Page 29 of Inked Obsession

We all knew Jacob’s mother, adored her, and knew that her prognosis was getting worse. We weren’t going to talk about it. Today would be a good day. A good day because my little sister was having twins. Jesus Christ, it felt like just yesterday that I was watching my mom put pigtails in her hair.

I shook my head. “Let’s get that beer.”

“Riggs’?” Jacob asked.

I nodded. “Where else?”

“Too bad Clay’s not going,” Lee said.

Colton snorted. “Did Riggs and Clay ever date?” he asked.

I held up my hands. “Since he works for me, I’m not going to ask. Clay doesn’t mind the flirting, and I’m pretty sure he flirts back. I’m going to stop talking about it.”

Everybody laughed, and we headed to get ready. Our workout had been cut short, but for the best reasons. We’d head to Riggs’, get a drink, and then I’d go home—and not sleep. My chest ached, and I rubbed it as I headed to my car. Had I worked out too hard? I didn’t think so. I didn’t know, but everything was tight, and I felt like I had pins and needles across my skin.

I was probably just losing my mind.

I drove towards Riggs’, the drive not too far, thankfully, and pulled in beside Benjamin. I was the last to arrive. I wasn’t sure how, but somehow, we were all getting out around the same time.

“You doing okay?” Benjamin asked.

I nodded. “Yes, why?”

“No reason, just asking,” Benjamin said, frowning.

I rubbed at my chest again, and his gaze went to the movement.

Lee came up to us, frowning. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. What’s wrong with you?”

Lee narrowed his eyes. “Nothing’s wrong with me. You keep rubbing your chest.”

“Are we going in?” Archer asked, rocking back on his feet. He leaned in to Marc as Colton and Jacob came up to us, as well.

“I’m fine, guys. Come on, let’s go in.”

The sound of a shot rang out, sharp. It echoed through my body, pulsated within my chest and through my brain. I ducked, dropping to my knees, and all I could do was hear my blood rushing through my veins, my heart beating too fast. Metal coated my tongue, and I tried to breathe, clutching at my chest. Suddenly, there were hands on me, pulling at me, and I couldn’t breathe. They wouldn’t stop. They were coming at me.

“No!”

I punched at them, trying to get away. My chest hurt like something was sitting on it. There was a fucking elephant on my chest, and I couldn’t breathe. I gulped for air, trying to do anything, something.

I looked up to see Benjamin’s wide eyes. Lee cursed and cradled my head. The others looked at me, either kneeling around me or standing, shouting.

What the fuck was going on? Why couldn’t I breathe? Was someone shooting? The guys needed to get down.

I pulled at Benjamin. “Stop. The bullets. Get down. Don’t let them get you.” I was gasping out the words now, and they didn’t make any sense. Lee kept cursing.

“What’s going on?” Archer asked, shaking as he held my hand.

My pulse raced, and I looked around at them, then swallowed hard. “Fuck,” I muttered.

“Your fucking brother was involved in a shooting a couple of months ago. We lost Brian, a guy we knew from college. He died, and Beckett was there. And he wouldn’t let me tell you. Now, he’s having a fucking panic attack because a car backfired.” I looked at Lee, my eyes wide as I tried to figure out what the hell was going on. “Don’t get mad at me. You should have told them. Shouldn’t have made me keep the secret. Fuck you, Beckett. Dear God, your pupils are pinpricks, and you’re hurting. It’s clear. What the fuck, man?”

He started to pace, running his hands through his hair as Archer looked down at me, still squeezing my hand. “You were shot?”

I pushed at them, trying to sit up. “You’re going to stay the fuck down. You’re going to lay here and tell me what happened,” Benjamin growled.

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