Page 59 of Monstrosity

The pressure on my throat releases suddenly as my attacker shoves me backward.

I fall, gasping, as he and his partner scramble for the exit.

Gorm pursues them to the door but doesn't follow—his priority is protecting us, not chasing them.

"Lockdown! Now!" he barks, already on his phone. "I need backup at Beans & Babes. Two fuckers, fleeing on foot. Yeah, they touched her."

Meghan's at my side immediately, helping me sit up. "Jesus Christ, Dasha. Are you okay?"

I try to answer but all that comes out is a croak.

My throat feels like it's on fire.

"Don't try to talk," Tindra says, appearing with a glass of water.

Her hands are shaking as bad as mine. "Fuck, that was... fuck."

Customers are screaming, fleeing, phones out recording everything.

Great, we'll probably be on social media within minutes.

"Everyone get the fuck out!" Gorm commands, his presence filling the small shop. "Police are on their way. Coffee shop's closed."

The next few minutes are chaos.

Two more prospects arrive—Bodul and another I don't know well.

They efficiently clear the shop and lock it down while Gorm hovers over us protectively.

"Time to get the ladies out of here," Bodul announces. "We need to move. Now."

"I need to close out the register—" I start, voice raspy.

"Fuck the register," Meghan says firmly. "We're leaving."

They bundle us into a waiting SUV, prospects forming a protective detail that would be comical if I wasn't still shaking.

The drive back to the clubhouse takes ten minutes that feel like hours.

I keep touching my throat, feeling the bruises already forming.

Rio's waiting at the door when we pull up.

Someone must have called ahead because his expression is carved from stone, only his eyes showing the fury beneath.

He doesn't say a word as I get out of the vehicle, just opens his arms.

I fall into them, and suddenly I'm shaking harder.

The adrenaline's wearing off, leaving only the reality of how close that was.

"Are you okay?" His voice is deadly calm, but I can feel the tremor in his hands as he holds me.

"It was close," I admit against his chest. "If Gorm hadn't been there..."

"But he was." Rio pulls back to examine my throat, and I see his jaw clench at the already-visible bruises. "Did they say anything?"

"Bembe sends his regards."