Where is it? Where is it? Frantically, I search for the canister and– There! My fingers close around the small tube, and I yank it out. With the last of my strength, I flip the safety off and jam my thumb down on the nozzle, aiming for his face.
The hissing sound of the spray is followed immediately by his howl of pain. The pressure on my throat releases as he staggers backward, hands flying to his eyes.
“Blyat! My eyes!” he screams, stumbling blindly.
I gasp, sucking in precious air, but there’s no time for relief. He’s swinging wildly, his fists cutting through the air in rage-fueled arcs.
I try to back away, but I’m not fast enough. His fist connects with my eye in a blinding explosion of pain. The force knocks me offmy feet and I go sailing backward, hitting the concrete with a thud.
Oof!
The world spins and stars burst behind my eyelids .
“June! Get up!” Stella’s voice cuts through the haze. Her fingers dig into my arm as she pulls at me. “We have to go! Now!”
I blink, trying to focus. The masked man is still there, on his knees now, rubbing furiously at his eyes and cursing in Russian.
Stella’s tugging becomes more urgent. “June! Please!”
I stagger to my feet, my head swimming with the sudden movement. Stella grabs my hand, pulling me toward her car.
We scramble inside, and slam the locks down. Stella’s hands shake violently as she fumbles with the key, missing the ignition twice before finally getting it in.
“Start, start, start,” she chants, turning the key. By the grace of the Gods, the engine comes to life.
Movement catches my eyes out the windshield. “Oh shit.” The driver is out of the van and rounding the hood. With narrowed eyes, he rushes towards the man on the ground.
“Go, go, go!” I shout, banging my hands on the dash.
“I’m going!” Stella yells as she yanks the shifter into reverse and stomps on the gas. The tires squeal and we’re yanked forward, then suddenly thrown back when she slams it in drive. We shoot forward, narrowly missing the van as we careen out of the parking lot.
My heart feels like it’s going to pound its way out of my chest. I can’t stop shaking. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”
“Are you okay?” Stella asks shakily as she yanks the steering wheel, taking a corner too fast. “June, are you hurt? Talk to me!”
I swallow, wincing at the pain in my throat. “I think I’m okay,” I croak, reaching up to touch my eye. It’s swelling and tender beneath my fingertips. “Did that just happen?”
“Yes.” Stella shakes her head frantically, checking the rearview mirror.
My mind races, trying to make sense of what just occurred. Was this some random attack? Were they trying to rob us? No. That’s not it. He didn’t demand we give him anything, he just went straight for Stella.
“He was trying to take you,” I say. “He wasn’t after our stuff. He was trying to kidnap you.”
“I know,” Stella agrees, her breathing coming in short, sharp bursts. “I need to call my brother,” she decides, fumbling for her phone. “Journey will know what to do.”
Chapter One
June
Present Day
“Hey, Peeps! Welcome, welcome, welcome! If you’re new here, I’m June, and today we’re doing a full Valentine’s Day glam look usingonlydrugstore products that you can grab at any big box store for under twenty dollars.” I flash my biggest smile at the camera and hold up the pink sparkly basket I spent an hour arranging this morning. “That’s right, babes. We’re proving that you don’t have to break the bank to look Date Night ready.”
The comments are already flying in.
LipstickQween: YASSS QUEEN
MakeupMaven007: My bank account thanks you
