‘What?’
‘You’ll come to me when it gets too much to carry around in that stubborn head of yours. You were my ear when I needed one. Let me return the favour.’
‘Did you miss the part where you called me stubborn?’
He shrugs, a small smile tugging at his mouth. ‘Even a mule needs a friend sometimes.’
Taylor
I know he’s following me. I know this street. This junction. The dark, damp alley to my right – the one I never want to look down but always do.
This is where he gets me every time.
Danny.
My heart jams in my throat as I step out – and then he’s there.
Bloodshot eyes. Scraggy beard. The stench of booze and sweat invading my nose as he yanks me into the shadows before I can scream.
My back hits brick. His forearm slams across my throat.
‘Where is she?’ he spits, hot and sour against my face.
‘You think I’m telling you?’ I choke out.
‘Where thefuckis she?’
His weight crushes my windpipe. Spots explode behind my eyes. I claw at his arm, but it’s useless. He’s too big, too angry, won’t budge.
I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for the blow, but instead, the pressure vanishes. Cool air hits my skin. My eyes slam open.
Danny’s flying backwards?—
Axel.
He’s there. In the alley. In the shadows. He grabs Danny by the collar and slams him again, knocking him out cold. Then his arms are around me, pulling me in tight, steadying me, holding me upright.
My heart’s a mess, my breath too, but I feel safe. Completely, ridiculously safe.
I blink up at him, body sagging?—
And then I see it. The torment in his eyes.
The alley dissolves.
We’re in my flat. My living room.
He’s walking away.
‘Ax!’ I reach out, but my hand closes around thin air. ‘No!’
I jolt awake, scream caught in my throat. Chest heaving. Sweat plastering my cami to my skin. The room is dark and quiet. No alley. No arm to my throat. No saviour in the shadows.
I press a hand over my pounding heart and take a deep breath. Blow it out slow.
I haven’t had that nightmare in months, not since Danny was sent down. Not since Iknewwe were safe. And it never ended like that.
It was always the same couple who stumbled upon us that night. Their drunken laughter scaring him off. But by that point, Danny had left his mark. Cuts, bruises, a terror like nothing else I’ve ever known trembling through me.
