So she’d known that she could work her magic.
The bouncer knew the routine.They’d developed it months ago.They worked it with an idiot who got too flirty with her or with some of their drunker patrons.In an ideal world, the mark was both an idiotanddrunk.Made things so much easier.
She brought the target outside, made out with him and did her sleight of hand, and then, before the fool could push things too far, the bouncer appeared and scared the guy off.The fool would go running into the night, and she and Mico would split their winnings.
Something sharp pressed into her stomach.“I am going to do far more than kiss you.”
Wait, wait,wait.That sharpnesshurt.“Ouch!”Tonya cried.She tried to shove against him, but he was far stronger than she’d expected.Stronger and not nearly as drunk.“Stop it!”
He didn’t.She looked down, horrified, as he drove a knife into her stomach.She screamed, but the sound was cut off when he slapped a gloved hand over her mouth.
He’d put the gloves on when they walked out of the bar.She’d thought it a bit odd because it wasn’t particularly cold in Shreveport.But she hadn’t really cared about the man’s fashion choices.She’d just wanted his cash.
But…
This fucker just stabbed me.She lifted her knee, intent on shoving it into his groin as hard as she could.
He yanked the blade to the right.Then to the left.Pain blazed through her.
“I think she already has a scar to match this.But hers didn’t go nearly as deep as yours.”
Blood poured down her body.Nausea churned in her stomach, and she vomited, choking because his glove was in front of her mouth.
Where was Mico?The bouncer should have been there.Dammit.Where was…
The blade came at her again.Again.
“You’ve been very bad, Tonya.”
She’d never given him her name.They hadn’t gotten around to exchanging names.There had been no point in that.
“Guess that evil was just in your blood, huh?”
She hurt so much, and her shirt was soaked with blood.
The blade was deep in her stomach.
“Like father, like daughter…”
What?
“Hey, hey, asshole!”A shout.Mico?Mico?
“Get away from her!”Mico thundered.
The blade was gone.The bastard hurting her was gone.His steps thundered down the alley.And she was falling as her legs gave way.Her hands went to her stomach.So much blood, everywhere.All over her.Soaking her.Terrifying her.
“Sorry I was late,” Mico was saying as he huffed and jogged closer.“Dumbass underage frat boys were trying to get inside, and I had to kick their asses down the street and…hey, hey, Tonya?Tonya, what’s wrong?”
Like father, like daughter…“H-help…”
“Tonya!”
Her eyes shut, and the last thing she felt was her head hitting the cement of that alley when she fell.
ChapterSeventeen
“Have you ever committed a B&Ebefore?”Atlas asked, truly curious because there were depths to Lily that kept surprising him.Delighting him, too.
