The Fighter

Chapter Fifteen

I pull into Young's Warehouse just like Dean told me too. Xzauni starts to squirm and become whining on my lap. Once I park, I pick him up and look into his grey eyes. So much has changed since the death of my parents. Our parents. What am I going to tell him? How am I going to tell Xzauni that his parents are dead and it's all my fault? What if I don't even get the chance to tell him? Xzauni deserves to be with a family that will keep him happy and healthy. If he stays with me, he'll just be anything but that. He didn't do anything to deserve this. His birth was forced, I didn't want nothing to do with him for the first three days and a half of his life. I'm just a fuck up and Xzauni doesn't deserve this.

"I love you brother. Whatever happens now, I promise you that I will always be there for you. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. If you need money, I'll help you. Whatever you need in your life, come to me. I'll be here for you no matter what. I just hope I don't fuck up your life to much." I tell him and he smiles back at me. I sniffle and wipe off the tears that I didn't know fallen. I take a deep breath before I see a Matte black Mercedes pull in. The rims sparkle with the sun. I kiss Xzauni on the cheek before getting out of the car.

Dean steps out and leans on the good of the car as he stares at me, holding a cigar. He smiles and his one gold tooth sticks out. He starts clapping and I keep looking down at Xzauni.

"My son has a good taste in women. You know ever since he left here to come live with me, he was non stop talk about you. Then when I saw you come into this warehouse for Carlos," He stops and he looks at me for a second before taking a puff of his cigar. "Well, let's just say I didn't think you'd stay with Carlos. I didn't expect you to be the one to do his dirty work." He says as he takes another puff of his cigar. I hear Isabella in the car, her muffled screams. I look at his car and Dean smiles at me, evilly.

"Now, about this plan I'm going to work out for all of us to live in peace," He starts but my voice cuts him off.

"Isabella and my family are going to be ok. I'll work for you... With you, if you leave them alone and out of our business." I tell him. I'll do anything that I can to keep the people I love safe. To keep Xzauni safe. I want Xzauni to stay out of this life. He can't be doing this, I'm not going to get him taken from me. I'm not losing him. He's the only blood that I have left. He's literally the only one I've got.

"You see that's where you're not getting it. Ashtyn, working with me isn't just going to cut it. I need you to marry my son, have a family with him. I saw the way you to look at each other. I know the feelings you have for him." Dean tells me. Wait, is he doing this to get me with Easton? Easton beat me to a pulp, but somehow he saved me too. Easton's always been my knight in shinning armour, but marrying him? That seems like it's taking it to far. I never had a boyfriend before, I never had sex before, I never got the chance to live out of the drug life. I've got the chance to live in a trailer park with my deadbeat parents, I got the chance to experience what being homeless is like, I got to do everything. Everything but happily ever after. Honestly, I don't think I'm ready for that. I'm not ready for kids, I'm not ready for marriage. I'm only eighteen years old. I still have a few years before I have to make that decision. Easton is only eighteen. But if it's going to keep my family safe, then I guess I have no choice. I'll just have to do it.

"Well?" Dean says interrupting my thoughts. I snap back to reality and look down at Xzauni. Am I really choosing the right decision? Is this the best offer I can get? I have to do it. For my family, for Xzauni.

"Yeah, I'll-" I got cut off by gunshots firing. I hold Xzauni closer to me and I make my way back to the truck. I put Xzauni on the floor and I try to climb in but someone grabs my waist and pulls me back down. Xzauni's loud cries blend in with the gun shots being fired towards us. Dean warps his arm around my neck, putting me into a choke hold. I start fighting for air but his grip only tightens. Soon there's a gun pointed to my head.

"Stop shooting or your beloved Ashtyn is going to die!" Dean yells and the gunshots stop. The safety is taken off the gun and he holds the trigger. He loosens his grip around my neck, only enough so I can breathe. I gasp for air and breathe heavily.

"Come face to face with me, yeah?" He calls out. Soon, Carlos and Mikey come into view. Guns in hand, pointed at us. Aaron, Ricky, Melissa, and everyone else following behind him. Dave comes into view and points the gun at Dean.

"Where is she? Where's Isabella?!" He yells and Dean chuckles in my ear. I squeeze my eyes shut before opening them again. I wish this was all just a dream.

"If they open any door on my car without my fingerprints, it's going to explode and your precious Isabella will be dead, along with the unborn baby in her stomach." Dean whispers in my ear. I start to scream but he tightens his grip and I try to catch my breath.

I struggle against him but when he tightens his finger around the trigger I stop and I look at Carlos. I know what I have to do. If I don't it now, I'm never going to get another chance. I look towards Isabella and I know she's hurting. The unborn baby in her stomach deserves to live. Isabella will be a great mother. Xzauni, well I know Carlos will look after him. Mickey too.

"Just give us the baby and Ashtyn." Carlos says. I shake my head and I watch Carlos's eyes meet mine. We stare at each other for the longest time before I mouth "I love you brother".

"No!" Carlos yells as I turn around and fight for the gun. Multiple shots are fired and I finally get the gun away from Dean. I point it to his head before smiling at him and pulling the trigger. The bullet going straight through his head. A huge smile appears on my face and I turn around to face Carlos. He's smiling at me and so is Miley. I start to see white dots.

"I killed Dean." I say before I fall to the ground and Carlos rushes to my side. I look at the sky and I watch as everything surrounding me starts to get blurry. Everything echoes.

"Stay with me Ashtyn! You hear me? Stay with me!" Carlos voice echoes through my head. I try to keep my eyes open but I can't. I can feel someone slapping my face but it's not working. Then the darkness takes over.