Thor held Celina by the shoulders. She was in shock—filthy, trembling, her face streaked with tears and muffled sobs. He guided her toward the armored van, pushing through the circle of guards.

“Go to hell, murderer!” someone from the mob screamed.

“That’s nothing compared to what you deserve!” another woman yelled, hurling an egg that splattered across the van’s hood.

“You’ll burn in hell, you filthy adulteress! Women like you should be stoned in the streets, you shameless whore!”

They climbed in quickly. Celina could barely breathe. The van pulled away, the thick glass muting the chaos outside, but the sound of rocks pelting the restaurant’s windows still echoed behind them.

Curled up on the seat, she trembled uncontrollably.

“They hate me… they wanted to kill me…” she whispered, her voice fragile, almost unbelieving.

Thor wrapped her in his arms.

“I won’t let that happen. You’re safe now. No one’s ever going to touch you,” he said, his tone firm though his eyes burned with rage.

“I