Page 2 of The Enemy Protector
I let him lead me away from the dance floor. We’re moving down a dark hallway that looks like it leads to the bathrooms. But he’s not stopping at the bathrooms. He pushes open a door at the end of the hall, and I’m immediately hit with fresh air.
“That’s better, right?” he says.
“It was pretty stuffy in there,” I agree.
His hand slides down my back and squeezes my ass just a little too hard. I let out a nervous laugh and turn to face him.
That boyish smile is gone and replaced with something far more sinister. It feels off. He looks less handsome outside the dark club. The first hint of danger cuts through my excitement.
"I should actually get back. My friends will wonder where I’ve gone."
Lie. I’m alone. And I know that was my first mistake.
My second was letting him get me out here.
"Stay."
His hand closes around my wrist. It doesn’t hurt. He’s not squeezing, but the intention is clear. I pull my arm but he doesn’t let go.
"I said stay."
The smile is still on his face, but it feels wrong.
"Let go of me."
The door opens and for a brief second, I feel relief. Someone is coming. I’m not going to be alone.
“Damn,” the new guy says. His eyes rake over me.
“Where’s Jay?” the first guy asks.
“On his way.”
His friend is bigger. That's what I notice first. He looks at the first man and something passes between them. Something possessive in a way that screams danger.
Real fear slithers down my spine.
"Come on." The first man's grip shifts from my wrist to my arm. "Don't make it a thing."
"Let go," I say again. I try to sound fierce. These guys each have eighty pounds on me. I won’t overpower them.
But I can run. I’ll kick off my heels and run like hell. They’re bigger, but I’m faster.
I open my mouth to scream. The bigger one puts his hand over my mouth and stares into my eyes. "Do that and I'll make sure it hurts.”
The scream dies in my throat. I realize the danger too late.
We’re in a narrow alley that smells like garbage and pee. There's a dumpster to my left. A rusted fire escape above. A shitty light that does nothing to illuminate the area is mounted against the wall.
And that’s when I see him.
I’ve never felt terror, but this is it. I’m drunk, but I feel adrenaline pushing through the haze. I realize I’m shaking.
A third man is already there.
He's leaning against the brick wall like he's been waiting.
"Please." I hate that my voice sounds so small and weak. "Please, I just want to go home."
