My mind whirls as I drive around in circles. The anger starts to subside. Scratching the stubble along my jawline, I replay that conversation back.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I’m a complete fucking idiot.
I slam my fists against the steering wheel, hitting my foot on the brakes. The car behind me beeps frantically at me.
“Fuck off!” I shout, turning the car around as fast as I can.
The Audi takes off as I race back to where I left her.
It’s only been a few minutes; she will be fine.
I pull up to an abrupt halt in the exact spot I left her, but I don’t see my blonde beauty anywhere.
Shit.
Pulling open the glovebox, I snatch my gun. Even if I do shoot someone here, no one will give a fuck; it’s a daily occurrence anyway. The cold air burns my face. I turn my nose up as the stale stench of weed assaults my senses.
The thought brings bile up into my throat.
Keeping my gun closely by my side, right now I don’t need to draw unwanted attention to myself.
Walking down the sidewalk, within just a few steps, I’ve already passed two homeless men wrapped up in sleeping bags.
“Get off me!” a woman’s voice screams.
I assess where the noise came from. Following the sound, I turn to my right and look across the street. There’s a dark alleyway on the other side of the road. I jog over there, slowing my steps carefully as I approach.
“Give me your fucking phone!” a voice shouts.
As I round the corner, Maddie’s silver stilettos shine in the light. The man, dressed all in black with a balaclava covering his face, is attempting to snatch her handbag. Whipping my gun out in front of me, I walk toward them, careful not to startle him. Fuck knows if he has a weapon.
I put a finger to my lips as Maddie spies me out the corner of her eye. She flicks her gaze away from me as the barrel of my gun presses against the back of this asshole’s head.
“Get the fuck off her. Now!” Violence oozes off of my tone.
When he produces the slightest slither of silver—a knife—from his back pocket, I react on instinct and squeeze the trigger, blowing his brains out. My ears ring from the gunshot, followed by Maddie’s screams.
