Page 130 of Kissed By the Trillest Thug 2

“No…”

My hand instinctively covered my stomach as a sharp wave rolled through me. I doubled over.

“Eternity?”

The nurse’s voice sounded far. The phone slipped from my hand and hit the carpet.

“Ma!”

MJ was beside me before I realized he’d moved. His hands caught my arms, holding me upright as my knees threatened to give out.

“Ma, look at me.”

His voice sounded far away.

“What happened?”

I tried to answer, but nothing came out. Instead, tears blurred my vision. Finally, I forced the words past the lump in my throat.

“Your daddy…” My lips trembled. “He’s been shot.”

MJ eased me into the rocking chair before crouching down in front of me.

“Ma… breathe.”

I tried. I really did. But every breath felt like it got stuck somewhere between my chest and my throat.

The discomfort that sat low in my stomach made me instinctively wrap both arms around my belly.

“Come on,” MJ whispered. “Look at me.”

I nodded, but my eyes never left the phone lying on the nursery floor. He quickly picked it up. The call was still connected. He pressed the speaker button.

“Hello?”

“I’m here,” the nurse answered.

“My dad…” MJ swallowed hard. “My dad was with my sister.”

His voice cracked just enough for me to hear it.

“Was she shot too?” he asked.

There was a brief pause.

“No, sir. We only had one trauma patient from the shooting. Your father was taken directly into surgery. As for your sister, there’s a young woman here covered in blood. I believe that’s who you’re referring to. She’s in shock, but she’s okay. Some doctors just finished looking at her. She has a young man here with her. Please, get here as quickly as you can.”

MJ closed his eyes for a second.

“Okay. We’re on our way.”

The call ended, and when it did, the nursery fell silent. I stared at the tiny baby clothes folded neatly inside the dresser. Just minutes ago, I’d been deciding where to put onesies. Now, my husband was fighting for his life. A sharp pain hit my stomach again. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly through my nose before letting the breath out just as slowly.

Keep it together, Eternity.I tried getting myself together. If Malik were standing here, he wouldn’t want me falling apart. He’d want me to think, he’d want me protecting this baby, he would want me to keep moving. I opened my eyes and planted both hands on the arms of the rocking chair before slowly pushing myself to my feet. MJ was at my side before I could take a step.

“You alright?” he asked.

I nodded once.