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Two minutes later, a strange energy entered my space. Having studied kung fu for so long, I could sense energy well. My body stiffened as this erratic energy intruded my space.

“Mind if I sit down?” A woman with a mean face pulled a chair from a nearby table and sat across from me. She had a nose ring, and she was built like a tank.

“Actually, I do mind.”

“Too bad.” Another woman with colorful hair sat down next to me. She surveyed me with glazed eyes. “You pissed offsome people, sweetheart.”

“You have the wrong person.” I didn’t know what she was talking about.

“This you?” She showed me a picture of me and Kaylee standing on the sidewalk a week ago.

Fear and anger collided in me.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“Stay away from Arrow.”

Confusion tugged at me. “Why?”

“You’re making him lose a lot of money,” said Mean Face.

“He’s not himself because of you,” said Rainbow Hair.

Irritation flared. “I’m not his financial advisor or his shrink.”

Who sent these women? Was Arrow losing money because of me?

“Leave him.” Rainbow Hair’s voice grew louder, and the passersby glanced our way.

“We’re not chained together at the hip.” This was ridiculous.

I glared at them and got up to leave.

Mean Face shot out of her seat and yanked at my hair. I dropped the shopping bags and my purse to defend myself. I clasped her arm with one hand, punched her in the face, and kicked her in the leg.

Anger and adrenaline soared in me. Who were these bitches?

Mean Face fell back a few steps, wiped her mouth, and spat out blood on the floor. “The fuck!? She knocked out my tooth!”

Rainbow Hair stepped on Kaylee’s gift bag, igniting a new fury in me.

Until now, I’d never had to use my martial arts skills in a public place. I’d never been attacked like this. But I didn’t have time to contemplate. Both women charged at me, and a battle erupted in the mall.

They were likely high on something, but that wasn’t an excuse for me to be lenient with them. I gave them what they deserved—fists to their faces, punches to their shoulders, and kicks to their legs.

They screamed in pain, but continued to attack me. A crowd surrounded us.

Rainbow Hair threw a fist at me, and I gripped her arm, twisting it. Mean Face limped to the side. The pain on her face made me extremely happy.

My neck stung. Rainbow Hair must’ve scratched me with her long, ugly nails.

“Tie her up!” An old man tossed me a new tie with the tag still on it.

“Everyone, back away!” Two security guards arrived.

I released Rainbow Hair to them. “They’re together.” I pointed to Mean Face. “They attacked me out of the blue, and I want to press charges.”

I didn’t have to say anything. Witnesses began offering their versions of the event. The EMT confirmed they’d been drinking and were on drugs.