Page 45 of The Impossible

“That it’s none of your damn business, Alora. Leave these kids alone,” her husband jumped in, grabbing her hand and pulling her away from us before she could even grab her drink.

“You don’t mind me telling her that, do you?”

I shrugged. “Why would I? It’s the truth and you want a baby just as much as your mother wants grandchildren. It’s not like I have a job or anything, s⁠—”

“You do have a job and a lot of shit coming together for you behind the scenes. Just give me a little more time and you’ll see.”

I looked at him, the purest form of love resting in his eyes. After a while I nodded before responding with a simple, “Okay.” Even though I wanted to ask what he meant.

We talked for a few minutes longer before Otto pulled him over to talk to someone and Amethyst was in front of me talking a mile a minute. Then there was Karsyn Curr, a very beautiful woman here with one thing in mind only. She was business-minded and working the room to make sure she left here with something and I wasn’t mad at that.

“So you really designed this dress?” Amethyst asked, looking at the blood red, sleeveless dress sequined at the bottom and near the dangerously high thigh slit.

Karsyn smiled. “I did. And like I said, I would really like you two to check me out. My shop is opening in the coming months and it would be wonderful if you could come through and show some love. It’s not big, but it’s mine, and I’m wor—” She started to explain but I shook my head.

“No ma’am, don’t downplay yourself. It’s yours and it’s gonna be big. Of course we’re going to come through and check it out.” I didn’t have friends and Karsyn seemed down to earth in passing the last few times we came in contact, so why not? Not only that, Amethyst said she was good people. So why not make one more friend other than my husband who had been trying to wrap his schedule around being present since he asked me to lay low with everything going on.

Karsyn laughed. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a restroom. I’ll be right back.” I looked from Karsyn to Amethyst.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Amethyst asked.

“No, it’s right there. I’ll be right back.” I assured her, pointing at the sign that said restroom then looking back at her with a reassuring smile. The way they checked people to get in here, I was pretty sure I was safe.

I rushed into the restroom, feeling like I was about to pee on myself. While he was talking about not being in a rush to get a test, we probably needed to. Once I was finished and had clean hands, I pushed the door open with my elbow, but before I could exit, I was pushed back in.

I stumbled a bit and caught my balance before I could fall. When I looked up, I noticed it was my brother. It was so strange how awkward I felt around my own blood. TJ had never been a brother to me or Paige. He’d always kept his distance. At first I didn’t understand it, like most oddities with the O’Leary men, but then I just stopped. It was what it was. That was why I was thrown off when he called me. I didn’t even know he had my number. He had reached out a few times after that, trying to have me over or to get lunch, but I honestly wasn’t interested and Hondo wasn’t going for that.

“Hey. You couldn’t catch me outside the restroom?” I greeted him nervously, feeling the energy was off.

“You got security. Kinda hard to get in contact with you.” He laughed to himself, then sniffed roughly before wiping his face.

“Um, I really need to be getting back to the part⁠—”

“How you been?” He interrupted my statement, fidgeting in his pockets and looking everywhere but at me. When his eyes landed on me, they were glossy and something was off.

“Um, good. Hondo is waiting on me.” I thought mentioning my husband’s name would make him move out of the way and let me pass.

“What, you too good to talk to me for a minute?” He pushed off the door, stepping toward me.

“No, not that at all. I just don’t understand why you’ve cornered me in the bathroom. I’m sure my husband is looking for me.” I felt unsafe.

“For what? I don’t wanna talk to that nigga. I’m here to talk to you.” He reached for my hand.

“TJ. Let my hand go, please. I will talk to you, but not like this.”

“You know what? Fuck it. I was trying to come here and talk to you, but I got a job, right?” He stepped forward again.

“A job? What are you talking about?”

“You gotta die, sis. G-pops needs the money.” Out of his pants came the biggest gun I’d ever seen.

“What are you talking about he needs the money?” There was nowhere I could run being that this was a five stall bathroom with two windows. He surely hadn’t thought this out because how would he get out of here after he killed me.

“It’s either you or my wife and it damn sure isn’t gonna be her.” He sniffed again, sweat running profusely down his face. He wiped one side, then aimed the gun in my direction. Out of nowhere he began to shake his head. If I didn’t know any better, he seemed like he was high on something.

“What?”