36. Kylie

Chapter thirty-six

Kylie

I convinced Luca to drop me off at my apartment instead of his house. The last thing I wanted to do was dwell on the questions floating around my head. If I went home, I could distract myself by packing for our trip while he's busy dealing with his employees.

Because of our contract, I don't have the right to pry. I can only hope Luca will explain what happened today once he's figured out why Lisa would go to such lengths to get me to the club.

Did she expect me to hear the moans, assume it was Luca, and leave? The bartender did try to stop me. Maybe she hoped I'd break things off with Luca?

Little does she know that's not even a choice with the contract. Did she do this out of jealousy? And why would the bartender help her, risking his own job?

Despite my preoccupation, something catches my eye by the mailboxes as I enter the apartment building. One of the mailbox doors is hanging wide open.

Mine and Talia's.

It's not like Talia to forget to lock our mailbox.

Changing direction, I move to the box to find the mail still inside.

That's strange.

Worried something is going on with Talia, I reach for the mail when a noise startles me from behind. Before I can turn to look, someone puts a cloth over my face while banding an arm around my stomach, effectively pinning my left arm to my side as he pulls me to him.

Instant terror fills me and I waste no time before fighting for my life. I shake my head, attempting to loosen his hold, but he's putting too much pressure; I don't think I could breathe even if I wanted to.

And I don't.

I got a whiff of a chemical odor before he cut off my airway. Aware of what's at risk, panic builds inside me as I continue to fight.

I can't scream, but I have my legs and one arm free. Thinking fast, I lift both my legs and rapidly kick behind me, trying to damage his knees. With my free hand, I reach back and aim for his face, trying to stick my thumb over his eye to put pressure on it.

He grunts as I hit my mark with his knees, but it's not enough.

I'm not strong enough.

When I get my thumb to his eye, I press in, but he shakes his head, moving my thumb to the side of his face. I want to scream in frustration—not that anyone could hear me even if I could manage it. I can only hope Miss Tabby can hear the scuffling from her apartment across the hall.

No matter how hard I fight, he's winning. His hold is solid and I can't break free as he pulls me backwards. If anything, his hold tightens and pain explodes in my stomach and face with the added pressure. My vision waivers, and I need to take a breath before I pass out.

Despair sets in.

I'm losing the battle.

As the man pulls me into Mr. Thompson's apartment, he slams my head against the door jamb as I continue to fight him. Pain explodes in my head and I have just enough time to see Talia unconscious on the floor, hair mussed and a red handprint on her face before everything goes black.