No. He might talk a good game, but I know he wouldn’t. Not before all this crap with his father, and definitely not now. But if Caruso believes his sister could be used as leverage, that’s better for us.
As the light changes, I join the crowd of people crossing the street. I clutch my purse to my chest, tourist-style, which I feel a little silly about, but I can’t help myself.
My counselor’s words come back to me. “It’s okay to be scared, Sofia. It’s natural. But don’t try to ignore the fear. Accept it. Then you can start working through it.”
Yes.Work through the fear. Accept that it’s perfectly normal to be nervous being back out in the world again. Anyone would be.
But there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m four blocks from Fox & Falcon. There are plenty of people around. All the people who wanted me hurt are either in prison, or they made a deal to leave me alone.
Lifting my chin, I take a few steadying breaths and force my pace to slow. Rather than focusing straight ahead, I let my gaze drift to the storefronts as I pass by. There’s a new clothing store with some cute spring dresses in the window, and I havea fleeting thought of stopping in. Though it’s only early March—not nearly warm enough for spring dresses—April and May aren’t too far away.
Maybe we’ll find a brownstone with a nice outdoor area. So we could invite people over, set up the grill, even get a dog…
A smile tugs at my lips. I’ve thought about a dog before, but I was never home enough. Plus, my apartments were all far too small. But now, it could work. I bet Knight would be happy to help us pick one out and probably help us train it.
With thoughts of spring dresses and barbecues and puppies in mind, my steps become lighter. A fizzy happiness expands inside me. All at once, the city doesn’t feel threatening, as it has for the last couple of months, but happy. Buzzy. Hopeful.
I’m feeling so good about things that when a passerby bumps into me, I’m not even annoyed. Rather than gritting my teeth and inwardly steaming about how people need to pay better attention, I’m prepared to assure them it was no big deal. That it happens to everyone.
But then I’m bumped again. This time, hard enough to make me stumble.
“Bitch.” It’s said in a low tone, meant only for me to hear.
My heart skitters nervously. In the past, I would have brushed it off. But now, it’s harder to.
I pick up my pace again, my good mood gone in an instant.
Just a rude person,the logical voice in my head reminds me.Probably in a hurry, so he bumps into you, and then has the nerve to blame you for it.
“Fucking bitch,” the man behind me hisses.
Then he bumps me again.
This time I almost fall before recovering.
The old, stubborn, take no shit Sofia wants to spin around and confront this jerk. But the new Sofia just wants to get out of here. To get back to Fox & Falcon and Nico.
Speeding to nearly a jog, I veer to the side to let the jerkface go by.
And for a few seconds, it seems like it worked.
Until my arm is gripped roughly and yanked behind me.
Before I can fight back, I’m shoved against the side of a building. I crash into the wall with enough force that the air gusts out of me. My forehead raps against the brick, bringing tears to my eyes.
Then I’m spun around, coming face to face with a much taller man looming over me.
He crowds me, using his body weight to hold me in place. “Fucking bitch,” he snarls. “Think you’re too good for me now?”
Panic explodes through my body, locking my muscles. My heart thunders in my ears.
Fight!my brain shouts.Don’t just stand here. Fight back! You know what to do. So do it!
In theory, it makes sense. But in reality, I can’t make myself move. All I can do is stare up at the strange man above me while I shake in fear.
Stop it. You’re in downtown Manhattan. There are people everywhere. Just shout for help, if nothing else. They might not notice now, but if you scream, they will.
I know. Iknow.
