I was just about to go after her when a car came speeding around the corner, heading straight for Cassandra.

She just stood there like a deer caught in the headlights.

My heart tightened with fear, clenching painfully until I could no longer breath.

The world halted into painfully slow motion.

“Cassandra!” I screamed, but still, she did not move.

Instinctually, I rushed out, my feet pounding against the ground, praying I would make it to her on time.

I crashed into her, our bodies tumbling to the ground. A gust of air rushed passed us as the car flew by.

Seconds later, a loud screeching noise echoed through the air as the car came to a halting stop. But I didn’t even pay attention to the car as I looked up at Cassandra, cradled in my arms. “Are you okay?” I asked just as soon as I caught my breath.

Already, my body ached with pain, but I ignored it, holding her tight and waiting for an answer.

She just looked at me, a dazed expression on her face. “I…” She leaned down, pressing her forehead against mine. Faintly, I could feel her warm breath on my lips.

Somehow, I managed to control my urge to kiss her as I rubbed her back. “Cassandra, talk to me.”

She blinked. “Huh?”

“Are you hurt?”

Recognition washed over her features. Blush colored her cheeks as she looked down and saw that our bodies were locked together. “How did we…?”

“The car,” I prompted.

“Car?”

I was starting to worry. Had she hit her head? Why did she seem so confused?

“Fuck,” she growled, scrambling to her feet. “What the hell were we doing?” She brushed the dirt from her clothes, refusing to look at me.

Jeez, I saved a woman’s life, and this is the thanks I got? Why had I even bothered?

Slowly, I got up, pretending not to care, but still, I looked her over for any injuries. As far as I could tell, she looked fine.

“Now, who was the idiot who almost killed me?” she hissed, marching up to the car.

I grabbed her arm. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“Let go of me. This maniac is about to get a piece of my mind!”

I held her tighter, pulling her behind my body in a defensive position. I didn’t know why I was going through so much trouble to protect her, but it felt like my duty to keep her safe. I felt like an alpha guarding his mate. Silly, I knew, but it was a feeling I couldn’t ignore.

“Let go of me,” she repeated, her tone icy and cold.

“You’re not going to accomplish anything by barreling over to him and picking a fight. You do that around here, and it’s a surefire way to get yourself killed. Think with your head for once.”

“Are you insulting me?”

Before I could answer, someone stepped out of the car. Leather pants appeared first, followed by a muscular torso clad in a black shirt. With a grin, an old acquaintance of mine took off his glasses and looked at me. “Emil.”

“Mavis.”

“Didn’t think I would find you around here. Don’t you usually work downtown? Last I heard, you had gone MIA. What happened?”

“Some shit.”

Mavis chuckled. “Why did I think I would get a straight answer out of you?” He stepped forward, nibbling on the end of his glasses and looking Cassandra up and down. His lustful gaze almost sent me into a frenzy. I didn’t want this creep looking at her like this. “And who might this be?”

“I’ll tell you –”

I cut her off by taking a step forward. “She’s my girlfriend.”

“I’m not –”

This time I cut her off by stepping on her foot and sending her a subtle glare. Even though she seemed unhappy with me taking control of the situation, she no longer interrupted the conversation.

“Girlfriend?” Mavis had bloodshot eyes. Clearly, he was high. Then again, he was always high. He hadn’t even seemed to notice that Cassandra had said something. Good.

“Yeah, she’s my ride or die bitch,” I answered with a smirk, wrapping my arm around her waist. Before I could stop myself, I kissed her lips. At first, I had intended for the kiss to be nothing more than a convincing act. But as soon as I tasted how sweet she really was, I just couldn’t help myself. I tangled my fingers in her hair, kissing her harder.

To my surprise, she returned the kiss, her lips dancing against mine.

“Alright, alright. I don’t need a whole show,” Mavis said.

Hesitantly, I pulled away, the taste of her lingering. God, I should have kissed her sooner.

“What happened to that Stacey girl you knocked up?”

I tensed up for a moment before laughing. “Got rid of her. She would have dragged me down. Cassandra is different. She was born on the streets. She knows what it’s like.”

“Oh yeah?” He looked at her once more, a grin on his lips. “If that’s the case, then maybe I have a job for you two. Business is booming. We have inventory up to our necks, but no one to move it. So, what do you say? You’ll get 30%.”

“30?” I spat. “Who do you think I am?”

“If you have a problem with that, go talk to Roxanne. I’m sure she’s just dying to see you.”

I growled at the name. “Fuck, you know I can’t stand her.”

“Ha. You and me both.” He snorted. “She’s a tough cookie, though, you can’t deny that.”

“Fine. I’ll take the 30.”

“Great. Meet me at 69^th.”

“Got it.”

Before he left, he turned toward Cassandra, grabbed her hand, kissed it, and winked. “I’ll see you around, sweet cheeks.”