“Listen, whore.” He grasps the back of my neck and tugs me back against his body. His breath blows across my cheek, disgust washing over my every muscle at the new proximity. “You will do as you’re told if you want to live.”
“You wouldn’t have gone to all this effort if you were willing to let me die,” I point out.
A growl presses against my ear. “If you want to survive where you’re going, you will have to learn to shut your mouth and take whatever is given to you.”
“Where are you taking me? Who are you?”
“If you don’t shut up, I’m going to gag you,” he rumbles.
Before I can get another question out, he shoves me forward, and I barely catch myself before I fall for a second time.
If I’m able to escape, it would be good to at least have some information about him, but at this point I think I’m going to be walking, or more accurately running, away without anything useful.
The end of the alley is in sight, and from the people walking across the mouth, the street seems busy.
This is my chance.
Before he can change our direction again.
Before he can shove me into whatever getaway car we have to be getting closer to.
It’s now or never.
I press my eyes closed and steady myself.
I can do this.
I can escape.
Iwillescape.
The taser slips from beneath my sleeve, and I slowly twist my wrist until the head is an inch from his thigh.
As soon as I turn it on, he’s going to know what I’m doing, which means I have one shot at this, and it has to be perfect.
One more deep breath, and then everything is moving so quickly I barely have a chance to take a breath.
The taser bursts to life a split second before I jam it into his thigh, reveling in the grunt of pain he lets out.
The gun falls to the ground as electricity rockets through his body, and the second I hear the clatter, I’m running.
My feet hit the wet asphalt in heavy slaps, pain rocketing through my legs with every step.
The mouth of the alley is so close, but it’s like I’m stuck in one of those dreams where I’m running but barely covering any distance.
Tears roll down my cheeks, my body and mind threatening to give up on me, but it’s too soon.
Just a little bit longer.
I’m mere feet away from what I’m deeming safety when I slam into a hard chest. A scream tears from my throat before I can swallow it.
Maybe someone will help me this time.
Maybe they won’t leave me in the hands of someone that intends me harm.
“Lexi.” Colten’s voice seeps through the panic. “It’s me, Wildcat. You’re safe. It’s me.”
His arms wrap around me, holding me against him so tight it borders on pain. But it’s the only thing keeping me together right now, so I welcome the bite of discomfort.
