Page 189 of Johnny

But what do they want with Johnny Boston?

I hold my hand over my mouth and shake my head. And then the tears are there. Because I can’t do

this anymore. I can’t live like this.

“Hey,” Johnny says, bending down so he can look me in the eyes. “Look at me.” He places both his

hands on the side of my knees and grips them tight.

“What?” I ask weakly. Rubbing the tears from my cheeks.

“We’re not fucked yet.”

“How do you figure?” I huff. “They killed Logan’s people! They’re probably torturing my father

right now. They’ll probably kill your family tomorrow even if we do show up and then it’s all over.”

“It’s not over. We still have one night.”

“What good is one night?” I laugh. “We can’t fight them. We can’t win.”

“There’s always a way, Megan.” He looks at me. He looks at me like he knows my secret. Like I have all the answers.

And the really fucked-up thing is? I do. I have all the answers he’s looking for.

It’s just…

“Come on,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. “I told you I wasn’t done yet

tonight. I have one more thing to show you.”

“I’m not in the mood, OK? I can’t do any more glowing dolphins. We’re done! We’re as good as

dead! This whole night is pointless!”

“Just come up here and lie down with me.”

He jumps up onto the sun deck, still holding my hand. Urging me to follow him.

“Megan,” he says, looking me in the eyes. “Trust me, OK? We’re not done. We didn’t fight this

hard and come this far to be done.”

I feel defeated. I finally feel defeat. So I give in. Because there’s no more fight left inside me.

They’re going to torture my father and me too, no matter what happens. That will be my future. And

they’re going to kill Johnny, and his brothers, and everyone else we ever knew.

“Come on,” Johnny whispers. “We’re gonna lie down right here for a little while.” He kneels

down and adjusts the sun loungers so they lie flat, then pats the one next to him.

I get down next to him for the simple reason that I don’t know what else to do. I’m just on autopilot

as I play scenarios of tomorrow in my head.

Torture. That’s my future.