Chapter 10 Roni
Roni
“Stop it, Brad,” I shout, trying to wriggle free, but it’s no use. “You’re hurting me, goddammit. Let me go.” He doesn’t listen. Instead, he keeps dragging me through the parking garage.
I know we’re headed toward his car. I don’t even know how I was planning on getting home when I decided I was leaving. He picked me up. I didn’t think about it. But I could have taken a cab. I would have figured it out when I got outside.
“You are coming with me. And we are going to have a good time,” he declares with certainty. But I know what he means. He’s determined to get some. Sure, I could use a quick pounding. I’d actually love, as Mercy put it, to get my back blown out. But not by Brad.
“No. Let me fucking go right now. Help!” I yell.
“Help!” It’s fucking useless. There’s supposed to be security here twenty-four seven, but of course nobody’s coming.
The fluorescent lights flicker overhead, casting eerie shadows between the firm columns.
My voice echoes off the walls and dies in the empty space.
Where the hell is everyone? This place is usually crawling with people, even at this hour.
“Shut up,” Brad hisses, his grip tightening on my wrist. “You're making a scene.”
A scene? I'm trying to save my own ass here. My heels scrape against the rough concrete as he pulls me forward, and I can see his black sedan sitting under one of the dim lights about thirty feet away. My heart pounds harder with each step.
“Brad, seriously, this isn't funny anymore.” I try to keep my voice steady, but I can hear the panic seeping out. We’re going to get in his car and he’s not going to take me home. He’s going to take me to his place, or worse, somewhere secluded, where he’s going to have his way with me.
I start thinking of escape routes. Maybe I’ll hurl myself from the passenger side on the way. I’ll wait until he slows down, near a stop sign or a red light, and jump out and make a run for it. Anything more than submission.
“Come here,” he says. I don’t know why. I’m already here, wherever here is supposed to be.
“Stop it. Leave me the fuck alone, Brad. You don’t want to do this,” I plead with him. I’ll say anything to get him to let me go.
“You have no idea how bad I want to do this, Roni. I’ve been wanting to do this for longer than you can imagine.”
It’s not even surprising. There hasn’t been a guy I’ve wanted in a long time. I’m not some stuck up virgin protecting something as meaningless as a first time, but he’s not the one I want. He’s not…
“Phoenix?” I see my favorite coffee customer approaching from the side and I’m completely puzzled. “Wh—Where did you—”
My thought trails off as his left arm cocks back and punches Brad square in the gut.
He gasps and grabs his stomach, and before he can even react, Phoenix zaps him in the back of the neck with, I don’t know what.
But it sounds like it cooks Brad’s skin.
There’s a sizzle and a burning smell as he falls to the ground like a sack of potatoes, twitching a little on the concrete.
“Are you okay, Roni?” My savior cups my face in his hands, his eyes pleading.
“Phoenix, where did you come from?”
“Let’s not worry about that right this second.” He dismisses my question to focus, looking me over, gently squeezing my wrists and arms. When I don’t wince, he brushes my face. “Roni, really though, are you okay?” he repeats.
I nod, shaking my head. “Yes. Thanks to you,” I squeak with relief. I can’t believe it. I wished he was here, and here he is. Like magic.
He gently puts his hand on the small of my back and slowly walks me toward what I recognize as his vehicle. He helps me into the passenger seat, then grabs a suit jacket from the back seat and wraps it around me, before securing the safety belt across my chest.
The warmth of his coat settles around my shoulders, and I catch a hint of his cologne, clean and masculine. It makes my pulse quicken for entirely different reasons than it was racing moments ago.
I roll my eyes at my reflection of his windshield, because there’s no rational way I was fearing for my own safety, and now I’m… turned on? OMG—Roni, you cannot be serious.
Phoenix closes my door gently and walks around to the driver's side, his movements fluid and controlled.
As he slides behind the wheel, I steal a glance back in the direction of Brad, though he’s out of sight. “Is he... dead?”
“I doubt it. He should wake up in a few hours with a hell of a headache.” Phoenix starts the engine, and I notice his hands are completely steady on the steering wheel, while mine continue to tremble.
“What was the thing you used on him?”
“I keep a taser handy, for self-defense.” His response is quick and certain.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you,” I manage to say. I don’t know if I’m excited, scared, in awe, or in love. I’ve never felt this way before, like the universe is giving me a sign.
The ride to my apartment on the east side is mostly silent. I can tell he’s just letting me breathe. Giving me space. I can’t explain how much I appreciate it.
We pull up in front of my building, and he hops out and comes around to my door. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks again.
“I am. Thank you.” Truth is, I’ll may thank him every time I see him for the rest of ever.
“I’m just glad you’re not hurt. At least, not too bad. Here, let me walk you to the door.” He reaches his arm out for me to grab, and I feel like I’m suddenly in a movie.
I realize I don't want this night to end. Not like this. Not with him dropping me off and disappearing again until his next coffee run.
“Would you—do you want to come up? I could make you some coffee. I know it won't be as good as what we serve at the shop, but—”
“I can’t stay, unfortunately,” he tries to let me down easy. “I’ve got somewhere I need to be. And I don’t want to impose. Not after what you’ve been through. All I want is to be sure you’re safe.”
His look is so vulnerable. It’s not lusty. It’s nothing but genuine care. He does exactly as he says. He walks me to the front door, where I punch in my code. When the door pops open, I reach up to pull his coat off my shoulders, and he stops me.
“No. Take it with you. I’m sure I’ll get it back from you at some point. Tonight, you get where you’re going, and hopefully I’ll see you soon.”
I'm not sure what possesses me, but I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Phoenix,” I whisper.
His eyes widen slightly, and for a split second, I see something flash across his face. Longing, maybe? Then he steps back with a gentle smile.
“Goodnight, My Little Temptress,” he says softly.
I watch him walk back to his car, his silhouette cutting through the dim streetlight. Only when his taillights disappear around the corner do I finally step inside my building.
I didn’t say it, but I need to see him again. Because, I think, or maybe even know, he’s it.