Nina and Chloe sat huddled together on the couch, their minds and hearts filled with worry and fear as they waited anxiously for any news of their family. Hours had passed since Nina had arrived at the estate, and it had been just as long since she had last heard from Rakim. They all sat together in the living room, trying to pass the time and keep their spirits up, but the tension was palpable.
Nas and Trina were also there, sitting quietly and patiently waiting for the doors to open and reveal their safe return. Trina did her best to keep herself out of the family business, but hearing the story from her daughter and knowing that her sons were out there retaliating had her on edge. She didn't want to have to bury one of her children, so she kept herself busy by helping the chef cook something for the kids.
As they all sat there, trying to ease their anxiety, Trina brought in a tray of sandwiches and encouraged them to eat. 'People say food helps,' she told them. 'No matter the situation, so you kids dig in. Sitting here worrying isn't going to do anything, so at least put something on your stomach.' They all took her advice and grabbed a sandwich, sitting in their rightful places around the room.
As they ate, Chloe turned to Nina and asked, 'So, who is Zeke?'
Nina nodded and explained, 'Remember the guy from the club? That's his name. I was talking to Chanel and he was there. We talked and he asked me out and offered to walk me to the car. That's when the shooting happened.'
'Let's not skip over the part where he asked you out,' Chloe smirked. 'What did you say?'
'I agreed to coffee,' Nina spoke, her voice low as she didn't want anyone else to hear the conversation. Just as she was about to say more, the front door opened, causing relief to wash over her as her brothers entered. But their relief was short-lived as they saw Rakim and Shakur on either side of Dom, who had his arms wrapped around them.
As everyone in the room stood abruptly, Nina did the same, but she wasn't as quick as everyone who had run to their side. Nina's steps slowed as she saw the blood soaking Dom's shirt. Her heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation, and she felt a wave of fear and worry wash over her once again.
—
'Lay down!' Rakim barked, his voice thick with urgency. He shoved Dom back down onto the table, the force of his push sending a jolt of pain through Dom's already wounded body. Dom struggled to sit up, his hand instinctively reaching for the searing wound in his stomach, but Rakim's grip on his shoulder was ironclad. 'Stay still, man,' Rakim said frustrated.
The room was a chaotic mess of frantic people, the scent of blood heavy in the air. Nina was yelling for an ambulance, her voice trembling with fear. Dom felt the sticky warmth of his own blood soaking through his shirt, the pain a relentless, fiery pulse.
He could hear the others calling his name, their voices thick with concern. 'Dom, you gonna be good, man. Stay with us!' Nas spoke, his voice breaking.
But Dom's mind was a fog of pain and confusion. He needed to get up, get out of this mess. He needed to escape. 'I'm okay,' he croaked, his voice weak and shaky. But his body betrayed him, the pain threatening to consume him. He felt his eyelids fluttering, his eyes becoming blurry as his eyes scanned the room.
'Dom, please,' Chole pleaded, his voice laced with desperation. 'Just stay still."
But Dom was lost in the swirling vortex of pain, his world fading to black, the voices around him morphing into a distant hum.
The tremor that shook his body was a relentless force, pulling him back from the precipice of unconsciousness. His eyes fluttered open, the world coming into focus in a hazy blur. Above him, a vision of worry and relief: Nina. Tears traced paths down her cheeks, leaving streaks of salt upon her skin.
