Free Bad by Francine Pascal Page B

Somehow, with each hour that passed, that seemed less and less likely. Maybe he’d disappeared for good. Maybe she’d never see him again....
    But it didn’t matter. She had Sam.
    She swallowed, glancing over at him as he peered down at the rippling black water. His eyes were like alittle child’s, wide and awestruck, as he soaked in the dancing reflections of the city lights on the waves. From here the Manhattan skyline looked like an architect’s scale models. She stood beside him, huddling against him for warmth.
    â€œIt’s so nice up here,” he whispered, his teeth chattering. His gaze shifted to one of the city’s football-field-size sanitation barges, slowly drifting beneath them. “Ah, the fresh smell of rotting garbage,” he joked.
    Gaia slapped him playfully. She never gave a whole lot of thought to matters like romance—but she had to admit, even in the freezing cold, the night
was
undeniably romantic. For one, the bridge was almost deserted. Not many New Yorkers were insane enough to venture out at midnight in winter. The only other pedestrians she could see were two shadowy figures, approaching them from the Brooklyn side.
    Sam stiffened beside her.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Gaia asked.
    â€œNothing,” he murmured with a chuckle. But she couldn’t help noticing that his eyes were glued to the approaching silhouettes. “So what do you say we head back? I don’t feel like catching pneumonia.”
    Gaia opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. It
was
cold. And if Sam was nervous about those guys ... well, he had every right to be. New York City was a dangerous place. More dangerous for somethan others— namely, those who weren’t experts in a variety of martial arts or perfect shots. And just because
she
was a freak of nature who couldn’t feel fear, she had to learn to empathize with people who could. Especially since she was in love with one.
    Yet part of her still wanted to lie in wait like a predator—a predator who washed the city clean of scumbags who even
considered
messing with a young couple on a bridge, enjoying an intimate moment—
    â€œGaia, let’s get the hell out of here,” Sam hissed. His voice was hushed, urgent. He tugged on the sleeve of her parka.
    The wooden walkway boards began to rumble beneath her feet. Gaia glanced up. The figures were no longer silhouettes; they were two plainly visible
guys,
running straight toward them. One of them was holding something. Gaia almost smiled.
    In the filtered light from the bridge’s lamp, a blade glistened.
    A tingle shot through her veins.
I wanted this, didn’t I?
she realized. Yes . . . deep in her subconscious she
wanted
to put herself at risk, with Sam at her side to witness it. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was as simple as a desire to show off. Or maybe it was just because she wanted to prove him that she could take care of herself. No matter what the circumstances.
    The guys were almost upon them now—not running anymore, just walking and smiling. Time slowed to a standstill. She was aware that Sam was tugging on her, yelling at her, but her mind was totally focused on the two attackers. One was about six-foot two, and Gaia estimated his weight at about 230 pounds. The other, the one with the knife, was shorter and wiry. Both wore ski caps.
    â€œHand it over, bitch,” the taller one gasped.
    Gaia almost laughed. Well, this guy wouldn’t be winning any fitness awards. He was practically fighting to breathe. Did he even
think
he was threatening?
    Sam positioned himself in front of her. It was sweet, brave (almost heart wrenching, actually), but foolish. He would just get in the way. As gently as she could, she pushed him aside and stepped forward.
    â€œHand what over?” she asked.
    â€œYour wallet.” The shorter guy waved his knife menacingly at Sam. “You too, asshole.”
    In a flash she