Page 89 of Next Level
Agent Tellez nods and says, “I got Samantha’s statement, so I’m all set here. I’ll be back to check in after I finish the scene. I’m leaving a few police officers here just in case George has anything else planned.
Oh, he’s going to be dead soon. He won’t be planning anything.
“Thank you.” That’s all I can muster up before heading back to my girl.
Zip looks beside himself as he walks up to me. “She said she was just going pee. She wouldn’t let me—”
I cut him off, pulling him in for a hug. “Brother, it’s not your fault.”
“I should have been there. Fuck when we saw the FBI rush in, we jumped up and followed them, but it was too late. Cherry threw Sam behind her back and took the blade intended for your girl.” Zip recalls, his voice filled with emotion.
I pull back, letting him get it all out.
The love and pride I feel for my Blossom overwhelms me, tightening my throat with emotion.
“I need to see my girl.” I grip his shoulder, letting him know it’s not his fault.
I see my ma crying, holding herself, so I go to embrace her next. Everyone is emotional. I even have tears welling up in my eyes.
Fuck.
“Son, I’m so sorry. Christ. She’s a good woman. She’ll make it through this. She will.” Ma’s words sink in that I might lose my Blossom.
I’m hugging my ma to my chest and say, “Zoom, get a hold of Cherry’s parents, let them know what happened.” I release my mom and walk over to Dawg, who’s still comforting my crying daughter. “Dawg, call Sunshine and get her here too.”
Reaching for Sam, she moves from my best friend’s chest to mine, and I squeeze her tight. Kissing the top of her head, I murmur, “She’s going to be okay. She has to be okay.”
Sam cries even harder. “She saved me, Dad. She saved me.”
I shush her, squeeze her hard, and say, “I know, Punkin, I know.” Finally, a few tears escape my eyes.
I pray to whoever is listening, I can’t lose my Blossom. I just found her.
More members begin to arrive. When Lip walks in, he heads straight for me. “Level, Big Betty needs me to go help her.”
I know this has to do with George and Joe wanting some of my men there as well.
“Take Nut with you. Once I hear back from the doctor, we’ll come meet you.”
Nut walks over. “What’s up?”
“I need you to go with Lip and help out Big Betty. She has our package that needs securing until I get there.”
Ma gasps, surprising me. I didn’t know she was behind me.
I turn and see her staring at me with wide eyes.
I ask, “What?”
Ma moves closer to whisper to me, “You gothim,didn’t you?”
Oh Christ.
“Ma, this has nothing to do with you.
“The fuck it don’t. Son, you promised me. I’m going with you,” she rants, letting her voice rise.
Seriously. I rub my face.
