Page 53 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

Naomi

The quiet of the night shattered as the first gunshot rang out, reverberating through the air like a warning. My heart jumped into my throat, and I tightened my grip on the earpiece, Hudson’s voice crackling through it.

“They’re here,” he said, his tone sharp and focused. “Stay on task, Naomi. You know what to do.”

I glanced around the dimly lit community center, the soft hum of fluorescent lights above contrasting sharply with the chaos erupting outside. Families huddled together, their whispers filled with fear as they clung to one another. Children pressed against their parents, their wide eyes darting toward the sounds of shouting and gunfire.

“We’re going to be okay,” I said, my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my chest. “Stay low and follow me.”

I waved the first group toward the exit, their movements frantic but quiet. Marco had mapped out emergency routesearlier, and I prayed they’d hold as the people filtered through the doors one by one. Outside, the battle raged on, each muffled shot and shout a reminder of just how little time we had.

Hudson’s voicecame through the earpiece again, firm and unwavering. “How’s it looking inside?”

“Still moving people out,” I replied, ducking into a hallway to guide another family toward the exit. “It’s slow, but we’re getting there.”

“Keep it up,” he said. “We’ve got things under control out here.”

I wanted to believe him, but the strain in his voice told me otherwise. Hudson didn’t say much when things were dire—he didn’t have to. I could hear it in the tightness of his words, the clipped edge that meant he was calculating every move.

The next group of evacuees was a mother and her two children, their faces pale as they clutched each other tightly. I crouched down to meet the kids’ eyes, offering what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

“Hey, you’re doing great,” I said softly. “Just stick close to your mom, okay? She’s got you.”

The little girl nodded, her fingers tightening around her mother’s hand. “Are the bad guys gonna get us?”

“No,” I said firmly. “Not tonight. Not ever.”

The soundof footsteps echoed down the hallway, fast and deliberate, and I froze. My hand instinctively went to the knife strapped to my belt as I glanced over my shoulder. For a moment, I thought it was one of our allies, but the heavy thud of boots told me otherwise.

“Keep moving,” I whispered to the family, motioning them toward the exit. “Don’t stop.”

They hesitated for a split second, then hurried down the hall as I turned to face the approaching threat. A man stepped into view, his face partially obscured by the shadows, but the glint of the gun in his hand was unmistakable.

“Hey!” he barked, his voice rough. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I didn’t give him time to react. I lunged forward, my knife slashing upward, catching his arm and making him drop the weapon with a grunt. He swung at me, but I ducked, driving my shoulder into his chest and sending him staggering back.

The comm in my ear crackled as Hudson’s voice came through. “Naomi? What’s going on?”

“I’ve got it,” I said, my voice strained as I blocked another swing. “Just focus on the outside.”

The man recovered quickly, his movements clumsy but determined as he reached for a second weapon. Before he could draw it, I kicked out, my boot connecting with his knee. He went down with a howl, and I wasted no time grabbing his dropped gun and pointing it at him.

“Stay down,” I said, my voice low and cold.

He glared at me but didn’t move, his hand clutching his injured leg. I didn’t wait for him to change his mind. I kicked the weapon out of his reach and turned, running down the hall toward the next room.

The soundsof the fight outside grew louder as I moved through the building, guiding the remaining people toward the exits. Hudson and Marco’s team were holding their ground, but the Fold’s men weren’t letting up. Each gunshot felt like a countdown, every shout a reminder of just how close we were to the edge.

I reached the final room, my heart pounding as I pushed open the door. It was empty, save for a few overturned chairs and scattered papers. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.

“Going somewhere, Naomi?”

The voice froze me in place, sharp and mocking. My stomach twisted as I turned, my breath catching at the sight of Jared leaning against the doorframe. He looked different than I remembered—harder, colder—but the cruel glint in his eyes was the same.

He stepped into the room, a gun dangling loosely in his hand. “You’ve been busy.”

“Jared,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear curling in my chest. “You need to leave.”

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