Draven Hayes was suddenly deflated.
Swallowing hard, he stammered, "I... I've hit her..."
Dirk Carter released his foot.
Pointing at the frightened Dorothy Zechariah, he said, "Apologize to her."
Draven Hayes struggled up from the ground, wincing in pain from his wounds.
He staggered over to Dorothy Zechariah, just about to speak.
Dirk Carter said, "Kneel down!"
He glanced back at Dirk Carter, who was holding a machete.
With a thud, he dropped to his knees and said, "Dorothy, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you, please forgive me!"
Even though his words sounded sincere,
his expression was vicious.
With a clang.
Dirk Carter tossed the machete away.
He said, "Call the police, retreat."
With the order, Cosimo Griffin's men opened the doors and began to retreat in small groups.
Dirk Carter took hold of Dorothy Zechariah's hand, surprised by her resistance; he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no matter what happens, I'll protect you."
