**Ethan POV: **
Ethan felt the tension in his chest like a storm, a rolling thunder deep within him as he raced toward the bar. Sophia’s distress pulsed through their bond like a persistent, painful ache, clawing at him, making his thoughts spiral with worry. He could feel her anxiety sharp and raw, radiating across the connection they shared. Whatever had happened, it wasn’t good.
What was Luke thinking, putting Sophia through this? Just the thought of Luke trying to touch her, to take advantage of her vulnerability, made Ethan’s blood boil. His fingers clenched around the steering wheel, knuckles white as he pushed the car faster down the quiet streets. He should have been there. Should have kept her out of harm’s way. Guilt and anger churned within him, twisting together in a bitter knot.
Every second brought him closer to her, and his mind reeled with thoughts of what she must be feeling—shock, fear, confusion. He braced himself for the worst, a thousand thoughts of what he might find rushing through his head. He cursed under his breath. He should have known something like this might happen. Luke’s interest in Sophia had been clear enough; Ethan had seen it in Luke’s eyes, the lingering glances, the way he watched her when he thought no one else was paying attention. But to cross the line like this? To force his intentions on her?
The bar came into view, and Ethan barely registered the sight as he pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine. As he stepped out of the car, the familiar scent of Sophia washed over him—sweet, calming, and grounding him even amidst his rage. She was nearby, and he felt her presence like a beacon, steadying his heart. But the anger he carried toward Luke simmered hotter than ever, the protective instinct surging to the forefront.
Pushing through the door of the bar, he moved swiftly through the dimly lit interior until he reached the back hallway leading to Luke’s office. He could already sense Sophia’s unease. It was as though he could feel her fear vibrating through the walls, tightening around his chest. Every footstep that brought him closer fueled his anger, his focus sharpening until he could think of nothing but getting her out of this place, away from Luke.
Finally, he reached the door. Without a second thought, he flung it open and took in the scene. Luke was too close to Sophia, his expression filled with frustration and desperation. And Sophia... she was tense, her body radiating discomfort as she took a step back from Luke. Ethan’s heart twisted, seeing her like that—vulnerable, cornered.
Before he could fully process the sight, instinct took over, and he crossed the space in a flash. His fist met Luke’s jaw with a satisfying crack, sending the other man stumbling backward. For a moment, the room was silent except for Luke’s pained grunt and the heavy breaths Ethan could feel seething through his own chest.
“Don’t you dare,” Ethan growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on her again.”
The weight of his words hung thick in the air, and Ethan didn’t break his gaze from Luke, his anger simmering just below the surface, ready to lash out again if Luke made so much as a wrong move. But his attention shifted quickly to Sophia, to the soft, shaky breath she took as her gaze met his. She looked relieved, yet there was a lingering fear in her eyes, a hint of the vulnerability she’d been forced into.
“Sophia,” he said softly, letting the tension drain from his voice as he turned toward her, his expression softening. He moved closer, placing a steady hand on her shoulder, grounding her as he looked her over for any signs of harm.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his thumb tracing small circles in a calming rhythm on her shoulder.
She nodded, her voice almost a whisper. “I... I’m okay, Ethan. Just... shaken up.”
He could see it in her eyes, the remnants of fear and shock, and it made his heart twist painfully. He cursed himself silently for not being there, for letting her face this alone. Even now, she looked so small and uncertain, her strength momentarily hidden beneath the weight of what had just happened.
Ethan turned to Luke again, his eyes cold, his words sharper than a blade. “Whatever you think you had with her, it’s over. If I see you near her again, it won’t end with just a warning.”
Luke’s gaze flickered with anger, but there was a hint of defeat there, too. Ethan didn’t wait for a response. With his arm protectively around Sophia’s shoulders, he led her out of the office, away from the suffocating energy that hung over the room, and into the open air outside.
They walked in silence to his car, and once they were both inside, he could feel her calming, the tension in her shoulders slowly unraveling. Ethan didn’t speak right away, giving her the space she needed to process what had happened. He reached over, taking her hand in his and holding it tightly, offering her comfort without words.
After a few moments, she turned to him, her voice quiet but steady. “I didn’t think he’d do that,” she murmured, as if trying to make sense of it herself. “I thought he was just... a friend.”
Ethan’s jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around hers. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that, Sophia,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “He had no right to do what he did.”
She nodded, her gaze fixed out the window, lost in thought. Ethan could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped with the weight of it all. The protective urge within him surged, and he reached over, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently.
She looked at him, her expression softening as she seemed to consider his question. “I just... it was like he changed completely. The way he looked at me—it was like he didn’t care how I felt. It was all about what he wanted.”
Ethan’s chest tightened with anger again, but he kept his voice calm, steady. “I won’t let him do that to you again. You deserve respect, Sophia. You deserve to feel safe.”
She smiled, a small but genuine smile that made his heart ache with relief. “Thank you, Ethan,” she whispered. “For being there. For protecting me.”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.” His voice softened, his hand still holding hers. “You mean more to me than anything. I’ll make sure you’re safe, always.”
A moment of silence passed between them, a shared understanding settling in the space. It was a promise he would keep, no matter what.