Chapter 303 303

Chapter 303 303
Oscar
It’s hard to pull my mouth away from hers, but I force myself to do it. I hear a throat clearing behind me and half-turn around.
Alex is watching us from the doorway.
“Are you okay, Luna?” he asks.
She inhales through her nose, and I cover her with my body when I see her trying to wipe her cheeks quickly. I help her stand, and by the time she looks at Alex, that mask of indifference she always wears is firmly back in place.
“Yes,” she replies, and her voice is so casual that no one would guess the vulnerability she showed just moments ago. “Tell me that bastard of a brother didn’t get away.”
“Of course not.” Alex flexes his bloodied knuckles and smirks. “What’s left of him is already packed and ready to be taken to the mansion’s basement.”
I wrap my arm around Luna’s shoulders and pull her to my side. I couldn’t care less if she wanted to appear strong in front of everyone. Right now, I’m the one who needs her close.
Zeldric appears behind Alex, frowning as he looks at Luna.
“Are you hurt? I’ve got Jenkins yelling in my ear to bring you home so she can check you over.”
Luna shrugs and points to the cut on her neck, blood staining her skin.
“It’s just a surface wound.”
I clench my jaw and suppress a growl. Her cheek is also swollen, not to mention the blow to her nose—though she did that one to herself. I just hope whoever dared to lay a finger on her is still alive… so I can have a little fun with them.
“All right, head back to the house. And take Beni with you.”
“I’m fine,” Beni announces, limping into the room. He’s got what looks like a rag tied around his thigh and is bleeding.
“You got shot again?” Luna asks.
“Yeah.” Beni exhales sharply and grimaces. “At least it was just the leg this time. Hope I don’t end up crippled too.”
Alex laughs and grabs him by the shoulders.
“Little bro, if you keep collecting holes like that, you won’t even need a woman. You can just stick your—”
“Don’t finish that disgusting sentence,” Luna cuts him off, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
Beni shrugs off his brother’s arm and hobbles over to us.
“You okay?” he asks. Luna’s about to answer, but I pull her tighter to my side and growl low. Beni raises his hands and backs away.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
I start heading for the exit, my arm still wrapped around Luna, but just before crossing the threshold, I see a shadow to my right. At first, I thought it might be Monster—but when I turn my head, I see her.
Laura. My mother.
She gives me a soft, loving smile and nods her head.
I know this is the last time I’ll see her. Her task is done. Maybe she’s a ghost or just a figment of my imagination—but whatever she is, she’s helped me understand and accept myself.
“The voices only have the power you allow them to.”
“No one said it was easy. Get help. No one ever reached out a hand to me, but you have people who love you. Surround yourself with them. Let their light illuminate your darkness.”
I smile back at her, and her image fades away as if she was never there.
I inhale deeply through my nose and kiss the top of Luna’s head as we leave the room.
“I’m going to do it, Mom. I’ll live—for me and you.”
________________________________________
Luna
Even inside the mansion, Oscar doesn't let go of me. With one arm around my waist, he keeps me glued to him as we enter the living room. Angy is the first to notice us.
“They’re back,” she announces, and everyone rushes over.
Along with Jenkins and Ness, there’s also Nacho, Lina, Maya, Lucas, Liz, and little Nadia in her stroller.
“How are you?” Jenkins asks.
I nod, tired of hearing the same question, and gesture over my shoulder.
“Beni’s worse than me. He got shot again.”
Oscar steps aside so Beni can come closer, and Lina rushes toward him.
“What happened to you?!” she exclaims, eyes wide.
“I tripped over a gun,” he replies cockily. “What the hell do you think happened, Stray? Better yet, why are you even butting in? This isn’t your home, and we’re not your family. Go somewhere else where I don’t have to see your pathetic little idiot face.”
Nacho steps toward Beni threateningly, but Lina stops him.
“He’s not worth it,” she mutters, narrowing her eyes at Beni, lips tight. “Hope your leg gets gangrenous. Maybe you’ll be crippled and one-armed,” she hisses and storms off.
Beni exhales hard and watches her until she disappears up the stairs. Then he looks at Angy, who nods as if she approves of his shitty behavior.
Oscar growls under his breath and starts to lunge toward him, but I hold him tight and don’t let him move. He hesitates but finally sighs and stops.
I don’t know what’s going on between those two, or why Angy acts like Beni’s mere presence is some sort of tragedy for Lina. But honestly, I think enough people are sticking their noses where they don’t belong.
“Sometimes I think the Urriaga brothers couldn’t possibly be more idiotic,” Jenkins hisses, grabbing Beni’s shoulder tighter than necessary. “Come on, dumbass. I’ll patch you up.”
As he limps away leaving a trail of blood, Jenkins sighs and turns to me, hands on her hips.
“You want me to take a look at you too? You don’t look too bad.”
“It’s just a few cuts and bruises. A hot shower and I’ll be good as new.”
“Good, because we need you around to keep throwing your shitty comments.” She gives a small smile. “I’m glad you’re back.”
I swallow hard and for a moment, I don’t know what to say.
I don’t deserve her kindness, not after how much of a bitch I’ve been to her.
“Thanks,” I murmur after clearing my throat. “For, uh… everything.”
Jenkins nods and walks away.
“If I’d known I’d end up surrounded by lunatics, I’d have studied psychology too.” She joins Beni and helps him walk. “You need a damn therapist, kid. Stop trying to block bullets with your body.”
Beni mutters something I can’t make out, and I sigh.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your room,” Oscar whispers, kissing the top of my head.
Before we leave the living room, Maya intercepts us and hands me a beautiful necklace with a butterfly pendant.
“Oscar said you’d like it. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”
I can’t help but smile as I take the necklace.
“Thanks, Red.” I wink and slip it into the back pocket of my jeans.