“Aw, she’s so soft,” he murmured, voice low, predatory. “Bet you’re soft everywhere…”
Tears burned my eyes, but I clenched my jaw, refusing to scream—trapped in a silence so loud it roared in my ears.
“Look at her,” slurred the second, hot breath against my ear. “Begging for it.”
They lunged, dragging me toward the black maw of the alley. Mr. Snuggles slipped from my grasp, thudding onto the grimy pavement. I reached for him, fingertips grazing dirty fur, but they yanked me deeper into the void. My back slammed hard into the brick. Stars burst behind my eyes.
“Shut—her—up!” snarled the tallest. A rough hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off my scream. I felt ripping fabric as fingers tore at my dress. Cold night air bit into my skin, raw and humiliating.
“She’s crying,” one whispered, voice leering. “Just like a baby.” I bit down on the hand over my mouth, tasting iron. A searingslap bloomed across my face, my jaw rattling. I gasped for air, head spinning.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” the man hissed, raising his fist for another blow.
But the blow never came.
Instead, there was a blur of movement, and suddenly the man was gone from in front of me. I heard a sickening crunch, followed by a howl of pain. My legs gave out, and I slid down the wall, clutching the torn pieces of my dress together as I tried to make sense of what was happening.
Walker.It was Walker, moving with a violent precision that seemed almost beautiful in its efficiency. He slammed the first man face-first into the brick wall, then turned to the second who was lunging at him with a broken bottle. Walker caught his wrist, twisting until I heard something snap, then drove his knee into the man's stomach.
The third man tried to run, but Walker caught him by the collar, spun him around, and delivered a single punch that dropped him like a stone.
It was over in seconds. Three bodies on the ground, groaning or unconscious, and Walker standing over them, chest heaving, his eyes burning with a rage that made me shrink back against the wall. Then his gaze found me, and the fury in his expression melted into concern.
"Lottie," he said, his voice impossibly gentle as he crouched down beside me. "Sweetheart. It’s me.”
I couldn't speak. My whole body was shaking so hard my teeth chattered. I felt every bruise, my body throbbing from where I'd hit the wall. I tried to stand but my knees buckled, and Walker caught me immediately.
"Easy," he whispered, his large hands cradling me close. "You're safe now. I'm here."
I tried to tell him I was okay, but only a broken sob came out. My dress was torn at the neckline, exposing my bra, and I frantically tried to hold the fabric together with trembling fingers.
Walker shrugged out of his jacket without a word, draping it carefully around my shoulders. The material was warm from his body heat and smelled like leather and something clean that made me feel safer instantly.
"Can you stand?" he asked, his voice so gentle it made my chest ache.
I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure. Walker let go, then extended his hand to me. When I placed my shaking fingers in his palm, his hand closed over mine with infinite care.
I tried to move but my knees buckled again, but Walker caught me, one arm sliding around my waist to steady me.
"I've got you," he murmured against my hair. "You're okay now."
I looked around for Mr. Snuggles, panic rising when I couldn't see him in the darkness. "My bear," I whispered, my voice cracking.
Walker's gaze swept the alley until he spotted the teddy lying near the entrance. He guided me carefully to lean against the wall, then retrieved Mr. Snuggles, checking him over before placing him gently in my arms.
"Is he hurt?" I asked, clutching my bear to my chest.
"Just a little dirty," Walker said softly. "Nothing that can't be fixed."
I buried my face in Mr. Snuggles' familiar softness, trying to stop shaking. Behind us, one of the men groaned, and I flinched instinctively.
"They can't hurt you anymore," Walker said firmly. He pulled out his phone, and I heard him speaking in low, clipped tonesto someone—the police, probably. The words washed over me without meaning.
When he finished the call, he glanced down at me looking uncomfortable. "Lottie, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me. Did they..." He swallowed hard, his jaw clenching. "Did they touch you? Hurt you beyond what I can see?"
I shook my head quickly. "No. You got here before..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
Relief flooded his features. "Good. That's good." He studied my face, taking in the bruise I could feel forming on my cheek. "We need to get you checked out at the hospital."
