Page 18 of And It’s Still You

The best thing about the hidden room was that no one could access it from the outside. Ocean was safe. As for myself, I wasn’t quite sure.

I kneeled at the entrance of Ocean’s door and closely listened. From the number of footsteps, I detected it had to be three people inside. One of them was getting closer to me. Through the crack of the door, I pointed my gun out and counted their footsteps.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

When they took step seven, I could see their silhouette.

Eight.

Nine.

When they took step ten, I shot and heard their body hit the ground, followed by groaning. I exited Ocean’s room and went down the hall to the bathroom, knowing the other two would be coming that way soon. My heart galloped in my chest, and my breathing increased with each passing second. The last thing I needed to do was start panicking, but my life was on the line.

Once again, footsteps came my way. I used the same method as before, counting their steps until I knew they were close enough for me to shoot. The only difference was, it was two against one. I could easily take out one, but that would leave time for the other to find me.

There was nothing I could do about it.

I had to fight for my life, and that was exactly what I planned on doing.

On the twentieth step, I shot. Before the body could hit the ground, I closed the door and locked it. The second person was trying their hardest to kick it down while I worked on escaping out the window. I wasn’t worried about leaving Ocean. He was safer than I was. With the plan we had in motion, he would be good until his father arrived.

“Ahhh!” I screamed when a bullet came through the door.

Just as I was about to be free, another bullet came through, piercing my arm. I yelped in pain and pressed against it upon feeling blood gushing out. It was then I knew I had to do everything possible to stay alive. The door flew open, and I was face-to-face with a masked man. He barged over to me and slapped me so hard that spit flew from my mouth. I kicked him in his nuts, knees, and face, knocking him onto his back.

He didn’t have time to regain his composure.

Shea was there.

I couldn’t see him, but I instantly felt calm from his presence.

Ocean did it, and I was beyond proud of him.

Finally, Shea appeared, dressed in all black and shooting the man point blank in the head. He rushed over to me and looked me over. When he saw my arm, his jaw tightened. Once he got me to my feet, he led me out of the bathroom to Onyx, who was in my front room.

“Take her outside while I go get Ocean,” he instructed his father who kept the pressure on my arm as he held onto me.

“Are you okay, Moya?” Onyx questioned, scooping me up bridal style and carrying me out the house.

All I could do was bury my face into his chest and cry. He allowed me to let it out while setting me in the back of one of the many trucks littering my front yard. Immediately, a woman came over and started working on me. She observed the wound and told Onyx she needed to take me to the house to work on me.

“No, no, no. I need to see my son first,” I demanded.

Onyx kissed my forehead. That was the first time in a long time that he showed me any affection. “You know we will take care of Ocean. Once Shea brings him out, we will be right behind you. You’re losing too much blood, Moya. If you’re not good, Ocean won’t be either. Think of it like that.”

I cried harder. Onyx was right, but I didn’t want him to be. If I had to sit there until I passed out, to see Ocean safe and sound, I would.

“I hear you, Onyx. I do, but you know how I am when it comes to my son.”