April and Kayla are so cocky, though, that they don’t listen to anyone’s advice regarding the threats on them and other stars. They party, they cuddle up to complete strangers. They make it their mission to ditch the protection details given to them. But after the people Si hired get here tomorrow, these two won’t be able to get away. As Marines, they’re trained for just such situations.
“Done.” I slam the door shut behind me, and we head to our office to grab our bags and get the hell out of here. We’re hoping to pick Cali up tonight because she grabbed a late shift with her friend Calla.
As we’re walking out, our steps slow when we notice a man in a hooded shirt enter the stage door and walk along the far wall. Trying to remain in the shadows.
“You seeing this?” I ask Si as he’s discretely pulling the gun from his waistband. Following suit, we circle around the intruder from the back, but we’re too late.
“You killed my wife and baby!” the man screams as he pulls out an automatic pistol, firing at April and Kayla as they’re standing near the buffet table.
Si and I unload at the same time he does. It doesn’t matter; though, it’s all over. Blood has been shed. Bodies lie lifeless.
Cali
Humming as I wash the dishes I just used for dinner, I’m startled when I hear, “Cali!” screamed, and I drop a plate, shattering it. “Cali, hurry up!” Calla’s voice is panicked.
“You made me break a…” My mouth drops open when I see the small TV above the counter. The reporter is in front of Deviant Studios with flashing lights. “Turn it up,” I croak when I see “three dead” flash across the bottom of the screen.
“If you’re just tuning in, I’m at Deviant Studios, where there’s been a shooting. We can confirm at least three are dead. No idea who the victims are or if there are more injured. We can confirm that the scene is contained as officers have been coming and going for the last hour. The coroner is now exiting with the bodies…”
Vomit climbs up my throat at the reporter’s words, and when I see the stretchers coming out of the building, I collapse onto a stool. Horror washes through me, and I can hear people talking. The reporter, Calla, our boss. But none of it computes.
Roman and Silas were there tonight. I was texting with them earlier in the day. Si was laughing about one of the stars having a crush on Rome.
The reporter continues, “We’re receiving information from inside that the shooter was there for revenge. Two of the cast members were in an accident three years ago that killed the man’s pregnant wife. Drunk driving was the result. Fines were handed out, but no true justice was served. We don’t know yet if one of the victims is the gunman.”
“I have to…I have to go. I have to go there. Rome and Si…” I can barely string two words together, and I don’t know how I’m going to get there.
“I’ve got this. You guys take her, Calla.” Our boss waves as I see Jace come through the front door.
“Everything’s going to be fine.” He smiles at me with worry in his eyes as he and Calla help me out to his truck. I want to believe it, but I don’t think I can.
This is every fear I’ve ever had brought to life, living and breathing inside of me. This is why I hated their previous jobs. I knew that if either of them were injured or killed in the line of duty, it’d take forever for someone to tell me.
Now, here we are, anyways, but they’re an hour away, and I don’t feel like I take a full breath the entire way.
Jace keeps the radio off, so we don’t hear anything, I presume, but my imagination kicks into overdrive, and I’m thinking worst-case scenario.
My eyes remain glued to the lines of the road. It’s distracting, and when I look up at the flashing lights, panic bubbles to the surface, and I begin hyperventilating. Feeling the breeze as the door is opened, I jump out and bend over the side of the truck, leaning my head on the cool aluminum and close my eyes. Counting my breaths, the dizziness begins to fade, and I slowly stand erect again.
“I can do this,” I mutter as I turn around. Calla and Jace are on either side of me for support. “I can do this.”
“We’re right here, Cali. I’m sure your guys are fine.” Calla’s reassuring words have a slight tremble, giving away her doubt.
Everyone’s faces blend together in a sea of loss and desperation as we make our way through the crowds. At the police line, Jace talks to the officer, explaining about Rome and Silas. He flashes me a look of pity and sympathy, and I think I feel my heart crack wide open.
“Noooo!” I scream and drop to the ground, unable to hold myself up any longer as grief and regret fracture my soul. I held them off; I pushed them away for so long. We barely had any time together, and now they’re gone. Never to be mine again.
“Cali?!” I hear my name but don’t comprehend the voice. “Cali, where are you?” Looking up, I can’t see through the blanket of tears pouring down my face like a waterfall.
“Come on, gypsy girl, tell us where you are.” It can’t be.
“Silas? Roman?” I call their names, and suddenly, they’re there. In front of me. Ripping apart the police tape in their way and gathering me up from the ground and into their arms.
“What are you doing here?” Si reprimands. “We’ve been calling you, over and over. Texting. We’re fine, California.” I shake my head as he lays kisses along my cheeks and lips.
“I thought I’d lost you. Both of you.” My head swivels back and forth. “I felt like I’d died.” I still feel like someone has shredded my heart.
“No way, Cali. We’re not going anywhere for a long-ass time,” Rome murmurs into my ear, kissing along my neck. “We love you too much to leave you.”
“He’s right. There isn’t a damn force on earth that could make us leave you,” Si agrees.
“I’m so sorry.” I hiccup.
“For what?” They ask at the same time.
“For pushing you away for so many months. For being stubborn. For making you chase me across the country.” I have so many regrets.
“We enjoyed the chase,” Rome teases.
“You were worth it.” Si pulls us both closer. “But put us out of our fucking misery and say you’ll marry us.” It’s not a question.
“Yes,” I reply because it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
Epilogue
Cali
One Year Later.
The sun is setting over the cliffs in Santorini, Greece, as I walk down the aisle. My cousin Noah is holding me upright because even though I’m ready—I’m dying to give these men, my men, my heart, body, and soul—I’ve never been more nervous.
After that night a year ago, the shooting that changed Deviant Studios, we realized that our trio was exactly what the three of us wanted. I told Si and Rome that I was planning this wedding. That even though it wasn’t the event that I cared about, it was the action and the people we shared our day with that would make it special, and I was only doing it once.