Chapter 3 Alleyway guardian

Isla

Rain began to fall, heavy and unrelenting, turning the ground wet.

My glasses fogged instantly, blurring the neon reflections of cars passing by. Every step I took was unsure, wobbling, my heels splashing through puddles on the uneven pavement behind the venue. My hands shook, not just from cold, but from shock, humiliation, and heartbreak. The scene inside the hall replayed endlessly behind my closed eyes: Silas's smirk, that impossible wink, his hand in hers, the kiss. I could still feel the sting of betrayal burning under my skin.

I stumbled toward the narrow alley behind the catering trucks, barely noticing the litter-cigarette butts, discarded napkins, half-empty cups-scattered across the slick ground.

It was lonely and quiet here.

"Hey... hey there," a voice hissed from the darkness. I froze, my chest tightening. Two men emerged from the shadows, their shapes looming, wet jackets clinging to their frames. The rain made them gleam in the light, and their slow approach sent a jolt of panic through me.

I swallowed hard and tried to keep walking. Ignore them. Just get to shelter.

"Lost, baby girl?" another sneered, stepping closer. My heels splashed in a puddle, heart hammering. I forced my gaze straight ahead, desperate for anything familiar. A small shelter, a corner of the alley between two catering trucks loomed like a beacon. I moved faster, trying to keep my trembling hands under control.

And then I collided with something solid, immovable.

The impact knocked the breath out of me. A cigarette clattered to the ground, sending a thin ribbon of smoke curling upward. My body pressed against someone taller, broader, and commanding. I hadn't seen his face, but the cut of his coat, the strength in his shoulders, and the sharp, intoxicating scent of cologne told me everything I needed to know: he was dangerous. Calm, untouchable, and unshakable.

The two men froze, confusion flashing across their faces. For a moment, neither they nor I moved. Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, they backed away, muttering under their breath. Fear had claimed them the moment he appeared.

I leaned against him, trembling, trying to catch my breath. My pulse thundered in my ears. My knees felt weak. My hands clutched the straps of my bag so tightly my fingers were white. I opened my mouth to speak, to thank him, but before the words could form, he shifted, hands in pockets, shoulders straight, and started back toward the wedding hall. The smoke from his cigarette trailed behind him like a phantom, leaving me frozen in awe and fear.

I pressed myself against the brick wall, shivering, wet, and raw. My tears mixed with the rain streaking my face, leaving salty trails across my cheeks. Every heartbeat felt too loud. Every drop of water against my skin is too sharp. And yet, beneath the fear, something stirred, curiosity, something magnetic I couldn't explain.

My phone buzzed, cutting through the cacophony of rain and my spiraling thoughts. I fumbled for it, checking to see if it's anything important before typing with trembling fingers:

Me: Round up everything yourself, Ava. I'm leaving-taking a break.

Ava: Is everything alright? I'll send the photos I took, and Ben's too. Have a nice weekend.

I ignored the concern in her tone, before proceeding to text Sienna, my best friend:

Me: I'll be in Dustfield soon.

Almost instantly, she called me, I hesitated a few minutes before picking.

Sienna's voice rang out. "Isla? Hey... weren't you supposed to be at the wedding? What happened?"

I took a shaky breath, blinking the rain from my eyes. "Something happened," I whispered, voice cracking. "I'll explain when I get there." Then I hung up.

Shoving the phone back into my bag, I exhaled slowly, trying to center myself. I couldn't stop the trembling in my hands or the tears still streaming down my face, but I pushed myself upright. The alley stretched on before me, wet and narrow, shadows pooling along the walls. Each step toward my car was a battle against the wave of despair that threatened to drag me under.

As I walked, I realized the two men hadn't completely disappeared. They lingered at the end of the alley, muttering and gesturing toward me. My stomach sank. Not again... I quickened my pace, eyes darting to the slick pavement, puddles reflecting the city lights.

Then, without warning, the stranger reappeared. He emerged from the shadows, cigarette once again between his fingers. I hadn't seen him move-he simply appeared, a guardian between me and the men. His height dwarfed me, and though I couldn't see his face, the presence of him filled the alley. The cologne, sharp and commanding, wrapped me whole, extremely intoxicating. The men hesitated, looked at each other, then backed away, disappearing into the night.

I exhaled, letting my body slump slightly against the wall. Relief and lingering fear warred within me. Just as I was about to speak again, he turned, this time he walked back towards his car.

I fumbled for my phone again, desperate to ground myself. Fingers slippery from rain, I typed a quick message to Sienna, pressing send before I could second-guess it:

"I'm leaving. See you soon"