Page 53 of Zero
“And I have the solution outside.” Barbie replied.
The others checked in as Bòkò entered through the back. He holstered his gun and hunched down beside Morena.
“It’s good to see you, Morena.” Bòkò told him. “You and I need to talk.”
“I’ll find her!” Morena screamed as he spat in Bòkò direction. “I will kill her.”
Bòkò grabbed a handful of Morena’s hair before pulling his gun and pressing it to the side of Morena’s head. “Se pa si mwen touye ou an premye.” He told him.
I glanced over to Bailey who was caressing Justice’s cheek.
“He said,not if I kill you first.” She translated before I could ask.
“Come on.” Crash cuffed Morena and hauled him to his feet. “We should get out of here.”
“He can’t walk.” Bailey reported.
“I got this.” I told her.
Bòkò stood. “We’ll cover you.”
Pushing Justice’s body sideways, I pulled him over my shoulders like a fireman. I ensured whoever had rushed into the room with me was flanking me and I headed for the door, Bòkò leading.
“We’re coming out.” I announced.
When we stepped through the door, Eton pulled up into the parking lot with my jeep and I rushed to the door and opened it. I was resting Justice into the back seat when the loud and familiar bang of a bullet caught my attention.
I expected pain, but none came.
I shoved Justice in, stepped aside for Patrick could climb in with him. “Hospital!” I ordered Eton, moving back to slam the door. “Go!”
He sped off and I turned in time to see Bailey falling.
“No.” I screamed and slipped toward her with my arms out.
The man standing at the door still had a shocked look on his face, half his head missing, and the gun still hoisted after he’d fired.
I held Bailey close to my chest, while feeling her body for a wound. I found it—close to her heart.
Too damn close.
“Keep your eyes open.” I told her. “Get the car!”
She trembled while trying to speak.
“Don’t…just stay awake.” My heart had fallen out of my chest and was sitting in the dirt. She was beautiful and scared and I was helpless. “Please—I know I’m not the one you chose but look into my eyes, Hoshi. Keep looking into my eyes.”
“Rei—I…” Her eyes rolled back as her head started rolling away from me.
I tapped her cheek. “No! Don’t you dare! Stay awake!”
The chaos that followed threatened to drive me insane.
Nothing else mattered.
Not the speeding to the hospital.
Not the strange noises around me.
