Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 73

Xena's POV

"What did you see, X?" Logan asked.

I examined the car carefully, my heart racing while my brain remained eerily calm, analyzing everything before me. "The bullet that hit Ryder came through the car body, and it was from a different gun. The hole is bigger." My voice was steady, but inside I was churning, a terrible theory gradually taking shape. "Almost like they wanted to kill Ryder first, then it would be easier to get me. Ryder and I could have easily handled three Rogues. This seems like their Plan B, and not a very thorough one. They could have

attacked me in the shop for better results."

I walked toward the windshield, flashes of memory from my body hitting the glass replaying in my mind.

"Looking at this angle, the gun that hit Ryder was fired from the rooftop. I bet they knew

he would protect me, so he became an easy target. This attack was to get him into

position." The thought made me sick, my stomach twisting into knots. Why would

someone want me? There was nothing special about me. I couldn't shoot fire from my

hands or lasers from my eyes. I couldn't fly or freeze water. I was just an ordinary person

with above-average intelligence. Why? What was my value?

"Then I guess we're lucky they only fired once," Benedict said, crossing his arms. Logan's phone rang. He walked away to answer it.

"He could have killed us when we were walking out," Ryder said quietly.

My brain worked quickly, analyzing possibilities. "Those windows are tinted, so you can't see inside. I'm guessing he wasn't ready, and that was his only option." My eyes returned

to the car hood. There were smudges of blood on it.

"Xena." Logan's tone plus his use of my full name worried me.

"What is it?" I glanced at Ryder. His expression was unreadable.

"It's... it's the shop. Someone broke in and trashed it. Police are there now."

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Chapter 73

dropped. I sighed, what was coming had finally arrived. Even though the shop was my heart and soul, my

"X?" Logan asked worriedly.

a deep breath. "Take me there," I

with concern. "Maybe it's

don't finish that sentence, either you drive me

angrily.

Logan sighed. “Let's go.”

Ryder coming along, walking beside

the shop, I remained silent. Ryder tried

comfort, but if anyone touched me, I would lose my composure.

trigger an explosion.

had already surrounded it.

tape.

a bad idea," Ryder

know. She's barely keeping it together, and yes, there's a threat to

heard them talking, but my thoughts had already drifted. The shop was my pride,

of

achievements, something I had created. Every customized

in it.

tatters, and inside looked like a complete mess. I thought I would take it

it in person, I couldn't control the

forward, a police officer tried to stop

pass

my shop!" I could feel my anger

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Chapter 73

uncontrollable flame inside me.

in.

said, letting

walked to the shop entrance, looking at the building across

of the shot, my