All three lit up and died at once.
Candace moved first. She ripped her purse off and threw it at his feet.
“Your turn, sweetheart.” He angled the gun at me.
The strap slid against my palm. I loosened my grip and let it fall.
He grinned, all teeth. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
Then he was gone, footsteps fading, leaving the alley choked with stillness and the echo of our breathing.
“What… what just happened?” Candace stammered.
“I… think we just got mugged.”
She patted herself down, hands shaking. “Fuck—I forgot my phone was in my bag.”
“I still have mine.” My fingers fumbled for the pocket sewn inside my skirt. The fabric rasped under my nails as I pulled the phone free.
Damien’s name sat at the top of my screen.
Me: I think we just got mugged.
The screen flashed.Damien calling.
I answered with trembling hands. “Hello?”
“Are you okay?” His tone was tight, edged in panic.
“I think so.”
“Where are you?”
“Corner of East 77thand Lexington.”
“I’m only a couple blocks away.” Metal clinked on his end. Then the roar of an engine. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay,” I agreed, too shaken to argue.
The line went dead. The silence filled the space he left behind.
“Who was that?” Candace asked, expression wide, distant.
“Damien.” The name felt strange. “He’s in the area. He’s coming to check on us.”
“Oh.” Her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’.
A minute later, a sleek black car slid up to the curb. The driver’s door flew open, and Damien was out before the engine fully settled. He crossed the sidewalk in long controlled strides,scanning me head to toe like he expected to find a wound. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes,” I managed, though my voice shook.
Beside me, Candace tilted her head back to take him in—really look—and her mouth dropped open.
Damien turned toward her, concern still carved deep. “Are you okay?”
She nodded once, careful. “Yeah. I think so.”
“Good.” He exhaled, steadying himself. “I’m Damien—sorry we had to meet like this.”
