Page 32 of Man Vs. Woman

“What is this?” I finally cry out, somehow finding my footing. Standing just a few feet away from the two intruders, and wearing nothing but a skimpy and provocative robe, I stare them down, hands on my hips. “I want you to leave. Right now.”

“We’ll leave,” one of them starts to say, his deep voice buttered with an accent I can’t quite place. “But first, you’ll have to promise you’ll give up on your spa. You can’t open it on Clarendon Tower. Do it somewhere else.”

“What are you talking about?” I croak, doing my best to process all the bullshit these assholes are spewing.

Give up on my spa?

Give up on Clarendon Tower?

What kind of nonsense is this?

“Give up on Clarendon Tower,” the other man hisses, taking one step toward me and cracking his knuckles as he goes.

“Yeah?” I reply, rage replacing all fear and coating every single one of my words. “I have a counter proposal for you.”

“Counter-proposal?”

“Yes. I propose the two of you go fuck yourselves,” I spit out, gritting my teeth so damn hard I feel the bones inside my skull rattling. Next thing I know, the guy closest to me reaches out and wraps his meaty fingers around my neck, pushing me down on the couch. I claw at his forearm fruitlessly, trying to free myself, but he’s bigger and stronger than I am.

“Stupid bitch,” he growls, the alcohol on his breath immediately letting me know that these two aren’t operating as rationally as they should. Which shouldn’t be that surprising, given the fact that they’ve just forced their way inside my apartment.

“S-stop,” I try to say, struggling to get some air inside my lungs, but the only thing that leaves my mouth is a long wheezing sound. Darkness starts taking over the corner of my eyes, and the whole apartment seems as if it’s spinning around me.

Jesus Christ.

I’m all alone here. Which means that I’m fucked.

So, so fucked.

“You’ll learn, bitch, and you’ll obey,” one of them says, but I don’t even bother with trying to reply. Not that I could, anyway; I already feel myself slipping into unconsciousness, all of my thoughts gripped tight by a pleasant darkness.

Is this how I’m going to die?

Is this it?

No boyfriend, no business, and no legacy…

What a fucking awful way to go.

I’m a few seconds from closing my eyes for good. For a fate worse than death to befall me.

And then…

A loud sound?

A shadow?

Before I know what’s happening, one of the men is down on the floor for some reason.

I look up.

Oh. My. God.

Only then do I see him—my savior.

Here’s to hoping my makeup isn’t smudged.