Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess
Chapter 78

Josefina leaned in close while Camden and Jaxon exchanged a knowing glance and strode ahead.

Jaxon reached out, intending to dunk Josefina into the vat of dye. His face twisted into a snarl, his eyes blazing with the arrogance of a predator about to strike. Camden's hand clamped down on Josefina's arm, fearing she might break free.

As both men stared each other down, ready to push Josefina into the vat, the tables turned dramatically. A wicked grin curled at the corner of Josefina's lips. She stomped down on Jaxon's foot and delivered a swift back kick to Camden's groin.

"Josie!"

Oliver arrived just in time to see someone going after her. He picked up speed, leaping into the air and landing a solid kick on Jaxon's back, sending him tumbling into the vat.

Camden tried to seize the moment to push Josefina in, but Oliver caught his hand. The snap of bone was followed by Camden's howls of pain as Oliver twisted his other hand, snapping it with a decisive crack. Josefina watched Oliver's swift and ruthless actions in utter shock. Thinking she was terrified, Oliver pulled her into his embrace, his arms a haven of warmth. "Shh, don't be scared," he soothed, his voice a steady comfort in her ear.

Josefina instinctively looked up at him, first meeting Oliver's strong jawline. When he lowered his eyes to meet hers, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety wash over her. "How did you get here?" "You said you were at the textile factory and thought I'd pick you up for dinner," he explained, the concern clear in his voice. What he hadn't expected was to walk into a scene right out of a crime drama. "Are you alright? Hurt anywhere? Does your hand hurt?" Oliver carefully examined her hands.

Josefina gripped his larger hand in hers. "I'm fine. You showed up just in time. You saved me." She wondered if Oliver had seen her fight back and if he knew she could handle herself. Hopefully, he would still think she was a damsel in distress.

Meeting her bright, clear eyes, Oliver chuckled. "Don't look at me like that, my princess."

Blushing, Josefina dropped her gaze as the sound of splashing water came from behind. Camden and Jaxon climbed out of the vat, their clothes a mess of color, unrecognizable even to their own mothers. They sat defeated on the ground, too exhausted to retaliate.

"Josie, let me take you home, and I'll have Asher deal with this mess," Oliver said, taking her hand.

She nodded, ready to call the cops and cooperate with the investigation to put these men behind bars. As they turned to leave, Jaxon staggered to his feet, grabbed a bottle from the corner, and hurled it at Josefina.

"Josie, watch out!" Without hesitation, Oliver pulled her into his embrace, shielding her delicate body with his own.

The bottle shattered against Oliver, and Josefina caught the faint, acrid scent. It was sulfuric acid!

Asher burst in from outside, promptly stopping Camden and Jaxon in their tracks.

Josefina's eyes reddened with fear. "Oliver, let me see your back."

He waved her off. "No need to worry. I'll get it treated at the hospital."

"We don't have time for the hospital!"

Josefina dragged Oliver towards the faucet on the ground.

Thankfully, there was a clean water supply. She quickly hooked up the hose. "Oliver, you need to take off your clothes. Sulfuric acid burns need to be rinsed with water."

She turned the faucet on, and water sprayed out. As she spun around, she bumped into Oliver's solid chest. Looking up, she was confronted with his exposed, muscular torso, and her heart thumped wildly in her chest.