Motorcycle Girl: Book Four

Chapter 5: Wounded

Odeletta

I shut off the vacuum when I hear the doorbell ring. Sighing, I walk out of the formal living room, into the actual living room. Nathan is helping Noemie with her psychology study guide, Raylen is doing his math, Caroline is working on her multiplication tables, and Noah is reading a book.

"Noah, did you do your homework?" I ask. He glances up at me.

"No."

"Do your homework." I say.

"Yes ma'am."

He marks his page and grabs his backpack. I walk over to the door and pull it open.

I've only met the kid twice, but I know it's Jake by the busted lip, double black eyes, and crooked nose. The living room is right by the front door so they can all see and hear me. I raise my eyebrows at him.

"Jake." I say politely. "I hear you want to have sex with me."

"Uh..." he trails off, looking me up and down.

"You are a child." I say. "And your mother should have put you in therapy if you think it is okay to have sex with people that are old enough to be your parents, if you think it's okay to bully a fourteen year old, or perhaps try to rape her." I glare at him. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to talk to Jake."

I laugh, wiping fake tears, and then I cut off abruptly.

"You are not allowed near my children. Leave my property."

"I will see Jake at school." He says coldly.

"No you won't. Leave."

"Please let me speak to Jake or Noemie."

I feel the door open wider behind me.

"Go." Nathan's voice is harsh. "I will call the police."

He has needle marks in his arms.

Has my son does this too?

Jake sighs and turns around, walking off.

I notice something shiny and black peeking out of the back of his jeans and I realize it's a gun. I rip the door from Nathan's hand and lock it.

"Nathan, get the kids and take them to the basement." I whisper.

"Why?"

"Just do it!" I snarl.

He jumps slightly and listens, turning around and rounding up the kids, rushing them downstairs.

I sprint around the house, locking all the outside doors.

When I lock the one by the second staircase, closest to Noemie's room, I hear shooting outside and a window next to me shatters, glass spraying my arm.

Nathan

I hear a gunshot go off outside somewhere and Caroline screams. I clamp my hand over her mouth, my eyes widening.

"Mama's upstairs!" Noah gasps, and he starts sobbing.

Odeletta is upstairs alone. Oh god. I feel like I'm going to throw up. All the kids are shaking and Caroline is sobbing into my hand. I hear the gun going off insanely.

"I need a phone!" I hiss. "Now!"

"Mama has mine." Raylen says, shaking uncontrollably.

Odeletta told me years ago she wanted a landline in the basement and I told her we didn't need one.