Another hit of adrenaline charged through her. She changed her flight to six in the morning.
That should give us plenty of time to get to know each other.
Outside, she jumped in a taxi. Fifteen quick minutes later, the driver pulled down a Georgetown side street, then another. The steady flow of shoppers, tourists, and diners fell away, leaving scant pedestrians as he pulled up to the address.
The club sign—ASYLUM—was dark.
She got out, grabbed her roller bag, carry-on, and crossbody, and walked to the entrance. The door was locked.
She texted Rebel. “I’m here.”
Then, she jumped online. The club didn’t open ‘til nine. A nearby restaurant was open, so she headed down the street with her bags.
Across the street, five teens were ambling in her direction. One of them spotted her and jetted over. The remaining four followed behind, all talking and laughing.
It’s fine. They’re just kids.
“Hey, pretty mama,” said the leader. “Where you headed all by your lonesome with so many bags?”
Ignoring him, she kept walking, until one of them cut her off. At five-five, her height gave her no advantage. Even so, she wasn’t afraid. But she was very aware that she was outnumbered.
She tried to push through them, but the leader shoved her into the guys behind her. That’s when she used the momentum to elbow one of them. She spun and struck the leader with a kick to his groin.
One of the guys grabbed her arm. Twisting around, she freed herself and heel-stomped him, then kneed the closest one in the crotch.
Breathing hard, she screamed, “Get the hell away from me!”
A car rounded the corner and gunned the gas. The vehicle did a one-eighty, slammed to a stop in front of them. The driver’s door flew open and Rebel jumped out, pulled a gun from the back of his waist, and pointed it at the thugs.
Whoa, he’s packing heat.
“Face down, now, or I start shooting!” he roared.
Three hit the pavement. One lunged, but Brit kicked him in the solar plexus and he doubled over. The fifth bolted.
Rebel grabbed his phone, dialed. “I’m on Lunar Street in Georgetown. I’ve got five men who were assaulting a woman. One ran off on foot.” After he hung up, he shifted toward her, his eyes ablaze, his weapon still pointed at the guys. “You okay?”
She nodded.
The four remaining guys didn’t move until the police arrived. After they were placed in the cruisers, one of the officers took their statements. Then, the guys were hauled away.
Alone with Rebel, she could breathe. And that’s when the frustration took hold.
She hated that she hadn’t flattened all five of them. Hated that she’d needed an assist. She’d been trained to fight, but she’d never had to defend herself against that many at the same time.
“Dammit,” she muttered.
“Talk to me,” he said.
“I’m pissed. I didn’t accept your offer for a ride. I didn’t ask the driver to wait. But mostly I’m furious for not kicking all five of ‘em in the nuts.” A growl shot out of her.
“You always this hard on yourself?”
“Pretty much.”
Rebel’s eyebrows shot up. “You did agreatjob against five scumbags, all of them bigger than you.”
That made her laugh. “I’m five-five. Nowhere to go but up.” Then her smile fell away. “I coulda done better.”
