And then a hard, unyielding jab in my side.
“Don’t scream,” the man said into my ear.
Everything inside me went solid, my body full of exclamation points. The thing in my side was a gun. I heard the click of his weapon.
“Keep walking. Look natural. Just give me your purse and whatever cash you’ve got,” he growled. “Do it now.”
My fingers trembled as I reached for my purse. I handed it to him without breaking our gait, without even blinking. My voice had disappeared entirely, my skin full of prickles and ice. I couldn’t even feel my legs.
“What else ya got?”
All I could do was shake my head. He nudged the gun deeper into my side, and I shook my head again. I couldn’t form words—maybe he sensed that, because he unwrapped his arm and took off.
I kept walking to my apartment, like any change in gait or appearance might convince him to come back. Shell-shocked and wide eyed, I stumbled into my building, unable to fully process what had just happened. When I got to my door, I looked around dumbly.
What was supposed to happen now?
My knees shook as I felt around. I needed my key. But where was it? I realized I still had my tote slung over my shoulder, the empty one I’d carried my lunch to work in.
It also had my phone in it, and an extra key I’d grabbed that morning in preparation for Kendra stopping by the office.
A relieved exhale shuddered out of me, wracking my entire body. I could barely open the door because of how hard my hands shook. Had that man followed me? Had he watched me? Had hebeenwatching me? Had he targeted me because he knew I was weak, because I looked vulnerable? The questions formed a logjam inside me, and the only thing I could do was slam the door shut and sink onto the couch.
And then the tears came.
I didn’t know what I was doing. I just knew I needed to respond somehow tobeing robbed.I sat up and tried to think of what had been taken from me. I fumbled for my phone and tried to start a list, but I couldn’t see through the tears. My credit and debit card both needed to be cancelled immediately, so I could start there.
I managed to look up the number for my Kentucky bank, but calling the number proved difficult. Nothing seemed to work right. Finally, I heard ringing at the other end of the line, and I tried to stifle my sobs.
“What is it, Jessa?”
The simple question caught me off guard. My mouth parted and I struggled to make sense of what I was hearing. That sounded like Damian.
“Jessa? Are you there?”
The tears returned, a sob hitching past my lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to call you. I was trying to c-call my c-credit card company.”
“Are you okay? What happened?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Another sob. “I got mugged, but I’m figuring it out.” Tears blurred my vision, and I swiped to end the call. I couldn’t talk to him right now. Not like this. I needed to get my shit together on my own.
This time, I managed to call the right number. Tears streamed down my face as I lay back on the couch and stared at the ceiling, listening to the dull hold music. Every thump of my heart reminded me of the feel of that gun in my side. I hadn’t lost much—barely any cash. So why was I so weepy? The fact that the tears wouldn’t stop only upset me more.
I’d cancelled my credit card and had moved on to my debit card when someone thumped at the door. I jumped in my seat, heart racing as I twisted to look that direction. What if it was that guy again? Had he seen where I lived? I covered my face with my hands, more tears escaping.
“Jessa, open up. It’s me.” Damian’s gruff voice left no room for discussion. Relief flooded me, toasty warm and inviting, like a blanket straight from the dryer. I moved on shaky legs toward the door. He surged into my apartment the moment I tugged it open, his thick arms wrapping around me. The comforting scent of his woodsy musk enveloped me, and everything was right in the world.
“Are you okay?”
My face was smashed to his chest, every inch of me warming at the contact. My eyes fluttered shut, the tears drying up. This, right here—this felt so damn good. Damian was a salve. He was the most delicious remedy for any ailment I might face. I squeezed my arms around his waist and melted into him.
“I am now,” I choked out.
His warm hand stroked the top of my head. “What happened?”
“I-I was just leaving the subway…and this man came up to me. He wrapped his arm around me.” I swallowed hard, the tears returning, remembering the way the fear had slithered through my limbs. “He had a gun.” The words were coming out in a whisper now. “He told me to give him my purse, so I did. He asked for more, but I didn’t have anything. And then he just disappeared.”
“Fuck, Jessa.” His arms squeezed tighter around me. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”