Page 7 of Property of Yak

Cliff, that’s it. I knew it started with a C.

I shake my head. “No, I’m going to go by myself. I’ll be out front by the bouncers. Dad texted, and I need to call him back.”

Liz’s eyebrows raise at my lie. She’s been around long enough to know that my dad doesn’t type out texts but sends voice notes if he doesn’t have enough time to pick up the phone and actually call.

“All right. Tell Daddy Corday hi,” Liz says.

Her man picks her up and moves her off his lap. “Come on, babe. Let’s go dance.”

“Have fun,” I tell her, truly meaning it.

I want her to have fun. Really I do. I just wish it was with someone a little…different. Not that I have a problem with guys in clubs. I just don’t like ones who hang around creeps. After all, you are the company you keep, and I’m not inspired by the company this man keeps.

Still, if she is happy, I will suck it up. It wouldn’t be the first asshole I’ve suffered through for her. Most likely won’t be the last either.

Before she can say anything, I head to the door, but before I step outside, I look back once. Liz has her head tilted back, and she’s laughing at whatever her man is saying against her neck. For a split second, I can’t help but be a little envious.

I want that.

I want someone who wants me and only me.

Sighing, I shake my head and step outside.

“You coming back in?” the bouncer asks.

“Yeah, just have to make a quick call.” I smile.

He nods. “I’ll save your spot.”

“Thank you,” I tell him as the crowd of waiting girls groan.

“Come on, just let us in,” one of the girls whines.

“We’re over capacity.”

I walk down the street a little bit and lean against the edge of the building. Tipping my head back, I sigh as the chill gets me.

Jesus, I didn’t realize how hot I had gotten in there. I should have brought a jacket. It’s January, and the cool air will quickly have my teeth chattering. I wasn’t planning on needing to escape, though. Poor planning on my part.

Something in the air shifts, making all the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. My body tenses as I frown and I look around. My eyes stop on a guy just down the street, leaning against the no-parking pole, smoking a cigarette. The way he’s watching me puts me on edge.

Quickly I look back over at the bouncer and see that he’s a little preoccupied by the girls who want in to notice that something’s wrong.

Fuck it. I’ll just go back inside and try to find a place at the bar where I can get a minute alone.

Decision made, I push off the wall, but before I can take a step, it happens.

Someone grabs me from behind, his leather-gloved hand instantly goes to my mouth, covering it.

“Shut up, bitch,” he hisses as I try to make a noise.

I look down the street and see that the cigarette man is leaning against the pole with a smile on his face.

I try to pull away but can’t as he lifts me off the ground, my feet dangling in the air as he pulls me back into the shadows.

Son of a gun. Just when I think this night can’t get any worse, it does.

Yak