Before she could explain where she lived, a loud voice hollered, "We've been looking for you." A tall woman with broad shoulders and trunks for legs loomed over Viv. She took her elbow. Before Viv could pull it away, her meaty fingers clamped down. She spoke to Joey.
"Gotta do a little background check on this one. She's been counting cards and is on our list."
Even Viv knew the accusation sounded flimsy. If she counted cards, then she'd be winning, not losing.
Joey Baker's face dropped before he pasted on a smile. "Oh, no worries. I don't even know this woman. We just met and she was trying to get me to buy her a meal."
"That's a big fat lie," Viv shouted, tugging to release her elbow. She knew her retort only made her look more guilty. But before she could explain, Joey walked away, disappearing into the casino.
As Viv kept shaking at the grip on her elbow, another woman grasped her shoulder, fingers digging into her flesh. "Stop resisting," she hissed in her ear. "Don't say a word, lady. You're coming with us."
They gripped an elbow on each side, lifting her off the ground. Viv felt herself being escorted across the parking lot by the two heavy hitters, right toward an Airstream trailer.
She squirmed, using her leg to kick backward at the woman on her right. Caught off guard, the woman loosened her grip, giving Viv the chance to twist around and kick her behind the knee.
Then a sharp pain in her other arm made her cry out. "Stop it!" she shouted.
"Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be," the other woman warned.
Viv used her free arm to make a fist. She swung and punched, connecting with the woman's chest. Drawing her arm back to land another hit, the woman caught her fist midair.
Before she could try another punch, the burly woman twisted Viv's arm behind her back, holding it firmly in her grasp. Viv tugged and tried to wiggle free. Now both women stood near, securing both of her hands behind her back.
"I told you to come easy," the woman growled. "Now we have to play rough."
"I'm not going anywhere." Viv raised her foot and kicked the woman square in the shin.
“Hey, that hurts!" the woman cried, holding her leg and letting go of Viv.
"I've got this." The accomplice kept her grip on Viv’s arm, giving her partner a smirk. "Can't even land an old lady. Geez, what's the world coming to."
Viv, exhausted and out of moves, knew she didn't want to take the fight indoors. I'll lose there and no one will hear me scream.
Viv moaned and then closed her eyes. I don't have to make this easy for you. Just try and shift my 150 pounds up into that trailer. I dare ya!
She felt herself partially lifted and half carried, half dragged up the stairway to the door of the Airstream.