Page 59 of Love & Vendettas
I struggle to push the man’s weight off me as I shout, “Get off me,” but I hear, “Stay low.”
“Get off me,” I grumble.
“Stay fucking low!”
“Malik?” I whisper, finally recognizing the voice.
He rolls off me quickly.
“Stay here, and don’t move, no matter who comes.”
I look up in horror at the stinking trash can that he’s hidden me behind, and for the first time, I realize why my fall didn’t hurt. Malik had shoved me onto an old mattress behind the dumpster.
Thankful, that I escaped, I try not to think about all the germs and bacteria crawling all over my body right now.
Malik creeps away from me and holds up one finger, telling me to stay put. I watch as he disappears. Fear rushes through my veins as I wait impatiently for him to come back to me.
I search my purse, and disappointment fills me when I realize that my phone isn’t in there. They must be holding onto it to reach Zaire.
Several gunshots ring out.
Grabbing my gun, I hold it out, ready to aim at whoever walks around that corner. I may not be a crack shot like Zaire or his men, but I damn sure know how to use a gun.
I hear someone coming around the corner, and my hand trembles slightly before I steady it again. Praying that it’s Malik, horror runs through me as I see Kenny. This time, he’s holding a gun, and he’s smiling at me as blood pours from his side and his shoulder.
“I’m not finished with your ass, bitch. You’re going to learn a lesson to—”
Kenny doesn’t finish the sentence because right in front of me, his head explodes. My eyes widen, I lose my breath, and panic fills my chest.
I’m prepared to scream.
I want to scream.
I feel it welling up inside of me.
Only it doesn’t come out.
I don’t know if I’m in shock or if I’m just too afraid to alert someone to my location. But the scream never manifests.
Zaire comes striding calmly down the alley, and when he spots me, that calmness is out the door. My baby rushes to me, picks me up off the filthy mattress, and lifts me into his arms.
Crushing me against his chest, he kisses the top of my head before pulling me back and showering my face with kisses.
Zaire pushes me out of his embrace and looks me up and down as his hands roam from the crown of my head to my ankles, checking me for injuries.
“Baby,” he whispers in a relief-filled voice.
“Zai.” I cry, finally able to release my emotions.
I shake in his hold, afraid for him to let go, afraid I’ll be taken away again, but he holds on tight.
“Shh, baby. You did it. You held your own. It’s all right now. You’re safe,” he whispers.
28 – BAYLEIGH – ALL ALONE
“How did you find me?” I ask Zaire.
Last night, I was so tired and hurting from the injuries that I sustained that the only thing I wanted was to shower and go to bed.
