The problem?
While he found the nerve to stand up to his buddies, he sounded much further away. Like he hung back while his buddies charged forward to follow me.
“Shut up, Cyrus. We’re just having somefun.”
That sounded close. Really, really close.
My chest tightened as I resisted the urge to break into a run.
Because I knew my aunts were right.
These were predators.
And if the prey ran, their instincts kicked in.
I sucked in a strangled breath and glanced sideways as I passed a darkened storefront that reflected not only me back, but the three men pursuing me.
They were closer than I would like but not as close as I feared.
It was okay.
The bend was just up ahead.
I would be on a slightly less isolated area.
I wasn’t under the delusion that anyone would come to my rescue. But it gave me places to go. Buildings to dip into. People to put between us.
I didn’t need a rescue; I just needed—
“God, just fucking grab her!”
Suddenly, all my training flew out of my mind as my reptilian brain took over.
I tripped into a run. Full tilt.
Inwardly, I thanked my aunts and my cousins and everyone else in my inner circle who insisted on how important training was. Cardio training, strength training, taking care of your body so it could work with you and for you as you needed it to.
So my lungs didn’t scream.
My thighs didn’t object.
Not even as I flew down the main drag, ignoring the curious glances of people I passed. Not even as I rushed down a side street to shorten my path toward my car.
“You go that way,” I heard one of the men shout.
Shit.
They were breaking apart to try to get me from multiple angles.
I yanked my bag off my shoulder, digging blindly around for my phone.
Until the memory flashed across my mind.
My phone falling out of my hand as I put the liquor in the trunk of my car.
Then slamming the lid without grabbing it.
Damnit.
