Page 392 of Savage Bosses

Before she could react, a massive hand clamped down over her mouth from behind her, silencing her scream before it could escape. A powerful arm encircled her waist, hauling her back against a solid chest. Her heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she struggled against her attacker.

“Let go of me!”she thought desperately. But all that emerged from her lips were muffled, unintelligible cries.

“Hey, sweetheart,” the man whispered in her ear, his breath hot and foul, smelling of beer and cigarettes. “You’re coming with me.”

Fear froze her muscles. All those self-defense moves Bryce had taught her over the years flew out the window. She couldn’t even break free of her attacker’s grasp. The man began dragging her toward the back alley.

Just as Tatianna began to lose hope, headlights swept across them, illuminating them and causing her attacker to spit expletives. Bryce’s sleek black car screeched to a halt, and he wasted no time leaping out of it. A sense of relief mingled with her fear when she saw Bryceson.

“Get your fucking hands off her!” Bryce snarled, rage contorting his handsome features.

He charged forward, fists clenched, ready to strike. The attacker, momentarily caught off guard, released his grip on Tatianna just long enough for her to slip free. Gasping for air, she stumbled toward the restaurant. Her heel got caught on something. Her ankle twisted. She hit the ground.Damn it.

With her bag dragging against the ground, she pushed herself to her feet and limped over to the restaurant. Leaning against the wall, she watched Bryce engage in a fierce fight with the man, whose face Tati couldn’t see. The attacker’s hoodie was pulled low, and he was wearing a mask that covered the lower half of his face.

“Are you okay?” Bryce shouted between punches, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

His concern for her safety only reminded her that she was just standing there, not doing shit. She searched through her bag for her mace. Her hands were shaking so badly that she kept dropping everything she picked up.Found it.

“Are you okay, Tati?” Bryce yelled again as he fought. “Answer me!”

“Y-yes!” Tatianna stammered, embarrassed by the way her voice shook.

You’re no weak bitch,she told herself.Woman up.Tatianna forced herself away from the wall. She limped forward just as Bryce landed a final, powerful blow, sending the attacker crumpling to the ground. Bryce stood there for a moment, panting and trying to catch his breath, before turning to face Tatianna.

“Stop walking,” Bryce yelled. “Your leg is bleeding.”

Her leg? Oh, right. She had legs. Her mind was a fucking mess right now. She stared down at her leg. Blood was running down her calf from a wound she hadn’t even known she had. She didn’t feel any pain. Why didn’t she feel any pain?

“Fuck!” Bryce roared.

She looked up to see her attacker running down the street. Bryce chased after him.

“Bryce, no!” Tatianna yelled. “Don’t leave me.”

Fucking weak.That’s how she sounded, fucking weak. And she hated it. She also hated the way she was trembling and the way her heart wouldn’t calm down. Luckily, her words stopped Bryce. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, still staring after her attacker.

“Fuck!” Bryceson yelled again, clearly frustrated. He returned to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Tatianna nodded.

“Are you sure? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

She shook her head.

“I should take you to the police station. Let’s go to the station.”

“I want to go home, Bryce.”

“But…”

“I just want to go home.” Though she tried to keep them in, they burst free on their own. Tears poured down her cheeks. What had that man planned to do to her? Her body shuddered at the thought. She threw her arms around Bryce, letting her bag fall to the ground. She hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest.

“I’ve got you, love. I’ve got you. I’m so sorry I was late, babe. I’m so fucking sorry.”

He grabbed her bag, then picked her up and carried her to his car. She didn’t want to release him so he could drive, but she had no choice. The drive home was mostly silent. Every now and then, Bryce would curse and hit the steering wheel. Or he’d look over at her and ask her if she was okay.

She’d lie and say she was. But she wasn’t. The attack had left her shook. And her reaction to it had left her disappointed in herself. Why hadn’t she fought harder? Why had she needed a man to protect her? Why had she been so damn afraid? More tears spilled down her cheeks. She’d prepared for situations like this.

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