Fallen Grace (The Grace Series) by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

the twin bed to wake Bobby, I stood and stretched. I quickly pulled my underthings and t-shirt back on and made my way down the narrow stairs. There was just enough moonlight streaming through the window above the sink for me to find my way. It didn’t take long to find the pot that Bobby had left on the counter.
    I had just finished relieving myself when Bobby stepped off the last stair tread to join me in the kitchen.
    “Hi, Zoe.”
    “Hey. Sleep well?”
    “Ya, just not long enough.”
    “I fell asleep. I think I’m awake for the day, if you want to head back for a while,” I offered.
    “Can I come too?” asked a deep male voice from a dark corner near the door, startling us both.
    “Fuck!” yelled Bobby.
    Whoever was in the kitchen with us chuckled, and they didn’t sound friendly. I backed up against the counter, feeling for anything I might use as a weapon. Stupidly, I hadn’t brought my pistol down with me. I came up empty handed.
    “Who are you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level and full of authority.
    Bobby had grabbed my hand and stood very close to me. I squeezed her hand reassuringly.
    “Never mind who I am. I have a gun aimed at you and there’s dead fuckers outside. You two live here?”
    “That’s none of your business,” said Bobby. Her voice held a hint of fear.
    “Tis now,” snarled the man. “Is it just you two?”
    “Yes,” I mumbled, not wanting him to know about Gus. “What do you want?”
    I heard the man stand. He must have been sitting on a chair because it grated on the floor as he pushed it away.
    “Some food, drink…fine women. That all sounds good to me.”
    “Well, we don’t have any of that here,” said Bobby.
    The man entered the pool of moonlight in the middle of the room. He was big; over six feet tall with broad shoulders. He looked like he’d been eating well and as he neared us the scent of alcohol and unwashed hair became offending. He wore a goatee that was ragged and maybe six inches long. It was impossible to tell what shade it was with the moonlight washing out colors, but I suspected black or dark brown.
    “Oh, well,” said the man as he patted his belly. “We can skip the food and drink.” An evil grin spread out across his face. I could see dark spots of rot all over his teeth. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you two chose. One at a time or both of you at once.”
    He followed his idea with a deep belly laugh. I cringed.
    “Ya, neither, thanks,” said Bobby. “Even if I did guys, I wouldn’t do you.”
    “Oh, a feisty one huh? No guys? You sure don’t look like no butch. I’ll show you what it’s like to have a real man inside of you; make you change your mind, Sugarpie.”
    I squeezed Bobby’s hand more firmly. I wasn’t about to let this man hurt either of us.
    Gus!
    I did my best to ‘think’ to him, hoping he’d hear me in his head; praying he wasn't asleep yet.
    Gus!
    I had no indication that he was aware of my calling to him.
    “Fuck you,” said Bobby.
    The intruder lunged forward, back handing Bobby across the face. She stumbled backward and winced as she came into contact with the counter.
    “Stop it!” I hisse d.
    Bobby fell to the floor and curled into a ball. I could tell she was in pain. The man kicked her in the side, repeatedly and hard. She yelled out. I did the only thing I could do; I lunged forward to strike at the man.
    “Get off her!”
    “Oh, I’ll get her off!” he yelled as he pushed me down. “I’ll have my turn with you first then get her off real good!”
    His eyes were full of a mixture of rage and lust. He came at me again, punching me in the face. The little bit of light in the room went dark, other than tiny bits of sparkling virtual glitter behind my eyes. He had made contact with my left jaw and the pain was intense. I could taste blood in my mouth from where I must have bitten my cheek. I put my hands in front of my face to protect myself as I felt the man’s large, stenchy body