“Hey, lady. You got a light?” She heard the voice by the small alleyway between the corner of the street and the next block. She ignored him and tried to keep walking, but that wasn’t the guy’s plan.
He jerked her back by her collar and dragged her into the alley. She was kicking and attempting to scream, but he covered her mouth with his hand. Toni was scared, and she was no match for this guy’s strength.
“Calm down or I’ll hurt you,” he whispered.
She jerked forward, loosening his hold then turned and kicked him.
“You’re going to die, bitch.”
He countered her moves, and she continued to fight him when he struck her on the cheek and then swept her feet out from under her. Her head hit the blacktop, and she could have sworn she saw stars.
“Hey, get the hell away from her,” she heard someone yell. Was that Vince?
Oh God, don’t pass out. Please don’t pass out.
“Toni. Toni, are you okay, baby? Holy shit. I was down the street when I saw you headed my way. Then some guy grabs you. Holy crap. Did he hurt you?”
“My head, Vince. I feel dizzy,” she whispered. She could hear his muffled voice as Vince called for an ambulance and the police. She wouldn’t pass out.
“It’s going to be okay, baby. Thank God I was here. My God, I was never so scared.” Vince held her against him. She clung to him. Not because she cared about him still, but because he had been there to save her, even if it were to talk her back into seeing him again. If Vince hadn’t shown up and stopped the mugger, then who knows how worse off Toni might have
been?
“The ambulance is on its way and so are the police.”
“No hospital, Vince. I won’t go. There’s no need to.”
He cupped her face between his hands and she winced. “Sorry, baby. Shit, he hit you there. Where else are you injured?”
“I hit my head. But I’m fine now.”
“No. You’ll get thoroughly checked out first. Damn, Toni,” Vince said again as the sounds of sirens filled the streets.
Why me?
* * * *
“I don’t trust that asshole. He’s an abuser and a thief. He’s wanted Antoinette back in his life and has been hounding her. You saw her wrists, Charlie,” Tina whispered to Charlie and the others as they stood by the kitchen and away from Vince and Toni.
“I know. I don’t like how this entire thing went down. Maybe you should call Stone and Emerson?” Charlie suggested.
She nibbled her bottom lip and looked at Mia, Farah, and the other staff members.
“I don’t think they cheated on her. I think she needs to hear them out, and to not trust Vince. She’s scared after being attacked in that alley. It’s the only reason why she hasn’t thrown Vince out.” Tina pulled out her cell phone about to call Stone and Emerson. But just then, the two men entered Bliss along with four other men, who were absolutely gorgeous.
* * * *
“Antoinette?” Stone called her name and she turned to see Stone, Emerson, and four other men she didn’t recognize walk into Bliss. She still held a bag of ice against her cheek and Tina walked out of the kitchen with another bag of ice for Toni to hold against the back of her head.
“I’m fine, Stone,” she whispered as Stone and Emerson both approached. Emerson reached for her chin, and she turned away from his touch.
“Get lost. You two don’t belong here,” Vince stated. She was shocked at his attitude and aggressive tone.
“Who the fuck are you? Because she’s our girlfriend,” Stone stated, puffing out his chest, and taking a challenging step toward Vince.
“Stop it,” Antoinette stated, pulling away from Tina and preparing to stand. She wobbled a moment and Emerson grabbed her arm.
“Why didn’t you go to the hospital? What the hell happened?” Stone asked her.