Our Sins Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Four Years into our future

  Letter from Mommy

  Acknowledgements

  Meet Kimberly

  Behind the Lens by Heather Dahlgren-Prologue

  This book is work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental

  Copyright © 2015 Kimberly Blalock

  Our Sins by Kimberly Blalock

  All Rights Reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher or author constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at

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  Cover art created by Berto Designs

  Main Photographer by Serg Zastavkin/Shutterstock

  Back Cover photographer icealien/Shutterstock

  Copy and Line Editing- Silla Webb

  Interior Design-Silla Webb

  Proofreading- Misty Simmons, April Newman, Courtney Shockey, Amber Ray, and Tina Spurlock

  I know that this is happening, I know that this deranged woman is sitting next to me, but honestly, I don’t believe it. She smells of cigarettes and liquor of some kind. I’m not a hard liquor kinda girl, so I’m not confident what it is exactly, but it’s disgusting. I’d nonetheless appreciate a little bit of whatever it is right about now.

  I opened the door thinking it was Nat on the other side. Nat’s supposed to be here, we’re supposed to be headed to my dress fitting. We’re supposed to be meeting Amy and my mom, and now I wonder…well hell, who am I kidding? I know I’ll never get there. I’ll never feel the cool satin on my skin. I’ll never see Evan’s face light up when he catches my eyes as I walk towards him, on our wedding day. I’ll never touch his warm skin again, and he’ll never touch mine.

  I want to cry, I know I do, but I can’t. I feel like I should be crying like I have every other emotional time in my life. But I’m numb or shattered, and maybe that’s why I’m not crying. Yeah, that’s gotta be the reason, right? I’m scared. When my eyes meet Evan’s, I see terror. I don’t want to see that look on his face. I don’t want to see the strongest man I’ve ever known scared. What does that say for the rest of us in this world? What do the weak do? Where do we hide when the strong look terrified? I don’t think it’s supposed to work this way. Is it? No. It’s not.

  I hear her screaming, I feel the vibrations from her shaking body. I smell the disgusting stench flowing freely through our home. Our home that has nothing to do with the four walls that surround us. The home that Evan and I have made together is built on friendship, honesty, trust, and love. The home that we’ve built together can’t be knocked down by this beast of a woman. It can’t be knocked down by any of the profane words that drip from her red lips. Nothing can knock our home down, unless. No, I can’t think that way because I don’t see myself in this world or any other without Evan, and that’s just the way it is. If one dies, the other dies. I know I sound completely morbid right now, I get that, but there isn’t any way around the facts and those are the facts. I love Evan Young, and no one is going to think that just because they’re waiving a gun around like a lunatic our home will break.

  My eyes are like daggers on Evan’s and his are the same on mine. If I look into them and he sees that I trust him, maybe he won’t be terrified anymore. Maybe he needs to see that I believe in him. I do, I’ve never believed in anything the way I believe in Evan. He’s my rock and nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing will ever change that.

  She’s talking to me, she’s saying something, but I can’t let her voice in my head. I don’t want that to be the last thing I hear. I want to hear Evan’s voice tell me how much he loves me and how he can’t wait to be my husband. Those are the only words I’m going to let in my head because that’s all I care about. Those words will keep me safe. Those words will bring this evil bitch to her knees.

  I need to have faith. I need to make the possibilities of our home so large that things I can’t even imagine at this moment will happen and save us from this lunatic. I guess they call that a miracle. We could use a miracle about now.

  Evan’s trembling and messing with his fingers. I wrinkle my brow for a half second as what he’s trying to say hits me. He wants me to take off my ring. I know that he knows best, but he better be right because this ring wasn’t ever supposed to come off of my finger.

  I slip it off and his body releases a breath, it’s subtle, but I know he’s relieved. Maybe he thinks she would flip out or something and again, I know he knows what he’s doing.

  I’m gripping the ring in my right hand and I feel better as the prongs stab my palm. I squeeze harder knowing that the feeling of pain means I’m still alive. The harder I squeeze the longer my breathing halts. I haven’t taken a breath for a minute or two. My body’s tense. I think maybe I should just jump and take this bitch out. I take a deep breath because I’m pretty sure I’m turning blue when my body begins to jerk in response.

  My mind’s going through the motions, but I’m not fully taking it all in to be honest. Who the hell wants this to be the last thing that they remember? I for damn sure do not. I jump when I hear her scream and feel her spit land on my skin as her nasty words flow like vomit.

  My body instinctively goes solid when she sits down next to me. Maybe it’s because I feel something stab my rib cage. Yeah, I’m sure that’s it. I know her gun’s there. I don’t want to believe it, and maybe if I hold my breath again I’ll wake up and this will all have been a nightmare. God, I’m such an idiot. Why didn’t I look out the peephole? Why didn’t I take precaution after everything that’s happened? Why didn’t I do the right thing? What can I do to stop the inevitable; the darkness that will take us into its mouth and swallow with no remorse? This can’t be how our story ends.

  Evan’s body is shaking, his hands trembling on his lap, and his leg jumps so nervously I feel like I should lay my hand on it to settle him. I would settle him, but I can’t. My body jerks when she shoves the gun a little harder into my rib cage. Her body leans forward and I think she’s smelling me. I turn away with vomit rising in my throat and suddenly I see an angel. I’ve always been Evan’s angel, but the face that I see is the miracle I didn’t know would come but had hoped for. Nat. She’s as lethal as they come and trust me, I’ve seen what she’s capable of.

  Evan doesn’t see her, and I hope to God Monica doesn’t either. Nat sees what’s happening and she’s hiding behind the large pillar that’s sitting on the edge of the
foyer. I know that she’s capable of dealing with this psychopath, but that doesn’t stop the fear riveting through my body.

  I focus my eyes on Evan’s, I need to let him know in some way that she’s here. I move my eyes back and forth to the foyer and back to him. He isn’t getting it. I decide to nod my head a little, but he’s still not understanding what I’m trying to tell him.

  Monica’s words are ringing in my ear. Have you ever wondered what you would do in this situation? I have, I’ve always wondered what I’d do if someone attacked me in a parking lot. My parents always warned if that happened to just hand over my bag and run, but that’s not what I actually saw myself doing. I saw myself screaming and standing up to the prick. When it’s in your head, it all sounds good doesn’t it? I never actually thought that would happen and while this isn’t a parking lot, there is someone threating mine and Evan’s lives.

  My heart’s thumping so hard wondering how this is going to end. The dark parts of my mind have a scenario that’s going to have to be slammed back behind the door of Hell because no one’s tearing our home down.

  When I hear Monica speak in the next few minutes, I know that the time’s come for us to do something. Evans expression seems fierce, and I know that he’s thinking the same thing I am. However, if he knew that I’ve made the decision to reach for this gun, I guarantee he wouldn’t agree.

  Would it really matter if I grabbed the gun? She’s going to kill us anyway. Why not go down with a bang? If I can grab it even just for a second that would give him a fighting chance at least. I haven’t really thought this through, but I’m okay with dying to protect him. I search every inch of his face knowing that this may be the last time I see his beautiful blue eyes or the dimple destruction that I love so much. I smile one last time and then reach for the gun. I turn my head in slow motion knowing it’s ride or die and maybe die anyway. I lift my right hand before even I realize I have. Monica’s eyes widen in shock that I’ve taken this chance to save Evan. She jerks the gun from my hold, and I hear the crippling echo stream through my ears.

  The most deafening sound reflects from every thought of death I’ve had as we’ve sat here imprisoned. My eyes meet Evan’s and when I see terror, I quickly wonder why. His body’s shaking and yet I think he’s frozen at the same time. For a few seconds I forget that my ears are ringing from the loud sound, but I’m quickly reminded and that’s when I see the reality and the devastating price that’s been paid.

  “Evan.”

  Abby’s eyes are hard on mine. I wonder if she’s in shock. Her eyes are saying something, and even though I know she’s saying goodbye, there’s no way I’ll admit it. I’m never letting her say goodbye. She’s the one person in my life I fully connect with; mind, body, and soul. I love her unlike any love I can imagine. I’m wondering what I did with my life before she took over everything that I’ve ever known. She loves me with every cell of her being, and I love her with every cell in mine.

  There’s blood everywhere. Abby’s shaking and has now turned white as a ghost. I turn my head to the left seeing Nat running towards us. The look of horror drips from her face flooding the room with fear. She knows what’s happened. I’m frozen in my spot on the couch. I don’t know what to do with the repercussions of my past. My past has burned me forever.

  I attempt to get up from the couch only to fall to my knees. I can’t move. Natalia’s kneeling at Abby’s feet, but I need to get to her. I have to save her. I believed I could keep her safe. What she’s given to me she can never get back. She trusted me with her life and I failed her. I’m not a praying man. But on natural instinct, my head falls to my shaking hands begging God to save my soulmate from the desperation left in our wake.

  ‘God take me, take me, I’ll happily pay for what’s happened here. Please don’t take this woman from me. I just got her back, please don’t take her from me’.

  The tears erupt from my eyes because I know the inevitable has come and taken the love of my life. I brace myself on the arm of the couch as I stand to my feet, I don’t want to look at her. I can’t see the life drained from her body. I can’t see what’s been done because of me. But I turn to her, first seeing Monica’s lifeless body. Nat made a clean through and through shot. I know Monica’s dead. It’s when I finally have the balls to look at Abby on the sofa next to the body that I see her eyes on me, and I realize she isn’t dead, she’s alive. My mouth opens to say her name, but nothing comes out.

  “Evan!” Nat screams pulling at my arm. “Look at me!”

  My eyes fall to hers. “Abby,” is the only word I can get out.

  Abby and Natalia both look at each other confused. “Evan?” Abby asks bringing her body forward on the sofa. Standing slowly, her hands reach for mine. “Evan, she’s gone, it’s ok now.” The words spill from her pink lips.

  Nat steadies Abby’s steps. “Abby, I need to make sure you’re okay.” Nat assesses Abby as she steps towards me.

  “I’m okay,” she snaps. “Evan, it’s alright.” Her hands reach me taking hold of my arms. I can feel her tiny body shaking and I know she’s barely hanging on. My hands reach around her waist pulling her into my chest. My eyes are hard on hers, never and I mean fucking never letting them go.

  “You didn’t get shot? Are you okay, angel?” I’m asking in a shaky voice.

  “I didn’t get shot, Evan.” She reaches her hands up my arms landing on my face. “Monica’s the only one shot.” Her eyes are fierce on mine. Another second goes by and I see Abby turn into someone I always knew she was, but never in this way. My rock. “Nat, call those people that take care of this kind of shit will you? I want this sick bitch out of my house. Evan sit down,” she demands of us both. Normally Nat would have a say as to what’s gonna happen next, but this time she looks at me with complete submission as she reaches for her phone.

  When I make contact with the couch Abby falls to my body. “Evan Young, this is our life. A life I vow to give to you and you alone. No one will ever tear us apart, and if they try they’ll pay. Do you understand?” I nod my head and wonder what’s going on with her. I know that she’s been through more in her life than most and that alone would cause someone to harden, but she’s still so soft. “I’m going to shower and when I’m finished I don’t want to come back in here to this, are we clear?” she demands. She stands running her hand against my face letting it fall away as she steps back and that’s when I see something in her eyes. I don’t know if what I’m seeing is shock or fear.

  Nat watches Abby as she rounds the corner and when we hear the bedroom door click closed, we simultaneously exhale and exasperated breath. “Evan, I think Abby’s in shock,” she says, answering my own thoughts.

  “This is just too fucking much for one person to take day after fucking day.” She needs a break, she needs a happily ever after. I’m going to give her that.

  “Exactly E, this isn’t cool. She’s been through a lot and she needs to talk to someone about it.”

  “The same way you talk about shit?” Nat is wound tighter than a safe when it comes to talking about her problems. “She has me.” I glare at Nat.

  “Yeah, I know that,” she nods. “But for the kind of stuff she’s holding onto, she needs someone that isn’t all up in her Kool-aid, ya dig?”

  “What the fuck?” I want to laugh at her. What does she know about the shit Abby’s holding on to?

  “Oh God, you men are clueless to a woman’s needs aren’t you?” She takes a deep breath before quirking a brow. “I’ve gotta make this call before Abby comes back and kicks my ass.” Nat turns walking toward the kitchen her phone tight against her ear. She’s calling the clean-up crew.

  When everything that’s happened finally registers in my head. I consider how Natalia got into the apartment. Realizing Abby was trying to tell me something with her eyes. Maybe she had seen Natalia. Maybe that’s what the eye gestures were about. Perhaps she was attempting to tell me.

  The first gunshot I heard was Monica’s gun. I see
that the bullet entered the arm of the couch. Abby wrestled with her for a few seconds before it went off with a loud ear-ringing bang. My eyes were on Abby’s face. I wanted to lurch forward and take that bitch by the throat, but it was over seconds later when another loud ear-ringing bang rang through my ears. I didn’t know right away it was Nat’s gun that completely ended the entire scenario. My body had been frozen from the first shot. My fingertips numb. My feet weighted to the floor. My heart thumping in my ears, I couldn’t move until I knew Abby was safe and unharmed.

  Now I see Monica dead on the sofa with her blood pooling on the grey material. My eyes fall for a second to the thick liquid dripping onto the floor I’m sad it had to end this way, but Monica was a crazy bitch that had gone off the deep end a long time ago. I tried talking to her. Making her understand she was a special person and deserved more than I was able to give her, but she wouldn’t listen. She only screamed and told me I was wrong. It’s like she thought we were actually in a relationship, only I wasn’t in anything with her.

  “Okay, they’re on their way.” She looks around the room pointing to the windows. “Anyone able to see in here?”

  “Ahh… No.” I finally answer rubbing my hands through my hair. “I don’t even know what to say about this. How to approach her. Damn it! I let down my guard for one day. I should have seen this coming, I should have known.”

  Nat nods her head. “Yeah, your right, you should’ve. But, Evan, you and I both know we can’t pinpoint every crazy freak’s plans to ruin your life.” She takes a deep breath waiving me away. “Go to your woman and let me get this cleaned up.”

  Closing my eyes for a second, I silently admit how fucked up Abby’s life has been since she met me. I don’t know what to say to her. I’ve seen her go through nothing but hell, and I wonder if I can keep doing this to her. Can I really stay with her and watch her life end? I turn towards the hallway walking in the direction of the bedroom.

  My feet are moving towards her, my heart is racing towards her, but my mind is running as far away as it can get. When I reach for the door handle, I hear something loud and my heart jumps through the door that stands in between me and my angel. I swing open the door not seeing Abby at first. “Shit,” I mutter to myself. I’m a freaking paranoid, pathetic excuse for a man right now. I couldn’t protect her from Monica why would I think I could protect her from anyone or anything else? I walk through the room seeing the bathroom door is barely ajar. I tap it with my right hand moving it out of the way as I enter. A broken glass bottle lays on the floor.