Why would she go somewhere dangerous by herself?
Maybe she didn’t know.
I hope she didn’t know.
Given everything going on with her, maybe it was inevitable she’d end up somewhere dangerous in a desperate bid to get her life back on track. Why didn’t I see that?
Why wasn’t I keeping a closer eye on her?
My car screeches and complains when I slam on the brakes seven minutes later and skid to a messy stop in front of the rundown apartment building.
I check the address again with a glance, then throw myself out of the car and sprint up an icy path toward a peeling red front door.
I don’t knock.
I leap up the two steps and throw my entire body at the door.
The hinges snap immediately, and both I and the door tumble into a dark hallway thick with smog from far too many cigarettes smoked daily.
As I thump to the floor with the door, a scream rises from nearby and my heart thumps up into my throat, forming a lump that hinders my gasp for air as I scramble to my feet.
“SNOW!”
My hands curl into fists, my body turns rigid, and anger licks at my muscles as I storm into the room where I heard the scream.
I can’t breathe and for a few hot seconds, the worst possible scenario enters my mind as I take in what’s happened inside.
My worst fear… has not come true.
Snow stands in the middle of the room, panting and clasping a table lamp against her chest.
Blood trickles down from her lower lip as she gasps and tears trail down her cheeks.
At her feet is a man, crumpled and groaning while clutching his head. “You bitch!” he yells. “You fucking psychopath!”
“Xander!” Snow gasps and a fresh wave of tears flood her eyes. “Oh, my God.”
“Are you alright?” I’m by her side in half a second, lightly clutching her elbow and scanning her face. “Did he hurt you? Are you alright?”
She gazes up at me, slightly dazed, and her lips part but no sound escapes.
“Her?” Croaks the man on the ground. “What about me? She fucking hit me with the lamp!”
“That’s the least you deserve, you scumbag,” I snarl, guiding Snow back a step and placing myself between her and his crumpled form. “You’re lucky I don’t do much worse.”
“The fuck, man!” The stranger whines and rolls over. “Ouch! Fucking bitch, get the hell out!”
“Snow?” Turning, I cup her face.
Her eyelashes flicker slightly as she registers my contact, then the lamp slips from her hands and hits the floor.
“I hit him,” she gasps hoarsely.
“I know. It’s okay.”
“I hit him.”
“Get out!” he screams. “Get the fuck out!”
