Save Me by Abigail Stone Read Free Book Online Page B

and this is Layla,” she replied, nodding down at her daughter and running a hand through her hair.
    "Listen," Kara began abruptly, digging through the large designer purse on her arm. She pulled out a tiny piece of cardboard, handing it to a visibly confused Emily, "This is my business card,” she began.
    "You have a beautiful little girl here and well...” she paused, searching for the words.
    “This is LA after all. If you're ever interested in getting her into show business....give me a call."
    How odd, Layla thought.
    That one of the scariest day's of her life also served as the very moment it had irrecoverably changed
    –

    Present

    “Can’t you take a hint lady!” the man bellowed, grabbing Layla’s body and shaking her from her trance. He threw her roughly against the flacking brick wall behind her, his large hands wrapped tightly around her neck. Layla’s eyes widened in horror as he started to squeeze, blocking off her airways.  This is it , Layla thought.  This is how I die .
    His breath reeked of liquor and his menacing eyes were bloodshot and unfocused. Layla could hardly breathe. Her heart pounded in her ears, her face flushing of color as she tried her best to put up a fight.
    “Please,” she gasped, “I…I can pay you.”
    The man slowly released his hold on Layla’s neck, snatching her purse and pulling out her wallet. He took all of the money inside, snickering as tears surfaced in her frightened eyes. He stuffed the crumpled bills into his pockets and for a brief moment, Layla thought it might have been over. But it only got worse. He grabbed her by the throat again, this time even tighter, increasing pressure as Layla’s breathing became even more sporadic and uneven.
    Just as her vision began to blur into nothingness, she watched through half open eyes as the smaller man pulled himself up off the ground, charging towards the larger man and ramming his body against the wall with every bit of strength he could muster. Caught off guard, he let go of Layla’s throat and she crumpled to the ground, gasping for air and scrambling for her purse. She moved to the side as the men flew towards her, staring up at them in awe. The smaller man finally took full control of the situation, his fists making heavy contact with the other man’s face until he collapsed on the ground, banging his head on the corner of a large metal trashcan in the process.
    Seconds later, he was out cold.
    Layla was in shock. She could barely pick herself up off the ground, her body aching as she leaned against the wall for support. She looked as though she had survived a brutal attack and she could only imagine the headlines to come.
    ‘Former child star Layla Carter survives a brutal assault.’
    Layla flinched in pain as she reached up to touch her throat. Bruises were forming around her collarbone and her skirt had become ripped right above her knees, which were bloody and scratched from when she made impact with the ground. She was no longer thinking about getting a fix. At this point, she just wanted to go home.
    “Are you alright?” Layla heard a deep voice ask her from behind.
    She turned around. The smaller man, who now appeared every bit as muscular and brutish as the man who had been attacking him, was staring at Layla through swollen eyes. He was hunched over in pain, but it was apparent to Layla that this was hardly his first go around. The reality of the situation washed over her in a haze.
    He had saved her life.
    Layla wasn't the sentimental type, but she couldn't help but feel a connection to him on that basis alone. She took in his bloody appearance, swallowing hard.
    “I should be asking you that question,” she said after a moment.
    The man shrugged, leaning against the wall for support beside Layla and spitting blood.
    “I’m fine,” he finally said, pushing past her,  “you have a nice night.”
    A lump formed in Layla’s throat. She didn't want to see him go just yet.
    “Wait!” she