His Sweet Red

chapter 13

Cassie had managed to get dressed and out through the back door a few minutes after she finished her set. The last thing she wanted was to stick around and get roped into helping again. Or have people talk about her dancing.

She had no plan to do all that today. Although it was fun, never again will she agree to that. Her arms were already starting to ache and her heart still pounding. She would need to soak her body in hot water or she would not be able to move.

After two days of hiding out in her apartment, she got sick of it. When chad had called her the day before she had informed him that she was not going to spend her days hiding. Not only was she bored out of her mind she also needed to find a job. Her bills were not going to pay themselves or magically disappear because she was not working.

Chad had reluctantly agreed as if Cassie needed permission from him. She had to promise to be careful and to avoid empty streets and alleyways. It felt like her first time going to the grocery store when she was right again.

So early in the morning, she was out looking for a job. It did not go as well as she had imagined in her head. Frustrated Cassie ended up at a close-by club where she and Linda were regulars. Yes, it was a strip club, they had been curious only to keep coming back because they had nice cocktails.

She just wanted one drink to relax her but she ended up getting roped into dancing. She enjoyed it, probably would not do it as a job, but she always felt powerful on a pole.

Cassie took out her cell phone and checked the time. It was a bit too late to walk or wait for a bus so she decided to order an Uber. Her place was just a few blocks from the club and it would not cost that much.

She was just about to hit the request icon when she felt a presence behind her and something poke her side. She quickly tried to put her hand in her handbag and take out the taser she now carried around.

"Do not move. Do not make a sound and this knife of mine will be deep in you before anyone can get here." A deep gruff voice whispered in her ear.

Cassie was so scared she just nodded and lifted her hands to show she was going to comply. Her cellphone fell from her hand and she did not even bother to check for it. This was the worst day to get mugged she had just been paid. She hoped it was a mugging, not a k********g.

"Good girl. Now you are going to walk back to the alley behind the club with me and wait for my friend. Remember if you try anything I will hurt you. You are wanted alive but that doesn't mean in mint condition. I will not hesitate to deliver you black and blue if you try any funny business."

Now she wished she had believed and listened to her brother. She thought it was all bull crap and whoever was after her would have given up after losing the first time.

A figure moved from the dark wall into the light. His face was not visible in the dark but Cassie could make out a man. Or a very muscular woman.

"Honey, did you get yourself in trouble again?"

Cassie had never been so happy to hear that annoying man's voice in her life. If she was not so scared she would have smiled.

"Who are you? Look just walk away and you will not get hurt." The man behind her holding her a knife point called out.

"That's a problem for me. You see that woman you have belongs to me and I'm not exactly thrilled with how you are holding her." Jake said as he walked into the little light to show his smirking face.

"Oh yeah. What are you gonna do about it then?"

"Me? I am not going to do anything at all." He replied with a shrug.

"Huh?" Even Cassie was confused. What was this nutcase trying to do now?

"But him." Jake continued. " Well, my friend there, will not be so nice. He will blow your brains out if you don't let go," Jake said pointing behind Cassie and the man holding him.

The sound of a gun being c****d reached Cassie's ears. Whoever was behind them had moved silently while Jake distracted them.

"Fine, fine don't shoot. The b***h ain't worth getting killed for and I ain't getting paid enough to get into a fight with you. Tell your man to lower his gun, I will give you your woman and we will go our ways."

"That's a great idea. But sadly I cannot, drop your knife and I will see how to handle this situation."

Seeing no way out alive the man behind her dropped the knife and stepped away from Cassie.

"Take him, Chuck."

Cassie released a breath she had no idea she had been holding. She turned around and saw the man who had been trying to take her being handcuffed by a big guy in a suit.

The guy was dangerous-looking and huge. He looked like he could have snapped her in half like a twig. What drew Cassie's eye though was the dragon tattoo peeking from under his shirt that was unbuttoned halfway.

What had her life turned into? The hunt of Cassandra Mitchell.

"A thank you would be great now." Jake's cocky voice came to her making her turn back to him. He was now just an arm's length away from her.

Cassie opened her mouth to say exactly that but all that came out were sobs as the dams broke.

Jake quickly closed the distance and gathered her into his arms. She let him hold her, welcoming the comfort that she was safe.

"Hey hey, it's ok. You are safe," Jake whispered assuring her.

But that just made her cry louder.

He pulled away and looked at her face. Cassie knew she looked horrible because she was an ugly crier. But Jake just smiled at her and wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs.

"Let me take you home ok." He offered.

Cassie nodded and sniffed."Ok. Thank you, Jacob," she said.

Jake groaned at her using his full name but did not bother correcting him. He led her out of the alley and walked to his car.

They both did not see a figure come out from the dark corner of the alleyway. He walked to where they had been standing and picked up something. He smiled to himself.