“I’ll be right behind you Princess. I need to make sure you get away safely. I swear, we’re right behind you.” He assured me.
Blue didn’t say a word. Just nodded at me once and hit the gas. The truck roared to life, tires churning up dirt as I held on tight to my seat belt. Crew and Black stayed outside, covering us until the last second. They watched our taillights disappear down the road with me safe inside.
“Here.” Blue said, passing me a small tablet without turning around in his seat.
The tablet screen was live streaming the scene around the house we were just at. I watched as Crew and Black turned back toward the dark woods. My heart rate picked up when I saw armed men coming from the other direction. Crews jaw was set in rage, and he looked laser focused on the area in front of them. Suddenly they split up and flashes of light from their guns lit up the forest until they were the only two left standing. Just when I thought they were going to turn and walk away, Black handed something to Crew that I can’t make out on the small tablet. They both walked back towards the house, then throwing whatever they were holding. It must have been some type of explosive because right before my eyes the house went up in an explosion of flames. Then I watched on in excitement as they stalked back to a Black truck that had been parked next to us earlier. I didn't release the breath from my lungs until I saw their truck driving down the road in the same direction we went in.
“You’ll be home soon.” Blue said.
I took a deep breath, and I sat back and closed my eyes letting the adrenaline that coursed through my body recede and my mind drift off to thoughts of home.
Crew
As soon as we arrived at our home behind Blue, I plucked Nova from the back of the truck and carried her in my arms up the front steps, boots leaving muddy streaks. Blue opened the door with his usual silent efficiency, scanning the area before shutting it behind us, while Black remained outside checking on the men he stationed on the grounds and around the perimeter. Inside, the lights were low making me think everyone was either sleeping or in their rooms until I saw Tyra barreling towards us, eyes going wide at the sight of Nova’s bloodied face.
“Oh my God Nova!” She cried.
Nova turned toward her trying to speak to her but got choked up. Her lip was split, her face and left eye darkening with a bruise.
“Get the first aid kit, some towels and water. Now.” I roared a little too harshly, my voice low, vibrating with rage I hadn’t burned off yet making Nova and Tyra both jump. “I’m sorry Tyra. Please.”
She just nodded and ran off to get what I needed.
Hot on her heels Janelle appeared from the hall, lips pressed tight, her motherly instincts clicking in.
“Crew, put her right here.” She said, gesturing to the big couch.
I didn’t hesitate, laying Nova down like she might break. Nova hissed in pain, trying to push herself up.
“Lay your ass down until we check you out,” Janelle snapped, not unkindly. “You need to let us check you out, Nova.” she said more gently this time.
Nova glared, lip trembling. So unused to people caring for her or ordering her around like she always did for anyone else.
“I’m fine. Just tired.” She whispered.
“You’re not fucking fine. Look what they did to your face.” I snarled, not meaning to yell at her. But we could have lost her. It may have been too soon to feel this was for Nova, but I don’t know if I could live in a world without her.
Nova’s eyes snapped to mine and for a moment silence fell. Then she broke, her sobs ripping out of her chest as she cried. I sank to my knees in front of her, rubbing my knuckles across her cheek.
“I’m here. I’m here, baby. It’s okay.” I told her.
She clutched the front of my shirt, dragging me closer like I might leave her. But she never had to worry about that in this life or the next. Nova was it for me.
“He…he said he’d take me away. I thought you wouldn’t find me. I thought…” She softly cried into my chest.
“Never Princess. Don’t you ever think that,” I said.
Tyra arrived with towels, water, and a box of medical supplies. Then she and Janelle got to work, starting with cleaning Nova’s face with clinical precision, ignoring the curses Nova spat when the antiseptic burned. I didn’t move. I kept one big hand on her knee, grounding her and myself.
“Where’s Timberly?” Nova rasped, voice hoarse.
“Asleep,” Tyra said gently. “We didn’t tell her anything except that Crew was out looking for you again. We didn’twant to get her hopes up if something happened.” She said lip trembling.
Nova’s eyes filled again. “She can’t see me like this.”
“You’ll see her tomorrow. Clean and safe I promise.” I said, leaning in kissing her on the forehead.
“I don’t want her to be scared of me.” She cried more.
