Dirty Little Brat (Dirty Series Book 1)

“Lexi have you met my dad and brothers?” Connie asks me, signaling toward the men.

“I haven’t.”

“That’s right. They were in Spain during the wedding. Well this is my father Carlos, my brother Diego and my brother Lothario. Fellas this is Saxson’s wife Alexis.” They each take turns kissing my hand and cheek, welcoming me into the family. Now I know why they look so familiar. They look like Connie and Brenda.

“It’s nice to meet you all. Thank you for coming to the brunch.” I say, not sure what else to say. Thankfully I am saved.

“Alright everyone brunch is ready.” Saxson’s mom announces. Looking beside me, I realize Saxson is no longer there. I scan the room and find him by the door talking to his brothers. All of them look serious and I want to know what is going on. Maybe it is about my parents.

“There you are. Where have you been?” Lara asks me grabbing my arm.

“The question my friend is where have you been. Are you having fun?” I ask her, wanting to make sure Ramone is being on his best behavior.

“Everyone is so nice. You are lucky Lexi. Your in-laws are amazing.” I smile because she is right. We make it outside to the outdoor table and Saxson is right behind me.

“Let me pull out your chair, baby.” He leans down and kisses my neck as he pushes my chair in. The waiters begin bringing out the food and everyone's reaction makes me feel better. Everything is more than delicious. The banter back and forth, laughter and conversation are a welcome change from eating alone every night like I used to. More than a few times I have been complimented on how great the food is and how the decorations are beautiful and elegant. My chest begins to feel lighter as the tension leaves my body. “See. I told you not to worry.” He whispers in my ear.

Saxson stands, tapping the side of his glass with his spoon. The laughter begins to die down, but then it was replaced by a popping sound. I assume it to be a champagne flute. I turn to see where the champagne came from when everything around me is in chaos. Suddenly, everyone is yelling and shouting and screaming. My heart is beating more than a mile a minute and as I reach for Saxson, he shoves me to the ground yelling at me to stay down. For some reason, my brain is not computing what is happening.

“Don’t move Lexi. Stay here,” he says. His eyes, filled with anger and rage, relay a fear I have never seen from him before. He leans down and looks at me, his hands holding my face. “Promise me you won’t move baby. Promise me.” I nod my head, still not sure what is happening. I see him pull a gun out of the back of his pants and that is when the bubble I have been trapped in this whole time, bursts. Like a storm that comes from nowhere, all is black. Tears stream down my face as I watch him stand and begin shooting at whoever did this to us. I see his father, brothers, uncle, and cousins, also firing back as his mother, who is on the other side of the table is holding rosary beads and praying. Brenda and Connie, though calm, are obviously distressed, as their husbands keep holding them and rocking them.

“Oh God. Where is Lara?” I begin looking around trying to see if I see her anywhere. Peeking my head over the table, I spot her on the other side with Julissa, whose husband I finally notice, is entrenched in this gun battle with the guys. Positioning myself to crawl to the other side, having my hands over my ears is preventing me from moving. Frantically, I look for Saxson. He is not where I just saw him. I see Ramone, still firing, as he points, telling Manny to go somewhere else.

“Sax! Saxon, where are you?” I shout, dread beginning to creep into my veins. What if he has been shot and no one knows it yet. Oh God! I stand without thinking, walking around shouting his name. Somewhere off in the distance, I can hear my name being called, shouted really. But it’s not Saxson’s voice.

“Saxson, please. Answer me.” All around me there is gun smoke, shouting and the sounds of glass breaking. But all I can hear is the sound of my heart as it begins to splinter with every passing second that I can’t find him or hear him. “SAXSON!! PLEASE. DON’T DO THIS. I LOVE YOU!!! WHERE ARE YOU?”

Like a zombie I float through the violence, searching for an antidote to the virus eating my heart. At one point, I vaguely for a split second feel a piercing sensation in my arm, followed by a burning, but even that is dulled by not knowing where he is. “Oh God.” I whisper to myself. “Not like this. I just found him.” I wail, feeling light-headed and lifeless.