15
Ava
I run out of the door, watch as he disappears up the corridor, toward what I assume is the back door of the restaurant. I step toward him, when someone grips my arm.
"Are you okay?"
I jerk my head around to find Calvin—I mean, Kevin—holding my elbow. I glance down at where his fingers press into my skin, then up at him. Instantly, he releases me and steps back. "I came to give you this." He holds out my handbag and jacket.
"Oh," I take the jacket, shrug into it, then grab my bag, "thank you, I was coming back—"
"No, you weren’t."
No, I wasn't.And maybe I should be embarrassed about it, but to hell with that. I am not going to regret my actions. I tip up my chin, meet his gaze.
"It’s okay," he holds up his hands, "I know you’re with someone else."
"No, I’m not."
"Hmm." He raises his shoulders. "If you say so."
"Look," I blow out a breath, "it’s just that you aren’t—"
"Him." Kevin jerks his chin toward the backdoor.
"Y…yeah," I mumble. "You’re a good man, Kevin. It’s just…" I shake my head. "Sorry, I should have never agreed to this date."
"Hey," he half smiles. "at least, now I know what it means to be in love."
"I’m not in love—"
He shakes his head, then stabs his thumb at the door. "You’d better catch him before he leaves."
"Yeah." I walk forward, then turn back toward him for a moment. "I truly am sorry." I break into a run, reach the door, shove it open and step out into the chilly, late evening air. Of course, the door leads into an alley. I sprint past the dumpster, past a stool with a cup overflowing with cigarettes. I reach the street, glance in either direction, don’t find any trace of him. Shit, did I lose him? Why did he have to give me such an incredible orgasm then spoil it all with that…that comment about making me come in sixty seconds? My core clenches. Shit, why is it that just thinking about his hands on me, his tongue inside me, his mouth eating me out, turns me on so…so much?
I turn and walk up the street, toward the tube station. A gust of wind blows and I huddle into my coat. I reach the entrance to the subway that leads to the tube station, then hesitate. I glance around me, but there’s no one. I pull out my phone and glance at the time. It’s only 10pm, not that late. It should be okay, right? I take a step forward, hesitate, then snort. Watching too many movies, that’s my problem. It’s only a short distance to the tube. I’m sure it’s going to be fine. I head down the steps, walk into the subway tunnel.
Footsteps sound behind me. I turn, find no one there. Strange. The hair on the nape of my neck rises. Shit, shit, shit, why had I not obeyed my instincts? Movies are based on real life, after all, and often, fact is stranger than fiction. I break into a run, heading for the steps that lead onto the platform of the tube station. If I can make it there, I’ll be fine. There are bound to be tube staff around, not to mention, other passengers.
I just need to get down the next set of stairs and— A man bounds up the steps, wearing a black suit with black loafers. What the hell, is he a commuter?
Then, he plants himself in my path and I know he’s not. I stop so suddenly that I stumble. Footsteps approach me from behind. I swing around to find there are two men closing in on me from the other side. Both are dressed in suits in varying shades of black. Shit, what is this? Who are these guys? I turn, back up, take a step back, another. The first man I’d seen moves toward me and I stumble back. My hip grazes the wall and a scream tumbles from my lips. "Who…who are you?" I reach for my bag, hold it out in front of me like a weapon. As if that’s going to help.
The man chuckles and the sound echoes around the space. The hair on my forearms rises. My stomach twists in knots. Shit, now I know why villains on screen have an evil laugh. Because they do so in real life, as well.
Shit, this is not good, not good. Someone will be along to help me soon, right?
He takes another step forward and I flatten myself against the wall. "G…get away from me." Shit, why is my voice trembling? If I come across as scared, that will only goad him. I stiffen my shoulders, tip up my chin. "Don’t come closer."
I glance around the space, searching for CCTV cameras. There's one in the corner, but it hangs crookedly from the ceiling. Clearly, it's been disconnected. No, no, no, this can't be happening.
The man walks toward me and I cry out, "Come near me and I'll scream."
His grin widens. He reaches me, grabs my shoulder, and I howl. I raise my hand bag and back-hand him across his face. His neck snaps back. He stumbles back, then straightens. Blood drips from his nose. His features twist and he leaps forward, grabs me by my arm, then swings me around with such force that my cheek connects with the hard wall. Lights flash behind my eyes and pain lashes down my spine. My guts twist; the acrid taste of bile fills my mouth.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.Why had I stepped into the subway? Why are these guys attacking me? Where the hell is the jerkass alphahole when I need him? If you’re out there, Baron, now would be a good time to show yourself.
My attacker moves closer, presses his body into mine. The scent of something metallic, coated with the greasy smell of burned meat, assails my nose. I gag, try to shake myself free, and something cold pushes into my neck.
"Stop struggling or I’ll slit your throat."
