(Penny)

I saw Warren’s car pull up. He opened the door and got out as the car was still coming to a stop. He was by himself, driving a car that was worth more than anything I would ever own collected together. He took off a pair of sunglasses and threw them on the roof of the car.

He charged toward me and I went to him.

Before we could touch, Nathan’s guy got in the way.

“Arms up,” he said. “I’m checking for a gun.”

“Like fuck you are!” Warren yelled and pushed. “Where’s my daughter?”

“It’s okay,” Nathan said. He pointed to the back door. “Erik said he brought her here for safe keeping.”

I started to run, along with Warren.

The back door to the gas station was only feet away, but it felt like a mile.

I heard Noah call my name.

I looked back and he was shaking his head.

I kept going though.

Warren grabbed the door and pulled.

It was locked.

“Dani!” he screamed. “I’m here!”

He started to pound on the door.

Nathan slowly walked to us and pointed a gun at the door. “Back up. Let me do it.”

Noah grabbed me by the waist. “Honey, don’t…”

The gun went off.

I lost all hearing for a split second.

The door was cheap and the handle exploded.

Warren tore the door open and lunged forward.

I wrestled with Noah and broke away from him as he called my name again.

I didn't understand why he didn’t want me to go into the gas station.

Dani was in there, right? We were going to save her. This was all part of the plan.

I hurried forward and crashed into Warren’s back. It knocked the wind out of me for a second. I watched as he fell to the left, against a wall, covering his face.

Erik had been telling the truth.

Dani was right there, right in the gas station. In a chair, tied up, just like he had showed me in the picture. Only now?

Dani wasn’t alive.

* * *

“What happened?” Warren screamed. “What the fuck happened?”

I could barely catch my breath.

Noah grabbed my arm and pulled me close. I buried my face into his chest and started to cry. His arms were tight around me, holding me.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Nathan just told me. Erik… fuck, honey. I’m so sorry.”

Noah then started to walk back, taking me with him.

“Oh, shit,” he whispered.

“What?” I asked.

I looked up at him. I tried to turn my head, but Noah grabbed my face and forced me to stare at him. He kissed me.

That’s when Nathan’s gun went off again.

I jumped and the kiss broke.

When I turned around, Warren was on the ground inside the gas station.

“What the hell?” I yelled.

Nathan spun and pointed the gun at me. “Nobody messes up a fight for me.”

“Is it done yet?” Noah asked. “How many more people…”

“It’s done,” Nathan said. He put the gun away and approached us. “Listen to me carefully. That man owed my family money. His real estate empire was built on broken lies and mistrust.”

“But Dani…”

“She was innocent,” Nathan said. “And I’m sorry for what happened to her, Penny. I couldn’t control that part. But there’s nothing I can do to bring her back. Plus, Warren had already spoken to someone about killing both of you.”

“What?” I asked.

“The person he called happened to be a close friend of mine. Warren wanted to take out my top fighter. And he cost me a lot of money by showing up to a fight with a gun and killing Raider. That’s created tension that I don’t need. Everyone pays, Penny. Remember that.”

And there we all stood, in silence.

Noah slid a hand around my waist.

There was death all around us.

Yet somehow I felt the slightest comfort. Because it really had to be over. Even if Nathan was then going to kill me.

I looked at Nathan. “Now what?”

“Now you tell my driver where to take you. It’s all over.”

I looked up and back at Nathan.

He nodded to me.

It’s all over.

“But before we break apart here,” Nathan said. “I’m going to honor something my family traditionally does. We don’t like to be in debt with other people. As far as I’m concerned, Noah, I owe you a favor. You think it over and…”

Noah waved a hand at Nathan. “I know what I want… right now…”