He’s leaning forward in anticipation of terrible news, the fingers of one hand threaded into the mesh. If I had to tell him Annie had been kidnapped, I don’t think he could survive it. Walt’s death will be bad enough—

“It almost was Annie,” I say. “They tried to kidnap her, Dad. The VK guys, I think. The bikers.”

“Oh, no. Oh . . . Lord.”

“They didn’t get her. Walt stopped them.”

Dad’s eyes widen. “Walt?”

“They knocked down our bodyguards with gunfire, and they got Annie partway into a van. Mia jumped in and fought them, but they were getting away. Then Walt stepped out of nowhere and shot the driver.”

Dad hasn’t blinked. “And?”

“Walt stopped the van. But . . . not before it ran him over.”

My father looks down and swallows. “How bad?”

I hesitate, as we always do in these situations, but waiting only prolongs the torture. “He’s gone, Dad. His injuries were catastrophic.”

At first he does not react, unless perhaps his eyes squint a little more tightly. But then he leans forward until the crown of his head touches the screen, and a moan escapes his lips.

“Dad . . . are you okay?”

Reaching out, I touch my fingers to his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to hear it from somebody else.”

Dad keeps his head down.

“Who else was hurt?” Quentin asks from below me.

“Tim Weathers was hit; I don’t know his condition. I’m pretty sure our driver was killed. Serenity and I were hit with some kind of nonlethal rounds, and then she had acid thrown on her—”

“Nonlethal rounds?” Quentin interrupts.

I nod, realizing that my right shoulder blade and arm are still mostly numb. “Most of the attackers used some kind of nonlethal round.”

“They must have been trying to avoid murder charges.”

“I guess so. But I’m pretty sure our driver was hit with a lead bullet.”

“What about the attackers?” Dad asks.

“I think two VK were killed. One by Walt, the other by Serenity.”

“This is out of control,” Quentin mutters. “Why would they do that? Why go after your daughter?”

“Leverage,” Dad says, looking up at last. “Snake’s a survivor. He’s always going to try to neutralize the greatest threat to him. This morning that was Will Devine. Who is it now?”

“You?” Quentin suggests, nodding at Dad.

“Maybe,” he allows. “But having Annie also gives them leverage over Penn.” Dad’s eyes delve into mine. “Do you have it in your power right now to hurt Snake, or to remove some urgent threat against him?”

I shake my head, but my mind is churning through scenarios.

“Who’s in a position to send him to jail?” Dad presses.

“Dolores St. Denis,” I say softly.

“Who’s that?”