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I regretted my decision to walk alone even more when I was grabbed from behind and dragged into an alleyway.
The man said nothing, slapping me hard enough to make me hit the ground before lying on top of me, crushing me against the grime and dirt. I screamed, and he slapped a hand over my mouth, his other hand scratching painfully at my thighs, trying to create a ladder in the stockings so he could tear them. He gave up after a while and tugged at my dress hard enough to break a strap, fondling obscenely at my breast and grunting as I continued to scream against his hand and beat him with my fists.
He had successfully managed to tear my stockings and was freeing himself from his pants when the other man showed up.
Half hidden by darkness, I didn’t need to see his face to know he radiated danger. But at that moment, I had no other choice. Locking eyes with him, I pleaded for him to help me, praying he would and not simply join in the attack.
Or wait his turn.
Whoever he was, he saved me.
I know what he did to my attacker. No matter how tight I clamped my hands over my ears, I could hear his screams as his testicles were torn from his body, and he was left in a bleeding pile.
My savior walked me home, and for some reason, even gave me a handful of cash. He took my breath away when he was close. He smelled amazing, and I found my legs going weak and myself getting wet despite the trauma I had just endured.
Thankfully, he was gentlemanly enough to turn me down. I don’t even know why I offered anything in the first place.
I was numb as I walked up the stairs to my apartment on the fifth and top floor, but the second the door was closed and locked behind me, I collapsed.
Before this week, I hadn’t cried like this in years. Now I cried every day.
Before now, I hadn’t had the light within me to turn to darkness.
Before Zaqiel, I didn’t know I had anything to lose.
ZAQIEL
My shoulders shook. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Every hour away from her was agony, and while I was happy she was making changes in her life, I couldn’t seem to get away from the pain of not being near her. No amount of reasoning or soul searching held any answers for me, and the draw to her was too strong. My reaction to Candy had cemented what I already suspected, that this was beyond physical. Evie wasn’t only a body to me, she was something more.
And I needed her.
It had been difficult watching her the past few days, but it was torture knowing she was attacked when I wasn’t there to save her, and it was sheer agony watching her cry. She had literally dusted herself off when she stood and moved to have a shower, to wash away as much of the memories and pain as she could.
But no shower in the world was hot enough to wash it away.
I could take it away, though. I could heal her.
Maybe then it would soothe the ache in my heart.
I landed on her fire escape with a rattle, folding my wings against my back. The window was locked, and I was pleased about that, but it didn’t take much to snap it off, the metal bending under my fingers until it gave way.
I’d fix it for her later.
Opening the window, I stepped into her apartment. It was smaller than the one she had been in while working for Tyson but no worse for wear. The entire floor was linoleum, peeling at the corners, with a thin rug under the couch and bed. It was all one room, save for the bathroom.
But I wasn’t here to inspect her home.
Evie came out of the bathroom as I was heading toward it. When she screamed, I rushed to her, clasping my hand over her mouth and wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her into me. Her eyes were wide with fear, and it hurt.
But then again, I did just break into her home after she had already been attacked once tonight.
“Shh, don’t scream,” I whispered. “It’s me.”
The fear evaporated from her eyes, replaced with anger, and she pressed her hands against my chest to shove me away. I could’ve held her if I wanted to, but I let her go, allowing her to stumble backward a step. She grabbed at the towel and held it close over her chest. I tried not to take in her body, but I couldn’t help it. The towel barely covered her thighs, and I’m sure if she turned, I’d be able to see the curves of her ass.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Evie hissed at me. “How did you get in?”
