Page 28 of Against All Odds

The curtain yanked back open with such force, I flinched.

“Listen to me,” the bouncer grumbled, closing the curtain behind him. “I know who you are. Soraya Bailey – you’ve been banned from this club before, haven’t you?” When I gave a small nod, his lip curled. “I’m going to search you thoroughly. If I find one more pill, I’m handing you over to the police. No questions asked. Am I clear?”

My brow furrowed. “Search me?”

I clenched my teeth and stayed quiet when he put his filthy hands on me. I stayed quiet when they grabbed my breasts, but when they brushed my thighs, I raised an eyebrow.

“Shouldn’t this be done by a female colleague?”

He narrowed his eyes. I bit my tongue and pretended none of this was happening while I dissociated, retreating to the safe corner in the back of my mind where nothing could touch me.

“Micheal?” Someone pulled the curtain aside. The bouncer yanked his hands back as if stung by a bee.

“What is it, Leila?” Folding his arms, he scowled at his colleague.

She looked from one to the other. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need you. There’s a fight happening inside, two coked-up groups of young men. It’s escalating, and your colleagues can’t handle them on their own.”

Without awaiting further reply, she disappeared behind the curtain, leaving it open.

“Well, I suppose it’s your lucky day.” Michael stepped back, and I zoned back in as I realized it was over. “Now, if I catch your face in this club once more…” He pointed an accusatory finger in my direction, “I can and will hand you over to the police. Are we clear?”

I gave a slow nod, my muscles slowly releasing the tension now that the immediate danger was over.

“And don’t go pulling this shit again.” His upper lip curled in disgust. “What are you, twenty? Go study, for fuck’s sake. Get your life in order. One mistake, and you almost threw your whole life down the drain – and for what?!” He violently shook the bag, the pills rattling. “To sell some pills?”

Wild words for someone who just abused his power to grope a young woman, but I decided to stay quiet for once.

“Now go.” He handed my phone and ID back and turned to follow his colleague.

I fought the urge to ask the question. “Can I get my stuff back? My roommate—”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” he snapped. “You have five seconds before I call the police anyway. Out, now.”

He didn’t need to tell me twice. I slipped past him and rushed down the stairs, pulling my hoodie over my face to hide myself from the curious faces in the queue.

My heart skipped a beat when my gaze fell upon a familiar face. Surely, that was just another blonde girl—

Oh, fuck. That was actually Rebekah.

Time seemed to slow as our eyes locked. Her eyebrows rose, her lips parted into a silent question. Somehow, her transparent umbrella protected her angelic face and her perfect hair from the pouring rain, while everyone around her looked like drowned cats.

I groaned when I spotted Emmy and Tracy beside her. The three of them staring at me, silent question marks on their faces. What would they think of me now?

I tore my gaze away.

The pouring rain washed me back to reality, though I still felt partly numbed when I stumbled back to my bike. Here I was, without the pills, without the money, and in even worse trouble than before. And yet, I’d narrowly escaped a fate much worse. Imagine if he’d actually handed me over. Had my guardian angel protected me after all, or was this just pretty white girl privilege?

We might never know, but I knew one thing. Things had to change, because one can only narrowly escape disaster so many times in such a short timeframe. Guardian angel or not.

Chapter 13.

Seren

I was proud of myself. Instead of letting that disgusting pig die on the spot, I’d increased the chances of a colleague walking in. Moments after I’d sent the query, a fight started in the club, but so be it. When he took advantage of Raya’s vulnerable position by taking a good feel of her breasts and butt, it took all my strength not to subject him to spontaneous organ failure.

But I couldn’t. Not there, not then. Two murders already pushed it, and this man was in good health and surrounded by curious eyes.

I couldn’t resist making him pay in other ways, though.