“He can’t be dead!” Sally screamed.
The officer opened his mouth. Jess didn’t hear what he said next.
***
Jess came to and looked up at the policeman leaning over her. Sally sat on the other side, while Maia and Nike’s aunty stared down at her with concerned expressions.
Jess started crying as the realisation of what Sally had said hit her. Nike was dead. Tama had taken more from her than her body, he’d taken her life. Without Nike she didn’t want to live anymore, even for Jake and the new life in her womb. She wasn’t strong enough to raise a family without him, didn’t want to either if she couldn’t have Nike.
“Jess, don’t cry...” Maia stopped as her breathing became ragged, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I want Nike,” Jess cried. “I want him back!”
“We’ll take you to see him,” the officer said.
Jess squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. She couldn’t handle seeing Nike laid out cold on a metal table, beaten, cut up and...
“Jess, Nike’s alive,” Sally said.
Jess froze at the words, afraid that she didn’t hear right.
“He’s been taken to the hospital,” the officer added.
Jess opened her eyes and looked at all the faces around her. She focused on Nike’s aunty, her eyes pleading with Celia to confirm that it was real.
A soft smile lit up Celia’s pretty face, the dimples in her cheeks forming just like Annie’s. “He’s alive.”
Jess sucked in another breath. But Nike had still been hurt otherwise he’d be here now.
“How bad is he?” she asked.
“Officer Thompson...” the policeman glanced over his shoulder at the female cop standing behind him, “...said he was still breathing when he was lifted into the ambulance—”
The policewoman cut in, “A female by the name of Leila and a young male went with him to the hospital.”
Jess blinked. “Leila?”
“Yes. If it wasn’t for her your husband would be dead. The assailant was about to kill him when she tackled him. There was no way we could’ve stopped him in time if she hadn’t been there.”
Jess blinked again, her brain trying to take in the information. She sat up. Maia and Sally grabbed an arm each and helped her to stand.
“I wanna see him now,” Jess said.
“Love, get changed first,” Sally replied.
Jess looked down at her nightie, then turned and ran for her room.
63
Maia
Only a short while ago she’d been the one in a hospital bed being watched over by her brother. Now it was Nike who was all cut up and a helluva lot worse than she’d ever been. He had bandages wrapped around his head, strapped to his chest, shoulders, arms, and plasters running down the left side of his face and neck. His lips and face were swollen, while dark bruising rimmed his left eye. And that was only what she could see.
Maia wiped her cheeks as she stood behind Jess who was talking to him. He wasn’t awake, probably too hopped up on Morphine. But he was breathing, his heart monitor playing a steady rhythm that was music to her ears. She knew he’d risked his life for both her and Jess. This morning he’d come into the lounge and had told her he loved her. She hadn’t thought anything of it until the police had visited, but now realised that it had been a goodbye just in case he didn’t make it back.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. “He’s going to be alright,” her mother said.
Maia nodded, knowing they were damn lucky to still have him. Yeah, he’d been beaten badly, but none of his injuries were critical. He was going to survive.
She looked at the wall behind her brother. He’d been placed in the room next to Mikey’s. She wondered whether Mikey knew that Tama had been caught.
She turned to her mother. “Can I see Mikey for a minute?”
Her mother nodded.
Maia left the room, and stopped in Mikey’s doorway. He had his head buried in a comic book.
“Mikey,” she said, grinning nervously.
He looked up, and smiled for a second before a frown formed across his brow. “Why you here?”
Nice welcome, she thought. “My brother’s in the next room.”
“Why?”
“Your cousin busted him up real bad and stabbed him multiple times.”
Mikey’s face fell. “Will he be okay?”
“The doctor thinks so. Plus, Nike’s tough.”
“I’m sorry.” He dropped his gaze. The expression on his face looked like he blamed himself for everything.
Maia sat on his bed and reached for his hand. He flinched, but didn’t yank it back. “You alright?” she asked.
He gripped onto her fingers. “Did they catch Tama?”
“Yes.”
He loosened his grip and leaned his head back against his pillow. “I have no one now.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t. He wuz the only one who cared about me.” He paused, his features now angry. “Why you even here?”
She sighed. Sheesh, the guy could switch from one mood to the next in a split second. “Cos I like you.”
“Why?” he said, gruffly.
Maia stared at him for a moment, trying to think why she did. His rudeness right now wasn’t exactly endearing.
His features softened as silence fell between them. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
She smiled sadly, realising why she liked him so much. The vulnerability in his eyes was what did it. They cut into her, making her want to protect him. She may not have gotten everything she wanted in life, but she had a million things more than him. Yeah, she’d gone a bit wild after her father moved overseas, but after what had happened to Mikey she felt like an utter brat.
“You’re nice, unlike your shit cousin.” She looked down, embarrassed at the thought of her next words. “And you’re cute as.”
There was a moment of silence before Mikey’s laughter filled the room. “You think I’m cute?”
She looked up at the smirk on his face. She covered her mouth and nodded.
“How ‘bout hot?”
Feeling confident with his reaction, she dropped her hand. “That too,” she said, her smile no longer nervous.
He squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Maia. I haven’t laughed for a while.”
Her smile slipped at the thought that he might be moving away. “Do ya know where you’ll be living after you get better?”
“Pro’bly with my Great Aunty Bea.” He grimaced. “She’s ancient though. I never liked visiting her cos she always smells.” He crinkled up his nose. “Not BO, but the way old people stink.”
“Where does she live?” She hoped he didn’t say anywhere but Claydon.
“Wera.”
Maia smiled. It may not be Claydon but it was the next town, only a ten minute bike ride from her house.
“Will you still be goin’ to Claydon High?”
“Pro’bly if I live with Aunty Bea.”
“Can I still visit you?”
“Why? You a glutton for punishment or sumpthin’?”
“I like you.”
He smiled again. “You already said that.”
She swallowed, wondering whether she should ask him whether he liked her too. Before she could open her mouth he pulled her head down and kissed her, then let go.
She brought her fingers to her lips, both surprised and wrapped.
“Maia?” her mother said.
Crap! Grinning, Maia turned around slowly, praying her mother hadn’t seen Mikey’s kiss. Her heart sank at her mother’s stern expression.
“I’ve gotta go. I’ll try and come in tomorrow,” she whispered the last bit to Mikey.
He nodded. “Cool.”
Maia let go of his hand and walked out the door. Her mother followed, the heavy clump of her shoes resonating down the corridor. As Maia veered into Nike’s room her mother put a hand on her arm, steering her straight. Yup, she was definite
ly in trouble.
Her mother stopped her a few rooms down and turned her around. “What were you thinking kissing that boy?”
“He’s nothing like Tama, Mum. He’s nice.”
“That family’s not right. C’mon, Maia. He’s been abused. He won’t be all there, love. I don’t want you being with a boy like that.”
Maia crossed her arms over her chest. No way was her mother dissing Mikey. He was nice and she was going to see him no matter what.
“That’s not Mikey’s fault. And he’s my friend and you said I could visit him.”
“I only let you do that because he was a classmate, and friends don’t kiss on the lips, young lady.”
“Oh, Mum! That’s none of your business.”
Her mother’s face darkened. “Don’t use that tone with me. It is my business if my daughter is kissing a boy that’s psychologically up the wop.”
“Mikey’s not psycho,” Maia snapped.
“I didn’t say he was. He’s just...” Her mother sighed. “Maia, I only want what’s best for you, and Mikey ... he’s ... the only way I can put this is ... he’s damaged.”
Maia bit down on her lip to stop from yelling. Shit, if her mother thought that way she was definitely going to see Mikey without her knowing. Yeah ... there was no way she was going to stop her. Mikey had kissed her, which in her vocab meant he was her boyfriend whether her mother liked it or not.
Before Maia could reply with a lie, Leila and a boy appeared next to them. Maia flinched and stepped behind her mother as she recognised the boy from Tama’s gang.
“Hi, Mrs. D, can I visit Nike?” Leila asked.
Maia’s mother reached out and hugged Leila, who looked stunned by the gesture. “Thank you for saving Nike.”
Leila pulled back and smiled. Bruises discoloured her face, her hand was bandaged, and she appeared to be favouring one leg.
Maia’s gaze stopped on Leila’s mouth brace. She’d hated Nike’s ex ever since she’d caused trouble for him four years ago, but now she didn’t feel the same way. With how Leila looked, Maia knew she’d risked her life for Nike.
Leila leaned into the guy, her expression now pained. He placed an arm around her waist, steadying her. Maia’s gaze shifted back to him. Fuck him! He wasn’t going to scare her. She moved out from behind her mother and stared him down. Hell, why was she so scared of him anyway? He didn’t have his gang to back his girly arse now. Plus, her mother could flatten the twat. The pretty boy would go down in a second.
“What you lookin’ at?” she said.
The guy scratched his face. “Sorry for what happened last Saturday. I didn’t know Tama wuz gonna hurt you. When Sledge and Tama were beating down the door I backed off. I thought they were goin’ too far. I only stayed cos I wuz afraid of what they were gonna do. I don’t like chicks gettin’ hurt. When Tama left I thought it wuz over and stayed to help Mikey, who got stuck in the window.”
Maia’s shoulders slackened. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
The guy seemed genuine. Maia looked back at Leila. She leaned over and gave her a hug.
64
Jess
Jess did a double take as Leila limped into the room with a guy who looked like a model. Shocked by Leila’s appearance, she continued to stare as the duo made their way around to the other side of Nike.
“Can I stay for a bit?” Leila asked.
Jess nodded. She may have hated Leila previously, but right this second she loved the bitch.
The guy helped Leila sit down on a chair, then hopped up onto the empty bed next to Nike’s. He appeared too young to be going with Leila, but the way he kept touching her, whether to smooth her hair or squeeze her shoulder, suggested more than friendly concern.
Leila went to touch Nike’s arm then stopped. “I’m really sorry.”
Jess smiled sadly. “You have nuthin’ to be sorry for. If it wasn’t for you Nike would be dead.”
Leila wiped her eyes. “If it wuzn’t for me Tama and Nike would never have gotten to this point.”
“It was gonna happen regardless of what you did. I knew Tama before Nike. He was always gonna come after me. I know that now.” Jess looked down as her hands began to shake. “Nike stopped Tama attacking me once at school when he didn’t even know me. If he hadn’t walked out of the toilets all those years ago Tama would’ve raped me then.” She closed her eyes. “Like he did yesterday.”
“Shit!” the guy said. “No wonder Nike wanted to kill him.”
Jess opened her eyes. The guy looked mad, like he wanted to hit something, the expression completely at odds with his sweet looks.
“Are you gonna lay charges?” Leila asked.
Jess nodded.
“I’m thinkin’ about layin’ charges against Jayden, but I’m not sure.”
“He did that to you?”
“And a helluva lot more.”
“I’m sorry. Looks like Nike was right about him being scum.” Jess looked back at the guy, now wondering whether he was a part of Tama’s gang. “What’s your name?”
“Trey.”
Jess frowned. “You’re one of the guys who chased Maia?”
Trey dropped his gaze. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t have hurt her. I thought Tama wuz just jokin’ about. I had no idea he wuz gonna stab her. I asked him why he did it. He said he wuz so high he didn’t know what he wuz doin’.”
“Tama’s a liar,” Leila said. “He didn’t look that high when I saw him the same night. He looked clear as to me. You guys are too soft when it comes to him.”
“He’d been smoking and drinking loads that night,” Trey said defensively.
“Stop making fuckin’ excuses for him, Trey. He wuz lucid as when he tried to kill Nike.”
Trey let out a sigh. “Yeah ... Sorry.”
Nike stirred then opened his eyes. He turned his head towards Jess then Leila, his eyes unfocused.
“Nike,” Jess said.
“Hmmm,” he said, moving his head in her direction.
“It’s Jess. You’re at the hospital.”
He looked confused, sleepy. “Jess?”
“Yes.” Jess gently brushed his forehead. “Leila and the police stopped Tama.”
“Leila?”
“Over here,” Leila said.
Nike moved his head towards her. Leila squeezed his hand. “I pushed Tama off you, then the cops hauled him away. The others took off, except for Trey who stayed to help.”
“But you’re Tama’s mate,” Nike said to Trey.
“I’m not into murder. Anyway, from what I hear you had a damn good reason to bash him.”
“I wuz gonna do more than bash him.”
“Yeah, I know that, but as I said you had good reason.”
“You were involved in chasing Maia.”
Jess tapped Nike’s arm. “He didn’t know, like Mikey.”
Nike looked at her, his eyes now focused and full of pain. “Sledge did. He beat me like Tama. Did the cops get him?”
“No, he got away,” Trey said.
Nike closed his eyes. “Can you tell Ash what he did to me?”
God, he was breaking her. Jess went to answer him, but realised he wasn’t talking to her when Trey replied with a, “Yep.”
“How’d ja know Ash?” Trey asked. “He’s one scary mofo.”
“My dad talked him outta killing himself when he wuz a kid.”
“Shit, I thought he had everything. Why’d he want to top himself?”
“I can’t tell you that.” Nike indicated for Jess to move her head closer.
She placed her ear next to his mouth.
“He wuz raped by his stepdad,” he whispered.
Jess’s eyes welled up. No wonder Nike was close to the guy. It made sense now why Ash had beat up his brother for chasing Maia.
“His brother knows of a group you might like to attend,” Nike said.
“Why would Sledge—”
“No, his other brother. Dante gave me a card yesterday when
I went there for a gun.”
Jess’s eyes widened. “You asked him for a gun?”
“Yeah, but Ash took it off me. He didn’t want me goin’ to jail.”
“You should thank him,” Leila said. “Your honey of an arse would’ve been tapped for sure in there.”
“Not so pretty now,” Nike replied.
“You’ll heal. Then Jess will have trouble on her hands again with me.”
Jess’s jaw clenched.
Leila grinned back. “Lighten up, it wuz just a joke.”
Like hell it was. By the way Leila was looking at her she could tell the bitch wasn’t joking.
Nike looked back at Jess and patted her hand. “I only want you.”
She kissed his forehead, knowing it was true, but also knowing their future wasn’t going to be easy.
65
Tama
Fingerprinted, questioned, charged, yada, yada, yada... They were all just fucking preludes before the pricks threw him into the slammer. Hell, he knew years ago that he’d end up in prison. But it still didn’t feel good when the door closed on his face, shutting him into a cell with sick-coloured walls, a ten by eight claustrophobic shithole. Tama looked down at the toilet located opposite the bunk beds. Definitely a shithole.
His gaze shifted to the guy on the top bunk. He looked about twenty, and was a small bloke with closely cropped hair. The guy’s worried expression made Tama smile.
“What’s ya name?” Tama asked.
“Josh Nahia.”
“Whatcha in for?”
“Manslaughter. Hit a guy with a pool stick. The bastard fell back and cracked his head. Died a few days later.”
Tama’s smile widened. He had no worries with this bloke. One, he was too small to bugger him, and two, the dude wasn’t a crim, he was just an unlucky cunt.
“What you in for?” Josh asked.
“A few things.”
Josh swung his legs out of bed. “What?”
“Rape, assault, and attempted murder. I would’ve finished the bastard off too if my bitch mate didn’t stop me. Then the fuckin’ pigs showed up.” Tama scowled. “I’m gonna get that bitch when I get out.”
Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) Page 27