The teenager’s posture changes, becoming more combative. “I said—”

And at that moment, I hear it.

A woman’s scream behind the door, followed by the sound of something falling.

My adrenaline levels surge. Without thinking, I step forward and swing upward with my right fist, just as Julian taught me. The momentum of my move adds to the force of the blow, and the guy gasps as my fist slams into his solar plexus. He starts to double over, and at that moment, my knee comes up, crushing his balls.

He bends over with a high-pitched scream, clutching his crotch, and I grab the back of his neck, using the momentum to pull him forward as I stick my right foot out.

It works even better than in training.

He pitches forward, arms flailing, and his head hits the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. Then he slides to the floor, his body limp and unmoving in front of me.

Shaking, I gape at it. I can’t believe I just did that.

I can’t believe I took down a guy in a fight—even if that guy was a drunk teenage boy.

Another scream behind the door snaps me out of my daze.

I recognize that voice now, and a fresh burst of adrenaline sends my heartbeat soaring. Operating solely on instinct, I jump over the young guy’s fallen body and push open the door.

The room inside is long and narrow, with another door at the far end. A stained couch is by that door—and on that couch is my friend, struggling and sobbing under a man.

For a second, I’m too frozen to react, and then I notice streaks of red on the bright yellow of Rosa’s torn dress.

A hot, dark rage explodes in my chest, sweeping away all remnants of caution.

“Let her go!” I yell, rushing into the room. Startled, the guy jumps off Rosa, and then, as if recalling his vile agenda, grabs her by the hair and drags her off the couch.

“Nora!” Rosa screams hysterically, pointing at something behind me.

Horrified, I spin around, but it’s too late.

The other man is already on me, the back of his hand flying toward my face.

The blow knocks me into the wall, the impact of the hit jarring every bone in my back.

Dazed, I sink down to the floor, and through the ringing in my ears, I hear a man’s voice say, “You can fuck that one if you want. I’ll take my turn with this one in the car.”

And as rough hands start tearing at my clothes, I see Rosa’s attacker dragging her toward the door on the far side of the room.

24

Julian

Bored, I step away from the wall and peer into the hallway. Nora is already at the front of the line, so I lean back against the wall and prepare to wait some more. I also make a mental note never to return to this club. These lines must be a regular occurrence here, and I find it ridiculous that they haven’t put in a bigger restroom for the women.