Free A Wolf of Wall Street (Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance) by Joanna Wilson Page B

knees, prepared to crawl my way to safety as my assailants were distracted by my unknown saviour. I only made it a couple of feet when a body landed on my back, knocking my limbs out from under me. My vision dimmed as I struggled for a breath. Moments later the weight was lifted off of me with a growl but I no longer had any energy or desire to move. I laid there motionless on my stomach, panting for breath as I watched blurred shapes move to and fro in the shadows, waiting for the victor to claim his prize, me. I must have passed out because when I opened my eyes again, I was alone. Apart from the dark stains on the sidewalk, there was no sign of anyone else. It’s like they all disappeared.
     
    I lifted my arm to brush the dried blood out of my eyes, groaning at the amount of effort it took to move. I slowly got to my feet, doing an inventory of my injuries. Mostly bumps and bruises, but I’m pretty sure I would need stitches for my eyebrow and I really hoped my ribs were not broken. I groaned again at the idea of spending the night in the emergency department. Noticing the contents of my shopping bag all over the sidewalk, I moved gingerly to collect my groceries and art supplies I bought for the other occupy members. Next to the spilt milk I found a necklace with a thick chain and a golden pendant. I traced the letters engraved on the pendant and was mesmerized by the shine of the metal. Without thought, I slipped the chain over my head and under my jacket. I jerked up at the howl of a dog, wincing as it pulled at my side.
     
    The ten minute trek to the protest camp felt like hours as my muscles started to tighten up and as I started to go into shock.
     
    “Oh my god Marie! What happened?” Carly cried as she rushed up and took my swollen face in her hands.
     
    “Men. Attack. Hurt.” I gasped.
     
    I lost track of time as I was rushed to the hospital. I remember the cops coming in to ask me questions but I remember neither the questions nor my answers. For some odd reason the feel of the necklace around my neck and the weight of the pendant at my throat gave me comfort. When they had to take off my necklace to inspect and document the bruises on my neck, I held onto the pendant so hard in my palm that it left an indent for hours afterwards.
    ***
    Pulled back into the present by the sounds of my classmates packing up their things to go to lunch, I followed their lead absently. I was still pissed off that they haven’t found my attackers but there’s not much I could do about it. After a quick sandwich, I returned to the academy, choosing to finish my sketch. Carly was right. He was a good looking man despite being the big bad wolf, looking to eat you alive. I spent an extraordinary amount of time outlining the muscles in his back. Of course, never having seen the man naked, this contouring was all in my mind but damn, imaginary Justin was a fine looking specimen.
     
    Looking at my watch, I jolted to awareness as I realized I was running late. The protest was at 3 and it was already 2:45! I hurriedly collected my art supplies and shoved them into my bag. I ran to the subway station, missing the 1 by seconds. I waited anxiously for the next train and ran off the train. As I turned the corner onto Broadway, I ran headlong into a rock hard wall. Hands grabbed my wrists and pulled me into a chest before my butt hit the ground.
     
    “Whoa there. You ok?
     
    I nodded “Yeah thanks I …oh” I finished lamely as I finally got at who held me. Justin Blankenship. “You can let go.” I said as I made futile attempts to pull out of his grasp. He only tightened his grip.
     
    “You’re the one who ran into me. I think an apology is in order.”
     
    My jaw dropped “Are you freaking kidding me? I’m not going to apologize. Let. Me. Go!” I jerked harder away from him, trying to break away. My struggles brought the attention of one of the local cops. “Is there a problem here?”
     
    We replied simultaneously.