Page 46 of Shallow

Two large boys, at least eighteen years old, make their way across the patchy area of grass toward me, their eyes burning into the side of myface.

I’ve never been in a situation where just my existence seemed to wave a red flag in front of a couple of bulls. So, I keep my eyes averted and hope for the best while making a wide circle around them and heading back the way I wasgoing.

“What’s your hurry,baby?”

Turning around, I notice the two boys are behind me. Dangerously close behind me. So close that I’m kicking my own ass for getting out of a perfectly good limo in a shit part oftown.

The bigger of the two boys runs his tongue slowly along his silver capped teeth. He’s wearing a white bandana tied around his bald head. I assume it’s some gang affiliation, which does nothing to calm mynerves.

“Hey, you deaf or somethin’? I asked you aquestion.”

“I heard you the first time, asshole,” I bite out through clenchedteeth.

I have no idea what the hell has gotten into me. For the most part, the street is deserted and they could violate me about thirty different ways before help could arrive. However, here I am, spouting off at the mouth and about to take off my earrings like I’ve been beating asses all mylife.

Yep. I’m about todie.

It’s no surprise that Kong doesn’t appreciate mybadassery.

I’ve named him Kong. No particular reason, other than the fact that I don’t know his name and the fucker looks big enough to crawl up the side of the Empire StateBuilding.

“You’ve got a smartass mouth on you, dontcha, baby? Maybe me and my boy here should shove something in it to shut it up.” He grabs his balls and tosses a smirk over his shoulder to hisfriend.

Maybe I need to reevaluate my tactics. Backing up a few steps, I press my hands out in front of me. “Look, guys, I don’t want anytrouble.”

Before I can back up any more, Kong and his sidekick box me in, sending my blood pressure through theroof.

“That’s some sweet ice you got around your neck.” Kong trails his eyes down to my chest, eyeing the diamond pendant I never take off. Kirkland gave it to me for my birthday three months before she died, and I’ll risk anything to keepit.

“My friend gave this tome.”

“Now you’re gonna give it to me,” hesnarls.

“Go fuckyourself.”

My head swings over my shoulder as Kong backhands me hard across the face. “Mo, show this little bitch what we do when we’redisrespected.”

I’m paralyzed, my earlier bravado gone as the metallic taste of blood fills my mouth. The feel of it trickling down my throat sickens me, and for a moment I forget where Iam.

But theydon’t.

Before I can react, Mo is behind me, pulling my arms so close together I see stars. Once Kong is satisfied I’m immobile, he steps forward and wraps his stubby fingers around mynecklace.

“You’re lucky you have this and that bag on your shoulder to pay me. Otherwise, Mo and me would take it out of your ass.” With a hard jerk, he rips the chain off my neck and shoves it in hispocket.

Watching my only memory of Kirkland disappear, I struggle against my confinement. “Give that back,asshole!”

“Shut the fuck up, or I’ll change my mind.” Turning his head, he spits on the grass beside me and nods to Mo. “Take thebag.”

“What you want me to do withher?”

Kong laughs as he lights a cigarette and walks past us. “Like I give afuck.”

I’m not sure what happens in the next few seconds. All I know is my purse is ripped off my arm so hard that the strap snaps in two. Afterward, a heavy foot kicks the back of my knee, sending me sprawling face first onto the pavementbelow.

After my chin bounces off the rock, I lay there completely stunned. There’s a moment where I’m not sure if I’ve just had all the wind knocked out of me, or if I’ve crushed every rib in mychest.

Breathe. Okay, brain, work with mehere.