“Marz…”
“You’re safe. The car is bulletproof,” he repeated. “We’re about a mile from the school, so I’m going to lead them there.Whatever happens, do not get out of this car. Do you understand me?”
“Y-yes. I-I understand.”
As we swerved from one lane to another, Marz talked to Neptune on Bluetooth, letting him know our location. He instructed me on where his bulletproof vest was, and I grabbed it from behind his seat. By the time we made it into the parking lot, Neptune was already outside waiting with Winston and his brother, Brick, behind him. I didn’t have to wonder if they were good shooters or not because Jay’s car immediately started to spin from the bullets going into its tires.
My heart pounded as Marz hopped out of the car, and I locked the doors behind him just as he’d told me to. I bounced from wanting, needing to watch everything unfold to wanting to cover my eyes until it was all over.
But it didn’t take long.
The men in the car hopped out like they were on a mission, but Jay had set them up for a death mission. They were no match for the expertise of Marz, Neptune, Winston, and Brick. They laid them down quickly, forcing Jay to hop out and try to handle things himself. It was no use. Before he could completely lift his gun to shoot, Marz had sent three bullets into his chest. He walked over to him and aimed at his head, and I squeezed my eyes shut as the final shot rang out.
The sound of sirens filled the air, but I remained frozen. So frozen Marz had to unlock the door himself when he came back to the car.
“Hey,” he called, cupping my cheeks and forcing my eyes on him. “It’s done. You’re okay.”
Nodding, I felt like I was looking straight through him toward Jay’s lifeless body bleeding on concrete.
“Heir,” Marz called.
“Hmm?”
“Look at me.” Blinking, I licked the corner of my mouth and swallowed hard before forcing my eyes to settle on Marz. “I want you to go with Brick. He’s going to take you to my house. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I wanna stay with you,” I pleaded, gripping his wrists.
Marz smiled before kissing my forehead. “I don’t want you involved with this, aight? I promise I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“We gotta go, bruh,” Brick said, walking up to us.
“Aight.” Marz gently pulled me out of the car. As he put my hand in Brick’s, Marz told him, “Take care of my wife, bro.”
“Fa sho,” Brick agreed, squeezing my hand softly.
“I love you!” Marz yelled as we ran to Brick’s car, stopping my movements.
Rushing over to him, I hopped into his arms and onto his lips. Resting my forehead against his, I confessed, “I love you too.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Marz
As much asI wanted to buck against what was happening, I knew there was nothing I could do to change their minds. Even though I’d taken care of Jay, Pops believed it would be a bit more difficult to handle Iman. He didn’t have the volatility of youth or emotional attachment clouding his judgment and making him move recklessly like his son. Because of that, Pops knew he would have to be taken out through offense, not defense.
I watched as he, Beethoven, Karrington, and Aspen loaded their ammunition.
“That’s my big brotha,” Neptune argued quietly out of respect. “I’m tryna figure out why you think I’m not about to ride for him, Pops.”
Pops smiled and cupped Neptune’s cheek briefly before looking at me. “That’s your brother, but both of y’all are my sons. You’re staying here and letting us handle it. That’s the last I’ma say on the matter.”
Neptune cursed under his breath as he stormed out of Pops man cave. I knew he wouldn’t calm down until we got word that everything was done and they were making their way back home safely. Instead of going after him, I looked at my OGs and asked, “Are y’all sure? I never wanted y’all involved in this.”
“Jay involved us the moment he involved my daughter,” Pops said calmly. “Keep an eye on ya brother. You know how he gets. Make sure he doesn’t leave this house and get into no shit.”
“Yes, sir,” I surrendered unwillingly.