Page 54 of Targeted By Desire

The cool, autumn breeze caressed my cheeks as I stepped outside. I tugged my jacket closer around my body and wrapped my arms around myself for an extra veil of warmth.

I hurried down the sidewalk, regretting my decision to walk here. The bar was only a few blocks away from my house. When I’d left earlier, the sun was out and the weather was kinder. Now, darkness swallowed the streets, hiding all the shadows lingering within it.

The clatter of boots on the concrete made me glance over my shoulder. I almost grimaced at the pack of matching leather jackets stumbling out from the bar.

“Hey, doll face,” one of them called. “You didn’t finish the drink we bought you!”

I ignored them and continued walking.

“Hey! You need a ride? We’ve got bikes!”

“And extra helmets! Wouldn’t want a pretty lady like yourself getting hurt!”

“No, thank you!” I called without casting another glance.

“Well, where are you going?” A pair of footsteps ran ahead of the others. Next time he spoke, his voice was right beside my ear. “We could escort you. Make sure you get to your destination safely.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” I said, trying to keep my voice firm but polite.

“We bought you a drink,” a different voice said from the other side of me. Thick fingers wrapped around my arm. “So, you owe us something.”

“I don’t owe you shit,” I snapped, ripping my arm free.

Another hand grasped my other arm. “Whoa there, little lady, that’s no way to talk to a gentle- Ah!” He yelped as I plucked my taser from out of my coat pocket and held it out in front of me.

“Step the fuck back!” I snapped.

“Ooo, this kitty’s got claws.” An arm slithered around me from behind, pinning my biceps down and pulling me against a hard chest. “Be a good girl and put them away.”

Wiggling in his grasp, I cocked my foot back and set it right into his shin.

“Oh shit!” He howled as his arm fell away.

I didn’t give the rest of them a chance to grab me. I took off down the street, moving as fast as my legs would go. My heart pounded in my ears, practically in sync to the army of footsteps trailing behind me.

I wasn’t dumb enough to run home, so I skidded down one of the quieter streets in the opposite direction.

Nausea rolled through my stomach, and I took deep breaths to keep it at bay. If I could get away from a literal hitman, I could get away from a couple of drunken assholes. All I needed to do was get them off my tail, maybe hide in another bar for a few minutes until the coast was clear, and take a ride share home. Easy, peasy.

I slowed as the sounds of their boots died behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and let out a breath at the empty street behind me. My chest heaved up and down as I came to a stop.

Setting my hands on my hips, I tried to catch my breath. “It’s fine,” I whispered to myself. “You’re fine.” I continued my stride, slower this time to regulate my rattling nerves.

I walked around the corner of the block, looking around at the landmarks to remember where I was and map out the route to get back home. I made it halfway down the block before I saw a group of shadows appear at the end. Heads moved in opposite directions, murmuring amongst themselves.

“Shit,” I muttered as a pair of eyes caught mine.

“There she is!”

I turned on my heel and ran back up the block. Spotting an alleyway, I prayed for a shortcut and took a sharp turn into it. But, there was no light on the other end. Just another wall of darkness.

“Fuck,” I hissed as I swirled on my heel.

“Fuck is absolutely right, sweetheart,” one of the men said, his burly body blocking my way. “Now, are you gonna behave?”

“Not in my nature,” I replied, raising my knee and hitting him straight in the balls.

“Ah! Fucking bitch!” He exclaimed, falling to his knees.