Chapter 252

By the time Charlotte made it outside, Shirley was already gone, her taxi just a blur in the distance.
Annoyed, Charlotte flagged down the next car she saw. As soon as she slid into the back seat, two shadows jumped in right after her.
“Go!” Andrew barked at the driver, then turned to Charlotte. “Don’t worry. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you or Shirley.”
Charlotte glanced at him, not sure what to say. “Thanks, I guess.”
Fifteen minutes later, the taxi rolled into a narrow, tucked-away alley. The entrance was so tight, they had to get out and walk.
Andrew looked around at the cluttered walkway. “Shirley really took off. How are we supposed to know which place is hers?”
Parrish stepped up with a suggestion. “What now? We can’t knock on every door. Should I try calling her?”
Charlotte didn’t answer. She scanned the area, spotted a tiny convenience store nearby, and headed straight for it. A moment later, her voice was steady. “She’s at the end of the alley.”
Andrew and Parrish hurried to keep up.
As they reached the house, angry shouts and the crash of breaking furniture spilled out from inside.
“Smash it! Break everything!”
“This is what happens when you mess with our boss! Get him expelled, and this is what you get!”
“If you even think about calling the cops A guy with yellow-blond hair glanced at Shirley’s fragile grandmother lying on the bed, then gave a nasty snort. “We’ll take out this old bag right now, and then we’ll-ah!”
Shirley sat at the edge of the bed, pale and trembling as she tried to shield her grandmother. Before she could react, a white sneaker came flying past and smacked the blond guy right in the mouth.
“Who the hell did that?” he shouted, clutching his bleeding lip.
“Your worst nightmare!” a bold voice rang out, echoing in the night. “If you want to live, get out. Now.”
All at once, the blond guy and his four buddies spun toward the
doorway. Three students stood
there in school uniforms. One of net
them was missing a shoe-
same
shae that had just popped him in the face.
“You threw that at me?” The blond spat blood, gripping an iron pipe as he swaggered toward Andrew. “You wanna play hero? You sure you’re up for it?”
His eyes landed on Charlotte, cold and beautiful, standing like a statue next to Andrew. His whole attitude changed.
“Well, well. Hello, gorgeous.” He grinned, tapping the pipe in his palm. “Leave the girl, and I’ll let you two walk away.”
Charlotte’s lips pressed into a thin line, ice flickering in her eyes.
“So, what do you say?” The blond reached for her words getting.
reached quys this one’s
อน
nastier Hey got class. Looks like tonight’s our lucky night-”
“Get lost!” Andrew cut him off, his eyes flashing. He slammed his knee up into the guy’s crotch, fast and hard.
The blond dropped with a howl, hands between his legs as he crumpled to the floor.
Parrish couldn’t resist. He grabbed a fistful of the guy’s hair and drove his knee into his stomach.
The blond screamed, spitting blood as he collapsed, groaning. “Get them! Kill those two!”
“On it!” His crew snapped out of their shock, grabbing pipes and rushing the three of them.
“Charlotte Stay behind me,” Andrew
said, pulling her close. He stared down the oncoming thugs, his face all gut. “I’ve got you Don’t be Scared