Page 189 of Rose
“What—” Ahzii started, but Kyre crashed into her arms, sobbing.
“Oh my God… you’re okay,” Kyre breathed before jerking back with a frown. “Bitch, I should beat your ass. You had me worried sick all night—had me driving way out here.”
“What the fuck you even doing out here?” A’Mazi demanded, scanning the house like he expected trouble.
“I told you I needed space,” Ahzii said, crossing her arms. “I knew y’all would show up at my place, so I came here instead.” It was half a lie. She wasn’t ready to tell them William was alive. Not when she was still furious they’d let her believe he was gone.
“How’d you even find me?” she asked.
Kyre scoffed. “Bitch, we share locations. Guess your ass forgot to turn it off while you were trying to pull a Houdini.”
Ahzii groaned, rolling her eyes. She’d been so caught up in everything, she hadn’t thought about it.
“Okay, you see I’m fine. Now y’all can go.” She stepped back, motioning to the door.
“I’m not going nowhere until you explain what the fuck is going on,” Kyre shot back. “First you disappear after your showcase, then you drive an hour out of the city. And you thought one text was enough for us to just… understand?”
“Yeah. Usually when someone asks for space, you give it,” Ahzii snapped.
Kyre’s eyes narrowed. “We ain’t never fought a day in our life, but you’re pushing it, Ahzii. What the fuck do you even need space for?”
“Because you two lied to me!” Ahzii’s voice cracked, raw and furious.
“Lied about what?” A’Mazi’s brow furrowed.
“You told me William was dead! That the police couldn’t recover his body. That you saw him when you pulled me out!” Her tears came harder, her head pounding.She’d thought she was cried out, but the flood wouldn’t stop. “And now you both stand there looking confused like I’m the crazy, grieving bitch. Ma already told me everything. The only body in that damn house was one of the men who robbed me. You knew there was a chance William was alive, and you still let me believe he was dead!”
She was shaking now, every word like glass in her throat, and still they said nothing.
“Ahzii, we didn’tknowif William was dead or alive. You can’t blame us for wanting you to move on instead of drowning inmaybe’s,” Kyre said.
Ahzii scoffed. “Well, there’s no maybe anymore, because William is still alive. You two are standing in his damn beach house.”
They froze, eyes flicking around like the walls might answer for them.
“I saw that nigga dead, Ahzii,” A’Mazi shot back.
“Well, I don’t know who the fuck you saw, because he’s very much alive. Those ‘visions’ I was having? Not visions. It was him, in the fucking flesh. He told me to come here. William has been living here for a year.”
Shock cracked across both their faces.
“The fuck—” A’Mazi started, but Kyre’s phone cut him off, buzzing in her hand. Sarai’s name flashed on the screen. She answered, putting it on speaker.
“Gold—hey, right now is—”
“It’s… Savior. HE WAS SHOT!” Sarai’s voice was jagged and hysterical, slicing through the air.
Everyone’s stomach dropped, including Ahzii’s.
“What? Is he okay?” Kyre’s voice trembled.
“No… they’re saying he… he might not make it. Did you find Ahzii? She needs to know. My brother might die!” Sarai cried.
Kyre and A’Mazi were already heading for the door. “We found her. But RaiRai, breathe. What happened?” Kyre asked, though her own breath was shallow.
Ahzii didn’t move. Her body stayed frozen, her mind splitting in two. She was furious at Savior… but she’d never wish death on him. No matter what she’d learned, no matter what William told her, her heart still beat for him.
“I can’t—just come. Please. Please bring Ahzii… he needs her,” Sarai pleaded through sobs.
