章 24: Her Dark Reality

The bubble that Alonso and Natalie were in got shattered when a man emerged from the shadows. His moves were unstable, but his dilated pupils had the quality of a man on a substance far worse than alcohol. His yellow teeth were visible as he breathed through them, and his features contorted with anger — But why would the loan shark interfere in her life now?

"Stay back," Alonso said to Natalie in a commanding tone, placing a hand on her shoulder and pushing her behind him. But Natalie shrugged away from his hand and purposely placed herself in front of him then glared straight into the loan shark's creepy eyes.

"I paid you what I owed you just this morning with interest! Just leave me alone!" She pleaded.

With two hands clutching her shoulders, Alonso tugged her back again.

"Let me handle this, Natalie."

"Handle what, bitc*? This is my neighborhood, and this girl is off-limits, you hear me?"

Without warning, the loan shark lunged at Alonso.