Upsurged ( Protection and safety unit Book 2)

Chapter 5

Nathan

"So this cookout thing is interesting," Nova said, sitting back down at the table and eating her food.
Mama Mae and I turned to her at the same time, staring at her relaxed demeanor after Kyle and his goons had just left.
Mama Mae was still sitting at the table, completely overwhelmed by what had just happened, and I was calming her down.

"You broke Naomi's hand," said Sage, her eyes wide.

"The human body has 206 bones...I broke eight of them...she'll live," Nova replied as she took a bite of the cornbread.

We all just stared at her, and when she realized it, she wiped her mouth and glanced at me.

"I don't know what kind of administrative things you do in the office..." said Grandma, Nova's eyes flickering to her, "But thank you for being by my boy's side," added Mama Mae.

Her face was relieved when Nova just nodded, but I knew Grandma also realized that Nova wasn't a secretary.
Even without knowing about the situation, she was by my side, standing beside me, watching my back, and even taking out Naomi, and I was completely surprised when Naomi painfully admitted to betraying Isaac.

It had been a hectic evening. The sun had already disappeared behind the hills when the screams of the children and the shouting of the adults broke through the quiet neighborhood. My sister, her husband Kendrick, and the kids had decided to go home after the situation escalated.
The excitement had settled like a storm over the garden, and I could feel the tension in the air. Kali said goodbye to Nova with a hug, and they headed off after making sure Mama Mae was okay. My sister held me so tight in her arms that I could barely breathe.

"I would stay...but the kids are scared," she whispered in a shaky voice.

"It's all right, Kali...calm down your children; it was a shock for them," I replied.

"I'm so proud of you," she said to me.

Mama Mae walked her to the door and excused herself to lie down for a while. I knew she was very scared for us; she's lived in fear for so many years, and now it seems to be over.

"I'm sorry...but I need to lie down...Nate, take care of our guest," she said gently, looking at Nova, who had already started cleaning up with Sage.

We looked at each other, both relieved that the noise had finally died down and peace had returned to our family.

"It's over, Mama Mae," I said to her softly.

"I know, my boy...go take care of the girl," she replied as she kissed me on the cheek and climbed the stairs.

"You really don't have to help...sit down; I'll do this by myself...you seem to be in pain," Sage said to Nova as she helped carry the remains of the barbecue into the house.

Nova held her left side, just smiling at Sage and shaking her head. When she realized I was back in the backyard, she glanced at me, and I nodded for Sage to go into the house and leave us alone, and she did so without a word.

"Let me see," I said to Nova as I stood in front of her and pointed to the hand she was holding on her ribs.

"I just need a shower...I'm fine," she replied.

I watched her face as she again avoided my gaze and looked around nervously.

"Fine...then I'll take you to the guest room. You can take a shower and then tell me why you're here...I sent Duke a message...he hasn't answered me," I said to her.

She stared at me with wide eyes, as if I was sending her to her death and not to the shower.

"I...I have to get my things from the car," she said as she followed me.