Page 47 of UnWholly Angels
Shivers ran down my spine as my body told me to take off running. I blinked a few times, and the figure took a few steps toward me. As the figure stalked toward me, coming further into the light, my breath caught in my throat, realization ripping through me.
No. This wasn’t Riley.
He was too short, not as muscular. I could see a small amount of ink protruding on his arms from underneath the black hoodie. Riley had tattoos on his back and all over his abdomen, not his arms.
“Maya!” My blood ran cold when the deep rumble of Riley’s voice came from somewhere in the house.
I ripped my gaze away from the masked man and calculated how far I was from the door. It was on the far side of the pool room, a good distance away; if I hauled ass, I could get to him without missing a beat. He was closer now, so I mustered up all the courage within me and sprinted toward the door. I thought I was done running when I found Riley, but I was quickly grappling with the truth. While it wasn’t his fault, Riley was just one man, and he couldn’t protect me from everything. Even if he had eyes on me at all times, it was never guaranteed. I needed to learn to save myself, and that started today.
“Hey, asshole,” I smirked devilishly, waving my phone in the air. “Looking for this. Hmmm? I bet you are. Well, at least part of why you’re here is this phone. Nod if that’s true.”
They stood frozen in place and nodded slowly. If I ran, they would get the phone, but if I jumped in the pool, it would short out, and maybe, just maybe, someone could help me with the SIM card. Rocco didn’t know that my own slice of freedom was within this phone; that was why he couldn’t have it.I’m so sorry,snowflake picture, maybe I’ll get another one again one day soon.
My eyes darkened on the stranger before I moved, hardly thinking if the plan would be more successful than running for the door. At least in the pool, they would be slower. It gave me a slight possibility that I could make it out of this room alive. “Then come get it,” I challenged.Oh god. Don’t think.
With a sharp intake of breath, I swerved to the left and jumped into the pool. The water covered me in a warm embrace, and a muffled sob left me as I chucked the phone to the bottom. Watching with sadness as the lockscreen went black, what a fun day that was. I snapped the photo after Riley had just scored, throwing a wink my way. His smile caused a slight fluttering in my stomach as I watched him play the game he loved once again. Then, he said something, but I couldn’t hear over the celebrating fans. It was one of my favorite days.
The water rippled once more as my attacker jumped in, attempting to close the distance between us. It was now or never, and I had to move. Breaking the surface, my body took in as much air as it could muster, and I kicked out, my heartbeat thrumming in my left shoulder each time I pushed forward. The water was relentless, slowing my body with each stroke, but I pushed on despite my tired limbs. This was a stupid idea, Maya.
Behind me, the splashes of water hit my body as my attacker gained speed, trying to grab at my ankle, harrowingly missing. The ladder was right there, and as I reached out for it, a hand snaked its way into my hair, pulling me back and away from safety.
“I’m going to enjoy this,” the voice said lowly. I kicked my legs out, trying to kick at him, but he only yanked harder before pushing me under. The prick didn’t give me enough time to take a breath before shoving me under, and I did my best to remain calm as the motion was repeated.
Disorientation settled in my gut quickly as my lungs screamed for air, my body panicking. The world around me was suffocating and dark as I rose in and out of consciousness. My hands flew in different directions, trying to claw at the stranger, but I was slowly giving up. The water darkened, closing in on me, when a deep voice cut through the room, causing a second wind to shoot through me. I couldn’t tell, but it sounded like multiple voices called for me, but I only heard one clearly.
“Maya, he has a knife!” Riley shouted, but he wasn’t panicked. He was calm and collected. Even in my state, I knew what he wanted…no, needed me to do.
It was a tall order for my tired body, but I obeyed the command. Using the last bit of energy I had, my head wrenched around, crying out as some strands of hair were ripped out in the process. I fumbled around the body holding me hostage until I reached the covered knife that hung limply from his waist.
Here goes nothing.
My heart rate slowed as I gasped, accidentally swallowing more chlorinated water to unsheathe the knife and stab him right in the abdomen, once, then twice. The hand released the last bit of hold on my hair to grab his side, but I wasn’t done. The rage I felt was like thick, black tar encapsulating my body and swallowing it whole. The intense emotion wanted to take over like a parasite, and I let it. I’d never felt rage like this before. With a forced cry, I raised my hand a third time when Riley’s voice cut through the noise in my head. “No, keep him alive, Maya,” Riley said calmly.
“Why?” I shouted back, shock prevalent in my tone as a realization hit me.
“Come to me, Maya, please. Let the others handle it.”
I saved myself again. I. Saved. Myself.
With a shuddering breath, the knife fell from my hands, splashing into the water and sinking below the surface to joinmy phone. Sneakers squeaked against the floor as I swam to the ladder, but I had nothing left, so I just hung there, clinging on for dear life until I was ripped from the water.
Cedarwood and alcohol flew into my nostrils, and the smell almost made me gag, nausea swirling around my stomach. Slowly, my eyes opened to find Riley had scooped me up in his arms. My body tensed as more splashing water ensued, and I could hear a struggle as my attacker was dragged from the pool.
“Take him to Jade, Noah. The Bennett’s run it. I will take care of it tomorrow.”What’s Jade?
“Are you going to kill him?” I asked, my teeth chattering against the cold air that caressed around my body. “I d-di-did go-ood, right?
“You saved yourself, Maya.” Riley’s voice was full of relief as he moved a strand of hair that clung to my face. I could only stare, watching the emotions flicker across his face. Fear, pain, relief, and that smirk, that prideful smirk. His heartbeat slowed the further he relaxed. “It was only supposed to be one drink. Please forgive me.”
I smiled softly, resting my hands over his face. “You’re one man, Riley. You can’t be there every second of every day.” I told him. “Please don’t cry.”
My thumb swiped against the steady stream, and it broke my own heart into pieces.
“You almost left me,” he said through the cascading ears. “You can’t leave me alone.”
The onslaught of emotion from this normally hardened man threatened to send me into a spiral, and my heart clenched. I gripped the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Our lips connected in soft intimacy, but equally as passionate, letting him know that neither of us failed tonight. Riley was still trembling when we pulled away, so I cut through the intense emotion the best way I knew how.
“Bring me to bed and I won’t tell anyone you cried. It will be our little secret,” I whispered against his chest. “My feet better not touch the floor.”
