Page 60 of Byte

“Okay, fine. You’re my sister. What do you think I have that belongs to you?”

“My inheritance.”

“Your what?”

“Our father was a senator. I know he was loaded. I want my half of the money you got from him.”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “I didn’t get any money from him.”

“Don’t lie to me!” she screamed.

“I’m not lying to you. He was convicted of numerous crimes. Everything he had was seized by the authorities,” I explained.

“I know you’re loaded,” she insisted.

I swallowed thickly, knowing she wasn’t going to like my response. “Yes, I have a substantial trust fund, but that came from my mother and my grandmother. I didn’t inherit anything from Lawrence.”

“You know what? I don’t care. I want half of what you have. We’ll call it compensation for my pain and suffering. Now, it’s time to go.” With that, she pointed the gun at Patch and fired.

I watched in horror as the bullet pierced his left upper chest. He stumbled backward and fell to the floor as blood appeared on his lab coat. I dropped down beside him and covered his wound with my hands. “Patch,” I cried. “Are you okay?”

“Let’s go, Gabby,” Lauren insisted.

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I yelled.

“Do what she says,” Patch croaked. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Listen to the dying doctor,” Lauren hissed.

“I’m not leaving you,” I said to Patch. “She can’t kill me and get her money.”

Lauren sighed in exasperation. “You’re right. I can’t kill you, but I sure as hell can maim you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, another loud boom filled the room, and white-hot pain pierced my shoulder. Andthat was it. I’d had enough, and I couldn’t take any more. My only explanation for what happened next was that I snapped.

I got to my feet and launched myself at Lauren, tackling her to the ground. We landed on the tile floor with a thud, but I didn’t let the impact stop me. I raised my closed fist and plowed it into her face, followed by my other closed fist. Over and over. I didn’t stop until someone touched my shoulder and shouted my name.

Patch was slumped in the chair, with Lauren’s gun in his hand. “I’ve got her. Go get Byte.”

Byte. The sound of his name filled me with overwhelming relief. He was right outside.

I ran to the back door and almost dropped to my knees when I saw him.

20

BYTE

Iwas beginning to get worried when Gabby and Patch still hadn’t come out of the office. At least fifteen minutes had passed since the other employees left. I was reaching for my phone to text Gabby when movement at the back door caught my attention.

Gabby pushed open the door, and my heart stopped. She had blood all over her hands, arms, and chest. She even had some splattered on her face.

I opened the door and ran to her as fast as I could.

“Byte,” she cried. “Lauren. Sh-she shot Patch. And I…I don’t know what happened.”

“Where are they?” I asked and pulled my gun from its holster.

“In exam room five.”

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