Page 38 of The Illicit Play

“Shit!” A hand catches my wrist, slowing my descent and softening the thump when I land on the floor.

I hear a grunt above me and open my eyes.

But all I can make out is a blur of bodies.

A woman screams.

“Stop!”

“Get off me!”

Knuckles crunching.

More grunts.

A tumble.

A crash.

Another scream.

I’m gonna be sick.

I rest my head on the floor, pushing my cheek into the cold wood, closing my eyes and willing the darkness to take me.

“Blake.” Soft hands cup my cheek. “Open your eyes. Come on.” Someone’s lightly shaking me, then tapping my cheek.

I groan, forcing my eyes open.

“That’s it.” A Black man smiles down at me. He’s handsome. There’s something so familiar about him. “It’s me. It’s Grady. I’m getting you out of here, okay?”

His lip is bleeding.

Why is his lip bleeding?

I try to reach for it, but my arm is too heavy. It flops onto the floor, and I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.

“No, come on. Stay with me, all right? Blake!”

Forcing my eyes back open, I watch him blur into a fuzzy blob as he pulls me into a sitting position, then wriggles his hands beneath my legs.

“Get the fuck back,” he growls. “I’m not playin’! I will end any fucker who comes near her!”

“All right, chill man. Shit.”

“Get out!” some woman snaps. “Just fucking get out. And you—take her out of here. I don’t need this shit. You broke my favorite lamp!”

“Bill me,” Grady mutters. With a soft grunt, he stands up, taking me with him. I rest my head on his shoulder.

This one feels right.

There’s no fear in these arms.

And my eyes slide shut as I’m carried out of this wild, thumping place.

CHAPTER 12

GRADY