Page 51 of Spades

But shit, I’ve lost track of Eaglet. He’s behind me, and before I can react, he throws his arm around my neck, yanking me into a headlock. My air cuts off in an instant, panic spiking through me as his grip tightens.

I slam my elbows back, aiming for his ribs, but he’s not stupid—he’s positioned himself just right, his body flush against mine, leaving me no angle to strike. My vision blurs at the edges.

I have seconds. Maybe less.

I twist, thrash, anything to break free, but his grip only tightens, his breath hot against my ear. My lungs burn. My body screams for oxygen.

Fuck. I can’t let this degenerate take me?—

Crash!

Breaking glass. Eaglet's grip slackens just enough for me to rip myself free. I drag in a desperate gulp of air. I turn around to see Alissa standing there, her fingers clenched around the jagged neck of a broken liquor bottle. Shards glisten at her feet, and blood drips from a fresh gash on Eaglet’s forehead.

He sways, blinking like he’s trying to piece together what just happened.

I don’t give him the chance.

I drive a brutal side kick straight into his chest.

He stumbles backward, gasping, and falls against the wall with a dull thud.

I’m not sure if any of them are out cold, so I grab Alissa’s arm. “Come on, I’ll get you to my car.”

She says nothing, just nods, gulping, her eyes wide with fear.

I guide her to the garage where I’m parked and open the door of the Rolls-Royce for her. She looks up at me, trembling. “I suppose I should thank you for that.”

I shake my head. “No need. I just did what any decent man would do. How’d you end up cornered by those creeps anyway?”

She frowns. “I was trying to figure out where the nearest L station was. I guess I wasn’t paying any attention.”

“Don’t let that happen again, Alissa.”

My voice is terser than I intend. But what the hell, I’ll probably never see this woman again.

We don’t talk at all as we make the drive uptown to Alissa’s apartment.

I park in front of her building, and I get out and open the door for her.

“I’ll walk you up.”

Hesitation flickers in her eyes, and for a moment, I think she’s going to reject my offer, but then her face softens and she gently nods.

She unlocks the front door, and I walk behind her as she walks up the three flights to her apartment door. She turns around.

“I know you said I don’t have to thank you, Maddox. But I’d like to.”

I smile slightly. “I mean, I won’t reject it if you do.”

She grabs my hand. “Thank you, Maddox.”

I tip my hat to her. “Of course. Good night, Alissa.” I turn.

“Wait.”

I look over my shoulder. “Yes?”

She runs her hand through her gorgeous blond hair. “Would you like a drink? We didn’t get to finish ours at the club, and I have a bottle of wine I’ve been meaning to try. It’s the least I can do to thank you for your bravery. God knows what those men would have done to me.”

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