Chapter 8

It may have been dark, but I knew who that was. Parker. He was Jack's little fucking minion. He wanted to be a part of his friend group so badly that he would do whatever Jack wanted, and I knew he had a history of a temper. I quickly turned around and headed right back towards the restaurant. I could hear his footsteps coming closer and faster. I started running and when I got to the door it was locked. I fumbled with my purse for my keys, but it was no good. He was right there. I dropped my keys and took off running.

"Tess, I just want to talk with you," he yelled after me and I knew better than that.

I jumped through some bushes and ran behind buildings. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest and lungs burned as I kept going but he was closing in. I skidded to a stop and turned down an alley and started running down it. The street was on the other end, and I just needed to make it out there and I could find help, but my foot caught a big rock, and I went flying through the air.

I landed on my hands scraping them and my knees tearing my pants and it gave Parker enough time to close in on me. He grabbed my hair, jerking me to a standing position. My legs were weak, and I wanted to scream for help, but he quickly slapped his hand over my mouth. I tried to bite him, but it was no good, I couldn't get a hold of anything with my teeth.

He shoved me against the wall of the building, knocking the air from my lungs and he let out a laugh that sounded like the devil mixed with a chihuahua. It was high pitched with an evil tone to it. It was hard to explain but I knew this man was going to hurt me.

He pushed his arm against my throat with his forearm, not hard enough to cut off my oxygen but he was definitely making it hard to breathe. He leaned in really close to my ear, making me want to vomit. I didn't like being in this position. I tried to bring my leg up and knee him in the balls but that didn't work either and all he did was press harder on my throat.

"Jack, told me to get the message across whatever way I deemed necessary," he said as he ripped the front of my button-down shirt open.

"HELP," I screamed.

"Shut the fuck up or I will shut you up."

"Someone please HELP," I screamed.

"Either pay the money or take Jack back, otherwise he is going to ruin your life."

"STOP," I yelled again and I could see his intentions in his eyes. They weren't good.

He was suddenly jerked away from me and thrown on the ground. I gasped for air as my eyes bugged out of my head watching the man that I've been daydreaming about for two days now save my life.

I watched as he put his giant boot on Parker's throat and pressed down. Parker struggled under his boot and tried to push it off but then the man spoke and it was that same deep tone that was so captative and authoritative.

"If I ever see you near her again, I will kill you, don't fucking try me," he growled and while I should be scared shitless that this man was dangerous because it was evident in his movements and his voice.

When he finally let Parker go, he jumped to his feet and ran off so fast, and the dream boat turned and stalked over to me and placed his warm hand on my face so gently and his eyes didn't hold the same murderous look they did a minute ago. Now they were soft and caring.

I closed my eyes, willing my brain to function because everything started spinning and I knew I had gone into flight or fight mode and I had no more fight left in me. "Please don't hurt me," I whispered.