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“Go away,” I tell them, backing away, my hands meeting the chain link fence and threading through the links. I think maybe, if need be, I can climb the fence. But have you ever tried to climb a fence while eight months pregnant? Likely not an easy task.
My gaze lingers on my surroundings, searching for an escape route. Buildings, empty cars, a group of men waiting for this kid to get what he came for.
In front of me, a kid in a black hoodie raises his eyebrows. And that’s just it, he’s a child. Sixteen maybe? “How much money you got?”
“I don’t have any,” I tell him, holding tighter to my bag. I try to remember every detail about him, from the tattoos on his arms to the lip ring and lost blue eyes. Even the slightest details like the thickness of his hair when the wind blows.
“Ah.” He chuckles, his body movements indicating an urgency, his hands moving from his pockets to clasp together in front of his face as he blows into them, appearing cold. He scans my appearance, noticing the brand-name clothes. Doesn’t matter that I’m wearing maternity pants and a zip-up hoodie. The material is soft, detailed, and probably cost more than anything he’ll ever own. “That’s bullshit.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Girl like you, she gots money all right.”
I feel around in the pocket of my sweatshirt with one hand, my heart thudding loudly in my ears. I would call someone, but my phone’s in my purse. If I reach for it, he’ll take it.
And then he grabs at my purse. “Let me check.”
I leap back, startled, my skin prickling with the threat of him moving closer.
“Got something you’re hiding?” he asks as he wraps an arm around my shoulder. His voice is devoid of emotion.
“No,” I spit, my arms flailing against him, slapping him in the face and kneeing him in the balls. “Get your hands off me.”
He grunts, hunches forward and scowls at me. “I’m trying to be nice here.”
“By trying to steal from me?” Panic grips me, and I brace for an act of revenge. He has a hand on my mouth now, arms locked around me, laughing lightly, trapping my screams. The other is wrapped around my thrashing arms, trying to control me.
“Just give me your fucking bag, and I’ll leave you alone. I won’t hurt you.” A menacing hiss of his words catches me by surprise. Fearing him hurting the baby and me, I hand it to him.
He shoves me back against the fence. “Was that so hard?”
I try to catch myself as I hit the fence, but I slip on the wet pavement and land on the ground.
My hands immediately go to my stomach in pain. My poor baby. Oh God. Is he going to die and I’m responsible for it? I put his little life in danger.
Screaming in pain, I curl into myself, my legs sliding over the loose gravel in the alley. I know no one can hear me. I stretch slightly, very slowly, to arch my back to sit up. Moisture seeps through my jeans from between my legs, and I know what’s happening. I’m bleeding. My heart speeds, my gut twisting with fear.
I might lose him.
I bite my lip, tasting salt and blood. I stay still, breathing, and then open my eyes, keeping a wary eye on the street and the group of men in the distance. I think of Leo, my phone, but it’s in my purse the kid ran off with.
Rain pelts my face, soaking my shirt and pants. The wet fabric clings to my chest. The steady loud thump of my heart competes with throbbing sensations in my face. My cheek is swelling, and I have no idea why. Maybe he hit me in the process… I don’t know.
In the distance, the kid fleas up the street, reaching inside my purse for my wallet.
“Help!” I scream at the top of my lungs, a gurgled gasp, but it feels like I can’t get any air in my lungs. Am I bleeding internally? Short, quick breaths escape me, a crackling noise present in each intake.
I shift my legs, trying to move, but I can’t. That’s when I realize the severity of this and how much blood I’m losing.
CHAPTER23
ATTACKING ZONE
LEO
The zone where the opponent’s goal is located.
I walk homefrom the police station. Callie’s car was there, but she didn’t leave me the keys. Besides, it will help my dumb ass to get some fresh air. It starts pouring on me halfway home, leaving me dripping wet as I walk through the lobby and to the elevators.
When I get inside the condo, I half expect Callie to be poised to start yelling at me.
Only she isn’t.