropriate. He didn't want to be anyone's daddy or uncle.
Ryan did scream, but it wasn't to surrender. It was a cry for help: "David!"
"Look out!"
Heather's voice was sharp with fear.
David, realizing how easily Adam had overpowered Ryan, decided to attack from behind.
Adam was ready. He ducked and kicked David to the ground. He considered stomping on his head but worried about hurting him too badly. Instead, he flipped David over and warned him, "Stay down!"
Lying on the ground, David raised his hands and admitted defeat. "Take it easy, man. We were just kidding around."
Adam ignored him and looked over at Nikki, who was still holding Heather.
Nikki flinched and immediately let Heather go.
Heather hurried over, clutching her belongings.
"You jerks! It's over between us!"
Standing beside Juno, Heather took a deep breath, still shaken by the ordeal. "And Nikki, I can't believe I trusted you!"
"Heather, I didn't mean for this to happen," Nikki pleaded, looking genuinely hurt.
So what if she'd fooled around with her best friend's boyfriend? It wasn't like that was unheard of. Did Heather really have to make such a big deal out of it?
"You can leave now!"
Adam released Ryan and David.
"Heather, I was wrong. I swear I won't touch you again. Please come back with us," Ryan begged. "We're miles from town, and you don't have a car…"
"We'll take her back," Juno interjected with a smile.
"Don't trust them!" Ryan shouted. "You don't know anything about them!"
Heather hesitated but looked at Adam, Juno, and Karen. Her doubt melted away. "They're good people. I'll be safer with them than with you. Just go. I don't want to see you again."
"Ryan, let's go. She's clearly into him now," David muttered bitterly, rubbing his chest.
Nikki tugged on Ryan's arm. "Let's leave for now. Heather will come back once she calms down."
"Fine. But if she's not back by noon, I'm coming for her!" Ryan threatened, glaring at Adam. "And don't think you're the only ones with guns!"
With that, Ryan, David, and Nikki packed their things and drove off.
*(End of Chapter)*