Saving Myself

4.

15 months ago...

" Sweets are you ready to go?" 

I looked at myself in the mirror and took note of how much I had changed since living with my guys.

My hair was brushed back behind my ears, kept there by small hoop earrings. My eyes twinkled beneath the bedroom lights as pools of green. I looked happy.

My body had filled out much more, Luca said I only had a couple pounds to go until I was a 'healthy weight' but he always reassured me that I was perfect the way I was.

The dress I wore was company gifted, black and tight-fitted, it was the first time seeing myself in it and I couldn't believe that I actually looked quite pretty.

It ended about 2 inches above my knee and only showed a small amount of cleavage which would take some getting used to.

Tonight would be my first shift at the nightclub, the guys weren't very happy about my decision but I wanted to pay my way now I was able.

I grabbed my small bag from my bed and double checked I wasn't forgetting anything.

As soon as I stepped out into the hall Luca was there waiting for me. He stared at me for a while and I hung head down, I should have known he didn't think I was pretty, I was just being silly.

"Sang" his voice sounded slightly strain, like he was trying to stop himself from saying something.

"What?"

"You are dauntingly beautiful"

His eyes shone with truth and there was only sincerity in his voice. My heart sparked to life in that moment.

By the time we got down to the parking lot, Noah had warmed the car and had the radio full blast but before Luca could open the door for me a black SUV came skidding into the lot.

Before anyone had time to react, shots were fired at us from a passing car. Immediately, the academy training Doc had me go through the past 2 months, kicked in.

I pulled out my gun from the holster attached at the top of my thigh and shot back at the passing vehicle. Luca had me covered so I came from behind our car and chased the shooters, looking for a number plate, but it had been taken off.

I hadn't even had my gun holstered before I was swept into Noah's arms and encased in the scent of nutmeg and lemongrass.

"Sweets are you ok? Never do that again, you know that we can't keep up with you when you run like that"

I only realised then that I was shaking. I had never had to use my training in a real life situation before but I was proud of myself.

"I'm ok Noah, I'm ok"

I wasn't going to tell him about the almost unbearable pain in my left side. It was the sound of shouts that brought me back to the situation.

"Marc, I need you to run ahead and call the elevator.Brandon and Corey, I need you to carry Raven carefully"

The man shouting orders looked around 6'3, with long black hair and a slightly oriental look. From where I stood, I could detect the fear in his voice, it was something that I taught myself from an early age, to see what people wanted to keep hidden.

Luca was limping towards us when the shouter remembered our presence and our eyes met over Noah's head. A loud groaning from Luca took all of my attention though as I ran to him.

"What happened?" I knelt next to him on the gravel.

"I just got clipped,  don't worry"

He took his hand from his side and revealed a oozing graze from, I imagine, the same bullet lodged in my own torso. I breathed a sigh of relief as it was only superficial.