Chapter Twenty

Durga

I’m still trying to get the odor of vomit and fake pine out of my nose when I smell one of the gangbangers. My heart had been light as I cooked and delivered her food and did what I could to make Raisa’s life easier. Suddenly, everything turns deadly serious.

After closing the car door, I press my back to it and look around. Just like a cockroach, these assholes don’t hang out in the light. He’s hiding from me. But I stalk straight to him by scent alone. He’s unarmed and alone. Perfect.

When he sees me approach, his eyes widen in fear and he stumbles back, bumping into the alley wall behind him. It backs onto the bookie’s next to Raisa’s apartment. I won’t have to worry about anyone seeing.

I can see sweat forming on the male’s forehead as his body tenses, the memory of our previous encounter still fresh in his mind.

Stepping closer, my towering figure casts a long shadow over him. My broad shoulders and bulging muscles only add to the intimidation factor as I stare him down and growl. Every fiber of my being is fueled by the desire to protect Raisa and ensure her safety. Well, maybe to get some revenge, too.

With my voice low and menacing, I snarl, “Remember me, scum? The only reason I didn’t pound the five of you into the ground was to protect the female. She’s not here now, though. It’s time to face the consequences.”

As I brandish my balled fist in his face, it strikes me how big I am compared to this puny, pimpled human. We’ve been calling these boys gangbangers, but they’re scrawny jerks who get juiced up on attacking unsuspecting, unarmed people. I’m not a good judge of age, but he can’t be more than twenty. His beard is patchy and his fear-scent is strong.

His gaze is glued to my fist as he stutters out a response, “Man, I haven’t done anything.”

My shaking head and narrowed eyes tell him just how little I believe him.

“I didn’t mean any harm. Just… just leave me alone. Okay?”

“Not only do you need to be terrified of me,” I sneer, baring my tusks. “I’ve got a whole clan of orc brothers ready to back me up. They call me Tiny.” Although it’s a lie, it fulfills its intended purpose when his fear-scent spikes so high I imagine my friends can smell it all the way back at the firehouse.

“If you come anywhere near her, there won’t be any place on this earth where you can hide.”

As I tap my nose, I say, “I know your scent. I can track you anywhere. Weapons won’t protect you. We’ll be on you before you even know we’re here. Just like today.”

Sweat drips down the thug’s face as he frantically nods in agreement. “All right, all right! I swear I won’t go near her or bother her again. And I’ll make sure my friends stay away, too. Just… just please don’t hurt me.”

I lean so close, not only can he feel my breath, but my tusks are less than an inch from his face. “Consider this your one and only chance, human. If I smell you on this block, or in that park, we won’t have another talk. I will stalk you, find you, and make you pay.”

The pungent scent of his urine almost brings a smile to my face, but I’m too pissed for that. I think I made my point.

“I’m going to walk you home. Then I’ll know where you live, so if you get out of line, it will be easy to drive to your house and pound you into a grease spot.”

“No, bro. Don’t take me home. I… I live with my mom.”

My eyes narrow as a dark part of me enjoys watching him squirm. “Maybe I should introduce myself. Tell her how you and I met.”

“No! You wouldn’t do that.”

“Yes. Yes, I would. If you fuck with my female or me again. Now, let’s take that walk.”

By the time I leave him at his doorstep, his mom and several younger siblings arguing inside, I feel confident that my Raisa won’t be bothered by him or his friends ever again.