Page 70 of Rules

I’m not going down like this.

I won’t be a victim.

Not again.

“Look at that,” the guy behind me chuckles in my ear. “White trash firecracker is back. This will be way more…”

My elbow connects with his gut, making him lose his breath. His slimy hand slips from my mouth, his grip around my middle loosening just enough. With adrenaline and fear buzzing in my veins, I put all my strength into stomping on his foot.

“You bitch!” he roars, doubling over.

But I don’t get far because hands wrap around my wrists, making me stumble on my feet. “You’re not going anywhere, slut!”

“Let me go!” I struggle against the guy, but his grip is steely and I know it’ll leave bruises. Ask me if I care. “I’m going to scream, you fucking asshole. Let me go!”

His hands pull me against his chest, lifting me off the ground. I kick, frustrated because no matter where or how hard I try, I keep missing.

Almost maniacal laughter fills the dark alley, making the blood freeze in my veins.

“Keep doing that, baby. I love it when they resist.”

“Hold her still, Marcus,” the first guy growls. “I’m going to show this bitch who’s boss.”

Even though I can’t see his face, I can feel his anger as his shadow looms over me. My heart starts beating wildly in my chest, my mouth going completely dry.

“I’m going to kill you!” I cry out, my legs still kicking thin air. “I’m going to kill you, you son of…”

As a hand wraps around my leg, my other foot manages to find the goal, meeting with soft flesh, but he just keeps on laughing. Another hand holds my other leg, leaving me wide open, and the douchebag in front of me takes the opportunity. His fingers slide over my skin, going up, up, up until they meet with the crotch of my shorts.

“Let me go,” I cry out. His fingers unbutton my shorts roughly and slide beneath the material. The tears I’ve been holding back return to the surface. Not again. I can’t… “No!”

A hand covers my mouth once again, muffling my protests as the hand in my pants finds its goal. My stomach turns violently at the first brush of his fingers against my sex, my whole body shivering in disgust.

“You want this baby,” his voice whispers against my earlobe as his fingers trace the line of my panties. “You want to make me happy, right?”

No. I want to scream, but no words come out.Stayback.

“You know what happens if you don’t make me happy.”

Leave me alone.

“Get your hands off of her, you fucker!”

Chapter Twenty-Five

MAX

I rub my face as I look at the rundown building on the other side of the road. A crappy, neon red sign proclaiming Joe’s Drink n’ Drive sways lightly with the cool breeze.

Rubbing my hands together, I try to warm them up. I’ve been here for over an hour, waiting for Brook’s shift to finish so I can get her to talk to me. The need to apologize for yesterday has been nagging at me since she hung up on me.

The last thing I wanted was to fight, but it feels like no matter what I do or say, all of our interactions lead to an argument one way or another. It’s a vicious cycle that we can’t seem to break.

I check my phone, the bright light making me narrow my eyes. The last patrons left a while ago, but I could still see the dimmed light shining through filthy windows, indicating there is somebody inside, although the “closed” sign is hanging on the door.

Done with waiting and too restless to sit any longer, I get out. The door falls shut softly behind me. I’m debating between calling her and going straight to the door when I hear muffled sounds coming from somewhere close.

Stopping in my tracks, I tilt my head to the side, listening. Whoever or whatever it is died down or I just imagined it because the only thing I can hear now is a light buzzing sound coming from the streetlamp down the road. Shaking my head, I continue walking when a loud cry makes my blood freeze.

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