Page 5 of Flame it Up

“The event is here, boys!” Mazie called out.

A few of the men had been walking toward the sanctuary, which they had specifically blocked off due to the sensitivities of the animals. If any of them were to be disbarred, a usually nonviolent Mazie would have some fists to show their mouths.

Two men began to stumble toward her. It took a whole two seconds for Mazie to figure out that they had been pre-drinking and were already half in the bag as they approached the event.

“The animals are off limits for tonight, boys,” Mazie said as they got closer. “We will be happy to host you inside if you’d like.”

She gestured to the tents but turned back to find one of the men looking her up and down. Mazie often wore loose clothing when she was working with the animals, but with her voluptuous form, it was difficult to hide what she had going on beneath the fabric. But she knew that it didn’t matter what she wore to those types of men. Harassment was as easy as breathing.

“You’re looking like a snack tonight,” the man said.

Mazie did everything she could to keep from telling the man off. She was appropriately nervous, which was what women often had to be to protect themselves anyway.

“You have some much more filling snacks inside,” Mazie said, forcing a smile.

The men sauntered by after giving each other a high five. Mazie watched with concern as a rush of men who could have all been related moved into the tents, immediately grabbing alcohol from behind the bars and screaming for the DJ to turn the music on.

Mazie ran inside, looking around like she had just walked into a horror movie.

The idiots had started talking to the women of the corps, as well as the men. They were taking over tables and demanding booze and food before the event was even set to begin. Sweat trickled down her back again, but it wasn't from the heat.

She made a beeline into the kitchen and informed the higher-ups what was going on. They told her that they would deal with it, and she returned to the main area where the Peace Corps personnel were being harassed.

Mazie thought there should already be reinforcements. They had hired security for the night, but they were not set to arrive for another hour. She was able to find a radio in the back office of the venue not far from the tent.

“We’ve got some rich assholes here harassing everyone,” Mazie said into the walkie. “I think they’re all drunk. I don’t even know if they were invited. Send the security now. Better yet, get the police.”

Mazie placed the radio down, then caught the scent of something rancid. She spun around and saw the man from earlier standing at the doorway, holding a whiskey bottle in his hand and swaying.

“My snack ran away,” he muttered.

The man was tall and likely stronger than her. But he was drunk, which was something she could use in her favor. Mazie looked down at his feet, looking for sensitive spots that she could kick, punch, and smash.

She had been trained in self-defense after arriving in the country, mostly for her own reassurance. She had also been harassed before by men at other events, but none had ever done anything physically.

But Mazie had a sneaking suspicion that the intoxicated man before her, whose eyelids were drooping over his red eyes, which were filled with a violent hunger, wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Get out of here,” Mazie tried to snarl. “Get thefuckout of here. You aren’t allowed back here!”

The man stumbled forward, still holding the bottle and slurring his words. “I want my snack first,” he said. “I will taste my snack, and then I will go.”

Mazie flicked her eyes at the door and tried to hurry past him. She remained out of his reach most of the way, but he grabbed hold of the back of her pants at the last second. She smacked his hand, which pissed him off, causing him to yank at the back of her T-shirt.

“Bitch doesn’t know what’s good for her,” he grunted.

Mazie was terrified but also enraged.

THREE

PYRUS

Pyrus was dressed to the nines to attend the endangered animal charity event. He was picked up at his hotel by Gerri once he had moved around a few meetings. The large, unrelenting sun shining down on him glinted off the black limo, giving it the appearance of having perspiration.

He had been to Johannesburg before, so the heat wasn't anything new. He wore a taupe suit that was light and airy with the extra bonus of still looking sharp and attractive.

Pyrus climbed into the air-conditioned splendor of the limo, finding Gerri sitting comfortably and looking pretty. She already had a glass of champagne in her hands, holding it daintily with two fingers.

“It’s never too early in this heat,” she said as Pyrus settled opposite her.

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