Spinning at the voice, she found herself flanked by two men. Shit. She couldn’t see much of them in the dark, but they were tall and closing in on her. Reaching into her pocket for her pepper spray, she sidestepped one only to bump into three more. Where hadthey come from?
“What’s the matter, rich girl, don’t like playing withthe poor boys?”
She’d worn her most faded pair of jeans and a plain button-down blouse. How could they tell she was rich? Or did it even matter? Her eyes darted from one to the other, then away to see if anyone else was around.
“I’m not looking for any trouble.” Her voice squeaked trying to get throughher dry mouth.
“No trouble here, sweet cheeks. We’re the fun squad. You’ll enjoybeing with us.”
Doubtful. They didn’t have on the black and red the Dragons usually wore. A variety of hoodies and ball caps let her know they weren’t part of a gang. Didn’t mean they weren’t dangerous. She sucked air into her lungs, hoping to help her breathe. Best get the hell away from them. But go where? Inside the mill building? The last thing she wanted was to be trapped in there with these thugs, and they could most likely get in even if she managed tolock the door.
Her stomach dropped as they surrounded her. Shit. Holding out the pepper spray with shaking hands, she gave them one last chance. “I’d like to bealone, thanks.”
The spray was ripped out of her fingers. What the hell had she thought they’d do? Whimper at the sight of it then slink off somewhere? Her heart pounded heavily and she jolted as an arm wrapped around her waist. Jerking back against the man behind her, she kicked out at the one in front. Catching him in the stomach, she twisted but another grabbed her leg, causing her to lose her footing. In seconds she was held aloft by three of them and yet another moved closer asshe struggled.
“I told you it’d be fun, but you don’t believe me.” This guy seemed likethe ringleader.
Fun, right. One brute holding her from behind and a few clutching her legs. Shit, and double damn. She kicked her feet, squirming. Nothing. Oh, God. Why’d she come by herself? Dumb move. Scott had friends who would have come. Stupid girl. Stupid, stupid, stupid. If her heart beat any faster itmight explode.
“But I’m okay doing it the hard way. I kind of like someone who fights back.” He flicked his hands away from each other and the thugs pulled her legs apart. Shit, was he going to rape her right here on the street? Sweat trickled down herneck and back.
A scream escaped from her mouth but the guy walking between her legs slapped his hand over her lips stifling the sound. She clamped down on it with her teeth and he pulled it away only to backhand her. Her vision tilted and twirled.
“Tape.”
Shit, damn, fuck. Duct tape covered her mouth as she began twisting and struggling harder. It didn’t matter. It was like she was caught in a steel trap.
The leader ran one hand down her blouse and used the other to pop the snap on her jeans. “Now let’s see these pretty little tits.” The buttons of her shirt scattered as he rippedthe front open.
“Look boys, I found Victoria’s secret. I bet she has other secrets we can find.”
Oh, God, oh, God, oh God! This was really happening. Tears streamed down her face as she kicked and squirmed. Her skin crawled as four of them groped her, keeping her from gaining any leverage. The blood rushed from her face and the street swirled around her.
The big fucker’s hands grabbed her waistband, tugging, while the man behind her pulled. Her jeans started to lower and there was nothing she could do to stop these bastards. Tightening her muscles, she squeezed her eyes shut, prayingfor a miracle.
“I’m not sure the lady is willing.” The soft voice with a different accent had her eyes popping open.
“Fuck, Dragons. Get outof here, man.”
Her body tumbled as the thugs rushed off, but something caught her head before it hit the ground. The tape was gently tugged from her mouth, the taste of glue sour against her lips.
“Are you all right, Ms. Silva?” Footsteps and rustling barely registered as background noise.
Looking up, she saw black clothes, a red bandanna. One of Jian’s friends. Thank God. Truly, she’d be back in church tomorrow saying a shitload of novenas with thissacred rescue.
A giggle escaped. What the hell? The world spun and she crumpled into a ball, sobs racking her body. The tremors wouldn’t stop. It was her own damn fault for beingsuch an idiot.
Arms held her gently, rubbing her back as a soft voice said, “I am Kang. I met you when you werewith Holland.”
It took a few moments to rouse from her fetal state. The face nearby looked familiar. He’d been with Jian before. “I remember. Thank you.” Another sob escaped and she wiped her hand across her face. The damn thing wouldn’t stop shaking. “For helping me.”
“You want us to kill these men?” Kang asked, pointing down the street to where several Dragons had the four brutes on their knees, hands on their heads. How had she missed that scuffle? Shit, she’d been out of it. Knives dug into their throats. They were cryingnow too. Good.
Kill them, yes. She wanted that with every fiber of her being, but that would make her no better than them. “We should let the police take care of them.” Damn her trembling voice.
Kang shook his head. “Police will wonder why a lady like you was here alone. Good lawyer will say you wanted them to take you. Better us to takecare of them.”
“Sure, but can you do it without killing them? Teach them a lesson so they won’t do it again.” These creeps couldn’t be allowed to get away with it.
