The moment Aria Sterling's voice fell, Adrian Rhodes shot forward. With swift precision, he grabbed Landon Hawthorne's hand with one of his own and Brendan Lynch's shoulder with the other, quickly separating the two men.
Evan Lynch stepped forward to support Brendan Lynch. "Brother, are you okay?"
Brendan Lynch immediately pressed a hand to the spot where Landon Hawthorne's fist had just landed. The pain there was now sharp and intense.
On the other side, Harrison Thorne was also supporting Landon. "Mr. Landon."
Landon pressed a hand to his chest, right where Brendan had kicked him.
He didn't actually feel that badly injured, nor was the pain severe. When the kick landed, it felt as though much of the force had been neutralized.
And how could he forget? That was where his jacket's inner pocket was, and inside it was the Jade Talisman from his nightstand this morning.
Pressing down now, he could clearly feel that the Jade Talisman had shattered.
