Page 24 of Red Obsession

It’s not until the fifth one rings out that my body finally moves.They’ve found us.Shoving Gabriel out of the seat, death grip on his hand, I drag him to the back of the bus.

Shadows erupt everywhere as I blink rapidly trying my best to clear my vision. My knee connects with something, causing me to trip and nearly fall into the isle.

“Oh, Izellllll.”

Oh no. No no no. This cannot be happening. He can’t be here. I can feel every part of my body being paralyzed. I can barely even breathe. This isn’t how I imagined I would react if he came around again. Ragged breaths slip through my lips, my heart beating against my rib cage. Everything is too loud, too damn loud.

“Come out, pretty lady,” his voice rings in my ears. Panic wraps around my throat making everything blur and time slows down.

“We can get out from the back,” Gabriel whispers into my ear. I can’t believe I nearly forgot Gabriel is here with me. Of course, he is. This is why we are on the run.

Blindly nodding my head, I regrip his hand before nearly dragging him towards the back of the bus. A few people stare at us wide eyed as we pass, keeping low so they can’t see us from the window. Once we reach the back, I ease the door open, my eyes peeled for any mov–

“Gotcha.” His hot, whiskey-filled voice hit my neck as his arms wrap around my waist lifting me off the ground.

“Get off her!” Gabriel yells from somewhere behind me.

I claw, my nails digging into his skin, scratching and lashing out the best way I can. The only way I can think of, yet I’m no match for him. Tiger has half a foot on me, and a lot more muscle. I might be a bigger girl, a little thick around some areas, but I’m as weak as a mouse.

"Leave her alone!” Gabriel yells once more before the sound of him falling with a grunt echoes around the abandoned street.

“Gabriel!” I scream, trying to throw myself down from Tigers grip. His hand presses against my breast, squeezing so hard I scream at the top of my lungs.

“You always liked that, didn’t you, baby.” I gag, his tongue running from my neck to my cheek. “Hmm, you taste just as I remember.”

Jerking my head back, I finally connect with his nose, and his hold on me loosens, allowing me to throw my bodyweight down and Tiger drops me. I could cry with hope, but I only lose when the tight grip of my hair is pulled back. He swings my body around so I’m now facing Gabriel. I cry out as my eyes zero in on the gun pointed at his head from some prospect I’ve never met before.

I’m forced to my knees as Gabriel and I face each other, him crying while I try and hold on to whatever strength I can muster because I’d rather die than be returned to Dan.

“Daddy says he misses you.” Tiger’s breath washes over my neck, his voice low in my ear. “He says to return the boy alive, but he doesn’t care what I do to you. Kill you or take you for myself. I’m thinking I want to keep you.” He pulls my hair tighter causing me to cry out. “I’ll make you a fucking bloody mess, have my men take their turns on you again.” I hold in my whimper, not wanting him to know how much he can and has affected me. He took my childhood away from me. I won’t let him take my barely started adulthood.

“Izel.” Gabriel's voice drags me out of the dark corner of my head. I can hear the sadness in his voice; he is giving up. He knows what this means for us.

We’re going to die.

“It’s okay,” I manage to whisper before the barrel of Tiger's gun presses against my forehead.

I accept I am going to die early before I truly even got to live.

My heart practically skips a beat as I meet his ice-cold expression. He’s a monster and always has been a monster. Our eyes lock, and I refuse to break for him. I won’t look away just because this man tore me apart, just because I know I’m moments from being shot in the head. I barely suck in a breath when time stops. Tiger screams, the gun dropping to the ground as he falls to his knees too close for comfort for me. He cradles his hands, and it takes me a moment to realize he has a knife sticking out of his right hand.

The hand that he was holding the gun with.

“You fucking bitch!” Tiger screams, spit flying from his mouth. I fall back onto my butt, scooting back. He angrily reaches for my leg before another knife comes flying, impaling him in the other hand, nearly missing my leg entirely. I have no idea where they’re coming from, and I don’t have time to think about it.

Tripping over my own legs, I stumble to my feet, barely standing before I’m swinging around towards Gabriel.

“Let him go,” I hiss at the prospect. My trembling legs barely carry me towards them.

“Fuck no.” He laughs, tapping Gabriel’s head with the gun. Gabriel whimpers, and my blood runs hot. It’s only moments before I feel someone grabbing the back of my hair, yanking with their might. I fall onto my back, black spots invading my vision. But I don’t have time to think before they’re ripped away from me.

“Don’t. Fucking. Touch. Her.” I know that voice. I miss that voice.

Zion.

I sigh in relief.

"Who the hell are you?” Tiger gasps out.

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