"Easier said than done."
"If it makes you feel better, James and I will come up with an identity that will be easy for me to assume and pull off in public.I am Surreal, after all!Hiding who I am is what I do."I lean forward to give him another butterfly kiss."Does that make you feel better?"
"Not really, but I can see this is non-negotiable."
He pecks my lips, cops a feel of a tit then tells me again."I love you.Be careful."He stands up and closes the door with both hands.
I give him a twinkling fingers wave and mouth through the window."See ya laters."
"Ciao, Baby Thang."He double taps the window, and backs away, then winks that killer wink at me, knowing it makes me wet and needy and knowing that picture is what I will remember all day while he is away.
I put the car in reverse and back away.As I exit the gate, I double tap the horn.
Driving to my condo, I feel elated and free.Like a little bird that finally gets its wings and soars, I start patting the steering wheel and sing "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf.
When I pull into my apartment complex, I stop at the parking attendant's house to check in, but no one is staffing it, so I use my quick scan code, and the gate rises.I circle the levels until I reach the 14th floor, where my condo is.Since there are only two condos on this floor, there are only six parking spots, but wouldn't you know it?I've been gone only a few months, and the neighbors have taken over parking in all three of mine.
I take out my phone and text Aurei.
Your Every Thang is reporting in.I'm at Lioness Towers, safe, trying to find a parking spot.
I set my phone on the seat.I don't have access to get to the penthouse parking where Cat lives, so I'll have to backtrack and find a place to park on another level.
Aurei responds immediately.He was waiting on my text!I roll my eyes.
Ok.Check in again when you leave.
I drive back down, circling each floor until finally, I find one on the third level.Not the best place to park, but it'll have to do.
The first and second floors are nicknamed "The Honeymoon Suites."Not because they are honeymooners, but because they are quick rents, like hotel rooms.The third and fourth floors are "The Bachelor Pads" because they are booked more like timeshares.Cat wasn't happy about having to make these changes, but the collapsing economy forced her to.The rest of the building is still apartments for long-term residents.
Excited to be home and missing Cat something terrible, I hurry out of the car, round the trunk, and start walking at my usual fast pace in a rush to the elevator.I'm about halfway when I hear the rumble of deep, low voices behind me, and I realize I didn't survey my surroundings before I exposed myself, plus I forgot my fucking jacket.Shit!I do a u-turn and march right back to retrieve it.Searching for the men who go with the rumble, I see a group of badasses leaning on their bikes parked in the rear.
Bikers are a special breed of man.Not always dangerous, but not always predictable either.They appear not to know I'm there, so I very quietly open my car door, reach in, grab my jacket, and shut it as softly as I can, then I turn to head back to the elevator.Walking at a brisk pace, I hear catcalls.The hair on the back of my neck stands up.Fuck!I should have just gotten back into the car and drove off.Now I'm royally screwed.Maintaining my composure, I continue walking as if I'm deaf.I know I have to make a decision soon.Do I stand my ground, confront him or them and, if need be, fight, or do I flee and hopefully escape, but be prepared that I could get caught and attacked.The latter is tempting.I do run good for a girl.With any luck, I could outpace them and get to the elevator first.But what if it's closed?Then what?You're trapped, and they think you are afraid.You've shown weakness.
I hear Brutus' voice as he coaches me through my protection drills."Eye contact is a great deterrent to criminals.Why?Because criminals are hunters and they want easy prey.They don't want someone who is brave and will look them in the eye, and they sure as hell don't want someone who can identify them.They want someone who avoids eye contact.Don't be a target.Look them directly in their beady little eyes and size them up.Who's the bigger badass, you or them?If you think they are only after your purse or money, give it to them without a fight, but under no circumstances do you allow yourself to be touched.Don't let them lay one finger on you, do you hear me?Bad things happen to women who are touched.Is that clear?Rule #1 is no touching!"
Another catcall, and before I decide which is the safest course, the motorcycles crank, and their rumble sounds like a storm brewing.Knowing they are heading my way, I step to the side.Two-pass, staring at me.They are dressed in everything black that means trouble.When I see the 1% on their colors, my heart begins to race, and I feel the spike of adrenaline-fueled by fear.My hand slides inside my jacket to my gun.The rumble from the bikes grows louder as more crank, then drive past.I know my blood is pounding because my hand is trembling.I squeeze the barrel to steady it.Each biker stares me down as they pass.Being braver and bolder than I feel, I lift my head and stare back.When the last one turns the corner to exit, I turn and look behind me.Whew!That could have been disastrous!
Taking my hand off my gun and throwing my jacket over my arm, I breathe deeply to calm my nerves as I start toward the elevator.The rumble of their pipes drowns out all other noise until they actually exit the building.Then a heavy silence falls.Instantly I realize someone is walking behind me.Heavy boots produce a muffled sound with each step.The hair on the back of my neck rises again, and I quicken my steps.I'm almost to the elevator when I hear another catcall.Fuck!He is right behind me.
I reach inside my jacket for my gun, but a heavy hand grabs my arm with steely force before I feel the cool metal of my security.I glance down to look at the hand before I try to snatch my arm away.It has a skull and crossbones ring with rubies for the eyes.Perfect!A bonafide Badass!I lift my foot a few inches, then stomp my heel on the asshole's boot.At the same time, I jerk my arm away.My heel slides off the heavy leather without harm, and the grip only tightens.I look up to see who is laughing at me, but he is wearing a black hoodie, and his face is hidden.
"You Son Of A Bitch!"I spit."Get your fucking hand off me!"My hair fans out as I try to shake him off.
A deep, low, menacing chuckle is the only response I get.Then I see the knife.
23
* * *
Aurei
* * *
Watching her drive away makes my gut tighten.I pull my phone out to check the time, then spin around and head back inside to the garage.I tell Alfred, "Track Siri's phone and send updates to my phone."
"Yes, sir.How often?"
