Thick footsteps crunch on leaves just over my right shoulder. I circle around in a wide arc, hoping to make it back to my car before the shadow. If I can get in, I could drive away on bald tires. Sure, it may destroy the car, but at least I’ll save my life.
Headlights burst through the trees ahead—bright, blinding—my salvation. I race toward them, waving my arms to cut the person off. Flag them down. Force them to take me away.
I dive in front of it, the fender clipping my hip. The car screeches to a halt.
Glancing toward the woods, I catch a wisp of a hooded man lingering near the edge.
Apollo jumps from the driver’s side and yells, “Duck!”
I drop to my knees, head cradled by my hands, sobbing, snot pouring from my nose. Shaky breaths rock my body.
Two shots crack over my head. I plug my ears and scream, the sound deafened as it’s ripped from my lungs.
“Fuck!” Apollo rushes to my side and stuffs his gun into his hip holster. “He’s gone.”
His brawny arms gather me up, and he swings me inside his car. Reaching over my lap, he buckles my seatbelt, then slams my door shut.
Hurrying back to his side, he jumps in, revs the engine, and darts away. The push of the seat at my back is comforting. As is the big hand that slides over and grips both of mine in his.
“Talk to me! What happened? Are you okay?” His eyes keep flicking to the rear-view mirror. Twisting his head around, he scans behind us.
“It was someone messing with me.” I sniff. “I was driving, and my tires popped. Both front ones.” I glance in the side mirror. “Should we go back and get it?”
“No way. My brothers can get it towed to the closest Griffin Motors. We’ll get it all patched up; don’t worry about that. I’m just…Damn it, tulip. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re safe.”
My heart rate slows, and I lock the moment into my memories forever. The way he leans across the console, his grip tightening on my hands. How his thumb strokes a wayward tear off my cheek. So gently it tickles.
“The-the guy had a lollipop, Apollo. He put one in myglove box and was sucking on one. He wasin my car. I think he had an extra key fob or something because he kept unlocking it—” Cursing under my breath, I tense up. “Ithasto be Ayan fucking with me.”
Apollo’s neck grows stiff. “Ayan Dutta again?” His jaw clenches.
“Oh!” I gasp, brushing a finger over his ear. “You’re bleeding!”
He hurriedly swipes it away and drags his palm over his trousers. “Must be from glass or something.”
I nod.Wait.“What glass?”
“Uh, not sure.”
“Caliphylla!What if Ayan had a gun and shot out my tires! And grazed your ear!”
Apollo takes a deep breath. “Yeah, he may have. Whatever it is? We need to keep you safe.”
The entire way to our place, he never stops touching me. And when I attempt to get out of the car, he holds up a finger in warning. “Stay.”
Then he marches around and opens the door for me. Not only that, but he pulls me into his arms, slams the door behind us, and strolls toward our apartment like I weigh nothing.
He finally sets me down before unlocking the door. “Don’t move. I’m checking things first.”
With careful attention, he scans our surroundings, then enters inside, holding up his gun.
In a minute, he’s returned, tucking the weapon back at his hip. “It’s okay. Everything’s still locked up and no one’s here.”
He shuts and bolts the door behind me, slipping his hand over my shoulder.
“Do you believe me now?”
“About the freezer lollipop?”
