My eyes locked on the gun. Was I talking to Crown or begging myself not to let the demons win? A choice had to be made. My heartbeat dragged out. My hands shook as they rose from my sides.
"Honor!" Wolfe called, his voice rough with worry, but it wasn't enough.
I stepped forward, taking the gun from Crown.
"Nigga, what the fuck you doing?" Crown's voice flooded with fear.
Everything moved in slow motion… Wolfe grabbing my left arm, Crown pinning me to the wall, and even my tears seeped out in whispers. I smiled. This was me pulling the car over.
"Y'all gotta let me end this 'fore I?—"
"Someone shot at the girls!" River's panic-laced voice pulled me out of the fog. I dropped the gun, pushed Crown and Wolfe off, and looked at her.
"Where they at?"
"Gigi's," she answered, fully taking in what was happening moments before. "What the hell were y'all doing? Why did Honor have a gun? Why are y'all breathing hard?"
Ignoring her questions, I rushed upstairs and out the crib, jumped in my car, and sped off to make sure my angel was okay. Because once again, she saved my life when I was ready to hand it over.
Navy Achebe
The glass rattledbefore it shattered, but when it finally gave in, my body went still.
"Navy, get down!" Chosyn yelled.
Her hand was already over mine, yanking me down as chairs clattered and shrill screams ripped through the restaurant. Bullets ricocheting rang in my ears as I ducked. Then it stopped. As quickly as the shots came, they disappeared, leaving behind silence, rattled patrons, and shattered glass.
"You're bleeding!" Chosyn blurted; eyes wide as she scanned my face.
"I'm okay," I told her, moving her hand from my face. "Glass must've cut me when I ducked down."
I forced a faint smile that was more for her than it was for myself. Her lips pressed together, dragging her lids low.
"I'm fine, Chosyn. I promise."
"I'll take your word for it," she huffed, standing up to dust herself off. "I wonder what that was about. Someone shooting in Onyx Hill is so damn random."
"Right," I mumbled.
"Navy, are you sure you’re okay?" Gigi's worrisome tone ended my replay of what happened at the restaurant. Chosyn swore it was random, but it didn't feel that way to me.
"They… they weren't shooting at us," I uttered.
Chosyn frowned. "Why would they?"
"No, I mean—" I shook my head. "Never mind. My head is throbbing. I should probably lie down."
I pushed off the couch, but the room tilted. I dropped down groaning and feeling nauseous.
"Maybe just sit tight and wait for your man to come pick you up," Gigi suggested, leaning over the coffee table to place her hand on my forehead. "You're a little warm. I'll get you water."
I smiled at Gigi, then turned to Chosyn once she was out of the room. "You told Honor? I asked you not to say anything."
"And I didn't," she fired back. "I didn't even tell Wolfe, and you know he's gon' be on my ass about not calling him."
"Then why is Honor on his way over here?"
"Gigi must've called him." Chosyn shrugged.
