I saw flashes of people up ahead, but unfortunately knew better than to expect them to be my savior.
I’d once watched a woman get pushed up against the wall by a stranger, his hand slipping under her shirt as she screamed for help. And people ducked their heads and kept walking. It was the girl’s own instincts—a ruthless knee to the groin—that saved her.
I had to get out of the park.
If I got out of the park, I could find safety.
In a cab. In a restaurant or store.
So I ignored the screaming in my thighs, my lungs feeling like I’d run through a fire, my whole body slick with sweat.
Past the pond.
Up ahead, the tree-lined exit.
I had no idea if the man was still behind me, if he was gaining on me. I just knew I had to get out onto the street.
With one final push, I surged through.
There was no grand gate at the 102nd entrance. No open lawn. Just the park edge buffered by green and a residential street stretching out before me.
I flew forward.
Past a dog walker with two Golden Retrievers who wiggled as I whizzed by.
Then I saw him.
A dozen yards forward at most.
The same dark hair, wide shoulders, great suit, handsome face, stormy blue eyes.
He was turned to look down the street, so he didn’t know I was there until I was right on top of him.
“Blair?” he asked, registering me as I flew behind him, grubby hands grabbing his suit jacket as I hid behind him.
“Someone was following me,” I panted.
“Where?” he asked, stiffening.
“Park,” I gasped, pressing my forehead into his back as I tried to calm my breathing and pulse.
“Do you see him now?” he asked, voice tight.
I didn’t want to look. But I leaned out from behind him, my gaze scanning the streets, looking for the blue shorts, the white tee, the baseball cap.
“No.”
“Okay. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”
Nico turned, forcing my hands to fall from his jacket.
His blue eyes took me in—wet hair falling out of my ponytail, my face no doubt red and streaked in sweat and dirt.
“You’re bleeding,” he said, hand lifting toward my face, then falling again.
“I fell.”
“Alright. I live right around here. Want to come to my place so I can get you cleaned up?”
