Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
For years, something or another has tried to keep us apart. This was my final straw. I went to war for her, and this is my result? It can’t be.
Everything begins to flash before my eyes. The first time I saw her. Our first kiss.
The moment I knew I loved her and would do anything to have her in my life. The ultimatum I was given to try to take her from me. The way she fought for me like no one else would.
Oni deserves to be by my side. No one else. There isn’t a person in this world who has loved me more than she has. This is the reason they want to take her from me.
I’m stronger with her. There was a time that if you told me that, I would have told you to get the fuck outta here. I’m my own man.
However, truth is … she makes me a better man. I begin to hear her voice in my head. Something tells me that ain’t good. I can’t open my lids at this point.
“Rico, do you love me?” she says.
“Yes, baby. You know I do. I have loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you,” I reply.
“Then prove it.”
“Prove it how, my angel?”
“You don’t get to leave me. They don’t get to win.”
My job was to get to my woman. Get her out of that hellhole. Then get her home where she can heal, and I can love her.
How the fuck did I fail? I had one job, one job only. Don’t die.
Oni
I feel like I’m floating underwater. Although I feel like I’m lying on soft clouds, my body aches. My head is pounding, and I can’t find the energy to open my eyes.
I get the feeling when I do, I’m not going to be safe. Bad things are waiting. I’ve been holding on for so long.
That much I know. I’ve been waiting on something or someone. What or who, I can’t remember.
Frustrated, I try to remember what’s going on. Where am I and why haven’t they come yet—whoever they are? I try to push at the surface of my consciousness one more time.
I’m a fighter. I can’t give up. I have reasons to survive.
What those reasons are, I can’t figure out through this fog. However, I know I have something important to survive for.
Survive. I’m a survivor. I’ve always had to survive, and I always find a way to.
I’ve got it out the mud before, right? Ugh, my thoughts are right there. He will come for me.
Who is he? Why don’t I feel fully confident that he will? Something happened and he might not find me.
What happened? Think. You have to think.
Let’s start with the basics. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Who am I?
Oni Raven. Yes, that sounds right. I’m Oni Raven.
How old am I? Thirty? No, thirty-one.
Okay, good. I’m thirty-one, but sixteen is ringing in my mind as if it’s important as well. I push that nagging thought back.
I know I’m thirty-one and that was the question. I want to stick to facts that can help me figure out what’s happening to me now. What happened to you, Oni?
Hazel-gray eyes pop into my head. It’s him. He’s who I’m waiting for.
I grab ahold of those eyes and try to figure out who he is. I love the man those eyes belong to. I have for a very long time.
His face begins to become clearer as his dark hair fills my thoughts. I remember running my hands through those dark locks more times than I can count. I’ve seen it in many styles before.
Those fleshy lips. I’ve kissed those lips before. I know the way they feel and how they taste.
I love the voice that comes from them. It’s warm and deep and brings me so much comfort. When he speaks, my entire body tingles.
What happened to take him away from me? He keeps me safe, so what has happened? Where is Rico?
Rico! Oh my God. His name is Rico, and he always protects me. He has been my protector since the first time we met.
I try to remember how we met, but my head begins to hurt more. I try to reach out for the memories and push past the pain. I have something to tell him, something he needs to know, but first I need to remember who he is to me and why we’ve been apart.
That feels really important. Rico is a safe place for me … I think. Or I could be wrong?
I’m hurt and he’s not here. Why? I want him here. I need him here.
Why can’t I remember? I try harder even as my head hurts. Finally, I grasp a small memory.
“I’ve found you, bitch. This time, nothing will save you. You have nowhere else to run. With you out of the way, I will finally get what I deserve.