Page 44 of A Touch of Charm
Andre’s heart hammered in his chest, a mixture of relief and dread colliding within him. His vision wavered, narrowing to a pinprick focus on the point of dread before him while the rest of the world dissolved into a distorted blur. There she was, emerging from the shadows, her movements a blend of grace and urgency that he had come to admire. The sunlight caught in her hair, casting a glow around her determined features, beads of sweat forming along her hairline. She looked terrified but held her gaze stern and her back ramrod. Andre had never admired her more, and for a moment, time seemed to hold its breath.
Flanking her were men whose intentions were as clear as the sharp glint of steel at their sides. The sight of these shadowy figures, their menacing and purposeful postures, ignited a fire in Andre’s chest. The air seemed to hum with tension, and each second stretched taut with the threat of violence.
“I’m taking a turn,” one of the men said.
“Ich zuerst!” Me first! The other pushed him.
That was the moment to strike.
Thea’s wide and unyielding eyes met his, and Andre found the courage he needed in that silent exchange. The fear that had gripped him melted away, replaced by the need to protect her, for she became more important to him than his own life. The subtle rustle of fabric and the muffled footfalls of the approaching figures spurred him into action.
His foremost strength was that the men hadn’t seen him yet.
Surprise was the best attack.
Every muscle in his body coiled with readiness, and his resolve settled over him like armor. The space between the trees seemed too narrow, focusing his attention solely on Thea and the danger surrounding her. The world beyond faded, leaving only the urgent rhythm of his heartbeat and his fierce drive to reach her and pull her away from the encroaching threat.
As he moved forward, the chill of the stone floor seeped through his boots, grounding him even as his spirit soared with the fierce need to protect. Andre’s spot between the trees became a battlefield of wills—his resolve clashing against the shadowy figures that dared threaten Thea, the one he cherished most. Despite his aversion to violence, he knew it was the only means to save her.
He moved silently, using every ounce of stealth honed from countless days spent in Delhi’s crowded bazaars. The ground softened beneath his feet, damp and yielding. His pulse thrummed wildly, propelling him onward.
As he closed the distance, he could see her struggle, the defiant tilt of her chin, the fire in her eyes. She fought against her captors, her spirit unyielding even in adversity.
“Ihr Bruder wird schon nachgeben, wenn wir sie ein wenig abnutzen.” Her brother will give in all right if we use her a little.
Andre understood every bit of the slurred German, nearly convulsed at the idea of those do-no-gooders laying a hand on Thea.
Still, he couldn’t tell precisely how many there were, but there were at least two.
“Ich will zuerst ’ran!” Me first! A different voice called out, a slight Prussian accent clashing with the other.
“Nöh! Zusmamen macht’s mehr Spass!” No, together is more fun! The first voice again.
Three drunkards, Andre thought. His stomach churned.
Then a squeal.
It was Thea. He’d seen and heard her distress.
Andre’s breath caught a fierce pride swelling within him. There was no angle to surprise them, so he stepped into view, his presence a sudden, defiant interruption in the unfolding drama. One held Thea’s arms behind her back, the other bent toward her far too close for Andre’s taste.
Then, a twig broke with a loud crunch under his boot.
Fear flickered across the captors’ faces, a hesitation that Andre seized.
Andre moved with precision, each strike intentional yet reluctant. He ducked under a wildly swung fist, delivering an elbow to the man’s ribs before him. Even as his body responded with the speed and certainty of combat, his thoughts wavered, hoping that his blows were not causing irreparable harm. Though ruthless, these men were still human, and the nature of his heart was to heal, not hurt.
His eyes darted to Thea, standing at a distance, fear etched across her delicate features. That look drove him further, each punch and kick a vow to keep her safe. His instincts honed not for battle but for mending, now fueled his determination to protect the woman who had become so important to him.
The chaos of the fight seemed to stretch time, each moment heavy with consequences. Around him, the clash unfolded, but his focus remained unwavering—Thea was the only thing that mattered as he dodged another kick from his opponent’s boot. In the heat of the fray, every heartbeat echoed with the urgency of his mission, his oath to shield her from harm.
Andre ducked beneath a swinging arm, his counterattack swift and decisive, yet his mind was plagued with the hope that his actions wouldn’t leave lasting scars. The woods vibrated with the sounds of struggle, but Thea’s presence grounded him, her safety his guiding star.
As he subdued each attacker, a path to Thea cleared, and with it, a realization. Protecting her was not only about defending her body but also about safeguarding the tender connection that had grown between them. And amid the violence he hated, Andre realized he never thought he would feel this deep need to protect someone other than his family.
And then, it was over. The captors fled through the thick foliage. Andre stood, chest heaving, his gaze locked on Thea. Relief crashed over him, leaving him momentarily weak. The dim glow of the low afternoon sun lingered between the trees, casting long shadows across the secluded clearing where Thea lay crumpled on the earth floor, her gown torn. Her sobs were muffled as though afraid to disturb the heavy silence that had settled after the chaos. Andre knelt beside her, his fingers brushing tenderly against the damp streaks on her cheek. His heart pounded not with the exertion of the battle but with the fury that still roared through his veins, demanding justice for the affront committed against her.
He didn’t deserve her; he mustn’t love her, but even he knew that he was the one to console and protect her because of how he felt.
