Melody shook her head but whispered it again with what seemed to be her last speck of strength.“Run.”
“I can’t leave you here,” Beth whisper-yelled. “You’re hurt. I—”
Pain exploded across her scalp.
A rough hand tangled in her hair, wrenching her head back. Beth cried out, instinctively clawing at him as she was yanked away from Melody and hauled to her feet.
“Get the fuck off me.” Tears burned her eyes as her scalp screamed.
A male laugh rang out above her.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. She knew that voice. Panic flooded her system, fast and blinding in its strength. Her legs trembled, and her chest heaved as she struggled to think. The world narrowed, sounds muffled by the rush of blood in her ears.
Stay calm. Breathe. Don’t panic.
The hand left her hair, but relief only lasted two seconds. Demo twisted her arm behind her back and jerked it upward. White-hot pain shot through her shoulder, forcing her onto her toes.
“You’re not exactly in the position to make demands, princess.”
If she never heard that fucking nickname again, it’d be too damn soon.
“What the fuck do you want?” She gasped as he jerked her, sending another burst of pain screeching across her shoulder.
“Just a little chat.”
“Yeah? Sounds good. How about we head to our clubhouse? We can chat there all you want.”
He laughed. “Shit, princess, you’re funny. I think I like you. That’s too bad.”
A large white van backed into the alleyway.
Fear slammed into her, cold and absolute.
Don’t get in the car.
Don’t ever let them get you in the car.
That was ‘How Not to Die 101.’
“But I think we’ll have a better time at my place.”
“Fuck no.” She fought him with everything she had, kicking, thrashing, and screaming, pain be dammed. Her heel connected with something solid, and he cursed, loosening his grip just enough.
She broke free and managed two frantic steps before he tackled her from behind, sending her crashing to the ground.
Gravel tore into her palms and knees. She barely felt it over the adrenaline surging through her veins.
“That was fucking stupid,” he snarled. His hot breath wafted across her face, stale and acrid. “I don’t think I like you anymore.”
The second his heavy weight moved off her, Beth pushed herself up, breath ragged and vision swimming. She would not stop. She would not—
His palm cracked across her face.
Stars burst behind her eyes. Her ears rang as her head snapped to the side.
A thick arm locked around her throat.
“No!” She croaked as her air supply disappeared in a brutal burst of pain. She attacked him, scratching mindlessly and kicking with weak jerks, but her strength drained fast.
