Page 9 of A Billionaire Dom

Linsey

After narrowingdown my list of possible cases and creating more detail profiles on each, I was more than ready to take a break for dinner. And since I was an awesome friend, I packed up some food and took it to Kasey at work. Well, mostly because I was an awesome friend, but a little bit to clear my head too.

When I was a kid, I hadn’t always wanted to be at home – okay, I’drarelywanted to be at home – and not having money had limited my options. So, I’d walked. A lot. Since the boyfriends my mom had moved in and out of our lives had all lived relatively close to each other, I’d been able to expand the area I’d known until I’d memorized four and a half miles total, alternating the routes I’d taken every so often.

Walking had become my coping mechanism whenever I was stressed or just needed to think. Or not think, which was more often the case than not.

I was trying not to think now. Or rather, Ihadbeen trying not to think. Then I’d noticed the two guys across the street staring at me. Lecherous creeps weren’t anything new, but Houston was still new enough to me that I paid more attention to my surroundings than I would have in other places where I’d lived.

The pair whispered something to each other, their voices too quiet for me to know what they were saying, but the expressions on their faces were easy enough to read. I fully expected them to cat-call or something of that sort, but they went straight to creepy step number two. Following me.

I didn’t change my pace or acknowledge that I’d seen them, but I edged closer to the buildings I passed, using their windows to keep an eye on the men behind me with my peripheral vision. I wasn’t one hundred percent positive they intended anything more than intimidation, but the moment they made a move, I’d have to be ready to respond.

I slipped my hand into my purse, grateful for the design of the new bag that allowed me to do it without alerting the men behind me. A design that also had a hidden pocket where I kept my taser.

I’d gotten one as soon as I’d turned eighteen and had carried it no matter where I went, even in cities where it was illegal. My safety was more important than a law that would protect an attacker. Fortunately, I’d never had to use it – and I hoped I wouldn’t have to tonight – but at least in Houston, it was legal.

I’d gotten this particular design because it’d come with a blinding light and didn’t look like a gun. The last thing I needed was an altercation with police, where they thought I was the bad guy.

One of the problems with not knowing the area as well as I eventually would, was that I was caught off-guard when the club I passed was the last business before a series of seemingly empty warehouses.

Shit.

As soon as I thought it, the footsteps behind me quickened.

Fuck!

I spun around, pulling out my taser as I went, flicking the switch with my thumb to turn on the light. If they thought it was just a bright flashlight or something along those lines, it’d give me a few extra seconds of surprise, though I hoped I didn’t need them.

They both took a step back, clearly startled that I hadn’t behaved like a normal mark, and tried walking faster. I wasn’t in heels or anything, but I wasn’t going to stake my life or health on being faster than two men who both likely had longer strides than mine. I’d rather bet on a piece of technology to give me an advantage.

“Back. Up.”

“Whoa!”

“Hey!”

They both put their hands up, but neither one looked nearly concerned enough. In fact, they looked more amused than worried, and that pissed me off, which was good because angry was better than scared.

“Somethin’ wrong here, sweetheart?” The taller of the two men kept his hands up but shifted his weight as if preparing to take a step forward. His Texas drawl had that easy-going rhythm that always seemed to naturally go with the sound, but it grated on my nerves rather than setting my mind at ease.

“You’re following me.” My mind raced through the instructions that had come with my taser, reassuring myself that I did remember all of them.

“Mind lowerin’ that light, miss? It’s awfully bright.” The shorter, stockier man touched the brim of his cowboy hat, pulling it lower.

“I think I’ll leave it right where it is,” I said. “The two of you need to go back the way you came.”

“We ain’t doin’ no harm.” The tall one took a step forward. He squinted his eyes against the light but otherwise gave no indication that it affected him.

“Walk away,” I repeated the command, “or someone’s going to get hurt.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

I still had my eyes on the tall one when the stocky one moved. I pivoted toward him, pressing the button that triggered the electric charge. Blue-white light and a loud snapping sound responded immediately, stopping the man in his tracks as the electricity made contact. His body stiffened, then convulsed as he fell to the ground.

I’d practiced with it and watched videos to see what would happen if I ever had to use it in real life, but real practical application rarely matched up to observation or expectation. What none of my preparation had taken into account was what to do if there were more than one would-be assailant, and the second asshole wasn’t discouraged by the sight of their friend being tasered.

A hand closed on my arm.

“Bitch!”

He yanked me around, and I almost stumbled. My taser fell from my hand as I struggled to stay on my feet. If I fell, it’d be all over. As long as I was standing, I could still fight.

“Let me go!”

“I don’t think so, sweetheart.” He raised his free hand, and I knew he was going to hit me.

Even as I lifted my arm to try to block the blow, it never got that far. The arm in the air suddenly had a hand on it. A fist slammed into the man’s head, and he dropped, nearly taking me with him.

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