“Argh! You fucking bitch!” But she loosened her hold on the gun, although a shot went off and hit the window with a cracking sound. Yanking the gun away and tossing it behind us, praying it went under the bed and into the hands of the dust bunnies, I wasn’t focused enough to dodge the headbutt that came right at my face. I reared back, my vision going white then black, before she was on top of me again. Her forearm was now pressing down on my throat, cutting off the oxygen. She wasn’t big, but she was fucking crazy.

I went for her eyes, turning my head so she didn’t crush my windpipe, but I knew I only had a few seconds before I passed out and was done for. I got a hand to her face and a thumb in her eyeball, making her pull back a little and giving me some airflow, but not enough to get her off of me.

I was fucked. So fucked.

I kicked my legs and lifted my hips, trying to get back on top, but she was back to pressing down on my windpipe. I continued to struggle, because I wasn’t leaving Huey alone with this psycho. I couldn’t.

Blackness danced at the edges of my vision when Andrea suddenly went rigid, falling to the side. Standing above us was an absolute giant of a man. Like, he must have been seven feet tall and built like a barn. He was holding a taser, which was crackling loudly.

Who the fuck was this guy? I panted as I drew oxygen back into my lungs, knowing I should get away because if I couldn’t win a fight against Andrea, I stood no chance against this behemoth.

He smiled down at me, giving a groaning Andrea a glare. “Let’s give her another zappy-zap, what do you say?”

I was panting loudly, shock and adrenaline coursing through my veins and making my heart feel like it was about to explode. The big guy leaned down and zapped Andrea again, the buzzing sound deafening in the room.

Finally, he stood back up, thrusting his hand toward me. “Hi, I’m Xander. Your next-door neighbor.”

A part of me relaxed, and I reached up to put my hand in his. Jesus, his hand engulfed mine like I was a child. I’d never met a man so big before. I wonder if he was proportionate.

“The noise makes sense now.” I slapped a hand over my mouth. I was definitely in shock.

The behemoth didn’t take offense, just tilted back his head and laughed.

I looked past him at the door. “Huey!” I breathed. I looked down at Andrea, then back at Xander.

He waved a hand. “Go get the little one. I’ve got this.”