Page 52 of Belonging to Them
And we’re back to opening presents and oohing and ahhing over the adorable baby gifts.Little outfits, blankets, board books, and the like.
“This is incredible,” Gianna says as the party winds down.“Thank you so much, all of you.I didn’t even know some of you before today, and that you came here…to support my baby…”
She tears up and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her against me.“We’re not just supporting the baby, we’re supporting you.I’m here for you, okay?”
“Thank you.”She dabs tears from her cheeks and Mrs.Dali hands her a handkerchief.
Everyone helps carry gifts and leftover food back to the parking lot.Roman and Terrence, who’ve been sitting at a picnic table nearby, aren’t allowed to help with the heavy lifting because they’re supposed to be on alert.But when Terrence sees me struggling with the large ice chest, he takes it from me.He gives a challenging look to Roman, who just says, “I won’t tell if you don’t,” and picks up a canvas grocery sack, looping the handle over his broad shoulder.
Samantha positions herself next to Terrence as we make our way to the cars, but she doesn’t make an effort to talk to him.I wonder if there’s something there, though, from the way he looks over at her every now and then.Whenever he does it, he immediately overcompensates by scanning the park for danger.
I try to hide my smile.Yeah, there’s something there.
The trek to the parking lot isn’t a long one, and once we get there, I hug and wave goodbye to everybody.Natasha, borrowing her boyfriend’s car, is going to give Gianna a ride home.Olivia and Samantha are giving Mrs.Dali a ride.
It’s so strange to have a group of friends like this…strange, and wonderful.
Now, the only ones left in the parking lot are me and my bodyguards.As we start loading up the car, my phone buzzes with a text.The screen shows that same, unfamiliar number, and a preview of the message.
Don’t ignore our texts.We’re watching you.
No.I can’t deal with this right now.Terrence and Roman are hoisting the ice chest into the back of the car.I move to turn off my phone when another message pops up—this one with a picture.
It’s Tommy, and his face is bruised and bloody.There’s a caption beneath it.
$75k.Have it ready in one week.
I shake my head.I can’t believe this.I don’t want to believe this.Nowwill the detectives believe me?My eyes fill with tears at the sight of my brother.He could still be behind all of this—it could be a desperate ploy to get my boyfriends to pay off his debts.
I just want Tommy back.I want him to come home to Gianna, and be a dad, and clean up his act.Whatever is behind these texts, I want it to be over.I guess I’m going to have to contact the police yet again.
“Down!”Terrence yells.
“What?”
He lunges at me, knocking into my body.
Instead of dropping, Roman jumps toward me along with Terrence.I slam onto the ground, landing on my knees and my left arm.Both men’s weight falls on top of me, although they must be bracing themselves somehow or I’d be squashed flat.I can’t see anything, just the darkness of their clothes, their bodies blocking out the sun.
“What’s going on—” I start to ask.
BANG!!!!
The sound is deafening.A bright light flashes along with the explosion, and I squeeze my eyes shut, thankful that the men are shielding me from whatever is happening.Oh, shit, are they okay?I push up, trying to move them.“Are you okay?”I ask, but my voice sounds like it’s coming from underwater.“Guys?”
Why does everything sound weird?My hearing isn’t right.
Roman gets up, but Terrence remains on top of me, arms wrapped around me.I never expected to be this close to the guy.I’d feel awkward except for the fact that there’s nothing lascivious in the way he’s holding me.This is simply the most effective way to protect me.
After a minute, Terrence pulls back slightly and takes his phone from his pocket.He punches something into his phone.He’s saying something to me, shouting at me, but I can’t hear a thing.Am I deaf?Oh, no, please don’t make me deaf, how will I sing if I can’t hear anything?Tears fill my eyes and my throat feels tight with sobs.
Roman takes my hands in his and looks into my face, staring directly into my eyes.He nods at Terrence, then lifts my arms, checking over my scraped elbow and forearm.He turns my arms this way and that, and gestures that I should try to stand up.
I’m able to stand without his help.My knees are bleeding from where they hit the asphalt, and they’ll probably be bruised, but otherwise I don’t feel any pain.
Just as Roman had done, Terrence peers at my eyes.His mouth moves as he says something, but I only shrug—I can’t hear a single word.He brings a finger close to my face and moves it back and forth, and I realize he wants me to follow the movement with my eyes, so I do.
He speaks again, but I shake my head.I hear nothing.
