“Get fucked up,” he warned, and she rolled her eyes.
“I’m good, Minx. I’ll just call you in the morning,” Luna told her as Finn pulled her toward his parked car.
Max already crossed the lot to his truck waiting. He was still smoking his cigarette when he opened the door and climbed inside. Rose spun Minx around and held her close by the collar of his jacket she was now rocking. Eyes linking with hers, he admired the sparkle there.
“We still have some things we need to talk about,” he said to her, admiring her full mouth as she licked her lips.
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” she queried.
“You know you a part of a nigga, Minx. You the first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last thing when I close my eyes. This shit between us is rooted, shorty. I don’t share that with anybody else. I don’t want to lose it either. So whatever you need from me, I want to give. No cap,” Rose assured, melting her in his embrace.
She stood on her toes, and with one hand draped behind her back he brought her closer. Locking lips in a passionate kiss, Rose took her breath away. Monica’s “Love All Over Me” mightas well have been playing in her head. Shit was beautiful and filled her with the greatest feeling. Rose spoke to her in a way she’d only dreamed of hearing. This was real though, and he was being sincere.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” Rose said, leading her toward Max’s truck.
“So does this mean you’re going to be like my man and stuff?” Minx teased as he peered down his nose at her with the sexiest grin.
Rose’s other senses suddenly tingled. He had no idea why as he scoped their surroundings. Max said he had a couple of guys in the lot, but he didn’t spot anyone. Walking up on the F-150 when he heard Max turn the ignition switch, he knew something wasn’t right. Before Rose knew what was happening, the truck exploded, sending a blast throughout the parking lot. Rose felt it from where he stood with Minx, and it sent them flying backward in the air. Flames from Max’s obliterated truck filled the air. Debris covered the ground, and people screamed and scattered for safety. His back on the ground, unable to move, Rose turned. A few feet away he spotted Minx. Facedown, covered in black ash and a large bloody wound on top of her head. Blood spilled down her face and her eyes were closed. Not sure if she was breathing, he tried to lift his head.
“Minx!” Rose shouted with what little strength he had.
To be continued…
VOLUME TWO
Three days later…
The steady beepsfrom the monitor inside the hospital room kept him awake. Seated beside her in a chair, Ambrose fingered his mustache, pensively watching her sleep. Minx had been out for days. The night she was brought in the doctors said she suffered from some kind of post-traumatic shock. She was stuck in a state of instant replay. It got to the point where they had to sedate her to keep her from harming herself.
Nothing really shook Rose, but seeing her like that threw him. Arm resting on the chair, he sat watching every breath she took. He needed her to wake up and look into his face. Even if she was cussing him out or bawling her eyes out, she just needed to wake the fuck up. He turned his wrist, checking the time before taking a deep breath and bringing himself to his feet.
It was late afternoon, and he’d been there since the morning. Standing at the window, he drifted off to the many times he and Minx spent together. Had it all led up to this? He didn’t know.What he did know was that this girl was his fucking world, and he didn’t want to lose her. Thinking he had, on top of losing Max, it would’ve gutted him for sure. He was keeping his feelings tucked away on that one. Max might’ve been like his father, but he was hers. There was no way that he could even fathom how she felt watching his car explode.
“I need to hear your voice, Minx. This shit ain’t right, shorty.” He bowed his head and sniffled a bit before he moved back toward the bed.
Grabbing her hand, he brought it closer to his chest and eased himself onto the edge of her bed. Rose reached out and tucked some of her hair from her face. Staring down at their hands intertwined, he took in a deep breath. He wanted to crack, but he had to keep his chin up.
“What a nigga supposed to do without you around to nag him all the damn time about something? We got unfinished business. So if this is your way of avoiding that shit—“ He listened to the rhythm of the monitors connected to her increase.
Bringing his somber eyes up, Rose froze when he realized she was coming to.
“Rose?” she asked, confusion clouding her caramel-coated face.
“Shit, you had a nigga worried.” Releasing a sigh, he scooted closer to her.
Emptiness rested in her stare and she made no attempt to move. Rose watched her eyes flood with tears. He hated seeing her like that. The shit tore him to pieces knowing that she was in pain and he couldn’t do anything about it.
“My daddy… he’s… he’s gone.” She sobbed, and Rose brought her closer to his chest.
With her face buried there, she let it all out. He couldn’t do or say anything. Allowing her to work through the agony ripping through her, he held her tighter. Eventually, her sobs turned towhimpers, and then it stopped. Arms still locked around her, Rose only pulled back when his phone went off in his pocket. Ignoring it, he focused on Minx.
“If you got somewhere to be, you can go, Rose. I’m awake. I’ll be okay,” she said, voice hoarse like she’d been shouting at a concert all night.
“Whatever it is, that shit can wait,” he insisted, cupping her cheek.
Her eyes closed, and she accepted his warmth. She hadn’t forgotten what they talked about before she watched her father be taken right before her eyes. Now she was also left with her world upside down. She was going through one of the most-horrible phases of her life, and her warrior was nowhere in sight.
“I’m gonna go get the doctor and let them know you’re awake so they can come and check you out.” Rose stood, and Minx reached for his wrist.
