Hideaway (Devil's Night 2)

She snarled, knocking my hat off my head and yanking my hair, forcing my head down and my scalp to scream. I winced in pain.

Dammit!

I should’ve cut off my hair. Years ago. It was just the only part of me that was still Nik and not Banks, and I’d hung onto it for some reason.

I lost my hold on her, giving her just enough time to push me off. She released me, sitting up and throwing out her leg, kicking me in the stomach.

And I couldn’t breathe. My throat closed, and I struggled to inhale. I coughed, hunching over. Did my stomach go through my goddamn spine?

“Are you done?” she shouted, and I noticed she had a trickle of blood coming out of her nose.

A momentary pang of satisfaction hit me through the pain. She’d made me bleed, after all. It was only fair.

“Not just yet.” I launched for her, grabbing her neck again and curling my fingers so hard, my nails dug into her skin.

She gasped, her eyes going wide as she grabbed for my wrist. I knew I’d broken the skin.

Hands grabbed me from behind and pulled me away, off her.

“What the hell?” I heard Kai growl. I whipped my head around, briefly turning my glare on him.

He was still in his workout pants from before, but now sweat matted the ends of his hair and his chest glistened.

“No, screw that!” Rika shoved at Kai, seething. “Let’s finish this!”

I laughed under my breath, seeing the four crimson half-moons tattooed into her skin over her jugular where a small scar she already had sat. I gazed down at my nails, seeing blood mixed with the dirt.

I lurched for her again, but Kai caught me, yanking me back.

“Enough!” He came between us, yelling. “Everyone is watching you two. What the hell is going on?”

Bystanders lingered outside the room, peeking in at the commotion. Turning back to Rika, I sucked at the cut in my cheek and spit the blood at her feet.

She launched for me again.

“Dammit!” Kai gripped me by the collar, pushing me back. He pointed his finger in my face, his teeth bared as he fixed me with a warning look.

Turning back to Rika, he tilted her head up, checking her bloody nose. “Are you okay?”

Is she okay? Your little princess threw the first punch, asshole.

“I’m fine.” She jerked her head out of his hands, challenging me. “I can take anything you got!”

“I’m sure! In both ends, I hear!”

She came for me again, but Kai pushed her back, turning to me. “What the fuck is the matter with you?”

“I don’t like her, and I don’t work for her, so I’ll do whatever I fucking want!” I gritted out.

“You’ll do what I want,” he whisper-yelled, getting in my face. “End of story.”

Looking around me, he spoke to the audience gathered. “Carry on, everyone. It’s over.” And to Rika, “Leave us alone, please.”

She didn’t move for a moment, still glaring at me and red from the exertion, and her ponytail hung on by a thread. But she finally walked past us, leaving the room.

I heard the voices slowly fade as everyone went about their business and left.

“What do you have against Rika?” Kai questioned. “You haven’t spoken to her once or barely spared her a glance. What is it?”