AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why are you taking pictures of me?” he asks.
“I wasn’t taking a picture of you. I was taking a picture of the building.”
“I saw you point that camera at me.” He looks down at my pocket. “Give it to me.”
“No, let me go,” I look around, but no one is around. Cars drive past, but how would they know I need help? “I’ll scream at the top of my lungs if you don’t let me go.”
His grip tightens, and my chance to get away without a struggle disappears. “You can’t steal my image. You have to pay me.”
“I said I have no money.” I try to pry his fingers off me.
He smiles, revealing missing teeth. “You can pay me with a kiss.”
I recoil, desperately pulling away, but it’s tricky on the uneven steps. He pulls me toward him, and there’s no way I’m letting his lips touch my face. I pull back, but his grip is too strong. His chapped lips graze my cheek.
“That wasn’t so bad.” He laughs but doesn’t let go.
I can’t break free, and I stumble on the stairs as he yanks me toward the empty building. If he pulls me behind it…I don’t even want to think about it. I start shouting, and he laughs at me as if this is a practical joke. And then I remember I’d seen him before in the neighborhood.
“I know you,” I tell him. “You hang out at the bar.”
He pauses. “What bar?”
“The one on Brunswick and corner of eighth,” I reply quickly as his grip slackens.
“So, you live around here, princess.”
“She does.” I look behind me, almost losing my balance. Elijah stands behind us, his hands in his pocket. A stern look knits his dark brows together. His fierce gaze is wild as he stares the cringing homeless man down.
“Eli, you know her?” the man asks laughing. “Is she a friend?”
I stare at the ground, waiting for his response. Elijah steps forward, tugging the man’s heavy hand off me. Sighing, I step away immediately.
“We know each other, Winston,” replies Elijah.
I glare at Elijah with reproach but then look away. We know each other very well now.
Winston points a dirty nail in my direction. “Well, that girlie took a picture of me. I only want to see it.”
Elijah reaches into his pocket and hands Winston a few bills. “Why don’t you head over to the bar? Norris is trying out something new. He’s serving chowder for lunch. I’ll see you there.”
“Let me know if you want me to model again.” He smiles sweetly as if we’re besties. “The name’s Winston.”
I place my hand on my hammering chest and stand motionless, leaving plenty of space between us. Winston walks down the steps, no doubt heading for the bar, and he starts whistling as he crosses the street, not bothering to look before he crosses.
I don’t wait around. I hurry down the steps with Elijah following behind me.
“Livi,” he calls out, but I keep marching. He catches up with ease and walks beside me, even though I refuse to talk to him. I turn down Brunswick Avenue in the opposite direction from the bar and head toward campus. Elijah doesn’t stop following me, and I pick up the pace. I’m about to cross against the light, but he catches my hand and stops me.
My patience dissolves as I lash out at him. “Leave me alone. You’re as nasty as he is.”
He frowns as if I couldn’t have meant that. “Where are you headed? I’ll walk you there.”
I plant my fists on my waist. “No, not unless you’re planning to have a conversation. I’m done with your moody silence. How can you expect me to know what’s wrong when you refuse to tell me?”
Elijah shakes his head. “Not now, not here, but I’ll walk with you.”
I snarl at him. “Go the fuck away.”
