They were fucking idiots. Not one of them had even bothered to check for her cell phone. Furthering her luck, when Jake had come over and yanked her head back, it allowed her to covertly reach for her cell, which had been knocked onto the floor. Her cell was now partially hidden by the couch and her ass from her seated position.
The only problem with her head at this angle was that there was no way to know if Teal had actually placed the 911 call. She’d swiped right, then hit the lower left side of the screen twice to take her to the Medical ID screen. She knew she couldn’t press 911 without looking at the screen, and smart woman that she was, Teal had actually saved 911 as the first emergency contact buy saving it under the letter A. There was no way to see if the call had gone through, however, there was hope the other emergency contacts would call 911 for her.
Red eyes met Teal’s after Jake leisurely perused her upper body. His hand lifted from his side, and though the tilt of Teal’s neck stopped her from seeing what was happening, she felt when Jake’s hand made contact with her breast and squeezed. She nearly jumped out off the floor with the roughness of his touch on her tender flesh. He squeezed to the point of pain, his gleeful laughter and smile revealed just how much he liked it.
Steeling herself to the discomfort, Teal sneered and tried to wrench herself away. “Keep your fucking hands off me.” Her teeth clenched together so hard, she could barely get the words out.
Jake’s maniacal laughter sounded as he yanked her neck further back and leaned in. His heavy chest pressing against hers nearly suffocated her as he stuck his face in the crease. Taking a deep whiff, he scraped his teeth against a sensitive area on her neck. “Ah, the sharp scent of desperation and nigger.” His tongue darted up her exposed neck, followed by a sharp and painful bite.
Teal shuddered in repulsion. If he tried to rape her, Teal would die fighting.
“Never tasted a mix like this before. Desperation and spick, however,” he groaned into her neck, “now that combo made me come so hard it nearly split my dick in two.”
Jake’s admission to what he planned to do to her scared the actual fuck out of her. Her body shook and panic bled through the brave façade.
“She was so good, I flipped her over, waited ‘til I got my second wind, then took her in the ass. Mmm, she screamed so loud.”
A fearful moan escaped Teal, even as she tried to fight it. If he were to try to rape her, she would fight, but would she win? Her chest constricted at the idea of Trent witnessing the whole thing. Tears welled in her eyes and she fought to catch her breath. She knew her fear fed into Jake’s desire to hurt her, but even with the strength she possessed, Teal wasn't sure she'd survive being raped by this racist prick.
Trent's voice caught her attention. The cold and callus tone caused her to freeze. “Teal, baby. Close your eyes for me.” His words left no room for barter, and as soon as he asked a second time, she obliged.
There was a brief moment of silence. The kind of silence that leaves you breathless. Teal squeezed her eyes shut, before all hell broke loose. Jake’s hand left her hair and an explosion of rustling of clothes, skin on skin, and curses filled the room.
Shayla’s tortured scream of pain jolted through Teal, and when the sound of a shotgun blast echoed in the closed space, it yanked a scream from her throat. Her eyes popped open, just as the bloodied man at the door fell to the ground. Teal frantically looked around and found Shayla laying prone on the floor, and Trent holding a shotgun. Jake made his way to Trent before he could turn around and aim.
Teal slid to the floor and yanked her cell phone with her. The call she’d made hadn't gone through, so she placed the call again.
“911, what is your emergency?”
Teal released a breath. “My boyfriend and I are being held hostage by a woman named Shayla and a male named Jake.” She gave a quick description of Jake, and reminded the operator that Trent may have a gun for their protection, so when police arrived they didn't shoot him. The operator told her to find a safe place, while Teal glanced around wildly, watching as both men fought for control of the gun. The sound of another blast had Teal dropping lower and covering her head. Jake's laughter sent chills down her spine.
His voice sounded strained as he and Trent fought. “She must taste so damned good for you to fight for her like this.” The soft thud of a fist meeting flesh sounded. Jake’s cough turned into laughter. “I'm gonna fuck her bloody.” The sounds of thuds increased, as well as Trent’s angered grunts as he kicked Jake’s ass.
Teal pushed up, franticly searching for the shotgun and Trent. Teal crawled to Shayla, who laid on the floor, staring at the ceiling, finally coming around. Teal shook her hard. “Where does he keep the other gun?”
Shayla looked to her with glazed eyes and a wistful smile. Was this bitch still so high she didn't realize what was happening? “He was gonna rape you.” Shayla’s head lolled back. “He never said nothing ‘bout no rape.” Her voice slurred and her body went limp again.
Teal resisted the urge to bang her head on the ground. Yes, the cops were coming, but how soon would they get there? Realizing Shayla’s help was a lost cause, Teal searched for the bat Jake had dropped. She pushed across the room on her hands and knees, as low as she could get. When the front door slammed open, Teal hoped to see cops flying in, but instead, Trent and Jake were gone.
Teal glanced back to the bedroom, where she knew Trent’s shotgun would be. “Fuck me,” she whispered. Her heart in her throat, she steeled herself and ran for the bat. She couldn’t go for Trent’s shotgun, since he’d locked it in the gun safe, and Teal hadn't even thought to ask for the code. On the way to the front door, she made sure to look at the man Trent had shot. The close range shotgun blast had opened his chest up, turning Teal’s stomach at the amount of blood and flesh splattered around.
Nearly slipping and busting her ass in blood, Teal reached out for the wall. Using the door for balance, she tightened her fist around the bat and pushed her way forward. She cautiously stepped outside, the sight sending her heart into overdrive. Trent stood in the driveway, Jake aiming the gun at his chest.
Bile rose in her throat as Teal raced out the door and down the driveway, the sounds of sirens like an angel’s harp playing in her ear. But they sounded too far away. They would be too late.
Hands at his sides, Trent’s eyes stayed on the barrel of the gun. His body quaked with rage. Teal had never seen him like this before. She inched forward, her breathing coming so hard, she thought she'd pass out.
“Stop right there!” Spittle flew from Jake’s mouth as he spat the words.
She came to a stop behind him, bat high in the air, ready to strike.
“I’ll blow his head clean off his fucking shoulders.” He chuckled, cocking his head in the direction of the sirens. “Looks like I won’t be getting out of this one, huh?”
For some reason, Teal froze in her stance. She cursed under her breath. She'd brought a bat to a gunfight, and had no clue how she and Trent were going to make it out of this alive. Chancing a glance at him, she noted Trent hadn't taken his eyes off the double barrel.
“Woman,” Jake called. “Come here.” The shotgun swung to aim at Teal and her throat closed up in fear.
Trent reached out and pointed at her. “Stay right where the fuck you are.” His voice lowered to a reasonable tone. “Point that bitch back at me, right the fuck now.”
Jake tilted his head to the side and examined Trent. “Brother,” his tone was chastising and fake, “I don't think you’re in a position to make commands, now are you?” He waggled the gun at him.
Trent looked relieved when the shotgun was aimed back at him.
Gesturing with his chin, Jake motioned to Teal. “Tell her to bring her ass over to me.”
Trent's dark cursing was so loud, Teal prayed it woke the neighbors.
Jake's head swiveled from her to Trent. “If I have to tell her again,” he sucked air between his teeth and mimicked pulling the trigger and the sound o
f the blast. Trent jolted and Teal nearly pissed her pants. “Maybe I could have her on the lawn? Ooh, what about the truck? I heard you two fucked over at the abandoned plantation.” He laughed. “How'd that feel?” Jake looked at her. Sucking his bottom lip into his mouth he used his free hand to grip his crotch. “I'm gonna have to see what all the fuss is about.” His playful tone changed. “Drop the bat and come the fuck here, bitch!”
Teal swallowed so hard she choked; she'd been so shocked she'd forgotten the bat was raised over her head, ready for the killing blow. Lowering her numb arms, the bat fell from her limp fingers. She took the first step forward.
Weeks later, Teal would testify that what happened next was a blur. She'd tell the jury in that moment, the world stopped and her life felt as if it had ended. Nothing mattered anymore.
As red and blue lights danced across Jake and Trent’s face, and the cop cars skidded around the corners, Jake looked to Teal. “I guess I’ll take you with me.” His words echoed in her skull.
Trent’s voice rang out. “Run, baby!”
Teal didn’t understand his words. Her brain didn’t want to believe what she was seeing. Trent's forward momentum was halted by the orange-red blast exploding from the shotgun. The action threw him back into the grass in excruciatingly slow motion.
She fell to her hands and scrambled to Trent, a scream and sob stuck in her throat. The sound of Jake's footsteps had her searching for the bat. Seconds later, another shot rang out. Teal threw her body over Trent to keep him safe from Jake's next attempt. Deep in her heart, she knew they were both dead.
Teal waited for the pain to bloom, she waited for her blood to rush from her body and for the cold darkness that was death to slowly take over. But there was nothing. Nothing other than the warm blood she felt flowing from Trent.
She turned back, only to see Shayla at the door, Trent’s shotgun in hand, and Jake sprawled on the lawn. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in them, Teal found remorse and defeat. She knows the code to the safe. Figures.
Teal barely heard the police yelling for Shayla to drop her weapon and get to the ground. Instead, she lifted off Trent, his prone body lifeless on the grass. Blood poured from the side of his chest and his arm had been shredded, prompting Teal to place a hand over his wound to add pressure.
His eyes were open and unfocused. Teal leaned in and felt for breath. She wailed in relief when Trent’s shallow breath heated her cheek. Seconds later, Teal was moved to the side, while paramedics worked on him. She watched as they set up equipment and moved him to a gurney.
Teal tried to follow behind them, but instead, her legs refused to budge; her head swam, and it sounded as if she were underwater. A paramedic reached out to her. The voice of the woman sounded indecipherable. She thought to feel for wounds, but her hands wouldn't cooperate. Teal opened her mouth to speak, then closed her eyes, and was soon collapsing into darkness.
A buzzing noise consumed Trent’s ears. The more he tried to wake himself from his dark state, the more a burning sensation flared in his chest. Unfamiliar voices rose and fell, his name called over and over. Trent searched for one sound, one name, one person, but instead found darkness.
On his second attempt to rise, Trent caught the familiar scent of blood. A light touch on his arm, and a soft, unfamiliar voice, coaxed him to open his eyes. This time, it was much easier. Bright lights blurred his vision, and the burning sensation came back in full force.
“There you are,” a soft voice sounded from the left.
Trent slowly turned his head to gaze into the eyes of a pale woman. Her tender smile and bright gaze filled his vision, blocking the bright light that’d nearly blinded him before.
“Nice to finally see those beautiful eyes of yours.”
Trent heard a beeping sound, and realized it was a heart monitor.
“What’s your pain level?” the woman asked as she lifted the sheets covering him.
Trent looked down as best he could, then tried to lift the arm that didn’t burn to touch the one that felt as if it’d been set on fire. He tried to speak, but the sounds his mouth made were far from words. A gruff grunt, then a coughing whine fell from his lips.
“Okay, I’ll take that as an eight?” The woman covered him up and picked up a white object. A thin tube ran from the white object in her hand to the bag on a pole beside him. Trent knew what it was called, he knew what was about to happen, but his brain wouldn’t let him form the right words to object. He didn’t want to sleep again. He wanted Teal.
The woman clicked the button, and Trent went flying. The warm sensation started in his arm and made its way throughout his whole body. He fought to stay awake, as he struggled to remember what’d happened. He opened his mouth to speak, to ask the woman to find Teal, but the black depths took him before he had a chance.
The third time Trent woke, his mind quickly filled him in—Shayla, Jake, Teal . . . and a gunshot. In seconds, Trent remembered everything. Eyes still closed, he replayed the memory of that night. The wild look in Jake’s eyes, and the horror in Teal’s as he fell to the ground.
His eyes opened as soft skin met his, moving comfortingly back and forth across his arm. Once again blinded by the light, Trent spoke the first thing his brain thought to say.
“T—teal?”
A gasp sounded before his baby’s dark eyes and beautiful face filled his vision. Teal covered his mouth with her lips, stifling a sob. “Oh my God, baby?”
He winced when he tried to move. “Where?”
“Do you need meds?” She lifted up the white object that’d put him out before.
“No,” he gasped out through pain. He didn’t want to sleep again. He only wanted to hear her voice and know that she was okay.
Her wailing sobs grew so loud that Trent barely heard the door fly open. Seconds later, Logan stood above him. He took Teal in his arms and held her. Trent’s eyes furrowed at the idea of Logan soothing her.
“Mother fucker. You scared the piss out of us.” Logan pulled Teal closer as her wailing grew louder. Trent loved his best friend, but he should be the one comforting his woman. The pain in his arm and chest was nothing compared to the ache shredding his heart.
“Ple—please, baby,” Trent could barely think through the pain, “come here.”
Teal slowly turned to meet his eyes, the pain in her gaze breaking him. Her eyes narrowed as she observed him. “You lied. You do hurt.” She left Logan’s embrace and picked up a white object and pressed the button.
This time, Trent didn’t fall into a blissful sleep, but his pain did ebb, and his mind sharpened a bit.
“Feel better?” Her words sounded louder now that the buzzing in his head was gone.
He tapped the spot beside him and waited as Teal cautiously, minding his tubes and wires, sat beside him. Logan moved closer as well, his stress-muddled face a sight for sore eyes.
Glancing around the bed, Teal adjusted herself. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Get over here.” He had to touch her, to feel her skin against his. Though he was wrapped in bandages and covered from shoulder to feet in a thin hospital blanket, Trent felt the moment her warm body made contact with his.
Through the haze of drugs and the confusion saddling his brain, Trent pulled his woman close. His left arm was so swollen and heavy it wouldn’t move, but he managed to grip her with his right arm. He took in her scent, noting the mild hospital soap and his laundry detergent. How long had he been here that she had time to shower and come back?
Trent searched for Logan in the room, his questioning gaze was all his friend needed.
“You slipped into a coma after you first arrived,” he explained.
Trent could feel Teal shaking in his arms. He rubbed her back as best he could, as her tears soaked his hospital gown. He closed his eyes, hot tears scalding his eyelids, fighting for escape.
“You lost a lot of blood, and they weren’t sure if you’d keep your arm below your elbow.”
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Trent couldn’t see what Logan was talking about, but he could feel it. The burning sensation was gone, but Trent couldn’t move any part of it. He couldn’t even wiggle his fingers. Panic welled in his chest, as he thought about what his life would amount to if he couldn’t use his dominant hand.
“Calm, brother,” Logan soothed. “They fixed you right up. You’ll just have to hit up some physical therapy and shit.” He stepped forward and reached out. Placing a hand on Teal’s back, he rubbed, surprising the fuck out of Trent.
Logan then knelt down in front of her and gently pulled her chin up. “You promised me when he woke up you would eat.”
Trent had never heard his friend’s voice take on such a tender tone with anyone but Katie and the babies.
Teal lifted her head, her gaze fully on Trent. “I’m not leaving you.”
“You made me a deal after I lied for you, Teal.” Logan’s tone was firm, but still held a soothing quality.
Teal rested her forehead on Trent’s chest. Her fatigue and stress so evident, Trent ached for her. He glanced around the room in search of a cot. Instead, he found a meal had been brought into the room while he was out cold.
“Baby,” he mumbled, hating how reedy and thin his voice sounded. “Go eat that food over there.” He didn’t want to let her go, but if Logan was insisting, it was because Teal had been denying herself.
Logan pulled the tray around and placed it in front of the bed. Neither man spoke until Teal had opened the tray and taken her first bite.
Trent tried to get comfortable by moving, but pain stayed his body. “Shit, where’s Katie?”
Logan groaned and rubbed a hand down his face and Teal answered.
“He wouldn’t let her come.”
“Not right away,” Logan jumped in, looking ashamed when Trent glared at him. “Fuck, man. I get a call in the middle of the night. Teal is screaming and crying about you getting shot and Jake trying to rape her.” Logan thrust his hands through his hair. His skin had gone milk white, and his eyes held such sorrow, Trent had to look away. “Man, you don’t know what it felt like to get that call, yet be so damn far away. I couldn’t help, and I just knew if anything happened to her, your ass wouldn’t survive it. I couldn’t bring Katie into that.”
Indelible: Beneath His Ink (Teal and Trent Book 2) Page 18