I turned to the door, but a firm hand stopped me and swung me back around. “Not so fast, pretty.”
My heart raced in my chest. Where it had just been Barry a second ago, now were three men I didn’t want to see—ever. When I did come across them, I’d find a way to hide. Paco Hernandez, Chewie Garcia, and Cielo Martinez were the leaders of the Latin Kings. Their gang ran my neighborhood.
Frozen with fear. My mind screamed for an escape, but my body wouldn't cooperate. Cielo stepped closer and invaded my personal space.
“I had Barry call in. I wanted to meet you, pretty,” Cielo said.
He was at least four inches taller than my five-nine and had a muscular body. He had dark black eyes and long black hair. He wore a leather jacket, and tattoos littered his neck. I’m sure if he were shirtless, I’d see more. I didn’t want to see more. I wanted to run away. I tried stepping back, but he moved with me.
“I hear you’re a good cock sucker. I have a big dick that I know you’d like,” he said. “Actually, I have four big dicks that you’ll like.” Cielo laughed and waved his hands to the men behind him.
As much as I dreamed of being with a man and having sex, I didn’t want it like this. My sexual experience consisted of sucking one guy off in the ninth grade. It was a horrible experience. Afterward, I got the shit beat out of me and called a fag. This was a replay of the scene, but oh, so much worse.
I shook my head and stepped back. “I’m not interested.”
They chuckled. “We don’t care if you’re interested.”
Cielo lunged forward and clasped my wrist before yanking me forward and throwing me to the ground. I wailed in pain. More hands grabbed me and tore my shirt from my body. They were going to rape me, I knew it, but I couldn’t stop them. I kicked and yelled, hoping someone would stop them. I heard a zipper over my screams, and I fought harder. A hand covered my mouth while others restrained my limbs. I squeezed my eyes tight. I was at their mercy.
A primal roar rent the air, and the arms holding me disappeared. I lifted my head and opened my tear-filled eyes just as Barry and Chewie sailed in the air.
“This doesn’t concern you, man. Walk the fuck away before you get hurt,” Cielo said, pulling out a knife from behind him.
I stared at the stranger. Every line and curve of his face seemed sculpted by artists of the ages, making every other man I’d ever known pale in comparison. He had light green eyes, pale skin, and short brown hair.
“I won’t be the one hurt. Let him go,” my rescuer said through clenched teeth.
“I’ll stab your ass and put you in a grave. Get the fuck out—”
The man rushed forward and tackled Cielo to the ground in a flash. Cielo grunted, and Paco jumped on the man’s back. The man hissed and brushed Paco off before he grabbed his shirt and threw him against the restaurant wall. Dust clouded the air as cracks spider-webbed from where Paco hit, and small chunks of cement tumbled to the ground. Paco landed on the pavement, unmoving. Cielo swung, but the man managed to dodge his punch before giving Cielo a jab of his own.
I watched in amazement as the man hefted Cielo up by his long black hair. Cielo screamed in pain.
“Look out!” I yelled as Chewie rushed toward my avenging angel.
My savior held out his other hand and grabbed Chewie’s neck before lifting him in the air beside Cielo. His arms didn’t even strain as he hoisted the two men effortlessly like a child might lift stuffed toys. Cielo and Chewie dangled in the air, kicking their legs franticly.
“You will take your men and never come here again. If I ever see you bother this man again, you’ll regret it,” my guardian angel said.
The man’s eyes flashed red, and I blinked hard.What the?The man dropped Cielo and Chewie with a thud. They scrambled to their feet before picking up Paco and Barry, who were still dazed. I glanced at Cielo’s face, and genuine fear radiated from him.
“Are you alright?” A soft, accented voice asked. I looked up, and my hero stood over me. His stern features were now gentle and kind. No longer were they filled with anger and rage.
I gave him a tiny nod, and he held his hand out to me. I reached and clasped his hand before he pulled me gently to my feet. My shirt was in tatters, and my plump flesh was exposed. I hurried to wrap my hands around my body. Heat rose to my cheeks, hoping the torn fabric wouldn’t draw his gaze.
He gave me a small smile, revealing a dimpled cheek. The world seemed to tilt for a second, my heart fluttering harder, as if he needed another reason to steal my breath away. “Are you sure you’re okay? What’s your name? I’m Colin,” he said.
His accent was more pronounced, and I could’ve sworn it was French. I nodded again.
“I’m okay. Thank you for saving me. My name’s Reggie,” I said.
“You’re very welcome, Reggie,” he said as he gently stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.
“What the fuck is going on out here? The kitchen is a disaster, and you’re out here fucking around. What the fuck, fat ass? You want to lose your job?” George yelled.
Colin swung around and crowded George’s personal space. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? How dare you call him names and insult Reggie. Four men in your alley assaulted him. Look at his shirt. It’s shredded, and you dare yell and criticize him. Apologize to him now.”
Colin’s voice grew louder, and with each word, he jammed his finger into George’s chest. George looked petrified and was clearly affected by Colin’s presence. I was stunned, and I fell even more in love with Colin. No one had ever stood up for me—no one.
