Fighting for Flight by JB Salsbury (best books for students to read .txt) 📗

His grip loosens and he leans toward her. “Of course, I remember. You gave her to me then. You didn’t want anything to do with her. Wouldn’t even hold her.”

I twist my neck away from his devastating words. Heartbreak slashes through my body, threatening to drop me to the floor.

“Raven?” My mom’s voice is tender.

Her soft expression contradicts the torture that works behind her dark brown eyes.

“I’m so sorry. I’d lost my parents.” She exhales a quick breath and drops her head. “I couldn’t bear to lose you too. It’s no excuse. I know that now.”

Tears stream down my face as her public apology seeps into my soul.

“You ungrateful bitch, I’ve given you everything. You were nothing when I saved you from your shitty life.” Dominick shouts across the room, throwing his words like weapons.

She sneers in his direction. “I would rather live a thousand lives with nothing than the one I’ve lived with you. You used my fears against me to get what you wanted.” Her voice cracks. “Raven was my baby.” The room reverberates with the emotion behind her words.

Her baby. Warmth blooms in my chest. I stare, shock and amazement freezing my voice.

“But she was never mine, was she? You made that clear from the beginning.”

Goose bumps race over my skin. She was protecting herself. This whole time I thought she hated me.

“I created her—”

“She’s a human being, Dominick. You’re messing with people’s lives. She doesn’t want this.” She takes a step towards us, her shoulders tall and her expression fearless. “Let her go.”

She’s here. Fighting. For me.

Dominick’s gun stays aimed at her. Blake and Jonah stand close, muscles tense, eyes darting.

She lifts her chin in defiance. He’s going to kill her. And she’s willing to die to free me.

I can’t let that happen.

I fight the tears that brim in my eyes. It took strength for her to come here and risk her life. I won’t repay that with fear. I’ve waited my entire life to feel my mom’s love. And now that I have it, I refuse to lose it. We can fight to save each other.

“Your time is up, Milena. And who better to replace you than your own daughter.” He runs the cool metal of his gun down my cheek. “She looks like you. Moves like you.” He grabs a handful of my hair and pulls it, making me cry out. “She probably even fucks like you.”

“Piece of shit!” Jonah’s voice rumbles through the room.

“You stay the fuck out of this, Slade.” Dominick points his gun at my mom.

“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll take good care of her.” He kisses my cheek. I lean away from him. His grip tightens. Gun cocked. “Good-bye, Milena.”

Jonah moves fast. I’m thrown to the floor. My head smacks the hardwood. Pain lances through my skull, and bright stars flash behind my eyes. I struggle to sit up, blinking. Jonah has Dominick on the ground. They push and pull for the gun in a deadly tug-o-war.

Oh, God.

Blake pulls me up. “Baby girl. Let’s go.”

He drags me to the door, hooking my mom around her shoulders, and pushing us out.

“No!” I squirm in his hold. “I’m not leaving him.”

Blake’s biceps tighten. He’s too strong. “Please, Blake. Let me go!”

He drags us down the stairs. Every step escalates my need to run back. I will never give up my fight for Jonah.

“Can’t. I promised—”

“I won’t lose him!” I’m kicking and flailing.

His steps slow.

“I can’t live without him.” I continue to claw at Blake’s arms. I stomp hard on his foot.

“Shit.” A deep groan rumbles from his chest. “He’s going to kill me.” His words are mumbled beneath his breath.

And then I’m free. My will to save Jonah burns in my muscles as I sprint toward the cabin.

I dart into the room. Jonah and Dominick are still locked in a vicious battle. I slide across a slippery pool of Vince’s blood.

There’s commotion, yelling. I look up to see Dominick’s gun pointed at Jonah’s face. I need to move faster.

A gun. I scurry on all fours. Blood covers my hands. Tears blur my vision. I fumble with the weapon. Crawling toward the fight. Jonah locks eyes with mine. His features twist in undiluted panic. Dominick’s arm gets loose. The gun presses below Jonah’s chin. No! The gun slips from my grip, I scramble for it with shaking hands. I get it, raise my hands to aim, and pray I’m not too late.

Pop-Pop-Pop.

Thirty-three

Raven

The room is still. Pain radiates from my arms, seeping into my shoulders. People are yelling, but it sounds as if I’ve got cotton balls in my ears. Muffled and incoherent. White noise rings in my head, along with my hammering heartbeat.

I push myself up. The weight of the gun drops from my hand. Dominick is down. His body still. His chest void of the rise and fall of breath.

Dead. I killed him.

Someone pulls at my arm. They want my attention, but I can’t look away from the morbid scene before me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jonah. He’s sitting up. Blake is shouting in his face, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.

Jonah’s gaze swings to mine. The red blood splattered on his face is a gory contrast to his pallid skin. His eyebrows are low and his face pinched. I watch his mouth move, able to make out the single word. Baby.

My breath hitches. It’s over. I’m free.

As if summoned by my thoughts, he rushes to me and I’m in the safety of his arms. The gentle sway of his body rocks me, and I clutch his blood-soaked shirt. He cups my cheek with his good arm, holding me to him. I feel the pressure of his mouth against the top of my head. His lips move against my scalp, but his words are vibrations. I pull away and watch his lips.

I love you.

A smile tiptoes across my face.

I love you too. My lips move, the cadence of my voice hums in my throat, but