Losing Angel

Chapter 24

Layla's POV

It took us four hours to get to the safe house after leaving the hospital. Eli told me about this place after Marco died. He wanted to make sure I would be safe in case some more shit went down. The house was out in the forest. It was a small cabin in a secluded area.

When we pulled up I told Sienna to wait in the car for a moment. Eli had taken me out to the gun range a few times and given me some pointers on what to do to make sure the cabin was secure. I grabbed the gun I left stored in my trunk for emergencies and walked around the cabin to make sure it was safe. Once I was sure no one was inside I went back to the car to grab Sienna.

"Layla you need to explain what the fuck is going on. Why did we have to rush out of the hospital? Why did we have to come to some secret location? Why do we have to worry about being followed?" Sienna questioned as she got out the car.

"Not out here. Let's get inside," I told her, still keeping an eye on our surroundings.

Once we got in I explained the whole story to her. Starting with the fact that my name is really Angel Howard and that I ran away from North Carolina after being raped by Kaine and thinking I murdered him in self-defense. I told her about Eli and Kaine being in a drug war and Kaine using me as a pawn to get under Eli's skin. I explained that Mason was Kaine's brother and was using her to get close to me and that he was cheating on her with Eli's sister who he was using to get information on Eli. I told her that Kaine was only dating her as part of this sick game he's been playing with me.

"Wow. This is a lot to take in right. This is too much even. You mean to tell me that this entire time Mason and Chris, who goes by Kaine, were using me as a way to track you and keep tabs on you? Not only that but Kaine raped you and now I'm pregnant with a rapist's baby?" she asked starting to hyperventilate from processing everything.

"Breathe Si, just breathe. It's going to be okay." I said trying to calm her down.

"No! No it's not! Like what the fuck is happening right now! This is my real life and you're telling me all this shit has been a part of some sick game these niggas have been playing to get back at you?! This is fucking crazy!" she said through tears.

"Listen Si I'm so sorry okay. I never meant for you to be involved in this mess. I didn't know they followed me here." I explained.

"How long?" she asked.

"How long what Si?" I responded.

"How long have you known that these niggas were playing me?" she said wiping her tears.

"I-I've known for some time now. I found out about Mason when you left for winter break. But I didn't know the Chris you were dating was actually Kaine. I swear!" I explained.

"So you fucking knew! You knew that Mason using me and you knew he was cheating on me with your boyfriend's sister and you didn't say anything? You're supposed to be my best friend. It's your fault this shit is happening to me. Had you told me about Mason in the first place I never would've got with Chris. I wouldn't be pregnant right now. None of this shit would be happening right now!" she yelled.

"Now Si we don't know that. All this shit probably would've still happened because they were plotting on us the whole time. I wanted to tell you about Mason but I-I just didn't know how." I said.

"Yeah some friend you are." she responded walking out of the room intentionally bumping my shoulder on her way out.

This entire situation was a mess. I felt terrible about not warning Sienna about Mason. I didn't know how to tell her what happened. I couldn't go around exposing Eli's drug business and I honestly didn't want her involved anymore than she already had been. Once I found out she moved on with Chris, I figured there was no need to tell her anymore since the danger was over. But now I don't even know whether that was the right choice or not. I just hope she can forgive me one day.

Estelle's POV

"Bella, baby, not so loud okay!" I called out to my daughter Bella who was playing we her toy drumset that Mason got her. She was having the time of her life back there. All I could do was laugh to myself.

I hadn't heard from Mason since I dropped him off at the airport a few days ago. I wasn't worried though because this was typical of him. Sometimes I don't even know why I'm with him. He gets in these terrible moods sometimes and his entire attitude shifts. Like I get that life happens and sometimes we can get upset, but he just takes it out on me for no reason. He'll go days without speaking to me as if I'm the problem. At first I used to chase him down and try to figure out what was wrong. But at this point I'm over it. We are too grown to not know how to communicate with our significant other. Plus I have a daughter to take care of and I'm planning on going back to school soon. I have too much going on to be worried about him. When he's ready he'll reach out.

Anyways I'm in the middle of making some dinner for us. I've been craving oxtails lately so I figured I'd whip some up. As I was in the kitchen chopping up my veggies I heard the doorbell. I quickly washed and dried my hands before heading over.

"Who is that mommy?!" Bella called in the background.

"I don't know baby give me a second to find out okay. Go back to your room." I told her.

I answered the door seeing a tall man facing away from me looking at the different plants and decorations on my patio.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" I asked peaking through the cracked door.

"Hey Estelle! I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. I um had some news to share." the man responded.

"Chris? Is that you?" I asked. He looked familiar. But I wasn't too sure since I had only met him once at the fashion show.

"Yeah it's me. Listen can I come in? It's really important." he said.

"Yeah, of course. Come in." I said opening the door fully and stepping to the side to let him in.

"Is everything okay? Is something wrong with Mason?" I asked as he came in and sat down on the couch.

"I-I don't even know how to say this." he said.

"Okay, you're scaring me now. What's wrong?" I said getting more and more anxious.

"Mason died Estelle. He was shot and killed by an intruder in his home yesterday afternoon." he explained.

"W-what? H-he died? He was just here. No no you're lying. This can't be happening right now!" I said breaking down in tears.

Chris just came over and held me as I cried trying to calm me down.

"What's wrong Mommy? I heard you crying." Bella said coming into the living room.

"Mommy's okay baby. I was just a little upset, but I'm better now. Okay?" I told her quickly wiping my tears.

"Are you sure Mommy?" she asked again.

"Yes, baby I'm fine. I promise. Listen, go back to your room and I'll be in there in a few minutes." I assured her.

"Ok Mommy." she said running back to her room.

"Um do you want some tea or water?" I asked Chris.

"I'll take some water." he said.

"Okay I'm gonna start a pot of tea for myself." I stated pouring him the water before getting my tea started.

"Let me go tuck her in really quick and I'll be right back."

About ten minutes later I had finished and was just returning to the living room to check on my tea and make sure Chris was good. Then another knock was heard at my door. It was getting late and I wasn't expecting anyone. So I glanced over at Chris for assurance.

"I'll get it. Just wait right here" he said walking over to the door.

I heard some male voices but they were talking so low I couldn't make out what they were saying. Then I heard a loud noise and what sounded like a body hitting the ground. Before I could react three men rushed into my house. One of them quickly grabbed me before I could make a sound and put a towel over my face, suffocating me until I lost consciousness. The last thing I could hear them say was get the girl before I blacked out.