Page 93 of Next Level
The boys and I are in complete shock. I think she is as well by the look on her face.
“Fuck!” I exclaim.
“Let’s get him in the incinerator,” Nut says, stepping forward.
As I move Ma away from the lifeless body, I tell Jay, “Take Ma to get cleaned up and put her in the van.”
Chewy, Nut, and I take care of the body and remove all evidence he was ever here.
Zoom emptied the account and made it look like George took the money and ran.
On the way back to the hospital, Chewy asks, “So are we going to help his kid, or was that all shit talking just to get a rise out of him?”
I shrug. “I don’t know yet. But out of all this, I do believe he’s a victim too.”
Lip speaks. “Sounds to me like he saved Sammie from something worse happening to her. Like he protected her.”
“Yeah, it’s starting to look that way,” I reply.
SAFE
Ihear Ray talking as I begin to wake. “She’s going to be okay, Punkin. You heard the doctor.”
When I feel pain, I moan.
“Blossom?” I hear Ray’s voice.
I flutter my eyes open. It’s blurry at first, but then a couple of bodies start to form next to me. I keep blinking until it becomes clear.
Another moan escapes from me.
“Punkin, get the doctor.”
I try to speak. “Sam—”
Ray cuts me off. “Sam’s okay. Don’t try to speak. Just rest.”
“I’m here, Cherry. I’m here,” Sam says, grabbing my hand.
Oh, thank God, she’s all right.
“What happened?” I’m hoarse, but I want to know what happened after I blacked out.
“The man who stabbed you is dead. The other man is in custody,” Ray explains to me, caressing my head as he looks down at me.
Samantha’s face is puffy. “Cherry. You saved me,” she says, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Always,” I say, squeezing her hand.
Ray breathes, “Thank you,” and kisses my forehead.
I close my eyes, feeling the love from both of them.
Ray leans back. “Sunshine is on her way here with Dawg. Your parents—”
I turn my head, shocked. “My—”
“Yes, Blossom, we called your folks. They’ll be here tomorrow. I’ll pick them up and bring them here.”
