2. Twenty- seven

A big, warm hand enveloped my elbow and I turned around to face who it was.

"What's a pretty thing like you doing out here in the back?" I cringed as the stench of alcohol and cigarettes washed over me. The man who stood in front of me wasn't dressed like a homeless person, far from it. The dim lighting in the alley prevented me from registering his features but I could see that he was flanked by his two friends which I had earlier seen smoking and laughing at the other end of the alley.

Alarm bells rang in my head as I took the three very drunk men in front of me. All I wanted to do right now was to get back inside the club, amongst people, and away from these men.

I jerked my hand with force to free it from his grip, which only led him to tighten it, to the point of bruising my arm. I flinched but didn't release a sound from my mouth, I had no plans to give him the satisfaction.

I knew that animals could sense fear of their prey and I wondered if these men could smell mine. 

The man's booming laughter at my pathetic attempt to walk away echoed in the alley, which repulsed me to no end. I knew I needed to get away from these men as soon as possible; they smelt of trouble and I had enough of my own.

"It was nice to meet you gentlemen but I have to go. My friends must be looking for me." I said, trying my best to sound fearless and not at all affected by their empowering presence.

"Listen to her." The man laughed while his two sidekicks chortled in response. "This little birdie wants to go back to his friends." He mocked me and my heart clenched in fear at his words. 

I flinched as the man put his other slimy hand on my bare shoulder and fingered the strap of my purse. I knew I needed to keep my cool right now because I couldn't physically overpower three men, hell I couldn't even fight with one of them. I needed to get away and I needed to get away now.

The man smiled wickedly at me and took the purse off my shoulders, all the while moving his meaty hand on the skin of my arm. Goosebumps littered my skin and not in a good way.

My purse fell to the ground. Well, there goes my hope of contacting anyone because my phone was in it. I was cursing my decision to confront Ethan now, at least, then I wouldn't have ended up in this mess.

The man took a step forward and I instinctively took one back. A wicked smile graced his face while the men in back laughed like the little snakes they were. He took another step forward and I took another back. I gulped nervously when I felt the wall of the club on my back. Now, I knew why the men kept laughing. They had me cornered now.

The ringleader bit his lip and put his arm loosely around my throat. I was sure he could feel the throbbing pulse in my neck, which put a frightening smile on his face.

"Don't touch me," I said and jerked my body away from them. I was shitting my pants right now and I still couldn't believe that this was happening to me. Why was I stuck here, in this moment?

He chuckled, not at all put off by my comment. He traced the contours of my face with his finger, his eyes glinting in anticipation. 

I shivered under his slimy touch and swatted his hand away. "I said, don't touch me." I looked straight into his eyes, to tell him that he didn't scare me. I had no idea if he knew that my legs would give out any moment now.

"This one's got some fight in her, boys." The men laughed and I eyed my purse on the ground. Maybe I could dive for it and fast-dial my emergency contacts.

"I guess it's more fun, now." He said and grabbed my waist with force. I gasped in surprise and without thinking, I slapped him as hard as I could.

The sound of the contact echoed in the alley, which resulted in dead silence. His head snapped in my direction; my fingers imprinted on his cheek. I regretted it the second I saw his murderous expression, which sent shivers down my spine.

"I'm going to have so much fun breaking you." He said, any trace of amusement gone from his voice. The next second, his hand made contact with my face and I lost my balance and fell on the floor.

My hand subconsciously touched my cheek, which was warm and sore to touch. He had slapped me. The bastard had slapped me. Tears sprang to my eyes at the realization and because of the pain that was now radiating in my skull.

My ears rang and I had difficulty focusing on anything for a few seconds. Next thing I know, my hands were grabbed by two men and I was forced to stand on my wobbly feet.

My legs felt like Jello and the heels in my boots weren't helping. My head lolled for a while, unaware of what was happening to me. The ringleader stepped forward and patted my cheek a few times to bring me back.

My vision was blurry because of the silent tears rolling down my face but my eyes slowly focused on the satisfied expression on the man. I found that the two sidekicks were holding onto both of my arms to keep me upright.

I saw the man's face getting closer to mine and then I felt his lips on mine. I gagged at the overwhelming stench of alcohol and cigarettes in his breath. I tried to move my head to get his lips off mine he must have understood what I was doing because he grabbed my face with both of his hands to keep me in place and plunged his rotten tongue into my mouth.

I gasped for air when his lips left mine. It felt as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs.

He smacked his lips, his hands still holding onto my face. I was too numb and frightened to move my head and get rid of his touch.

His eyes glazed over as they moved down and lingered on my breasts. I cringed because I could see his vile thoughts floating around in his head and I wanted nothing to do with them.

One of his hands moved to the back of my neck. He smiled, almost satisfied in his perusal. "I don't think you will need it anymore," and with that he tore off my halter neck top, leaving me in only my strapless bra.

I felt the cool air on my torso and I shivered at the sensation. I instinctively moved to cover my body with my hands but groaned helplessly because they were being held by his side kicks. Tears streamed down my face at the realization that this was happening and that I was completely helpless in this situation. 

He grinned at my defeated and tear-streaked face, held my face, and then kissed me again. I gagged at the taste and prayed for it to be over. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with it anymore. These men were having fun taking it slow and torturing me, without caring how it would scare me in the future.

I closed my eyes as hard as I could, focusing on not being present in the moment. 

Suddenly, I felt him being pulled away from me but I didn't dare to open my eyes. I felt the sidekicks leave my arms, which resulted in me being toppled to the floor. 

The fact that I was not being held up by anyone anymore must have brought me to my senses because I forced myself to open my eyes just then.

I registered the sound of punches being thrown and men groaning in pain but I finally took a deep breath when Ethan's huge build came into my view.

He crouched down in front of me and gently took my hands in his own. His eyes roamed on my figure, checking for injuries. His eyes narrowed on my cheek and I was sure a nasty red imprint was present.

I wondered if I had a busted lip too. 

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry." Ethan's voice rang out in my head but right now I was too emotionally spent to acknowledge anything he was saying.

He must have taken his shirt off at some point, leaving himself only in his vest, because I felt my arms being raised and my body covered in his warm shirt. His smell engulfed me and calmed me a lot. I recognized the smell which meant that I was safe but the complete fact had yet to be registered in my overwrought brain.

Time seemed to slow down because I didn't know when he helped me up, picked up my purse, and hugged me as hard as he could. I didn't know who was shaking more, him or me. Next, he called a taxi to take me back to the apartment and I was glad for it.

I remembered asking him not to tell my sister anything because I didn't want her to worry.