Page 183 of Save Room for Us

Two gunshots ringing out cut into Asif’s sentence, and with immediacy, he pushed me between two trucks, shielding me. I could see through a sliver, though, and couldn’t help but scream my ears off, watching Jacinta’s body drop with two holes in her head. Everyone currently outside let out screams, shouts, and were running like champion track stars.

“Cedric!” His stepsister gripped his wrist, shocked by him killing Jacinta.

“Oh my gosh!” I hollered when he put a bullet in his own sister’s abdomen, sending her to the ground as blood gushed between her fingers.

Asif picked me up and raced to our car, throwing me inside and quickly grabbing his gun. The courthouse had a no gun policy, frisking everyone who’d entered. Cedric had clearlyretrieved his from the car he rode in, which was why he’d done his work right by it.

“Get down and stay down,” Asif told me, checking his rounds quickly and shutting the door.

I did as he said, though I didn’t want him to go. I just wanted him to get in this car and drive.

More bullets rang out as police sirens could be heard, and after three more, it all stopped. Slowly, I rose up to peer out of the back window to see Cedric slumped over, brains spilling out the back of his head as Asif limped some, a bloody stain on his side from being hit.

The lot was full of cops, first responders, and reporters. They were taking photos of Allyson—who was now frozen and clearly dead—Jacinta, and Cedric. Three dead bodies in a matter of seconds.

“Wait, no!” I hopped out when I saw a cop approach Asif. “No, it was him, what the fuck!” I cried, pointing so they’d look at Cedric and leave my baby alone.

“Baby, it’s cool. I’ll handle it. Drive the car back to the crib.” He winced some.

“No, he needs medical attention, and he didn’t start this—” I tried to explain, but Asif gave me a look, so I stopped.

I watched as they began to put Cedric, Allyson, and Jacinta in body bags before I got in the car, dialing Bashar so he could know what the fuck had just happened.

HOURS LATER…

I was going crazy at my sister’s home, along with everybody else, and Bashar had been doing everything he could to find out the status of what was going on with Asif, but no one claimed toknow. I felt horrible and like I should’ve never messed with him, getting him wrapped up in my shit.

When my phone rang, it seemed like everyone’s ears perked up as I reached over a slumbering Sophie.

“Hello?” I picked up, my background so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“You miss me?” Asif questioned tiredly, making me sigh in relief.

“What is going on? Where are you?” I ran off. “Bashar said?—”

“I’m in the hospital. They had to go in and treat the bullet wound.”

“Can I come? Can you have visitors.”

“I can, but only you.”

“I don’t think they’re gonna go for that, Asif.”

“They will. I’ll call ’em after I send you the info.” He hung up before I could protest.

“He said he’s in the hospital. He had to have surgery for to treat bullet wound and he wants to see me only.” As the groans and complaints started, I said, “That’s just his words. He should be calling soon.” I rose to my feet.

“She can stay here,” Analicia told me, referencing Sophie. “Everyone else is.” She chuckled through a sigh.

The whole clan was in this big ass house at the moment, including all the kids, but thankfully, they’d all ran themselves ragged from being together all day.

I left the house and drove straight to Hillside Memorial, checking in and making my way to the room number Asif sent over.

As I entered the room he was in, I couldn’t help but to feel so thankful that he was alright. My eyes darted around him, looking for handcuffs of any kind, but I saw nothing.

“Come here.” He waved for me to come closer because I was standing there staring at him after shutting the heavy door.

I did as he asked, trying to refuse him from pulling me onto the bed with him, but it was a futile effort.

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