Fight Men Not Love

Chapter Seventeen

"What the f**k, Beckett? There's a f*****g child here," I hissed when he showed up on the doorstep, blood covering his tshirt.

"I have nowhere else to take him, Evelyn, please," he pleaded with me, his eyes wide and fear stricken. He kept looking around, as if someone's following.

"What's going on-" Dominic appeared behind me. "Whoa. What's going on?" He eyed Beckett.

"Evelyn, he's going to die," Beckett ignored Dominic, his eyes pleading with me.

"You missed the way to the hospital," I said, even though I was panicking as well. Niyaaz is still a friend.

"What? And give them another chance to finish him? And me?" He said, exasperated. "Plus, I don't know how to explain that to the police, so..."

"Evelyn, what's happening? My daughter is here and she can't see that," he pointed at Beckett's state.

I sighed and turned to Dominic. "A friend of mine got attacked and he brought him here. Is there a room we can use?" I asked quietly. Dominic eyed the two.

"Use the one opposite yours," he said with a sigh. "I hope I won't regret this," he tells me quietly before turning to walk away.

"A little help would be nice," Beckett said watching Dominic leave.

"Well, I'd like to, but I'm trying to make sure my daughter doesn't get to see whatever you're bringing in my house," he said without turning to us.

"Nico?!" I called out. Seconds later, Nico was by the door. "sorry, we have a little situation and Beckett would like your assistant, please," I said. Nico eyed Beckett, who was rushing to the car.

I waited as they hoisted a barely conscious Niyaaz out of the car. His white shirt was soaked so bad, I panicked. It could be worse.

I opened the doors for them, leading them to the unused bed. Niyaaz groaned when they placed him down.

"Okay, what now?" Beckett inquired, eyeing him worriedly.

"I don't know. You should have pressed down on his wounds to make sure he doesn't bleed to death, you i***t," I ran to the bathroom and grabbed as many towels as I can get.

"Don't you have like a house call doctor or some s**t? You're living with rich people," Beckett said, pacing around.

"Well, thank you for pointing that out. I totally forgot," I glared at him, as I brought a towel down on Niyaaz's stomach. He growled out, stirring. "Whoa, easy there," I said even though he probably won't hear me.

"I don't have a house call doctor," Dominic appeared by the door, eyeing Niyaaz.

"Uh, okay," Beckett said, nodding. He seemed to be deep in thoughts. "Can't you do something?" He turned to me.

"I don't remember going to University to be a f*****g doctor, Beckett," I said as I pressed down on Niyaaz's wounds. There was one on his shoulder and stomach. I really hope they're flesh wounds, otherwise we'll have no other choice but to take him to the hospital.

"It's just taking out the bullets and making sure he doesn't bleed to death, right?" Beckett stated. "How hard can it be?"

"He's already lost too much. He might need a transfusion," Nico spoke up.

"Camden," Beckett spoke up. "He does community service at the hospital. Maybe he can help," he tells me. Oh boy. "C-can I call him?" He asked hesitantly.

"Are you seriously asking?" I turned to Beckett.

"Well, I mean, it's..." I groaned.

"Beckett, call him. I won't try to kill him. If I wanted him dead, he would have died a long time ago," I said. He eyed me, unsure. "Beckett, you i***t," he jumped and grabbed his phone. "s**t, battery." He moved quickly to take Niyaaz's phone out of his jean pocket.

"Hi, it's Beckett, I don't have time to explain s**t to you, but Niyaaz got attacked and he- whoa, calm down. He's with me," he was cut off. "Will you listen? It's not that easy, Camden. How are we going to f*****g explain this to the police if the hospital reports it?" He walked closer.

"He got shot. On the shoulder and stomach. He lost a lot of blood and he's barely conscious. I'll send you the address," he said before hanging up.

"Okay, he said to press down on the wounds and keep him awake. He'll be here," he tells me, slumping down on the floor, eyeing Niyaaz worriedly.

"Niyaaz?" I called him softly. He didn't move. "Niyaaz?" Releasing the wound on his shoulder, I tapped his face gently. "Niyaaz?" He groaned, turning his head. His eyes flickered opened but he wasn't focusing anywhere. He was looking in my direction, but he wasn't seeing me. "Can you hear me, Niyaaz?" I asked gently.

His mouth opened and closed, no words coming out, as expected. He'd lost his voice during that incident. Now, he had selective mutation.

"Hang in there, we're getting help," I told him softly, gently pressing his wound again. He groaned lowly. Too low. He was barely moving. His eyes were closing. "I need you to stay awake. Just a little longer," he blinked slowly and opened his mouth again.

Then he coughed, blood sputtering out and splashing me. He jerked, coughed uncontrollably. "s**t," I panicked, not knowing what to do. I looked up and met eyes with Beckett, who looked s**t scared. Dominic rushed over to where we were.

"Let me see the wounds," he said softly, holding Niyaaz. I tossed the drenched towels aside and Dominic ripped his shirt, exposing his tattooed chest. He had a chain around his neck and it held a ring. It looked like a wedding ring or something.

"Oh God," I breathed out. "This is too close the main artery," I pointed at the wound on Niyaaz's shoulder. One wrong move and he's gone. I really hope Camden learnt something.

"That's a flesh wound," Nico pointed at the one on the stomach.

"Maybe I can get it out," I said, unsure. I had to do something. Niyaaz had stopped groaning and resorted to whimpering. We're losing him.

I can't lose my friend.

"Have you done this before?" Dominic eyed me. I shook my head. "How far is this guy you called?"

"Uh, the hospital is about 15-20 minutes from here," Beckett answered, not taking his eyes off of Niyaaz. "I think," he mumbled. He jumped when the phone rang. "Hello?" He stood up and rushed outside.

Seconds later, he was back with none other than Camden, in flesh. I gulped, trying to focus on the task at hand. When he saw me, his eyes widened and he froze.

"Hi, how about we shift the formalities to later, when this is over?" I rushed out, earning his attention. "Great," my voice was shaking and I was too close to breaking down.

Camden rushed over, carrying a black bag. He set it down and took Dominic's place, looking down at Niyaaz. "How long has he been like this?" He asked as he took the chain off, lifting his head a little. I turned to Beckett.

"Uh, I drove around, for some time, trying to lose the guys who shot him, so...about an hour or more," he said softly.

"An hour?!" Camden seethed, glaring at Beckett, who shrunk, looking scared for once. "You know he could have died, right?"

"Hey, don't come at me. I was trying to help. And those guys were following us. I can't really help him if I'm dead. And I freaked out. I'm allowed to freak out, okay? I'm human," he said, breathing heavily.

Camden grabbed the bag and emptied everything in it on the bed. "Beckett, I brought an oxygen tank. It's in my car," he said, tossing the keys to him.

"Yeah, sure," Beckett was out.

I watched as Camden grabbed a syringe from the contents and a pair of gloves. Niyaaz whimpered, blood coming out of his mouth.

I feared that he might...not make it. What if we made a mistake by bringing him here and not the hospital? It's better to conjure up lies just so he can live.

"I need a wet towel," Camden said, injecting Niyaaz. I hurried to wet two towels from the bathroom and gave it to him. He used one to wipe the blood on his chest and his face.

He grabbed a silver object and gauze and knelt on the bed, next to Niyaaz. I watched as he started with the wound on his shoulder. Niyaaz was barely holding on, but when he dug up the bullet, he let out a guttural growl and shifted. "f**k, baby, don't move," Camden rushed out. Niyaaz thrashed around and Camden stopped. "Baby, if you move, I'll end up hurting you. I just need a minute, okay?" He was gentle with him. He always was. Niyaaz whimpered in response.

I got on the bed and knelt above his head and held him down. Camden nodded in appreciation. Niyaaz cried out as Camden dug up the bullet. I forced his head down and tried to keep him still.

Beckett rushed in with the oxygen tank and his steps faltered when he saw what was happening.

"Uhm, okay, I'm just going to wait outside, before I pass out," he said blinking hard. He placed the tank and left. Nico and Dominic were gone.

Niyaaz had calmed down as the bullet came out. He was barely aware of anything. I replaced Camden's hand as he pressed the wound, so he doesn't bleed more. He tended to the other wound and Niyaaz barely made a sound. I'm guessing it was the injection he was given. Once both bullets were out, Camden wiped him clean with the other towel, before bandaging him up. "It's over now," he said softly.

He grabbed the blood bag he brought with him and set up an IV dripline, pushing the needle in his arm.

I moved so he can hoist him to the top of the bed. "Sorry," he apologized quietly when Niyaaz whimpered quietly. Using one of the nails that held a frame above the headboard, he hung the blood bag.

Then he grabbed the oxygen tank and switched it on, he brought the oxygen mask on his face. We sat there for some time, Camden occasionally checking his vitals.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked quietly, hating how he wasn't moving anymore. I fixed my eyes on his chest to make sure it was rising and falling as it should. Camden looked terrified even though he tried not to show it.

"He'll be okay," he said quietly, looking at Niyaaz. Somehow, the bed covers didn't get drenched and he covered Niyaaz, after taking off his shoes. He grabbed everything that needed throwing and walked out. I walked over to sit next to Niyaaz, too afraid to leave his side.

"Is he okay?" Dominic inquired, standing by the door.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. Let's hope nothing happens," I mumbled. After a moment of silence, Dominic came back with a new cover. I peeled the cover off and draped a new one. "Thanks," I said softly, just as Camden came back, with Beckett.

"I don't know who did this. I was on my way to pick him up from town and found him. I thought they left him, but then they started shooting at us, while I was driving. I didn't get the number plate," Beckett explained.

Camden sighed and came over to sit next to Niyaaz. He eyed me closely.

"When did you get back?" He asked me softly. I eyed him closely. He was still the same. His dreadlocks were longer and styled neatly. He had the same green eyes and the same smooth chocolate skin.

I wondered if his brother- no.

"I never left," I said.

"You know what I mean," he rose a brow at me.

"I don't," I said stubbornly. He rolled his eyes, a smile gracing his lips. "Ya'll got married and I wasn't there? I'm a little hurt," I said changing the subject. I noticed the same chain around his neck. Given the challenges in their relationship, they'd hide the wedding bands.

"Well, like I said, you left," he pointed out. "And...we only signed in court," he murmured.

"Ouch, no big wedding?" I joked.

"I can arrange for that, later on," he said looking down at Niyaaz, lovingly. "You know our situation," he sighed. 8 years into their relationship and they're still going strong, defying everything that is against their love. It's remarkable, really. "And anyway, it won't be easy separating us now that we are married," he said with a knowing smirk.

"Hell yeah," Beckett said, chuckling lightly.

I thought about everything. Why would they attack Niyaaz? Who would do such a thing? He hasn't done anything bad. He's the sweetest boy I know. A little rough when needed, but he was also sensitive.

"What if it was the Draughrr?" I mumbled, deep in thoughts. It only makes sense that they'd attack him.

"What!?" Camden looked horrified. I looked at him.

"What's a Draughrr?" Dominic inquired, having heard the conversation.

"Uhm, it's... a Mafia Gang," I said quietly. His eyes widened at that, but he didn't say anything else. "Hear me out," I turned to Camden. "He saw a few faces that...that day. Maybe they want to...I don't know, silence him."

"Evelyn, that happened six years ago. Why would they attack him now?" Camden quizzed.

"I don't know. Who else would have an agenda with Niyaaz?"

"If that's the case, they're coming for you as well," Beckett rushed out, his eyes widened.

"Well, I already have a Mafia i***t on my tail. I don't need another-"

"Whoa, what do you mean by that?" Camden cut me off. Oh boy.

"It's...complicated," I mumbled, looking down.

"Evelyn, are you in danger?" He pressed. "Is that why you've been hiding?"

"Well, I wasn't exactly...hiding, four years ago, until now. Now," I sighed. "I am hiding,"

"From who?"

"I'd rather not talk about it,"

"Evelyn-"

"I said, I don't want to talk about it," I eyed him. He held my gaze, searching my face. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "Not...now, Camden," I fought the urge to cringe at how weak my voice came out. I heard him huff, but he didn't say anything.

"So what are we going to do?" Beckett inquired, after a moment of silence.

"Well, I'll ask around if the Draughrr is really involved in this. Otherwise, all of us have to be careful," Camden sighed, rubbing the area between his eyes. "You didn't...by any chance, foresee this?" He asked me.

"Even if I did, I wouldn't know it involved him," I gestured at Niyaaz. "I don't know how this works,"

"What?" Dominic asked, looking at the two of us.

"I get this thing," I didn't know how to explain it to someone else, without sounding crazy. Luckily, Beckett beat me to it.

"She gets severe headaches when something bad is going to happen. Like a sign or something. Usually, something does happen. Sometimes she faints. She's like a little psychic,"

"Really? When did we get to the psychic part?" I rose a brow at him.

"How else do you explain this- your gift? When you can sense something bad is going to happen," he argued.

"You dare call this abomination a gift," I grumbled under my breath.

"How often does this happen?" Dominic asked me.

"Well, I haven't been keeping track," I shrug. "It happens occasionally. Sometimes a month would pass without it happening. It happened a lot when I was at the c-" I cut myself off, eyeing Camden sideways. "When I was away. A lot of things happened, so..." I trailed off. "I keep thinking that I would know if something happened to Randall," I frowned. I want to hold on to that, but it's not solid.

Niyaaz got hurt and I wasn't aware. My supposedly gift wasn't as effective as I'd hoped it'd be.

"Evelyn, who is this?" Camden spoke up, eyeing Dominic. I rolled my eyes. It took him too long before his curiosity pushed him.

"My fiance," I said with a forced smiled.

"What?!" Beckett and Camden exclaimed.

"Why are ya'll surprised? I'm allowed to get married, aren't I?" I frowned at them.

"You didn't tell me that," Beckett stated.

"You didn't ask me,"

"Wait, you're being serious?" Camden's brows furrowed as he looked at me.

"Why is that so hard to believe? I'm getting married with Dominic," I wanted to laugh at them, but also I was angry for having to lie to my friends.

"B-but, what about-"

"Don't finish that sentence," I said quietly, looking down as sadness washed over me. I knew where this was going. I knew that he was going to ask me about his brother. Camerin.

"This doesn't make sense, Evelyn," Camden was confused to say the least.

"It doesn't have to make sense," I deadpanned.

●

UNEDITED