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“I have better things to do,” she snapped, and I stopped at once, remembering myself. I slunk back into the darkness, observing her with increased interest.
Despite the danger, she stood her ground with a mix of irritation and defiance. She quickened her pace, trying to put distance between herself and the group of men, but they persisted, their taunts haunting her every step.
My hackles raised once I realized that one of the men had decided to follow her. I followed as well, maintaining a much smaller distance now just in case I needed to intervene. Lexie looked over her shoulder, catching sight of the man, and she broke out into a run.
The man closed the distance between them in a harrowingly short amount of time. Sticking to the shadows, I sprinted across the pavement, but it was too late. He lunged at her and grabbed her arm. She cried out in pain, and I saw red.
“I called you beautiful. You should say thank you,” he snarled.
I wanted to rip his throat out with my teeth.
“Please, just let me go,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.
Something stopped me from interfering though. Maybe it was the flash of determination in her eyes or the way her body tensed, but I held back.
“You walked into the wrong part of town, sweetheart, and now you’re gonna pay for it,” he sneered, leering over her as she openly flinched.
“I won’t tell anyone, I promise. Just… just let me leave, and you’ll never see me again,” she pleaded.
A low growl rumbled in the back of my throat.
“You’re not going anywhere, darlin, not dressed like that. You’re far too pretty for this side of town,” he leered.
As the man’s fingers brushed against her collarbone, Lexie reacted with a speed and ferocity I hadn’t anticipated. She twisted away from his grasp, delivering a swift, well-aimed knee to his groin. The man staggered back, clutching his cock as he yowled with pain. He sank down to his knees and didn’t get back up.
Lexie stood there for the briefest of seconds, breathing heavily, and I could hear her heart pounding in her chest. I remained still, concealed from her view.
As if she remembered herself, Lexie bolted out of the alley. I followed after her, running through the shadows behind her until she reached a main road. I waited until she flagged down a passing car and climbed in, and then I turned back to deal with the man who had dared to touch her.
He wasn’t going to survive the night.
CHAPTER8
Lexie
The next morning was rough. After I brushed my teeth, I decided to take a shower, fully intending on spending the whole day focusing on self-care. It was only when I slipped my pajama top over my head that I noticed the disconcerting sight of my neck in the mirror.
Turning to face my reflection, I gasped at the sight of the dark, angry bruise that marred my throat, a stark reminder of my attacker’s brutal grip around my neck. My heart sank as I examined the discoloration, feeling a shiver of dread wash over me. My arm, too, bore the painful remnants of the struggle, with vivid bruises that told a silent but painful story. The reality of the attack hit me anew, and I couldn’t help but tremble as I thought about what could have happened.
I took a deep breath and focused on the fact that I was back at home and that I was safe. I stripped the rest of my clothing off and stepped into the soothing spray of the shower, the warm water cascading over me.
Fuck that guy. Focus on self-care, right?
The spacious shower stall boasted a rainfall showerhead, which released a cascade of warm water that enveloped me in a comforting embrace.
I reached for my favorite shower gel, its scent a soothing blend of lavender and vanilla, and the rich lather it created was a decadent treat for my senses. As I closed my eyes and let the fragrant steam envelop me, I allowed myself to luxuriate in the tranquility of the moment, the stresses of everything that had happened momentarily forgotten.
The water, with its perfect temperature, flowed over my skin, washing away not just the physical remnants of the previous night’s ordeal but also the emotional weight that had settled upon me. I shampooed and conditioned my hair, and when I was done, the water rinsed away everything about last night.
I dried myself with a towel and strode into my closet, dressing in a simple pair of yoga pants, a tank top, and a billowy shirt that would hide at least some of the bruising. The only thing that would cover up the ones around my throat was a scarf, and it was already too warm in Nevada to even consider it.
I headed into the kitchen next, fully intent on making a fresh coffee.
As it slowly brewed, the rich aroma filled the air, awakening my senses with its comforting scent. When it was ready, I poured myself a mug. My first sip of that delicious hot brew was a delightful indulgence, the deep, robust flavor coursing through me with a familiar warmth.
With the heat of the coffee cup in my hands, I settled onto the couch and switched on the television. The morning news played out before me, a mix of headlines and stories that I mostly tuned out. Then, the news anchor’s voice, calm and professional, filled the room.
“In an unusual incident last night, authorities responded to an animal attack in a deserted alley not far from the Las Vegas Strip. The victim, a local resident, was found with fatal injuries, and preliminary investigations have yet to determine the nature of the creature responsible,”he reported.
