Page 16 of The Fire We Make

Mel turned to Joy with questioning eyes.

Nothing about the club sounded appealing to Joy in that moment but she’d been having a great night and didn’t want it to end. Once upon a time, she and Mel had loved sneaking out to dance all night, not leaving the club until the DJ was packing up his set.

That memory led her to give Mel the answer she knew she was seeking. “Sounds good to me.”

Mel clapped her hands together with a broad smile. “And you know I’m down,” she said, causing the group to erupt in excited chatter amongst themselves.

Joy slowly rose from her seat and leaned over to speak into Mel’s ear. “I’m going to the restroom real fast.”

Mel nodded. “Okay, you want me to come with you?”

Joy shook her head. “No, I’ll be quick. Just take care of the bill and I’ll meet y’all back over here.” Joy slipped a few bills into Mel’s hand to contribute to their check, making a mental note to see about getting a debit card.

Mel nodded her agreement and Joy turned her back on the group, making her way to the hallway marked off with the sign giving direction to the restrooms.

As she passed, the elevator that carried patrons to and from the club on the basement level below opened to reveal two men with a woman between them. Her eyes were glassy and half closed, her head lolled from one side to the other like her neck couldn’t hold the weight of it and she was unsteady on her feet, being held up by one of the men.

“Are you okay?” Joy asked the woman.

“She’s fine,” the man holding her answered sharply.

Joy didn’t divert her eyes from the woman, waiting for an answer. When the man tried to bypass her she stepped in his path.

“Are you okay?” She asked again, trying to catch the woman’s eyes but she had a hard time keeping them open.

“I feel funny,” she slurred.

Joy narrowed her eyes and looked at the men. “Do you know them?”

“Aye mind yo business bitch,” the other man growled, trying to shove Joy out of the way but she didn’t budge. Joy wasn’t a little woman. She was 5’8” barefoot and built solid with muscle from a lifetime of training and stubborn curves that cardio wouldn’t banish.

The woman looked at the men crowding her with unfocused eyes and confusion. “I don’t think so.”

Joy turned her glare on the man holding her. “Let her go,” she demanded.

They both laughed, both having a predatory gleam in their eye that gave away their harmful intentions. Joy watched the already tight grip on the woman’s arm turn bruising. They pushed past her with more force and moved in the direction of the service exit, sneaking out the back rather than the dining area.

Joy narrowed her eyes.

She told herself to let it go and mind her business but the pit in her stomach that warned of danger sent her down the hall after them.

Joy was no vigilante, but if she could save one woman from being destroyed at the hands of men who meant her no good, she would.

She hadn’t had that, and the world didn’t need another her.

She pushed out the door, following the trio into the alley behind the building. They weren’t very far, despite her moment’s hesitation, the inebriated woman slowing them down.

“Where the fuck is that nigga with the car,” she heard one mumble as she approached.

She jumped in front of them, cutting off their path once again.

“Bitch didn’t I tell you to mind your fucking business?” one growled, shoving Joy hard enough for her back to slam against the nearby dumpster.

“Didn’t I tell you to let her the fuck go?” she said back through gritted teeth, undeterred. She reached for the woman but was shoved back.

“You got one more time to put your hands on me,” Joy warned, feeling her temper flare. Memories of her time with Jermaine snapped at her but she pushed them away.

She reached for the woman again but this time was met with a slap that made her ears ring.