“Get the fuck away from me!”
As Dalisay ran over, people in the nearby stores peeked out from doorways. I looked to Lyric who was hiding behind Goldie at the carousel.
“De-escalate, boys,” Dalisay said and raised her hands.
Aaron immediately shoved her backward. She hit the ground before spinning with her leg out and knocking down the asshole.
As I stood frozen, Elle jumped into her SUV and slammed the door shut. My gaze flashed back to Aaron, who howled from landing wrong on his knee.
Dalisay scrambled away from him and ran toward me. “Go be with your girl.”
Before I could react, Bob grabbed Dalisay by her braid and yanked her away from me. I instantly reached for a can of cream corn and hit the biker in the face. The edge of the can struck his eye, causing Bob to yell and lash out at me.
I ducked his hand and grabbed a bag of frozen chicken. Swinging it, I knocked into him with enough force to get him to let go of Dalisay’s hair.
Bob moved toward me faster than I expected. I cried out in surprise when his hands sank into my hair and scratched my scalp before yanking me backward. Just as quickly, he let go and groaned. I caught a glimpse of Dalisay’s foot between his legs.
I swung the chicken bag again, but Bob shoved it back at me. I ended up on the ground before scurrying around my SUV.
Dalisay unleashed a wave of kicks and punches like something out of an action flick. Bob backed off, startled and barely able to block her attacks.
“Nova, go take care of Lyric!” Goldie cried and punched Aaron in the eye.
He hollered in pain, inspiring Vinny to join the fight. Moving around them, I wasn’t sure if I should leave my friends to battle alone.
“Fucking brass knuckles,” Vinny griped and fought to get them off Goldie’s hand.
Goldie kicked him in the leg and punched him in the jaw. Despite her fast moves, the men were so much larger than she was. I stood halfway between Lyric watching from the horse and Goldie fighting the bikers.
Boone’s sister ducked and dodged the men, using their size against them. She shoved empty carts in the way. Goldie kept them at enough of a distance to give herself a chance to strike the men before they could fully grab hold of her.
I flinched when Elle began honking the horn and fumbling with the door. My gaze flashed to Dalisay fighting to break free from Bob, who held her by the throat. He wrapped his hands tighter and lifted her off the ground.
Without thinking, I ran toward him and slammed into his body. He dropped Dalisay as he staggered back. I reached into a nearby grocery bag and grabbed a jar of pickles. They struck his chest before shattering against the ground. I threw a jar of spaghetti sauce next. Finally, I yanked out a container of cayenne pepper. Ripping open the package, I flung the powder at his face.
Bob grabbed his eyes and rubbed them furiously. Dalisay took that moment to shove him into the door frame and kick his knee out from under him.
“Go to your girl,” Dalisay insisted.
I ran toward Lyric while Dalisay checked on Elle.
“Mama,” Lyric said and reached for me. “Why are they fighting?”
“Those men are bullies.”
“The cops are on the way,” said a woman behind me.
A man added, “Sounds like more bikers are on their way, too.”
As the roar of motorcycle engines filled the air, I couldn’t be sure if the incoming bikers were friends or foes.
I lifted Lyric into my arms as Goldie found herself cornered by the men. Vinny grabbed her and pinned her arms behind her back. I gasped when Aaron flipped open a switchblade and waved it in front of Goldie’s face.
I covered Lyric’s face and turned us away. I didn’t want her to see what was about to happen.
Goldie was yelling threats. I heard Aaron holler at how she kicked him. Dalisay was shouting at Bob, who cursed at her.
When a gun went off, I nearly dropped to the ground in fear. My mind flashed to the last time violence found me at the grocery store. As my past and present collided, I could only cradle Lyric and cry.
