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Something is terribly wrong, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep dealing with the bullshit Tony’s caused in my life.
I’m tired of being afraid.
Fuck, I thought when I left Chicago all of my worries and fears would disappear, but apparently not.
The warm wind whips through my hair, reminding me of the harsh reality that awaits me at any given moment.
Pulling the door shut behind me, I fumble with the keys, my fingers numb from the dread taking over my body.
The lock clicks into place, and I stuff the keys into my pocket.
With one last glance at the shop, I steel myself for the journey ahead.
“Here goes nothing,” I breathe, stepping into the darkness that threatens to swallow me whole.
I take a moment and stop completely and take a deep breath.
Python is going to be so pissed at me whenever he gets back to the clubhouse and sees I’m there, but what other choice do I have?
Sure, I could stay here . . . but at least at the clubhouse, I won’t be totally alone.
I know a couple of the ladies are there right now.
My heart races as I walk away from the café, every shadow and sound making my heart leap into my throat.
Fear clutches at my chest, its icy grip threatening to yank breath from my lungs.
But I can’t stop now—I have to keep going.
Overthinking this is going to be what ends up getting me hurt.
Gunshots ring out in the distance and I swallow hard.
The city has been getting so much more dangerous over the last few weeks, and I don’t know when it will get any better.
The wind howls around me like a pack of wolves, adding another layer of anxiety on top of everything else.
My car is parked not too far away from the back door of the café, but not where I normally park it.
The building behind me was getting some deliveries earlier and I had to park further up.
With each step I can’t shake the feeling someone is watching me, every hair on my body standing straight up.
I mutter to myself, trying to sound braver than I feel. “Get a grip, Astra,”
Every step I take echoes as I get closer to my car, the mermaid tattoo on my right upper arm itching in anticipation.
The tattoos on my arms have always been my armor, but tonight, they don’t seem to offer me any protection.
A sinister voice whispers from the shadows, sending shivers down my spine. “It’s about time the two of us were alone,”
My heart pounds in my chest like a war drum.
I choke out. “T-tony?”
A deep chuckle reverberates from his chest. “Did you really think you could run forever, Astra?”
My legs tremble beneath me, but I refuse to let fear overpower me. I remember Python's words, urging me to stay put until help arrived, and I curse myself for leaving the safety of the cafe.
