A chill walked Amara’s spine and broke her concentration on the movements of the exercise. As she hit the wall to propel herself into the air, she slipped and landed in a heap on the matted gym floor of the church run community center. She peered toward the door. The local drug lord and his nephew paused in the doorway. Probably headed to the priest’s office for a weekly visit. Her hands coiled into fists.
Ramos moved away but Miguel remained. His hooded gaze stripped her naked. She rose and completed the final exercise of today’s martial arts training session. A quick glance at the door showed he was gone. She should have felt relief but the hands shook and the sour smell of rear remained.
“Ready for a match?” another of the students asked.
Amara shook her head. “I have to leave.”
The teenager stepped closer. “Wonder what Ramos wants?”
“Father Joe will know but I don’t intend to ask him.” With shaking hands she pulled on her jeans and tee shirt and tied her sneakers. In a half-run, she hurried to the door and left the community center.
Outside, aromas reached her. Cooking food, exhaust from cars and busses. Her own fear laced sweat. Noises penetrated. Music, horns, people’s voices. Her glance darted from side to side. Was anyone watching her?
What could she do? The last time she’s encountered Ramos’s nephew he’d frightened her. “Gonna plow you good, babe. You’ll sing for me real sweet.” She had no one to guard her back. Hadn’t had anyone since her father’s death. She sighed. She’s almost had a friend once. An undercover cop had saved her. Then Ramos had discovered the man’s identity. Seth had vanished. Was he dead?
As she scurried toward the apartment building where she lived with her uncle and his family, she fought to control the fear rocketing through her thoughts. Her breathing came in quick gasps. After her father’s death and her mother’s suicide her uncle had reluctantly given her a home. Social Security benefits had been the reason but she would soon age out.
When she reached the building instead of stopping on the fourth floor she continued up the stairs toward the room. She wasn’t ready to hear her uncle’s demands she quit school and find a job. She rubbed her arms. There was no one to help her.
The sound of feet on the stairs from below reached her. She crouched and peered through the railing. She sucked in a breath. Would her pounding heart shatter her ribs? Why was Ramos here? One of his bodyguards pounded on her uncle’s door.
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
No comments:
Post a Comment