I turned to run, to scream, call out to the street. Those fuzzy spots were forming at the edge of my vision again and I could tell I’d be panicking a lot more if I wasn’t so slowed by the wine. For that I was grateful.

Right at that moment, Adam pulled up to the curb behind my car. His gaze was fixed on me and then on Jon. He’d seen the entire thing.

He was out of his car in a split second and moved so fast he was a blur. I could see the former track star in all his glory. In seconds, he was between us.

“Back off and let her go!” Adam ordered.

“I’m helping her. She’s going to drive off drunk,” Jon slurred. I yanked against his hold. It was as tight as ever.

Adam grabbed Jon’s free arm and twisted it up behind his back. Jon doubled over, yelping in pain. “I said. Let. Her. Go.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Jon screeched, yanking his hand away from my arm as if he’d burned himself. I fell back against the ground, rubbing where he’d grabbed me.

“You all right?” Adam called to me. I didn’t say anything, rocking, holding myself, trying to get the panic to subside. “Emilia—”

“I’m okay.” I finally said, looking up at him. His gaze on me grew intent and he shifted his hold on Jon.

“Apologize to her, fucktard.”

“What the—agh!” he yelped in pain when Adam tightened his grip on the arm. “I’m sorry—I’m sorry!”

Adam let Jon go and stepped back. Jon spun, widening his stance as if he wanted to start something. Adam stood his ground, eyes locked on Jon—giving him a “mad dog” stare, as we’d called it in school.

“What the hell were you doing, trying to get her drunk?” he growled through clenched teeth.

“Dude, I was just refilling her cup.”

“Adam, let’s go,” I said, now worried that he wasn’t going to stand down.

Adam’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He had at least four inches and about thirty pounds on Jon. “You pull that shit again, I’m gonna fuck you up.”

True fear crossed Jon’s features. He wavered, looking unsure.

Adam took a step forward. “Don’t ever touch her again, got it?”

Jon’s face flushed a violent shade of red. He shifted to a more threatening stance. “What are you, her fuckin’ boyfriend? She doesn’t like men, you know.”

Adam failed to look intimidated by the show. He moved up to Jon and got in his face. “She likes men just fine. Maybe she doesn’t like you because you’re an asshole.”

Jon took a swing at Adam. But Adam shoved him away before his fist could connect. And that idiot landed on his back, staring up at Adam with open-mouthed shock.

Adam took a step forward. “And a bully. And I really hate bullies,” he said, his eyes glittering dangerously.

I pushed to my feet, managing to grab his arm. “Adam, please let’s go.”

He didn’t respond, his arm stiff with rage. He pulled me forward with him. “Adam,” I said, moving in front of him. The look on his face—that chill glint in his eyes actually made me go cold inside, made me wonder what he could be capable of. I pushed against his chest. “Please, it’s over.”

But he surged forward again and as I stepped backward, I stumbled. He caught me, wrapping his arms around me. Jon scurried up from the ground, taking advantage of Adam’s distraction to hightail it to his door, slamming it shut and latching it loudly.

Adam stared at the door as if deciding what to do. “Adam, please. It’s over. Thank you for helping me.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek—after bracing my hands to balance on his strong shoulders.

His arms relaxed and he finally looked down at me, troubled. “He hurt you,” he said.

“Not much. It’s fine.”

He shook his head. “It’s not fine.”

“Well, you scared him so badly I’m sure he’ll shit his pants the next time he sees me.”

“He won’t be seeing you again because you won’t be going anywhere near him,” he said through clenched teeth.

I took a step backward deciding not to mention the regular study group. It was true, I’d never be coming over to Jon’s again. I resolved to talk the others in the study group into finding another location for our sessions.

Adam cursed when I trembled in his arms. “You’re not okay, Emilia.” He guided me toward his car. I could tell by the way he held me that he was tense, a fist still clenched tightly at his side.