Page 11 of Encircled in Darkness
When Hayden rang thebell for last call, I pushed my full glass of whiskey to the edge of the table and slid another fifty under it before casually walking out of the tavern. There were a few people finishing up and the table of loud assholes shouted they wanted another round as the door closed behind me. Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the night sky and exhaled as I made my way to my truck parked at the edge of the lot.
I moved my truck to the street. Parking just outside the lights from the lot, I settled in to wait for Amaya. I checked a few emails and watched as the last few patrons left the bar, the drunk assholes from earlier peeling out of the lot with disregard for anyone else. I shook my head as their taillights disappeared down the street.
Teresa exited next and climbed into her boyfriend’s car as I watched the door, waiting for Amaya. I planned on following her home, like I had done every night she worked. Hayden, Allie, and Amaya walked out together, and Hayden watched as Amaya climbed into her piece of shit car near the edge of the lot. She cranked the car and Allie pulled away with Hayden throwing his arm in the air as their taillights faded into the darkness.
Amaya put the car into gear and just as she was about to turn onto the street, I saw her headlights dim before going dark. She got out of the car and leaned over, messing with something under the hood before slamming in down and kicking the tire in frustration. I had my hand on the door handle, ready to show myself to assist her when the same truck, with the assholes, sped back into the parking lot, nearly hitting her as she jumped out of the way.
Screeching to a halt, I saw her step away as the two loud men from earlier exited the truck and crowded her against the side of her car. She was leaning away from them, her hunched posture reflecting how frightened she was, thinking she was alone and vulnerable. I saw her shake her head and look around, hoping for a savior.
Reining the monster in, I opened the door to my truck and silently slipped out. I quietly skirted the edge of the building, using the darkened sidewalk as cover, hoping to get the jump on them. I had my gun but didn’t want to explain two dead assholes to the cops tonight. The closer I got to her across the large parking lot, the more the asshole’s words sounded into the night sky.
“Come on, we won’t hurt you. We just want to help. Let us give you a ride.” His hand was brushing her forearm and she snatched it away before crossing her arms over her chest.
Dickhead number two grabbed his crotch and thrust his hips towards her, licking his lips and taunting, “I’ll ride you all night long. Fuck, you smell good.” His nose raised into the air and I used that as my open window.
Cutting the distance between me and them, I ran behind asshole number two and grabbed him by the shoulder. His friend had his attention directly on Amaya, his greasy hand touching her hair. I was used to fighting and this drunk asshole wasn’t a threat to me. With a single punch to the middle of his face, I felt the bones crack under my fist, blood spraying as he wailed into the air.
Asshole number one turned when he heard his friend’s cries and he rushed me, yelling, “I’ll kill you!”
Too much alcohol fueled by stupidity made him predictable. He telescoped his punch and I ducked out of the way as he lost his balance and fell to the ground. Quickly recovering, he tackled me, forcing me back a step before I gripped my hands together and brought them down like an ax on the middle of his spine three times in rapid succession. It wouldn’t kill him, but he would have tingling from the waist down for at least an hour.
He dropped to the ground and I kicked him squarely in the jaw, blood spraying out of his mouth around a strangled cry. His friend was holding his face as blood poured through his fingers and the monster deep inside whispered.‘Kill them. They don’t deserve to live.’
Rolling my neck, forcing him back into his cage, I turned to find Amaya crouching on the ground near her door, shaking like a leaf. I slowly walked to her, my hand out in a calming manner, hoping to get her to focus on me and not on the bleeding men on the ground.
“Amaya, darlin’. Are you okay?”
Her gaze snapped to mine and she pushed herself further against the tire of her car, whimpering as she diverted her eyes. She didn’t recognize me, so I kneeled in front of her and removed my hat.
“Amaya look at me. It’s okay.” Lifting her head to me, her eyes grew wide as she finally recognized me. The only times she had ever seen me, I was wearing custom-tailored suits and I’m sure I didn’t look like myself with my jeans and a t-shirt. Leaning in so I was eye to eye with her, I reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek. She leaned in and I saw her bottom lip tremble.
“James? What are you doing here?” she whispered, and her sweet melodic voice brought warmth to the depth of my cold, dead soul, soothing the monster.
“Let me get you out of here.” Extending my hand to her, I waited for her soft hand to reach out to mine.
“Shouldn’t we call the police?” her shaky voice sounded into the silent parking lot.
From the angles of her car and their truck, their bodies weren’t visible from the road, which was to my advantage. I stretched my hand further out to her, and she finally placed her delicate fingers into the palm of my hand. Linking my fingers with hers, I felt the electricity shoot from her to me and back again.
My cock lurched in my pants and I discreetly adjusted myself as she stared down at the men. Pulling her close to my side, I wrapped my arm around her and turned her from having to look at them. With a subtle push, I had us walking back to my truck as I answered her question. “I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry, precious. I promise.”
Her soft brown eyes turned up to me and I looked down at her, offering her a slight smile as I opened the passenger’s door to my truck and helped her climb inside. I came around the driver’s side, cranked the truck up, and turned the heat on, hoping to stop her shaking. I turned to her, knowing she had investigated me as much as she could, and I explained.
“Men like that don’t deserve to live and it’s taking everything in my soul to not kill them. Especially since they tried to touch you.” My nostrils flared and I clenched my fists as she watched me from across the truck.
Her eyes twinkled and the corner of her mouth turned up slightly, letting me know she approved of my heavy-handed tactics where the assholes were concerned. Picking her hand up, I placed a soft kiss on the back and resisted the urge to taste her again. Her small gasp sounded into the truck as I placed her hand back on her lap.
My cock was rock hard, and I wanted to drive myself into Amaya, showing her what true pleasure and adoration was. Not the sick shit Victor made her do for his amusement. Knowing I had to get this cleaned up, I explained.
“I need to make a phone call, then I’ll take you home.”
“What about my car? And...”
“And?”
“What about them? They need to go to the hospital.” Her eyes quickly cut to the parked cars, then back to mine. Both men were still on the ground, but it appeared one was trying to get up.
“Do you trust me?”
