Page 16 of Cruel Saint

“Excuse me, miss,” a voice called out from behind me.

Startled, I turned around to see a man of around my age holding up a tube of the same brand of lip gloss I used.

“I think you dropped this.” He narrowed his dark gaze on me, not taking his eyes off me for a second.

There was something unnerving about it, but I quickly brushed it off. I needed to stop thinking everyone was watching me.

Approaching him, I grabbed the tube from him. “Thanks.”

Then I continued back down the hallway once more.

But when I opened my clutch and saw my lip gloss was already in there, I came to an abrupt stop.

A sinking sensation formed in the pit of my stomach as I stared at this other tube, a voice in my head telling me not to open it.

But I needed to.

Even though I couldn’t shake the feeling I already knew what was inside.

With trembling hands, I uncapped the container and tipped it upside down. Another necklace identical to the previous ones I’d received fell onto my palm. It probably only weighed a few ounces, but it felt like it was crushing me.

Whirling around, I focused on the retreating figure as he pushed open the rear emergency door and disappeared outside. Every rational instinct I possessed cautioned against following him.

I needed answers, though. Needed to know who the fuck was sending me these damn necklaces.

Cursing my choice of shoes, I hurried down the hallway as fast as I could, bursting through the door and emerging into a dark alley, the stench of urine and garbage assaulting my senses.

I frantically scanned the area for the man who’d given me this necklace when an unexpected force slammed into me.

The jarring impact of my head hitting the hard brick wall left me momentarily disoriented, my brain struggling to clear itself of the confusion and pain.

But when a body pressed against mine, fight or flight kicked in.

Summoning my strength, I tried to recall everything Samuel taught me. He always said that most men chose women because they viewed us as easy targets. That the best way to fight back was to use the element of surprise to my advantage. Make him think I didn’t pose a threat.

“Don’t hurt me. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Is that right?”

My muscles trembled when I felt his warm breath on my neck. A hard object pressed against my lower back, causing bile to rise in my throat.

“Please,” I whimpered, fear and desperation flooding through me.

“I do love it when a girl begs.” He pushed a knee between my legs to spread them apart. “This wasn’t part of the plan, but may as well get some extra payment for my troubles.”

I blinked repeatedly, trying to figure out what he meant by that. What plan? And extra payment? Was he paid to come after me? I couldn’t waste time dwelling on that, though. I needed to act.

I discreetly put some space between myself and the wall, giving me some wiggle room to maneuver. Thankfully, it was enough to allow me to do what I needed, and I quickly spun around, landing a quick jab to his nose and a knee to his groin.

“You fucking bitch,” he groaned, releasing me as he clutched himself, blood spilling down his face. “Easy mark, my ass.”

Without hesitation, I ran as fast as my heels would allow. But in my panic, my ankle gave out, and I fell onto the ground. The thunder of footsteps behind me spurred me to get up, but before I could, he was on top of me. Grabbing a fistful of hair, he yanked my head back, pressing a knife against my throat.

“Scream and I’ll cut you. Got it?”

The sharp sting of the blade forced me to hold my breath, my muscles locked in fear. I swallowed hard, trying not to make any sudden movements.

With a trembling voice, I managed to whisper, “Yes.”

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