CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE – WATCH FOR PREDATORS

The rest of her shift passed in a blur of orders and forced smiles. She could feel Frankie's eyes on her, predatory and calculating, but she studiously avoided his gaze. When he finally left, sometime after midnight, she nearly sagged with relief. It was well past two in the morning by the time she stumbled out of the pub, exhaustion weighing heavily on her limbs. The night air was crisp, carrying the first hints of autumn. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself and started the long walk home, her thoughts a chaotic whirl. She was so lost in her own worries that she didn't notice the figure lurking in the shadows until it was too late. A hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream as she was dragged into a dimly lit alley. "Now, now, sweetheart," Frankie's voice oozed into her ear, sickeningly sweet. "Is that any way to treat your generous benefactor? Ignoring me all night like that?" Charlotte struggled against his grip, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might b