Page 42

Nina

B lack cotton dries my tears and warms my cheeks. The sound of a gun going off startled me moments ago, and I've yet to free myself from Trevor's firm hold. I don't think I could even if I wanted to.

My big man cushioned my fall and immediately tucked me beneath him. With the squishy grass under me, and Trevor blocking the world, I take a moment to breathe him in.

He feels so good. Strong and sturdy. Like no matter what happens, he won't ever let me out of his sight again. That should bother me, but all I feel right now is relief.

Until I remember a gun went off. I wiggle and try to push Trevor off of me, but he holds firm. "No, baby. I don't want you to look."

"What happened? Is everyone okay?!" Oh my gosh, if someone got hurt because of me, I'll never forgive myself.

"Everyone's fine, Neen," Trev rasps and dips his face into the crook of my neck. "And Mr. M is gone."

"Gone where?!" How did he get away?! I ran past like eight police officers. How could they let him escape? Especially after he publicly threatened to kill me. There should have been zero mistaking who he was.

Chills race down my spine making me shiver. Trevor snuggles me closer until I feel like I'm suffocating. "Mr. M was shot. He's dead, baby girl. You won't ever have to worry about him again."

I push, but he still doesn't move. "Are you sure? We have to check! He's dangerous."

That gives me some breathing room. Trevor lifts enough to stare me down. "You will do no such thing. You're going to stay right here until they get the mess cleaned up?—"

"The mess?!" I screech and try to wiggle away. What in the world happened? I just ran outside like two minutes ago, and suddenly Mr. M is dead.

"NINA!!" Ridge and Kai scream at the same time.

"Holy fuck, pretty girl. Come here!" Henry begs, crashing to his knees beside us and reaching for me.

Seeing the stark fear on his handsome face, my tears build once again. "I'm okay," I whisper and reach for him.

Trevor grumbles but helps me straddle Henry's lap. They keep me faced away from the road and all the commotion. I no longer care to check to see if Mr. M is actually dead because my four men are in my line of sight now. Hands caress me everywhere, checking for wounds and bruises.

"I'm okay," I repeat, except my wobbly words tell how shaken up I am. I could have died .

With that thought, I cling to Henry harder and choke on my tears beneath his jaw. Someone did die, though , and that brings up another question.

"Wh-who shot him?"

Silence is all I get from my guys, then I hear the voice I've known since I was in my mom’s belly. "I did. I stopped him, Nina."

I gasp and ignore the saliva trying to choke me as I fling myself from Henry's lap and toward my dad. "DADDY!" I screech, needing his protective embrace like I need air.

What he whispers in my ear, I can’t tell, just as time ceases to exist while my dad hugs me fiercely. Absentmindedly, I feel more than hear my mom as she joins our hug and attempts to soothe me right alongside my dad.

"Sir?" I stiffen in response to the unknown voice. "I need to check her and make sure she's okay."

Clinging to my parents as they try to allow the paramedic to check me, I declare, "I'm fine!"

"Nina, sweetheart. Let them check you over, then I swear you can go shower, change, and curl up with your guys okay?" Mom sounds so logical, and I hate it.

I grumble in my head because the willpower it takes to uncoil myself from my dad and mom hurts. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. I want someone to take care of me. My parents, the guys...I want them right here in my space taking care of me.

Honestly, I'd rather not think, feel, or do for the rest of my life which is obviously unacceptable. So maybe that's why, as the paramedics check my vitals, I tell them exactly what happened when they ask in hopes that they'll fix everything.

Someone has to help me because it's not going to be me.