grabbing my things, I headed toward the back door. As I walked outside, I was struck by another odor, one of decay from the trash. A nasty taste filled my mouth, creating a wave of goosebumps dancing along my arms. I hated the fact the employee parking lot was so dingy, the single overhead light barely able to provide anything but ugly shadows. I remained on edge and I didn’t know why. The assholes had left almost an hour before.
I covered my mouth and headed for my vehicle, Becky’s the only other one in the lot. Both the cook and the owner had left earlier. I felt guilty leaving her but elated that I would soon be able to grab a glass of wine then slide under the covers.
As soon as I was within two feet, I heard a noise, the slight cracking sound coming from the dense trees surrounding the back of the lot. I remained frozen, ready to reach for my mace or the small knife I always carried, my breath skipping. After several seconds of hearing nothing but the light wind tickling off the trees, I hissed. What the hell was wrong with me?
After unlocking and opening the door, I tossed my purse onto the passenger seat.
Then I felt a presence behind me.
“I think you need to learn a lesson.”
The asshole from earlier. I’d recognize his voice anywhere, the odd accent one I’d never forget.
“Just get away from me.” I couldn’t stop shaking, my words almost inaudible. I had nothing to defend myself with. The only thing I could do was scream and hope that Becky heard me. When a massive hand was slapped around my mouth, the monster yanking me against his rock-hard chest, I couldn’t stop shaking.
“You’re coming with me, little bitch. I think you’re going to be very useful.” He laughed, the sound far too sultry as he grabbed my breast, squeezing until my eyes filled with tears. “But not before I’ll enjoy spending some time with you.”
As he started to drag me away from the car, I heard a single crack. Then the man holding me was ripped away. The next sound was one of a hard thud.
Still shaking, I managed to turn around, crowding close to my car and blinking furiously in an effort to see what the hell was going on.
In the dim light of the parking lot, I could see a silhouette of a man, one hulking muscular force.
My professor.
Within seconds, the other two assholes attacked, throwing punches toward my protector. I couldn’t breathe, remaining paralyzed to the spot as fists were thrown, agonized grunts coming from the attackers. The cracking sound of bones breaking forced me to cover my ears. One by one, my professor managed to toss them aside as if they were ragdolls, continuing to pummel with savage punches until two of them fled, limping as they struggled to get the hell out of his way.
Only the biggest prick remained, determined to finish what he’d come to start.
My professor was having none of it, issuing jab after jab until blood spewed from the man’s mouth. I was horrified, yet couldn’t take my eyes away, barely able to take shallow breaths as the terrifying fear remained. Everything seemed surreal, as if I was watching a movie.
When the hunk of a man finally stayed on the ground, moaning from significant pain, only then was I finally able to react. I inched toward the open car door, fighting my nerves. I knew I had to get the hell out of there, but I couldn’t leave without making certain Professor Lenkov was okay.
The professor took several deep breaths, his entire body heaving as he continued to stand over the man. I didn’t need additional details to be able to tell the man who’d attacked me was bloodied, his breathing ragged. My God. Who were the men and what did they want from me?
Then he turned his attention in my direction, the light showing his enraged face. As he started storming toward me, I slunk back, uncertain of what to expect.
While he slowed his gait, he continued in my direction, peering down at me. He seemed larger than life, a man who’d risked his own to save mine, yet there was something entirely different about him. His eyes were like pools of darkness as he stood over me.
He wiped his mouth, darting a glance over his shoulder before speaking. “You need to get out of here right now, Chloe. And I want