What’s his plan?” Sam asks.

Parker looks at Ryder and shrugs with one arm. “I’m not sure. He’s playing off-script at this point.”

“What do we do?” Mack asks.

“Make sure Paige is safe. She could be a target,” Sam says.

“Call Mason and let him know,” Parker tells Ryder. “I’ll call Aaron. Connor could also be in danger.”

“You think Paige and Mason are still together?”

“Most definitely.”

Ryder calls Mason to fill him in while Parker calls Aaron. “What? Mason’s there? Why is he there? Oh, he spent the night with her? While you were in the house? That is just terrible. Make sure Connor stays safe. Aaron, you’re divorced. I’m sure it hurts. Yes, this is what it feels like to be cheated on. Aaron, I have to go. Aaron, Kane is out on the loose. I’m sure Paige being with Mason is very terrible for you, but this might be a little more pressing than your feelings right now.” She rolls her eyes and hangs up.

“That would explain Mason ignoring my phone call.”

Parker’s deep in thought, and Ryder pulls her aside. “What’s going through that head, kid?”

“You know, you say that a lot?”

“Well, I can tell when the wheels are turning. Which is almost always.”

“We need to go to my parent’s house.”

“Why?”

“He’s there.”

“So, you, what? Just want to walk in there?”

“Yes.”

“I’m letting Sam know.”

“No.”

“I’m not going to let you walk in there to die.”

“If we go in with the cavalry, he’s going to kill someone. Or multiple someones.”

“I don’t care what your gut is telling you. My gut is telling me I can’t handle you getting hurt again.”

“I won’t get hurt again.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Well, you are my ride,” she smiles. “Sam, we’re going to go and check Ryder’s house.”

“Our house,” he corrects. “For now anyway.” He lowers his voice so only she can hear. “I’m completely against this. For the record.”

Within minutes, Ryder’s pickup pulls up outside the Lewis household. Parker doesn’t hesitate and jumps out of the pickup and hurries towards the house. Ryder has to jog to catch up to her.

“Here goes nothing,” she says and opens the door. Slowly stepping in, she moves to the couch.

“You came,” Kane says from the stairs.

“I knew you’d be here.”

“I knew you would. And you brought him.”

“Yes.”

“How’s your shoulder?”

“It’s okay. The pain meds help.”

He slowly descends the stairs. “Be careful with those. They’re addictive.”

“I’m fine. I don’t feel the need to use them as much as before.”

“I didn’t mean to shoot you.”

“I know.”

“I think something is wrong with me.”

“I think you’re right.”

Ryder stands by the front door trying to assess the situation. He can’t figure out what to do.

“I’m going to keep hurting you unless I stop.”

“Then stop.”

“The only way to stop is by ending it.”

“Kane, you need professional help,” she says.

“I’ve tried that!” he shouts and scratches his head with the barrel of the gun. “It doesn’t work!”

“You never gave it a chance. You resisted, and you were angry and projected upon everyone.”

“Do you think we could ever be a family? You know, Christmases and birthday parties?” His tone has changed and sounds almost childlike.

“No.”

“Why not?” he whispers.

“You know why not.”

“I’ve done too much damage.”

“I can’t forgive you enough to have family gatherings with you.”

“Harsh honesty.”

“Would you rather I lie?”

“Parker,” Ryder says and nods his head at Kane’s gun. He’s pointing it around erratically. He appears agitated.

“Doesn’t my pain mean anything to you?”

“If you hadn’t killed eight people, it would have.”

“Parker,” Ryder urges. “Be careful.”

“I’m not going to sugarcoat anything for him. He made his choices, and he has to learn how to deal with the consequences. I’m sorry, Kane, but you are an adult. You need to learn that your actions have consequences. You are not a child, and you need to man up to your choices.”

“I just want a family!”

“You killed them!” she shouts.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” Parker shakes her head.

“You’re right,” he says looking almost contrite. Almost.

“What now?”

“You tell me.”

“It has to end.”

“It does.”

The hair on the back of Ryder’s neck stands straight up. Kane catches his eye, and he doesn’t like where this is going.

“Even though they say I’m not capable of love, know that I’m pretty sure I love you.”

“I believe you want to.”

Kane raises a shaky gun to Parker. Ryder raises his gun in response, and as Kane moves his finger to the trigger, Ryder shoots him three times in the chest. Kane falls to the ground, blood draining from his body.

“What the fuck, Parker?” Ryder yells as he kicks the gun away from Kane’s body and pulling her into a hug. “I told you that you couldn’t trust him!”

“I knew that. I never trusted him. I trusted you.”

“Me?”

“I knew you wouldn’t let him hurt me again.”

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again. I saw my life flash before my eyes when he aimed his gun at you, kid.”

“Your life?” she laughs.

“You are my life.”

“And you are mine.”

“I have to call Sam.”

“I need to have this house condemned,” Parker says looking at her dead brother.

“At least it’s over now.”

“Finally, it’s over.”