As Connor stepped forward, the light fell over him and traced the shape of his frame, pulling him into focus. The sharp edges of his features gave him a presence that was difficult to overlook.
Nicole stared for a second, caught off guard by how striking he looked.
Almost immediately, she let go of Gavin's arm and reached up to adjust her hair, trying to draw his attention.
Connor didn't acknowledge her at all. He walked straight past her without slowing down and stopped in front of Bethany.
The moment he saw her, his brows drew together.
Her face had lost all color. Her eyes looked empty. A tear in her clothing revealed a wide strip of skin.
A shadow crossed his expression. Without a word, he removed his suit jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
An officer stepped in, clearly annoyed, and blocked his path. "Who are you? She's a criminal. You don't get to touch her."
Connor lifted his eyes and fixed him with a cold look.
The air seemed to tighten. Sweat formed on the officer's forehead. "W-what are you staring—"
Before he could finish, his wrist was caught in a firm grip. A sharp force followed, and he was slammed onto the ground before he even realized what happened.
Connor let go and looked down at him. "Step aside."
The officer's face burned with anger as he reached for his gun, but his partner grabbed him quickly and gestured toward the car behind Connor.
The change was immediate. The anger drained from his face, replaced by fear. Without another word, the two of them backed off in a hurry.
Connor looked away, his expression showing clear disdain, then turned his attention back to Bethany.
His jacket hung loosely over her, far too large for her frame.
"How long are you going to stay down there?" he asked, frowning.
Bethany's lashes quivered, as if she had only just come back to herself. She placed a hand against the ground and tried to push herself up.
Pain shot through her knee, and she collapsed back down again.
She pushed herself up once more. Then she tried again. By the third attempt, a voice drifted down from above, carrying a trace of ridicule. "I leave you alone for two days, and this is what you end up like?"
Bethany lowered her head without answering. From her angle, only Connor's polished shoes were in view.
Even the stitching on them seemed worth more than she was.
The rough ground scraped against her palms, and she finally stopped trying. Her voice came out faint and dry. "I can't stand up. Just go."
She didn't want him standing there, watching her like this.
Connor shifted slightly where he stood.
Without thinking, Bethany tightened her hold on the jacket draped over her, hoping he might at least leave it behind.
In the next instant, a firm warmth settled against her back, and her body lifted off the ground.
The sudden movement startled her, and a soft cry slipped out as she grabbed onto whatever she could reach.
The air between them seemed to tighten.
Bethany raised her head, and her eyes met his. She could see herself reflected clearly in his gaze, close enough that it made her breath catch.
She was in Connor's arms.
For a moment, her thoughts emptied completely. She stayed frozen, her arms still wrapped around his neck.
Only when the impatience in his eyes became obvious did she come back to herself. She quickly pulled her hands away, biting her lip. "Sorry... I got your clothes dirty."
She was well aware of how little he thought of her, especially now, when she looked like this. "Put me down. I can walk on my own."
Connor's expression didn't change. "Walk? You mean drag yourself back?"
Heat rushed to her face at once.
She didn't know where to place her hands.
At least this reaction looked more alive than the blank expression she had earlier.
Some of the irritation in his chest eased. Without loosening his hold, he carried her toward the car.
"Excuse me, sir, could you wait a moment?" Nicole called out, her movements deliberate as she approached. "Can you tell me what your connection is to her?"
Earlier, she had been too distracted by his appearance to catch his words.