Page 54 of Enforcing the Rules

She took my hand in hers as we sat on the green vinyl couch. “I have you to thank for saving him. The paramedics told me if you hadn’t been there to give him chest compressions until they arrived, he might not have made it.”

I patted her hand. “I’m glad I was there. It was scary. I was terrified.”

“Thank you, honey. I’ll be forever grateful. And I’m making Bill give you a raise.”

“If you can get Bill to crack open his wallet,” I teased. We both shared a laugh.

I stayed and chatted with her for about twenty minutes and then her sister showed up.

I drove back to my apartment.

Utah had left early this morning when I headed to work. We’d kissed at his bike, and I’d climbed in my car. I loved how he waited to make sure my car started and I was on my way before he fired up his bike and roared off.

He’d promised to come fix my lock, but I’d left a message with my landlord, and he’d actually called me right back, saying he’d take care of the problem by tomorrow.

This morning, I’d noticed Utah take in the name of the management company on the wall above the mailboxes as we walked out.

The way the landlord was so eager to comply made me wonder if Utah had called him. I’d never had such a quick response from the man in the two years I’d lived here. Having a biker for a boyfriend seemed to have its advantages. That made me pause. Was he my boyfriend? It felt like he was.

He’d kissed me goodbye this morning and promised to check in later after I, of course, had given him my number. I hadn’t talked to him, but he’d texted asking how my day was.

That had made me smile.

It was nice to have someone checking in on me.

I glanced at the clock on my dashboard as I parked around the corner from my building. It was after 9 pm. My father was supposed to come by at midnight. I thought a lot about if I should tell Utah or ask him to come over, but in the end, I didn’t want to get him involved. Plus, it was embarrassing that my skip was actually my loser father.

I entered the vestibule and unlocked the bottom door, then trudged up the long flight of stairs. I hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep the past few nights, and I was exhausted. I unlocked my apartment door and entered.

Immediately, I knew something was off. I felt a breeze slam the door shut behind me. My eyes went to the window in the kitchen.

My crazy mind sped through all kinds of reasons that window would be open.

“Utah?” I called.

There was no one in view in the living room or kitchen.

Could it be my father?

“Dad?”

I walked toward the hall, digging in my purse. I’d forgotten the taser in my glove box, but I had my mace. I closed my hand over it and brought it out, silently thinking, don’t mace Utah in the face if it's him.

I stepped around the wall toward the bedroom, and that’s when a hand grabbed my throat and pinned me to the wall. I lifted my arm and sprayed, but it was violently knocked from my hand before I got it to my attacker’s face.

The man had a dark hoodie on. He pressed closer, and I recognized the scent of his cologne and dirty body immediately. It was Ruiz.

Dim light came from the bedroom, and his gold tooth gleamed as he grinned.

“Hey, little Chica. Just came by to remind you of your debt. I need another thousand. You’ve got four days.”

“What? You said I had until the end of the month.”

“I lied. And now that I know where you live, if you’re late, I’ll be making another visit. Understand?”

I nodded.

He leaned closer, running his nose along my cheek, and I felt sick to my stomach.

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