No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The moment I saw Phipps at the parking lot today, something felt off. I hadn't been around for a few days, and the one day I decide to show up, so does Phipps-and bam, trouble is waiting. It was as if someone had orchestrated the whole scenario. I cornered the guy I'd just decked, blocking his car. "Spill it. Who sent you guys to mess with us today?"

The guy's face was a mess, half-covered in blood. A sight like that would've sent the old me running, but somewhere along the way, I'd become as tough as nails.

"I've got no clue what you're talking about," he stammered, eyes wide with fear.

Though I'm not one to promote violence, it sure has a way of getting people to talk. A well-aimed ashtray to his head got him cooperating.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I scanned the area, catching the guy's eyes as he tried to shrink back. "Ms. Hudson, please, don't make this harder on me."

"Just talk, and we won't have a problem," I told him, locking eyes.

"I can't... If I do, I'm dead," he blurted out, desperation clear in his voice.

I knew he was scared of retaliation. I smiled softly. "How about this? You just nod or shake your head to my questions."

"Ms. Hudson..."

"It was the Wagner family, wasn't it?" As soon as the words left my mouth, his body stiffened.

Got him.

pause, I threw

Now he was truly

if Dustin wanted to test Phipps or me, he'd use someone from his own

If you

rearview mirror, I saw him frantically dialing a number, probably

was clearly trying

Phipps, maybe to show me Phipps's vulnerable side, to convince me he wasn't Ernest and to give up on whatever I was holding

QUMS

I was seething with rage at the thought, a car engine roared to life, and

the darkness, aiming stra

JMS

for me.

over me, and just as I tried to dodge, a strong

to the ground, rolling away from the oncoming

car's engine sound faded, I finally saw who had

almost escaped my lips, but I swallowed it

Ernest. It was

of all people,