CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHARLIE
I burst through the lobby door onto the sidewalk outside my apartment. Closing my eyes, I lift my head to the sky, take a deep breath, and hold for a moment. It was getting to be too much in there and I need to breathe. It is drizzling and the air smells like concrete and rain instantly calming my nerves. I take a few more breaths. In... Hold... Out... If I didn’t know any better I would say I was having a panic attack. Honestly though, my brain is just on overload and I need a moment of quiet to think.
I need to walk and those assholes Yuri has on my tale better not follow me. I need to be alone for now and really think about everything Yuri said. I start heading down the sidewalk instantly wishing that I grabbed a hoodie or something to protect myself from the cool rain, but maybe the cool, fresh air will help me think.
I start making my way down the block toward the coffee shop I found when I first moved here. A hot drink and a walk sound perfect. Thank god for ApplePay, because my purse is definitely still in the apartment.
As I walk, I think through all the little moments from the past four years of my life. Since meeting Dom, has anything stood out to me? I mean he was the only guy I ever met who didn’t try to date me or get in my pants; let’s be real guys are pigs. He was always there when I wanted to talk about anything, including my missing friend.
I always thought he was humoring me, but now I’m starting to wonder if he knew who Yuri was this entire time. Did he use me to find Yuri? I continue my walk as the sun sets. More clouds roll in, the rain gets heavier, the air gets colder and I start to shiver.
“Great!” I sigh and pick up my pace. I duck under a dark green awning across from the coffee shop and try to get my bearings before walking in.
Then, out of nowhere, I am grabbed from behind and slammed face first into the wall.
“You are making this a little too easy, princess.” Someone whispers with a sneer, his lips touching the shell of my ear. I attempt to shove him back but he has me locked in place. His voice sounds vaguely familiar, but I am struggling to place it. He pushes my face further into the wall, scraping my cheek on the brick and I cry out in pain.
“What the hell do you want?” I shout.
“We need to have a little chat!” he says.
“Who the fuck are you? At least have the balls to talk to me to my face, you prick!” I manage to say.
He pauses for a moment, shoves me further into the wall, and then I feel something being tightened around my wrists so hard my fingers tingle.
“Ouch! That fucking hurts!” I shout.
“Shut the fuck up you bitch!” He says, whipping me around, my head cracking against the brick as I face him. Stars are swimming in my vision. He presses his forearm against my throat, restricting my breathing enough to be a bit concerning, and pinning me to the wall again.
“Andrey? Is that you?” I croak out, confused, “What’s going on?”
“Like I said, we need to have a chat!” he seethes, removing a small amount of pressure from my neck so I can talk.
“Did Yuri seriously send you to follow me, man handle me, and bring me back?” I ask, dazed and confused.
He just laughs.
I let out a nervous laugh, then feign confidence I don’t feel when I say, “I told him to let me be! You bastards need to leave me alone and let me go!”
“No, Yuri, didn’t send me to come get you, but Dominic wants to have a little conversation with you.” He chuckles darkly leaning in so close I can feel his breath on my face.
“Wait!” I say struggling in his grip, even more concerned. “How do you know Domonic? What is going on, Andrey?” Something doesn't feel right and I’m scared shitless. I start to thrash around a little more trying to loosen his grip and get him off me, which is proving difficult with his size and strength.
“You are coming with me sweetheart.” he whispers in my ear, chuckling again.
Then I feel a sharp prick in my neck and feel a bag go over my head as my entire world goes dark.