The media would have a field day. Headlines blaring “Murder Runs in the Family.” She could already see her parents, totally and completely ruined. Becca would go to prison or, if she got a lucky break, a mental hospital, which was a fancy version of a prison. Ash would wake up from the worst moment of her life and find herself all alone again, tossed back in the system. She couldn’t do that to her girl. She shook free from the haze that gripped her, and stepped back. She didn’t care what Nate did to her. Becca wasn’t a killer. She wouldn’t let this woman turn her into one. She dropped the knife at Nate’s feet. “I can’t. I’m sorry. It’s not what Ash would want. You know that.”

Mo snickered. “I knew you were weak. Like mother, like daughter.”

The second those words were out of Mo’s mouth, Nate raised the gun, his finger on the trigger. Becca could see it now. This would be Mo’s greatest victory, turning Nate against her, going out in a blaze of glory. A true martyr.

Becca couldn’t let that happen. “Stop this, Nate. Stop it now,” Becca said, reaching for the gun, all her training going out the window.

“No,” Nate shouted. He shoved Becca so hard, she almost flew across the room. She felt herself falling, heard a sharp thud as her head slammed into the edge of a worn dresser. The pain radiated from the top of her skull all the way down to her toes, a ringing in her head. Nate’s words were muffled, though she could hear him shouting at Mo.

Get up, Becca. Get up. She fought through the pain, lifting her head as another bullet exploded from the chamber. Everything seemed to slow down as Becca watched in horror as the bullet struck Mo, a flurry of red spreading across her chest. She pulled herself onto her knees, blinking furiously as she watched Mo topple to the ground, her shit-eating grin erased.

Becca staggered to her feet, struggling to keep her balance. She watched as Mo writhed and whimpered in agony, blood staining her blouse. She heard a sob, and she turned to see Nate still holding the gun. “I loved her. I loved Mo.”

“I know, Nate. I know,” Becca whispered over and over again, her heart breaking for this poor, damaged child.

“Tell Ash I’m sorry. Tell her it’s better this way.” Nate raised the gun to his temple.

“No!” Becca screamed, summoning her last bit of strength as she lunged for him. They both went flying, landing on the bed as Becca wrestled for control of the gun. She was certain she’d fired it, the entire room seeming to explode, smoke filling her nostrils, her eyes burning.