She turned, already reaching into her bag for her keys.Fingers closed around her sleeve, stopping her short.
“Hey,” she snapped, twisting to face him.“Don’t touch me.”
“Relax,” he said, grip tightening just enough to make his point.“No one’s trying to hurt you.”
Her instincts screamed.Ivy jerked her arm free and shoved him hard in the chest.
“Get away from me!”Ivy yelled.
The man swore under his breath, surprise flashing across his face before irritation replaced it.“You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”
She didn’t wait for him to finish.Ivy turned and ran.She made it three steps before his hand fisted in the strap of her bag, yanking her backward.She stumbled, barely keeping her footing, adrenaline flooding her veins.
“Let go!”she yelled, swinging her elbow back, connecting solidly with his ribs.
He grunted, grip loosening for half a second.Ivy took it, twisting free and sprinting toward the apartment entrance, keys clenched between her fingers.
She didn’t make it.He caught her from behind, arms wrapping around her torso, hauling her back against his chest.Ivy screamed this time, the sound tearing out of her, sharp and desperate.She kicked, thrashed, nails scraping at his arms as she fought with everything she had.
“Shut up,” he hissed near her ear.“You’re going to draw attention.”
“Good!”she shouted back, twisting her head and biting down on his shoulder.
He cursed loudly, staggering a step.For a heartbeat, she thought she might break free.
Then his arm tightened around her middle, crushing the breath from her lungs.The world narrowed to the burn in her chest, the roar of blood in her ears.
“I said stop,” he growled.
She didn’t.Ivy kicked again, heel connecting with his shin.He swore, losing his balance just enough for her to wrench sideways.Ivy clawed at his vest, fingers brushing the patch, the name that wasn’t his.
A hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her next scream.He dragged her toward the bike, boots scraping against the pavement.Ivy dug her heels in, fighting every inch, her body trembling with effort and terror.
People would hear.Someone had to hear.The street remained cruelly quiet.
“Please,” she gasped against his palm, panic bleeding into her voice despite her resolve.“Please, let me go.”
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes.Then it was gone.
“Can’t,” he said shortly.“Orders from Hyena.”
He shoved her toward the bike, forcing her down onto the seat.Ivy bucked and twisted, managing to land a sharp blow to his jaw.His head snapped to the side, a thin line of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.
His response was swift.
He grabbed her wrists, pinning them painfully against her sides.
“Enough,” he said.
She glared up at him, chest heaving, tears stinging her eyes but fury burning brighter.“You won’t get away with this.”
He smiled again.
“We’ll see,” he said.
With one hand, he secured her to him, arm locked tight around her waist.With the other, he swung his leg over the bike and fired the engine.The roar drowned out her next shout, vibration rattling through her bones.
As the Harley lurched forward, Ivy twisted in his grip, fighting to keep her balance, heart slamming violently against her ribs.The buildings blurred past, the familiar streets of her neighborhood slipping away far too fast.
