Chapter 7 #3
Both Mila and Jonah joined the party, even Mille was dressed in his best. Seated in a corner solo, watching everyone around him drink and have a good time, he still felt some kind of way about moving on with his life without his father in the picture.
It felt wrong and disloyal. All he wanted was to bring him back and not only for himself.
His mother needed him. Mille could tell that she was a shell of herself with him no longer around.
She was alive but not living. It was all behind the shadows of pain that dwelled in her eyes when she peered back at him now. She wasn’t the same.
Hours ticked by, and Luna managed to fill up her appointment book with nothing but parties and celebrations for the next six months. She was on a high and not at all ready to come down. It was close to eleven p.m. when things finally died down and folks piled out to start heading home.
“Wow… talk about a celebration. We did it!” Gleeful, Luna grinned. Hugging it out with Minx, the two best friends bounced around happily. “You did it,” Minx insisted.
“Nope.” Luna shook her head.
They had both had plenty to drink.
“We did it. I couldn’t have done this without you, Minx. We are a team. You’re my partner.” She held her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I know I sound like some sappy, mushy ass simp right now— “
“And I love you for it. This is your dream, and you have made it a reality. I’m just glad to be here for the ride. I will play the back seat any day for you,” Minx vowed.
“Don’t make me cry,” Luna said, stern, but with a cute smirk. “I love you, Minx. Even in the face of everything you’ve had going on this year, you showed up for me.”
“Best friends for life?” Minx asked.
“And beyond that,” Luna said, roping her into another big hug. “I know that you already had a sister, but you got one in me too. Always.”
“Let me get a picture of you two before I get out of here.” Mila stepped forward with her phone up and ready.
“One of just you two and then one with you both with your men. This is a moment we don’t ever want to forget.
” After snapping a bunch of pictures, Mila paused to go through them, grinning the whole time.
The sudden sound of gunfire erupting followed by glass shattering and screams sent them all to the ground.
Jonah, Rose and Finn drew their guns and tires squealed then stopped.
Rose and Finn dragged Minx and Luna behind the counter out of harm’s way.
“Mil! Where is he!” Minx cried, panicked.
“Minx, stay here, stay down. I’ll get him.” Rose crept to the other side of the counter and peeked out.
The bullets hadn’t stopped. With his gun up and ready, he searched the room.
Mil was laid out on the ground on his stomach.
Rose couldn’t tell if he’d been hit or not.
Heart lunging in his chest, the thought of him being hurt almost crippled him.
He spotted Jonah hiding behind a table he tipped over onto its side, and Mila was sprawled out near the door.
Rose watched two big ass masked men with heavy ass automatic artillery step out of the black Jeep and take long strides to the door.
One of them sprayed the rest of the front of the building up, keeping Rose in place.
The other one snatched Mila off the ground and dragged her back to the car.
The gunfire ceased, but only for a moment as the other shooter loaded another clip into his weapon.
Rose took the chance and popped up behind the counter.
He returned fire , catching the shooter who paused right in the chest. His heavy body jerked back, and his weapon hit the pavement with a loud clatter.
His partner tossed Mila into the back of the Jeep, and they sped off down the road at top speed.
When he rounded the corner, the vehicle was on two wheels and they fell off Rose’s radar as he reached the sidewalk.
“Fuck!” He hollered when Finn rushed out behind him.
Chest heaving, he glanced at Rose and tried to catch his breath..
“Make sure everybody is good,” Finn insisted as Jonah also burst into the night.
“I’m coming too. Rose, hold it down and make sure Minx and everyone is okay?” Jonah trailed Finn. Hopping into his car, Finn started it quickly and peeled off down the street.
Rose wanted nothing more than to go with them, but Jonah was right. Somebody had to stick around and do damage control. Everything in him screamed that he needed to go after them, but he knew they could handle it. Sirens already filled the air heading their way.
“Mille! Mil!” Minx rushed across the room to check on her little brother.
Kneeling at his side, she reached out and turned him over. He wasn’t bleeding. He’d hit his head on the bench when he tried to duck. Frowning with his eyes still closed, he groaned and immediately went for his wounded head.
“Agh!” he moaned painfully.
Minx helped ease him into a sitting position.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she tugged him against her bosom and held him there.