“Yea?”
“Nuh feel no way. Mi nah go hold them back from him. Mi nuh wah nobody feel excluded.”
She hugs me, smiling.
“Thanks babe.”
“I love you,” I whisper by her ear. She strokes my chest.
“I love you more,” she says. And just like that… my Zara is back.
Your Zara?The voice in my head jeers me.
Yeah. A wah? A fi mi woman.
ZARA
How much rounds we doing?
I don’t say it out loud right away. I’m busy watching Nickoi, how the sounds of the gunshots don’t even rattle him. Meanwhile, my stomach jumps every time the room shakes. But I’ll manage. I have to.
Oh you betta and nuh embarrass wi,the girl in my head warns.
Nickoi’s already at the counter asking for bullets. He belongs here. From how the owner greets him to how quick he moves. This is his second home. I glance around. Everyone’s holding their guns like they were born with them. Stance solid. Focus locked in. I stiffen when I hear—
“Hello, Mrs. Jacobs.”
It takes me a second to realize that’s me. I flash an apologetic smile.
Still not used to that name.
Zara Jacobs.
Ugh. It’s gonna take a while.
“Hey Mr. Xander,” I reply, using the same name Nickoi did.
He smiles gently. “Are you ready?”
“Sure am.”
We walk to the table lined with guns. He starts explaining stance, grip, breathing. I listen, mostly. My brain is bouncing between his instructions and how much I don’t want to make a fool of myself.
Then—
“Xander!” A woman’s voice interrupts.
He looks up. “Give me a sec, Zara.”
But Nickoi steps in.
“Mi will guide har. Just do wah yuh affi do.”
Butterflies.
My man’s taking over. And I feel… safe.
Mi love how you depend on him for protection.
