My knees hit the ground with a thud and I instinctively roll to avoid the kick aimed for my ribs.

Scrambling to my feet, my martial arts training kicks in and I take up a fighting stance. My eyes slowly adjust to the low lighting in the alley, as my breath comes out in short pants.

I find that my attackers are one of the biker groups from the bar. They're full-grown and dressed in biker leather, but I'm surprised to find that they don't look older than their mid-twenties. There are five of them, and they're standing in a semicircle around me, blocking the only exit.

I gulp at the severe disadvantage.

That's what you get for following through with your stupid plan, Reagan!

This is their territory and I'm trespassing.

The burly guy in front laughs at my stance, and I peg him as the leader.

"Look guys, the little pampered princess thinks she can fight!" The others follow suit and begin to laugh cruelly as the leader continues.

"Well boys, this is our neighborhood and we don't take well to newcomers, so hows about we show her a warm welcome?"

They all send leers my way as the guy takes a threatening step forward. I hold my ground, my old instructor's words coming back to me.

Never show fear or you've already lost the fight.

The guy frowns when I don't back down and he moves to grab my wrist. I step in and kick him in the stomach. Hard.

He doubles over in pain and stumbles back a few steps. Adrenaline rushes through me and bouncing on the balls of my feet, I get ready to fight my way out. The guy, still folded in half from pain, surveys me his black eyes a blaze of fury at having been kicked. By a girl no less.

He straightens with obvious effort and a grunt of pain, before yelling at his guys.

"Get her you idiots!"

All four of them spring towards me at the same time, as if yanked by a string.

Startled slightly, I barely block the first guys wild hook punch before delivering back my own chain punch, which sends him crashing back into a wall, bright red blood spurting from his now broken nose.

I sidestep the next guys sloppy attempted kick and shove him away while he's off balance.

The last two guys are a bit wiser and both rush me at the same time, victory already gleaming in their eyes.

A feeling of dread pools in my stomach and I make a split second decision as their fists fly towards me. I drop to the ground and the two guys careen past not expecting the move. Shooting to my feet again, I bolt towards the now clear exit. Their shouts echo down the street as I race away, tripping over trash and my own feet.

My lungs burn and my breaths are only short gasps, as I hear the guys chasing me. Their heavy steps get closer with each passing breath. I push myself harder as I turn the next corner.

Suddenly I'm grabbed around the waist and pulled into a narrow alleyway, my shriek cut short as a large hand closes over my mouth. My back is yanked against a hard, distinctly male chest and I fall dead silent as my pursuers thunder past me and whoever has grabbed me.

In seconds everything is quiet again and as the guys footsteps fade, I sigh in relief, even as my body stiffens, ready to fight again if necessary.

The hand is removed from my mouth and I jerk away, before turning and looking into a face that's quickly becoming familiar. Snorting in disbelief, I back away from the same guy who laughed at me in the bar just minutes ago.

Seriously? Why him? Can this situation get any worse?

The thoughts flit through my head and catching my expression the guy smirks. I decide that the answer to my last question is a big yes.

Arrogant bastard.

Shuffling towards the alley's opening and freedom, I'm unable to react in time, as the guy's hand shoots out with lightning speed and grabs my arm.

"You're not going anywhere."

My mouth drops open at his commanding tone and anger washes through me.

Who does this guy think he is?

I try to wrench my arm from his grasp but it doesn't budge. My teeth grit. The son of a bitch isn't even holding it that tight.

Shit.

I stop my useless struggles and instead aim low with a kick. The guy dodges as if already expecting my move, but I don't let that faze me, as I'm already aiming a punch for his face. He shifts again and the hit barely grazes his shoulder.

This guy definitely isn't a beginner.

I follow up with an underhand hook punch and sidekick, both of which he counters, but is then forced to release my arm in the process.

With my other arm now free, we're soon locked in an endless cycle, him blocking and me attacking with everything I have.

I study his movements as I attack, but am unable to place the techniques he's using to block me. Starting to tire, I feel a surge of annoyance as I catch the small smirk present on the guy's face, as though he seems to be enjoying our little combat.

Suddenly I sense the alleyways opening at my back...

Instead of throwing another punch, I attempt to shove the guy and then sweep his feet out from under him. He falters for a moment, not expecting the change in attack and it's all I need to dash out of the alley.

In moments I'm sprinting past boarded up buildings, my alarm giving me wings and I'm soon back on a street I faintly recognize.

I spot Rick's car still parked by the bank and keep running, my shoes thumping dully on the concrete. Reaching the car, I pat down my pockets for the car keys and can't hide my panic when I come up empty.

Crap! I must have dropped them somewhere!

Continuing to search my pockets just to make sure, I turn and gasp as I find the guy leaning on the car's hood.

Twirling my car keys on his long fingers.

I barely keep my growl in.

Son. Of . A .Bitch.

"I think those are mine," I say my tone forcibly pleasant, even as I want to tear his throat out.

How did he catch up so fast anyway? Maybe I'm just slower than I give myself credit for?

He doesn't budge and instead gives me an infuriating grin. "They're mine until you answer a few questions."

I bristle at this and take a step forward, my temper getting the better of me, but I freeze when he dangles the keys above the nearby gutter. Ready to drop them at a moment's notice.

My chest tightens and I scour my brain for a way to get back the keys without having to answer anything, or do a search and rescue in the gutter. Fighting him for them briefly crosses my mind but I squash that thought like the bug it is. Considering how easily he blocked all my attacks in the alley, fighting him would only result in my ego taking another beating.

Seeing no alternative I cross my arms, and struggle not to blanch at my reply. "What questions?"

He stops twirling the keys, halting the sound of the jangling metal and he turns serious. "First off, what's your name angel?"

The question seems harmless enough and I answer cautiously. "Reagan, and you would be?"

His smirks as he answers. "The name's Ace."

Mulling that over, I almost miss his next question.

"...what brings you to this side of town?" I open my mouth to spout out a lie but he cuts me off.

"I'll know if you're lying," he says with such confidence I don't doubt his claim.

Just my luck a human lie detector. There goes the idea of fibbing my way out of the questions.

Deciding to stick to the truth as much as I can, I respond in a calm voice.

"I'm here to find some help." Truth.

"And what does a girl such as yourself need help with." The way he says this makes my fists clench and eyes narrow but I decide to let it slide considering he has the upper hand in this situation.

"My brother's in some trouble." Truth.

Now Ace's eyes narrow. His eyes flick left and right as though said trouble is about to jump out and attack. "What kind of trouble?"

I swallow reflexively. "He didn't give me specifics."

Ace tilts his head and grins as if he's won the lottery. "Now that angel is a big fat lie."

I open my mouth ready to defend said lie but then think better of it and instead focus on firing back some of my own questions. "What's it to you anyway. My business isn't your business buddy."

Still grinning, he moves closer, keys clasped firmly in his fist. "Now what if I told you that you aren't the first one who's been out of place these last few weeks?"

I take a small step back, then curse myself for backing away. Ace however doesn't stop and we're almost nose-to-nose when he whispers in my ear. "What if nothing is really as it seems, not even me."

I let out a nervous laugh and back away. Screw looking weak, he's starting to creep me out. Not to mention it sounds like he's quoting some bad horror movie.

Except coming from him the words sound dead serious and have a ring of truth behind it.

Ace backs away as well, losing his grin before he tosses me the keys. I catch them just in time and it digs into my palm as I clench my fists.

"Go home Reagan, wherever that may be, you won't find any help here."

Clasping my keys to my chest, I unlock the car door and hop inside, before he changes his mind.

Ace has already vanished by the time I start up the car and I can't help the shock of unease that passes through me. I have a feeling I'll be seeing him again and not under favorable circumstances.