Chasing Innocence | ✓

56 | drawing closed

"Get down!"

Glass sprays my skin as Brax grips my arm, hauling me over the couch as he reaches Sof.

We huddle next to each other as the windows shatter completely, blasting loudly.

"Brax!" I shout, watching him run across the room towards the hallway. He returns from his room with two pistols.

Our eyes meet and I see the determination within them. His phone is in his other hand as he dials someone's number, placing it against his ear.

Sofía grips my arm tightly, squeezing her eyes shut in fear as I watch her brother shouting down the phone.

He hangs up, ducking low as he approaches us again. "I don't know how many there are," he shouts. "But we could be outnumbered," he passes me one of the guns solemnly, like he wishes he didn't have to do this.

The back door slams open and Sof jumps, falling against my side. A man enters, instantly pointing a gun at us. "Drop them," he growls, swinging the gun between Brax and I.

He's bald, covered in face tattoos and dark clothing. His beady black eyes watch us carefully, ready to attack at any moment.

I glare, holding the gun tighter. Brax gives me a stern look, placing his on the ground with his hands raised.

"I said drop it," the man growls, pointing between my brows.

The front door bangs open on its hinges, splintering at the top and slamming against the wall.

"Rhea," Brax says, low.

I eye the man suspiciously, placing the gun down slowly. He kicks it towards himself smugly as another man enters my line of vision.

He's dressed in identical clothing. His hair is dark, looping under his ears as he grins maliciously.

"Well that was exhilarating," the man laughs wickedly. "Would'a thought you'd put in more effort after you'd killed yet another one of my cousins," he growls.

I glance at Brax as he works his jaw. "Leave them out of this," he begins. "Do whatever the fuck you want with me. I killed your cousin. After he killed my fucking brother, that is."

The man with dark hair grabs Brax by the lapel of his shirt and my stomach plummets. He slams his back against the wall opposite, holding Brax by the throat.

Sof begins to cry softly as she watches her brother helplessly. He doesn't bother fighting back and I fear that he's doing it because he believes it'll protect us.

"Let's not forget who started the whole mess," the man growls, shoving at Brax again.

"Dylan?" Brax spits. "When he attacked Casey?"

The guy slams his fist into Brax's face. Blood oozes out of his mouth, splattering against the wall. His fist then lands against Brax's stomach and he doubles over.

"Leave him alone!" Sofía snaps, standing up suddenly despite my best attempts to stop her. "Don't you think you've done enough?"

The man holding Brax clicks his fingers at the bald guy, and he walks towards Sof swinging his gun towards her face.

I jump up, pulling her against my chest as the man slams his gun at the back of my head instead. I see starts instantly and I have to squint to stop the darkness from taking over.

"Go," I whisper in her hair.

"I'm not—"

"Sofía," I snap urgently.