When the noise stops, I peak between my hands and Officer Johns is staring at me through the side of the car. I reach for my purse again, but Officer Green is on the other side, and he already has my purse in his hands. “You looking for this?”
I shake my head. “You can have it. It’s yours. Take it, just leave me alone.”
Officer Johns peers at me through the window. I’ve always thought he was a little off, but right now he seems almost maniacal. “Officer Green can have the purse, but you know what I want, Addison. I want you.”
“I said no,” I tell him. “I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to do anything with you.”
Officer Johns opens my door and wraps his hand around my arm, pulling me from the car. I have tiny cuts up and down my arms, my head is hurting, and I feel dizzy like I might throw up. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I fall to my knees.
Officer Johns tugs on my hair, jerking my head backwards. He looks at me menacingly. “I mean, I thought I’d have to force you, but if you’re willing…” He starts to undo his jeans, and I can’t stop myself. I lean over and throw up, right on his shoes.
He’s trying to kick it off his shoes, and he lets go of me. I try to get away, but I am only able to crawl around two feet before he has me by the hair again. “That wasn’t very nice of you but don’t worry. I’m going to let you make it up to me.”
He pulls my head back and he’s so close, I’m afraid he’s going to try and kiss me. I spit right in his face, and when I do, he swings, hitting me in the cheek and pushing me backwards.
Lying on my back, I’m trying my best to stay conscious when I feel him climb on top of me. My hands are on his chest, and I’m pushing him, doing my best to get free.
He’s trying to pull my dress up when something stops him. I hear the sound of motorcycles, engines revving, and it’s obvious they’re getting closer. “We got to go,” Officer Green says.
“I’m not leaving until I get what I came for,” Officer Johns mutters as I continue to twist and turn underneath him.
They wait and listen, and when it’s obvious the motorcycles have turned onto this road instead of heading straight on the highway, Officer Green takes off running.
Officer Johns stands and tries to pick me up, but I keep fighting. I know if I get in that van with them, I may never get free. Finally, as the sounds get louder and louder, Johns finally lets me go and takes off running. I lift my head just in time to see that Officer Green still has my purse tucked under his arm. They peel out down the road until all I see is dust behind them.
I try to get up, but I can’t. Instead, I crawl on my hands and knees to get to the edge of the road. It seems like it takes forever, but it’s probably only seconds. The purr of the motorcycles is getting closer and I’m hoping it’s James or any of the Men of Valor, for that matter. When I get to the road, I fall back on my butt and wait.
There’s three bikes, and they slow as they get closer to me. I wipe moisture from my eyes, and I realize quickly that I’m not crying, it’s blood from my head that is falling over my brow. I use the edge of my dress to try and wipe it away and clear my vision. The three men crowd around me, and the first thing I notice is their cuts. They all have the Men of Valor patches, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
One of them squats down in front of me. “You Addison?”
I’m pretty sure I recognize him from the strip club the other night. I say yes, but it comes out more of a groan, so I nod my head, and then I flinch because even that small of a movement hurts too.
He reaches for his phone, hits a number, and puts it to his ear. “I got her.”
Whoever it is says something, and I hear the man respond. “Yeah, on the backroad between the shop and the highway. But hey, Ice, you need to bring a cage. She’s not able to ride a bike.”
I take a deep breath when I hear him say Ice’s name. Thank God, he’s coming.
The man holds his phone out. “He wants to talk to you.”
I reach for it, and my hands are covered in blood. “I’ll get blood all over your phone.”