Page 10 of Rugged Soul

“Just the woman I was looking for,” the man says as he cuts the engine and hops off the bike.

I turn and sprint back into the building, trying to shut the door so I can lock myself inside. No luck. He wedges his big boot between the door and the frame, then pries the door open and pushes me inside.

Stumbling backward, I land on my ass with a hard thud that knocks the breath out of my lungs. The man with the eyepatch laughs as he leans over my crumpled body, his lips spreading into an ugly, twisted smirk revealing several rotten teeth.

He reaches out and grabs me by the throat, lifting me from the ground and slamming me against the nearest wall. I wince as my head bounces off the surface, pain ricocheting throughout my body while his haunting smile grows even bigger.

Two other men appear, one on either side of me, each wrapping their hands around my wrists to keep me pinned in place. I struggle for air, my eyes darting around for something, anything to help.

“What do you know about the Deviant Souls?” the main guy asks. I blink at him and try speaking, but nothing comes out. He spits in my face, the disgusting, slimy substance oozing down my cheek while he stares at me with beady black eyes.

“N-nothing,” I squeak out. “A club. That’s all I know.”

“And Domino? You seem to have caught his eye.”

“N-n-no,” I stutter. I try swallowing but I can’t. I end up coughing which only angers the men more. They tighten their hold on me, letting me know they could easily crush me and end my life.

“This the new clubhouse? Or was it the last one? We’ll find out one way or another, won’t we, boys?” The two men on either side of him grunt and nod. “But it’d be a hell of a lot easier if you just told us.”

“I-I-I…” I choke on my response, losing focus as black dots cloud my vision.

All three men release me at the same time and I slump to the floor, curling up in a ball to protect myself. “The marks will send enough of a message,” the leader grunts to the other guys. “You,” he says sharply. I look up at him through the tears stinging my eyes. “Tell Domino his days are numbered.”

All I can do is whimper, which gives all three men a sick sense of satisfaction. I can see it in their eyes. Feel it in their dark, irredeemable souls.

As suddenly as they appeared, the men leave. I stay huddled up on the concrete floor long after the sound of the bikes has faded away. I’m sore and bruised and terrified. The worst part? I still didn’t make a goddamn sale today.

My phone alerts me to a text, but I don’t bother moving. It’s not until my phone rings that I finally roll over and reach for my purse, which was flung several feet away during the attack.

I was attacked.

The reality of what just happened sets in. I was assaulted and threatened by three strangers. I…

My phone rings again, providing a distraction from my spiraling thoughts. When Lisa Dunham’s name flashes across the screen, I make a real attempt to sit up straight and get my shit together. I can’t let her know how weak I am. She’s a powerhouse, a titan of industry, an incredible woman who has dealt with plenty of shit and rose to the occasion. I can’t tell her I let myself get attacked by my client’s enemies. It’s all just a complication in the way of the sale, which I'm sure is all she cares about.

I close my eyes and drum up the strength to put on my professional mask once again. “Hello, Lisa,” I say once I’m finally composed enough to breathe normally.

“Tell me you landed the sale,” she starts, cutting right to the chase.

“Well, not exactly…”

“Adam has been practically humping my leg to try and get me to hand over this client to him. I said I’d give you one more week, but I can’t promise anything after that.”

“Of course. That’s understandable,” I reply, holding back tears.

“Don’t let me down, Calista. I need strong sellers on my team. People who can take a hit and come back stronger.” She has no idea how poignant her words are at this moment.

“Absolutely,” I agree, though she didn’t ask my opinion. “I’m your girl,” I say for some stupid reason.

“Not yet, but I’m holding out hope.”

With that, she hangs up.

I stare at my screen, remembering the text I got before Lisa called. It’s Domino. Of course, it is.

Text me when you get home safely.

I burst into tears, letting my phone slide off my lap and onto the floor. Curling my knees up, I wrap my arms around them and bury my head in my lap. Sobs wrack my body, echoing in the empty warehouse and making me feel even more pathetic.

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