Heart of Dixon(29)

Dragging Reagan and Rebecca up to the bar, we all climb onto bar stool and order a round of shots. I’ve taken it easy with the alcohol tonight and spaced my drinks out. So when Reagan asked us to do shots with him, I agreed but told him I’ll only do one. After that, I’ll be sipping ice water and dancing my ass off.

The bartender lines the shots up. Mine is a blow job, which I literally laughed out loud at Reagan’s face when I ordered it. It’s one of my favorite shots when I’m out because it tastes delicious, and people get a kick out of watching you take the shot. Handing Reagan my phone I tell him, “Record me taking my shot so I can tag Savannah. She’s going to be so pissed I did this without her. But seeing as her boss was here, I didn’t think it’d be the most appropriate thing for a work party!” I laugh as I grab my shot pulling it towards me and climb onto my knees on the bar stool. The shot is Kahlua, Irish Cream and whipped cream on top. It’s seriously delicious.

Resting both of my hands on the bar, I lean over, grabbing the shot glass with my mouth before whipping my head back, causing my hair to fly everywhere as I down the shot in one gulp.

I grab the shot glass from my mouth and lick the whipped cream from my lips before turning towards the camera and shouting, “Woohoo! Miss you already, bestie!” I do my best pageant wave at the crowd of party goers that are all hanging around the bar as they hoot and holler, applauding me for my talent in shot-taking.”

Plopping back down in my seat, I watch as Reagan and Rebecca take tequila shots as I post my video to Instagram. It takes everything in my to not pull Dixon’s profile up and see if he’s posted any more pictures from tonight. I seem to enjoy torturing myself looking at images of him and his slew of skanks he likes to post all over social media.

Needing to distract myself from thoughts of Dixon, I pull everyone back onto the dance floor and get lost in the techno beat of a Britney Spear's remix of Toxic. But then I allow myself to listen to the lyrics of the song, and once again thoughts of Dixon flood my brain. Finally, twenty minutes later, my feet are screaming at me to call it a night. It’s almost two-thirty in the morning, so I tell everyone goodbye and find Jerome so we can head back to the house.

Jerome offers to go grab the car and pull it around the front and pick me up, but I insist on going with him. I’m very well capable of walking to the parking garage. Of course, not in these damn shoes though. I know the sidewalk is nasty as all hell, but my feet hurt too much to walk in these shoes anymore. I slip my shoes off and hold them in one hand and my phone in the other and scroll through my notifications as we make the short walk to the town car Kayden rented for him and Alec.

“The car is right over here,” Jerome says pointing to the left of us. I immediately spot it and slip my phone into my clutch and hug my arms to my body as the cold air hits me making goosebumps form across my body. I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach the closer we get to the car. Something feels off. I’m definitely feeling a creeper vibe right now.

I glance around nervously as I quicken my pace trying to stay close to Jerome. All of a sudden a loud bang rings out startling me, causing my ears to ring as I feel my eardrums practically vibrate inside of my head. The sound echoes throughout the entire parking garage. Stunned, I freeze in place as a loud blood-curdling scream escapes my mouth. I watch Jerome holding his hand over his chest with a stunned expression on his face as he falls to the ground.

Oh my God! Someone is shooting at us?! Is some crack head fucking high as a damn kite and looking to rob us? Or--is this our worst nightmare coming true?

Panicking, I drop to the ground letting my shoes fall beside me but keep my clutch in my hand as I crawl frantically towards a large SUV and crawl underneath it. I feel my chest constricting as panic consumes me making it almost impossible to take a single breath. I feel tears running down my cheeks, but my body is so numb I don’t feel anything besides pure fear. I hear footsteps stomping their way across the parking garage followed by a loud booming voice shouting at me, “Come out, Brooklyn. Either you come out willingly or I’ll drag your fucking ass out.” My body is shaking as I curl up underneath the car and try to see through my blurry tears.

I fumble with my clutch pulling my phone out and quickly dial 911 as I listen to the footsteps grow closer. All I can think about is all the freaking horror films I watch where the psychotic killers walk slowly as they come towards you ready to murder you. Each footstep is like thunder ringing in my ears making my heart race in my chest.

“911. Please state your emergency.” A voice comes through, and I feel a surge of urgency rush through me.

“I’m at the parking garage next to Club Vertigo; I need help. I’ve been attacked. My bodyguard has been shot. He has a gun—please hurry!” I scream out as more tears fall from my eyes and onto the dirty cement beneath me.

Zak begins laughing. He sounds even closer now, “Calling 911 isn’t going to help you, Brooklyn. By the time they get here, the only thing they’ll need is an ambulance and a body bag.”

My body grows cold as I feel ice flow through my veins. A sob escapes me as I cover my mouth with the back of my hand.

I don’t want to die. I can’t die. How is this happening? I now have regrets flashing through my mind at warp speed as I think of everything I’ve wanted to do or planned on doing, but haven’t had the chance to do them yet or put them off. Savannah’s speech from tonight echoes in my mind, hearing her words about never being promised tomorrow. Why did I not listen to her and talk to Dixon? If I had, maybe things would be happening differently right now. He’ll never know how much I love him or how badly I wanted to be with him and only him.

I spot Jerome out of the corner of my eye starting to move. Thank God he’s still alive. The bullet must’ve hit his vest that Jax insisted they wear to all events and public outings.

“Please get up...please, please, please get up…” I plead in soft whispers as I watch him rolling onto his knees and begin to climb back to his feet. I feel hopeful for a few short moments that everything will be okay, but then I see Zak’s feet and then Jerome falling to the ground again as Zak smashes him over the head with his gun. I spot blood running down his shaved head, his milk chocolate colored skin paling as the blood drips into a slow forming puddle. The second I see the blood I scream again. Before I can react and try to crawl beneath another vehicle, I see Zak’s hand reach down underneath the car before his face appears in front of mine with an eerie grin.

“No! No! Please! Please, Zak don’t do this!” I plead as he fists my hair and yanks me forcefully out from under the car causing me to scrape my knees all up on the cement. I reach out clawing at him and digging into his arms as I try to get him to release my hair. Before I can catch my balance, I feel a hard blow hit me in the face as Zak’s fist connects with my cheek. Instantly my head begins ringing as pain rips through my head making me feel nauseous and dizzy. I fall to my knees and let out a painful cry as the ground tears my flesh away. My body feels like it’s on fire as my skin throbs from falling onto the ground.

“Please. Please. You think you begging me to not hurt you is going to work? Did Savannah give Jacob time to beg for his life? So why the fuck do you think I’d let you live? You and Savannah are nothing but spoiled little rich bitches who are going to see what it’s like to lose everything you love. I’m going to start with you, and then one by one take away everyone she loves.”

As I’m climbing to my feet again, I feel the barrel of Zak’s gun press to my temple. At this moment, it’s fight or die. I for one am not going to just sit back and die without at least trying to save my life. All of my self-defense classes flash through my mind as I remember all of the practice drills we’ve done to learn how to protect ourselves in situations like this.

With quick, fluid, movements I manage to swing my arm at Zak’s, knocking his hand away before jumping into a round house and kicking the gun from his hand. Landing on my feet, I feel adrenaline surge through me making my body feel as if it's humming with energy and my heart is about to explode in my chest. Zak charges at me as I reach out grabbing his arm and with one quick spin I manage to throw him to the ground. Climbing back to his feet he tries to dive for the gun but I quickly kick it under a car behind me. He lands another blow to me right in my stomach knocking the wind from me. Fisting his shirt as he lunges at me and grabbing onto my arms, I swing my knee up with as much force as I can muster kneeing him in the balls.

I spot Jerome coming to and begin to scramble to his feet as he reaches into his holster pulling his gun out. Everything happens so fast. I quickly cover my ears bracing myself for the gunshot to ring out just as Jerome fires off a few rounds. One hitting Zak in the leg and the other two going towards the ceiling helping to stun Zak and cause him to fall to the ground. Curling up into a ball as he wraps one hand around his head, and the other grips his leg where blood is oozing out all over his clothing and the ground.

“Are you all right?” Jerome asks as he rushes towards Zak.

Nodding, I move away from Zak and run towards our town car. “I’ll be okay. I’d rather deal with some cuts and bruises than being dead. So from where I’m standing things could be worse.” I joke as I laugh through the falling tears. I’m in pure shock as I try to wrap my mind around what just happened.