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This was where her pain came from. The loneliness that vented from her soul.

“I…it’s early,” I finally settled on. Not sure why I felt reticence in admitting it to her. I supposed it was because I didn’t want to inflict more grief. Unsure if she was spiraling into a crisis.

I fumbled through my brain to figure out what she might need. What I could say to support her in whatever she was going through.

She laughed a hollow sound. “I tried…”

She choked over the words as a single tear streaked down her cheek.

Then I stumbled back when she lifted a gun I didn’t realize she had hidden behind her thigh.

It trembled and bounced as she pointed it at me.

Dread froze my blood, and my back hit the far counter edge as I stumbled back.

I was completely boxed in.

Trapped.

“Penny?” Confusion bound and locked with the horror that raced. “What are you doing? I⁠—”

“Shut up.” The words scraped like she couldn’t believe she was issuing them, either. “I don’t want to hear you say anything.”

My attention darted to the windows in hopes of seeing Regan. Praying he might see.

“Scream or run or any of the things you’re contemplating, and I shoot.” Penny’s voice was a thin warning, and I forced myself to look back at her.

I tried to play it off like I was cooperating. Trying to assess and understand.

Metal glinted as the gun teetered in her hold, and sweat and tears mixed on her cheeks.

“Penny, I don’t understand what’s happening, but⁠—”

“I said shut up!” she shouted.

It reverberated around the shop, and my pulse sped out of control.

“Start walking, to the back door,” she commanded.

Wavering, my nails curled into either side of the counter.

“Now.” It wasn’t a shout. It was a seethe.

Hatred slipped out between her turmoil.

I gulped down the terror that crawled my throat, and I forced myself to move.

My steps were slowed as she moved to the side so I could edge out from behind the counter, even slower as I started in the direction of the hall, which was only four steps away.

Praying it would give time for Regan to come in and check on me.

That he wouldn’t stay out of sight the way I’d previously instructed him and the rest of the Crows to do so they wouldn’t scare away the customers.

Thinking their watch was ridiculous.

Unnecessary.

That I was at least safe within the confines of my store.